Which perfume do you give when you do not know their taste?
Do not know which scent they like? Choose a set with three or five scents, so they find a favourite themselves. This is how to pick the right gift anyway, with tips per budget.
In this article
Do not know which scent they like? Then choose a set with three or five travel size scents: they try them all and keep a favourite. Want to give one scent after all? Look at what they wear now and pick a scent family that almost everyone likes.
In short
- A set is the safest choice: three scents for €29.95, five for €37
- Notice what they wear now: fresh, warm, sweet or floral
- In doubt? Fresh scents and soft, clean scents are the safest
- Want to be completely sure? Give a gift card or let the quiz choose
- Not right after all? It can go back within 30 days
Why perfume is hard to give
Scent is personal. One person loves vanilla, another finds it too sweet. And the same perfume smells a little different on everyone. That is why a large bottle of one scent is a gamble if you do not know their taste, and a few small bottles are not.
The safest choice: a gift set with several scents
With a set you give a choice. The recipient wears each scent for a day and notices which one suits them best. Our sets come with bottles of 10 ml in extrait de parfum, so every bottle lasts for weeks.
- Iconic Femininity Set (€29.95): three scents with fresh citrus and rose, creamy vanilla with coffee, and iris with praline.
- Iconic Men Scents Set (€29.95): three scents with bergamot and wood, cognac with cinnamon, and amber with vanilla.
- Exclusive Fragrance Set (€37): five unisex scents, from dark cherry and cognac to smoky wood.
- Ladies Prestige Set or Gentlemen Prestige Set (€37): five scents each, for daytime and evening.
The names say who we put the sets together for, but choose mainly on character: plenty of people wear scents from both.
How to find out their taste without asking
- Look at what they use now. A bottle in the bathroom or a bag says a lot. Look up its notes online and choose something in the same direction.
- Notice how they smell. Fresh and clean, or warm and sweet? That one impression already narrows it down a lot.
- Ask someone close to them. A housemate, friend or colleague often knows more than you think.
- Think about what they love. People who love summer and the sea often like fresh scents. People who love candles and blankets often like warm ones.
- Let the quiz do the work. Take our perfume quiz with them in mind: eight short questions, and you get six scents that suit them.
Scent families almost everyone likes
| Scent family | Smells of | For someone who | Try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | citrus, sea air, green leaves | loves summer and sport | Fresh Galore, Sailingday |
| Soft and clean | musk, soft skin, fresh laundry | keeps it subtle | Golden Dust |
| Warm and woody | sandalwood, cardamom, amber | loves cosy evenings | Cabin Heritage, Royal Garden |
| Sweet | vanilla, praline, caramel | loves soft and cosy | Cloud of Happiness, Candied Pear |
| Floral | rose, jasmine, peony | loves romantic and elegant | Peony Heaven, Floral Elegance |
In doubt between two families? Choose fresh or soft and clean: they are the least outspoken.
Or let them choose themselves
With the Sentir gift card the recipient chooses. Pick an amount from €10 to €50 and add a personal message. We email the gift card on the day you choose, to the recipient or to you.
What to give per budget
| Budget | Gift | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €15 | One scent in travel size | €14.95 |
| Up to €30 | A set with three scents | €29.95 |
| Up to €40 | A set with five scents, or a favourite in 60 ml | €37 or €34.95 |
| Up to €50 | The autumn set with five warm scents, or a gift card | €44.95 or €50 |
Shopping for Sinterklaas? Read our gift guide per budget.
No risk with Test & Decide
Test each scent at home with up to about three sprays. Not the right one? Then it can go back within 30 days. Within the EU, returns are free for orders over €20, and you get your money back within 2 to 5 working days after we receive the return.
Frequently asked questions
Is perfume a good gift if you do not know their taste?
Yes, if you choose a set with three or five scents. The recipient tries them all and keeps a favourite.
Which scent does almost everyone like?
Fresh scents and soft, clean scents are the safest. They are light, suit the daytime and are rarely too much.
Can the recipient exchange the perfume?
Exchanging is not possible, but returning is. A scent can go back within 30 days, and the recipient can then order the scent that suits them best.
How long does a perfume from Sentir last?
Our perfumes are extrait de parfum with 25 to 30% perfume oil, so they last long on the skin. A 10 ml bottle lasts about a month at five sprays a day.
In doubt between two scents?
Take both. From two perfumes you pay €11.96 each, and your order comes in gift packaging with a free twist capsule.
View all gift sets · Take the perfume quiz
Written by Thomas van Oosterom, founder of Sentir Parfum.
