The Kicks World guide
Fragrance Guide
Everything you need to choose a perfume with confidence: fragrance families, notes, concentrations and how to wear scent in the Indian climate.
Fragrance familiesTop, heart & base notesConcentrationsIndian weatherHow to choose
01 · Families
Fragrance families
Perfumers group scents into families based on their dominant character. Knowing which families you enjoy is the quickest way to find new favourites: most people love one or two, and the neighbouring families are where to explore next.
Woody
Cedar · Sandalwood · Vetiver
Warm, dry and grounding
Wear it Office days and cool evenings
Shop Woody (107)
Floral
Rose · Jasmine (mogra) · Peony
Romantic, from soft to opulent
Wear it Day to evening, weddings
Shop Floral (139)
Fresh & Citrus
Bergamot · Lemon · Neroli
Bright, clean and energising
Wear it Summer days and the gym bag
Shop Fresh & Citrus (115)
Aquatic
Sea notes · Rain · Salt
Cool, airy and effortless
Wear it Humid weather and travel
Shop Aquatic (21)
Amber & Oriental
Amber · Vanilla · Saffron
Warm, rich and long-lasting
Wear it Evenings, winter, festivals
Shop Amber & Oriental (130)
Fruity & Gourmand
Berries · Caramel · Vanilla
Sweet, playful and cosy
Wear it Date nights and gifting
Shop Fruity & Gourmand (68)Not sure yet?
Answer a few quick questions and we will suggest the families and perfumes that suit you.
Take the fragrance quiz
02 · Notes
Top, heart and base notes
A perfume unfolds in stages, which is why it can smell quite different an hour after you spray it. Never judge a scent only by the first sniff: wear it for a few hours, and when shopping online read all three tiers. The base tells you how the perfume will smell for most of the day.
You may also see words like “rain accord” or “leather accord”: a blend of materials that together create an impression no single ingredient gives. Read Perfume Notes 101
First 15–30 minutes
Top notes
Citrus, light fruits, fresh herbs: the first impression
From about 30 minutes to 4 hours
Heart notes
Florals, spices, green notes: the character of the scent
Four hours and beyond
Base notes
Woods, amber, vanilla, musk, oud: the lasting trail on skin and clothes
03 · Concentrations
Concentrations explained
The words on the bottle describe how much fragrance oil is dissolved in alcohol. More oil usually means a richer scent that lasts longer, but the ingredients matter too: woods, ambers and musks outlast citrus at any strength.
Percentages and longevity are typical ranges. They vary by brand, ingredients, skin type and climate. EDT vs EDP vs Parfum, explained in full
04 · Climate
Wearing perfume in Indian weather
Heat and humidity make fragrance evaporate faster and project more strongly. Match the family to the hour and the season, and a few habits do the rest.
Hot days & summer
Use fewer sprays and choose light, airy scents that stay fresh in the heat.
Evenings & cooler months
Rich, warm perfumes shine after dark, in winter and in air-conditioned rooms.
- Moisturise firstFragrance clings to hydrated skin. An unscented lotion helps it last.
- Spray pulse pointsNeck, wrists and inner elbows, from about 15 cm away.
- Don’t rubLet it dry naturally; rubbing flattens the top notes.
- Store it coolKeep bottles away from heat, sunlight and the bathroom.
05 · Choosing
How to choose your perfume
Step 1
Decide when you’ll wear it
Everyday and office scents should be easy and fresh; evening and celebration scents can be richer and bolder.
Step 2
Pick the moods you enjoy
Start with the family you already love, then compare the top, heart and base notes listed on each product.
Step 3
Choose the strength
EDT for a lighter trail, EDP for all-day presence, parfum for intensity. Unsure? Try a discovery set first.
Fragrance finder
Not sure what to choose? Answer a few quick questions.
Tell us who it is for, the moods you love, when you will wear it and your budget. We will match you with perfumes from the collection.
