New To Perfume? Our Experts Say Start Here

April 14 | 4 minute read

Words by Christie Sinclair

Filled with endless notes, flavour profiles and ingredients from far-flung corners of the earth, the world of scent can be equally intoxicating and intimidating.

On MECCA’s shelves alone there are more than 1,500 fragrances. So if you’re new to perfume (firstly, welcome!), we know that moving on from your beloved body mist to your first EDP might not be a straightforward process.

While there are no ‘beginner’ scents as such, there are some easy-to-wear eternal favourites, or ‘crowd pleasers’ if you will. These include well-known notes (think vanilla, gentle musk, light citrus or soft florals) that aren’t too polarising, and that you can comfortably spritz for any occasion. That’s not to say they’re boring – beginner-friendly scents can still have plenty of personality if you look for subtle twists, like a citrus that leans creamy instead of sharp or a spicy vanilla blend.

To kickstart your fragrance journey, our experts have hand-picked six perfumes that tick all the beginner boxes – they’re wearable, versatile and seriously addictive.

The Fruit-Forward Scent
Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar Eau De Parfum

If you happen to be graduating from fruity body mists and looking for something a little more grown-up (and long lasting), this tropical cocktail from Ellis Brooklyn is the perfect place to start. With juicy pink pineapple, coconut water, creamy vanilla and sweet amber, it retains the playful, sun-soaked vibe you love, but has a richness no mist could ever compete with.

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The ‘White T-Shirt’ Scent
Glossier You Eau de Parfum

It’s the white t-shirt of your fragrance wardrobe. And by that we mean it’s the perfume you’ll reach for again and again because it always works. Glossier’s cult-loved scent ‘You’ is the definition of a ‘personal’ fragrance - embellished with sparkling pink pepper and salty ambrox that transforms on contact with the skin to smell slightly different on everyone. A worldwide obsession for this reason, ‘You’ inspired an entire collection of live-in, breathe-in, melt-in-you-skin scents including You Fleur Eau de Parfum, You Doux Eau de Parfum and You Rêve Eau de Parfum - completed only by you.

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The Skin Scent
DedCool Fragrance 01 "Taunt"

Spritz the hero scent from indie fragrance brand founded by Los Angeles native, Carina Chaz, and you’ll smell soft, citrusy bergamot. Let it settle, then take a deep inhale – you’ll notice the freshness melts into a creamy, milky vanilla. It smells familiar, and that’s because it takes cues from the natural scent of your skin, adding a delightful, subtle sweetness that smells like a warmer, smoother version of you.

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The Classic Floral Scent
TOCCA Florence EDP

With a burst of fresh pear and grapefruit, a heart of gardenia and a hint of musk, this has a classic floral feel, but a lightness that makes it sparkle on the skin. While the florals make this feel pretty and polished, the juicy fruits keep it bright and wearable rather than powdery. Starting with a classic like Florence means you’re building your collection with a scent that you know will always be in style.

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The Clean Scent
Korres Blue Sage Eau de Toilette

From Korres’ Greek Apothecary, Blue Sage is a scent that the brand describes as “fresh and intense, with a subtle sweetness”. To us? It smells as though you’ve just stepped out of the best shower of your life. The crisp sage and mint gives a hit of cool, calming freshness while the zesty lemon and lime notes add that clean, just-washed brightness. It’s herbal and green, without being heavy. Overall, you’ll find it incredibly uplifting.

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The Gourmand Scent
Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom EDP

If you were to judge this perfume by its name, you might think this is a traditional floral. But it’s not really at all. It’s a fruity take on the gourmand scent trend, bottling a summery combination of pink pomelo, vanilla, nutty tonka bean and apple blossom. It’s the contrast between the crisp fruity ingredients and notes of your favourite comfort foods that make this scent a must for anyone migrating from body mists.

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Our number one tip if you’re choosing fragrance for the first time: pick something you absolutely love. When you smell it, you’ll just know. And if you don't, visit your local MECCA for a 1:1 fragrance consult, and let our fragrance experts help you find your first 'one'.