Finding a signature scent should be an organic process—you can’t force it. When you try a fragrance, apply it to your neck and your wrists, and wait. The little piece of paper they give you in stores can only give you a vague idea; you really need to put it on your skin and wear it for a while. I’d say that after an hour you should have a pretty good idea of the base notes, although I like to wait at least a few hours.

The right scent should bring up emotions—it might make you feel protected or comforted, or remind you of a particular moment in your life. Maybe you just smell something on someone else that you love; it’s very instinctive. At the same time, scent is so personal, and what smells good on someone else might not work for you. There’s so much that goes into it beyond the perfume itself: your skin, your pH, your diet.

Finding a signature fragrance is really about knowing yourself and your personality. Over the years, you might find you’re drawn to certain notes: For me, it’s sandalwood and citrus. Some people suit stronger fragrances, in which case fragrance oil can be nice: It’s applied directly to the skin and is much stronger because the ratio of fragrance is much higher. If you prefer something lighter, then I’d go for an eau de parfum, which you can even wear on your clothes.

Ultimately, your scent should feel like a second skin. Go for what makes you feel most comfortable, not what other people like. A compliment about your scent might feel good for five minutes, but if you wear something that you love then you’ll have that feeling all day.