The six-step workflow
Define the fragrance direction
- Inspired by a specific perfume
- Fragrance family (Fresh, Woody, Sweet, Floral, Oriental, Citrus, etc.)
Identify fragrance oil suppliers
- Shortlist multiple suppliers for the same scent profile
Order physical oil samples
- Get samples from different suppliers
Compare, evaluate and select oil
- Smell accuracy
- Opening notes
- Heart notes
- Base notes
- Dry-down
- Overall quality
Request 3–4 concentration mixes
Test performance & finalise
- Longevity
- Projection
- Performance in hot & humid weather
Keep in mind before selecting a supplier
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Find out the smallest quantity you can order. A lower MOQ is ideal while you're still testing fragrances.
Price per kg
Compare the cost of the fragrance oil per kilogram. Don't choose only by price — balance cost with quality.
Lead time
Ask how long it takes for the supplier to prepare and deliver your order. Faster delivery makes it easier to restock.
Batch consistency
Confirm that every batch smells the same. Consistent fragrance quality is essential for customer satisfaction.
IFRA compliance Optional at this stage
If you're starting with a small MOQ (around 100–500 bottles), this isn't usually a priority. Once you're placing larger production orders (around 1,000+ bottles) or planning to scale, ask your supplier whether the fragrance oil is IFRA compliant — considered good industry practice, especially for skin-applied products.
COA / MSDS availability Optional at this stage
Recommended when placing larger MOQs (around 1,000+ bottles) or scaling your brand. For small test batches (100–500 bottles), simply ask if the fragrance is IFRA compliant.
When testing samples
Supplier name
Record which supplier the sample came from.
Oil name or batch number
Note the oil name or supplier's batch number for future reference.
Concentration
Record the fragrance oil percentage (e.g. 15%, 20%, 25% or 30%).
First impression
Smell the perfume immediately after spraying and write down your initial thoughts.
After 30 minutes
Evaluate how the fragrance changes as the top notes fade.
After 2 hours
Check the scent during the heart phase and how well it projects.
After 6–8 hours
Assess the remaining scent and overall longevity.
Overall rating (/10)
Give the sample an overall score based on scent quality, similarity to your target fragrance, and performance.
Environmental testing
Test the perfume in different conditions, such as indoors, outdoors, air-conditioned rooms, and hot & humid weather. A fragrance can perform very differently depending on the environment.