Testing perfume in a hurry often leads to a choice based only on the opening notes. Yet a composition can change significantly after thirty minutes. Start with a paper blotter, then apply the most interesting candidates to skin.
Place only one fragrance on each wrist and note its name. Do not rub the skin or put your nose very close immediately after spraying. A few minutes allow the alcohol to evaporate and the true opening notes to appear.
A complete test should last at least several hours. Observe projection, longevity and comfort while moving, indoors and outside. If you can order a sample, wear it on two or three different days before deciding.
Olfactory fatigue is natural, so limit the number of compositions you test. Fresh air and a short break help more than repeatedly smelling coffee beans. Calm comparison matters most, along with choosing a perfume you still enjoy after the initial effect has faded.