The Fragrance Files: The Perfumes That Will Perfectly Complement Your Mood
Quick answer: Rather than one signature scent, many women keep a small wardrobe of fragrances and choose one to suit the day. Fresh citrus notes feel bright and lively for daytime, soft florals feel romantic, and warm notes such as vanilla, tonka bean and patchouli feel cosy and glamorous for evenings. Thin Lizzy's You Can Be In Love Eau de Parfum is a floral musky scent that opens with orange and bergamot and settles into rose, jasmine and vanilla.
Many of us spend years looking for a signature fragrance, the one perfume that feels like "us". But the scent you love on a slow weekend morning may not be the one you want for a work meeting or a night out. Wearing the same perfume every day can also make it fade into the background, so you stop noticing it altogether. Having two or three fragrances to choose from lets you match your scent to the occasion and to how you want to feel.
How Do Fragrance Families Work?
Perfumes are usually grouped into families based on their main notes. Knowing the families makes it much easier to choose a scent you'll enjoy, even before you try it.
- Fresh and citrus: bergamot, lemon, mandarin and orange. Bright, clean and easy to wear in the daytime.
- Floral: rose, jasmine, freesia and orchid. Soft, feminine and romantic, from light and airy to rich and heady.
- Warm and sweet: vanilla, tonka bean and caramel. Comforting, cosy and a little indulgent.
- Woody and earthy: patchouli, cedar and musk. Deep, grounding and long-lasting, often used as base notes.
Top, Heart and Base Notes Explained
A perfume changes as it settles on your skin. The top notes are what you smell first, usually fresh citrus that fades within the first half hour or so. The heart notes, often florals, appear next and form the main character of the fragrance. The base notes, such as vanilla, musk and patchouli, are the last to develop and the longest to stay on your skin. That's why it's worth wearing a new perfume for a few hours before you decide whether you love it.
Which Perfume Suits My Mood?
- When you want to feel fresh and energised: reach for a scent with bright citrus top notes. Many people find bergamot, mandarin and lemon feel clean and lively, which suits busy days and mornings.
- When you want to feel romantic: florals such as rose and jasmine are classic choices for a date, a wedding or simply a day when you want to feel feminine.
- When you want to feel confident and polished: a fresh, aromatic scent with a warm base feels put-together and memorable, without being overpowering.
- When you want to feel glamorous: rich florals with patchouli, musk or caramel have more depth, which makes them lovely for evenings and special occasions.
- When you want to feel calm and cosy: soft vanilla and tonka bean notes feel comforting and relaxed, perfect for a quiet night in.
Our Picks
You Can Be In Love Eau de Parfum
Best for: romantic days and anyone who loves a soft, feminine floral.
A feminine, sensual floral musky scent with a spirited personality and a surprising freshness. It opens with Sicilian orange, Calabrian bergamot and lemon, has a heart of rose, jasmine and fruity notes, and settles into patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla, white musk and labdanum.
- Fragrance family: floral
- Top notes: orange, bergamot, lemon
- Heart notes: rose, jasmine, fruity notes
- Base notes: tonka bean, vanilla, white musk
You Can Be Confident Eau de Parfum
Best for: days when you want to feel bold, polished and put-together.
A bold, glamorous fresh aromatic perfume with a zesty, shimmering opening of bergamot, mandarin orange and aldehydes. Rose, vanilla absolute, freesia and geranium form the heart, with a rich, warm base of patchouli, akigalawood, tonka bean and vanilla.
- Fragrance family: fresh
- Top notes: bergamot, mandarin orange
- Heart notes: rose, vanilla, freesia, geranium
- Base notes: patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla
You Can Be The Bombshell Eau de Parfum
Best for: evenings out and special occasions.
A seductive, sophisticated citrus floral with a lavish bouquet of jasmine, African orange, freesia, rose and orchid. Top notes of bergamot, tea, osmanthus and caramel give it a delicious opening, and a base of musk and patchouli adds depth for an ultra-feminine finish.
- Fragrance family: floral
- Top notes: bergamot, tea, osmanthus, caramel
- Heart notes: jasmine, freesia, rose, orchid
- Base notes: musk, patchouli
How to Apply Perfume So It Lasts
- Start with moisturised skin: smooth on an unscented lotion first. Fragrance holds on to hydrated skin for longer.
- Target your pulse points: spritz the sides of your neck, your wrists, behind your ears and the inside of your elbows, where the warmth of your body helps the scent develop.
- Spray lightly: one or two spritzes is plenty. You can always add more later.
- Don't rub your wrists together: rubbing breaks down the fragrance and makes it fade faster. Let it dry on its own.
- Top up after washing your hands: if you apply perfume to your wrists, reapply after frequent hand-washing.
- Store it well: keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from windows. Heat, light and humidity break fragrance down over time.
For more ways to feel good from head to toe, see our guides to creating the perfect shower routine and airbrushing your body with Cover & Glow makeup.
What Customers Say
"Beautiful Floral Everyday Spray"
Kelsey H., verified customer (You Can Be In Love)
"This scent is seductive. I love it!"
Rachael B., verified customer (You Can Be Confident)
"Love your perfumes they have great staying power"
Coral B., verified customer (You Can Be Confident)
Read all You Can Be In Love reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have more than one perfume?
There's no rule, but many women enjoy having two or three fragrances to suit different occasions and moods, such as a fresh scent for daytime and a richer one for evenings.
What is the difference between eau de parfum and eau de toilette?
Eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oils, so it usually smells richer and lasts longer on the skin than eau de toilette.
Where should I spray perfume?
On your pulse points: the sides of your neck, your wrists, behind your ears and the inside of your elbows. Warmth from your skin helps the fragrance develop.
How can I make my perfume last longer?
Apply it to moisturised skin, spritz lightly onto pulse points, avoid rubbing it in and store your bottle in a cool, dry place out of direct light.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy fragrance in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Your perfume can set the tone for your whole day. Choose a fresh scent when you want energy, a soft floral when you want romance and a richer fragrance when you want glamour, and you'll always have the right scent for the moment.
