Is Following YouTube Influencers a Good Way to Choose a Perfume
Table of contents
The “FragranceTube” Phenomenon: Discovery vs. Hype
You watch a video where a charismatic influencer describes a scent as “an angel crying tears of gold while wearing a cashmere sweater.” You are mesmerized. You feel like you can almost smell it through the screen. The urge to click “add to cart” is overwhelming.
This is the trap of “blind buying.” Scent is the most subjective of all our senses. What smells like heaven to one person can smell like a harsh cleaning product to another. Relying solely on a YouTuber’s reaction is a high-risk gamble for your wallet.
However, YouTube can be an incredible tool if you use it correctly. We’re analyzing the pros and cons of following fragrance influencers and teaching you the “smart watch” strategy to find your next signature scent without the anxiety of a bad purchase.
The Pros: Why Influencers Are a Great Research Tool
When used for information rather than instruction, influencers offer massive value.
They Expand Your Horizons
If you only shop at your local department store, you are limited to what is on the shelf—usually the big bestsellers. Influencers introduce you to niche, indie, and international brands you might never encounter otherwise, opening up a world of olfactory art.
They Teach You the Language of Scent
Good influencers educate. They explain notes like “Vetiver,” “Oud,” or “Tuberose” and describe how they interact. They help you understand fragrance families, which empowers you to articulate what you like and dislike when you do shop.
Once you begin to understand these notes and families, you might feel emboldened to experiment beyond just buying a single bottle. Many enthusiasts use this knowledge to layer scents and create something unique. If you are curious about becoming your own alchemist but worry about clashing notes, we explore the rules in our guide: is it okay to mix perfumes from two different brands?
They Test Performance (So You Don’t Have To)
One thing you can’t tell from a bottle or a quick paper strip test is makeup longevity (in this context, scent longevity) and projection. Honest reviewers wear the scent for 8+ hours and report back on whether it disappears in an hour or lasts all day. This is valuable data that saves you money.
However, even if a reviewer loves a scent profile, they might note that it has poor longevity. If you fall in love with a fleeting “skin scent” based on a recommendation, you don’t have to abandon it; you just need a strategy. We explain the etiquette of freshening up in the best way to reapply perfume during the day without it becoming overpowering.
The Cons: The Dangers of the “Blind Buy”
The Subjectivity Trap
A review is just one person’s opinion, filtered through their unique biology. Factors like skin chemistry, diet, hormone levels, and even climate drastically change how a perfume smells on different people.
Scientific research supports this individuality. Studies on olfactory perception have highlighted how genetic variations affect how we perceive odors, meaning two people can smell the exact same molecule and perceive it completely differently—or not smell it at all. This makes one person’s “perfect scent” another person’s nightmare.
The “Hype Train” and FOMO
When five major influencers talk about the same perfume in the same week, it creates a manufactured sense of urgency (FOMO). This often leads to impulsive purchases of expensive bottles that end up collecting dust because you bought the hype, not the scent.
The Bias of Sponsorships
While many reviewers are honest, paid sponsorships and free PR gifts are common. It is important to distinguish between a genuine “empty bottle” review (a product they loved enough to use up completely) and a “first impression” of a product they were paid to talk about.
The Strategy: How to Use YouTube to Shop Smartly
Step 1: Find Your “Scent Twin”
Don’t just follow the most popular channels. Look for a reviewer who loves the same perfumes you already love. If an influencer raves about a scent you hate, their recommendations likely won’t work for you. Find someone whose nose aligns with yours.
Step 2: Use Videos for Lists, Not Purchases
Use videos to build a “To-Test” list, not a shopping cart. Write down the names of intriguing scents and the notes that appeal to you.
Step 3: Buy a Sample (Decant), Not a Bottle
The golden rule of the expert buyer: Never blind buy a full bottle. Use the influencer’s recommendation to locate a small 1ml or 2ml sample vial (often called a decant) online. Wear it on your skin for a full day to see how it evolves before committing to the full price.
The At-a-Glance Comparison Table: Buying Styles
| Buying Method | Cost Efficiency | Risk of Regret | Discovery Potential |
| In-Store Browsing | Medium | Low (you test it) | Low (limited stock) |
| YouTube “Blind Buy” | Very Low (High waste) | Very High | High |
| YouTube + Sampling | High | Very Low | Very High |
The Verdict: A Guide, Not a Guru
Is following influencers a good way to choose perfume? Yes, but only as a source of inspiration, not as the final decision-maker.
Your nose is the ultimate authority. Use influencers to discover the vast, beautiful world of fragrance, but trust your own instincts and skin chemistry to make the final choice. This approach turns perfume shopping from a stressful gamble into a joyful journey of self-discovery and sensory rejuvenation.
