Create a few personal categories, such as fresh, warm, woody, floral, sweet and aromatic. Add words that genuinely describe how the scent feels to you.

Pay particular attention to notes or textures you consistently avoid. A clear list of dislikes can be as helpful as knowing what you love.

Use your notes to build future shortlists. Keep categories flexible because many perfumes blend several styles at once.

Good notes make discovery easier rather than more complicated. Use them to support practical decisions about what to sample, wear or buy. XASIS currently presents its Signature Five as fragrance design concepts in development; final notes, formula details and availability are confirmed only for finished products.