When is blotter paper useful?
Blotters let you compare several scents without mixing them on your body, and you can label each strip and revisit it later.
Why can fragrance smell different on skin?
Skin temperature, moisture and application can change the pace of development and the overall impression compared with paper.
Do not put every option on skin
If you are testing many fragrances, use paper first and move only the best two or three to separate areas of skin.
Follow the development, not just the opening
Check both paper and skin later because some differences become clearer in the middle and drydown rather than the first few minutes.
When should you decide?
For an expensive or important purchase, include several hours of skin wear before making the final call.
Related guides
Paper is best for first-round filtering; skin is better for understanding how the fragrance actually wears on you.