Quick answer: For a first perfume, choose by the brand's strength ratings and start at the lowest. The brand's handbook lists Mykonos Baby Love as light in intensity, and Mykonos Slow Living, Mykonos Reflection and Mykonos California Club as moderate. Spray once, on the chest or the inside of the wrist, and check the school's rules before wearing it in class.
A first perfume for teenagers is mostly a question of strength: it should be easy to wear, easy to get right and easy to sit next to in a classroom. This guide is written for teenagers and for the adults who buy with them. We are an authorized Mykonos retailer for Europe; the notes and ratings below come from the brand's product data and handbook. One store rule matters here: under article 3 of our terms of service, if you are under 18 you may only place an order with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
How do you choose a first perfume for teenagers?
Choose by ratings, not by hype, and start with the lowest strength. The handbook gives three numbers worth reading together. Intensity is light, moderate or strong. Sillage and projection say how far the scent travels from the wearer; our guide to sillage and projection explains the difference. Longevity is rated too, but a long rating is not a goal for a first perfume, and how long a scent lasts on you depends on skin and climate.
| Scent | Family | Intensity | Sillage / projection | Longevity (brand rating) | Listed for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Love | Musky | Light | Moderate / moderate | 9+ hours | Spring, summer |
| Slow Living | Citrus | Moderate | Moderate / moderate to strong | 9+ hours | Autumn, spring, summer |
| Reflection | Citrus | Moderate | Moderate to strong / moderate to strong | 10+ hours | Autumn, spring, summer |
| California Club | Citrus | Moderate | Moderate / moderate to strong | 9+ hours | Spring, summer |
| Pink Beach | Fruity, musky | Strong | Moderate / moderate to strong | 9+ hours | Summer |
- Mykonos Baby Love: violet, musk and rose on top, violet and rose in the heart, violet and musk in the base, a powdery, musky floral. The only light one here, and an eau de parfum.
- Mykonos Slow Living: Amalfi lemon and lemon blossom, then neroli and lavender, on Orcanox, musk and cedarwood. A clean, lemony citrus.
- Mykonos Reflection: grapefruit, ginger and bergamot, then marine notes, cardamom and lily of the valley, on musk, patchouli, amber and ambroxan. Fresh and marine; moderate in intensity but moderate to strong in sillage and projection, so one spray is plenty.
- Mykonos California Club: bergamot, lemon and violet leaf, then rose, violet and iris, on amberwood, ambrette and sandalwood. Citrus with soft florals. Mykonos labels it masculine and our store lists it unisex, which is why we explain labels in is Mykonos perfume for men or women.
- Mykonos Pink Beach: kiwi, rhubarb and pink pepper, then jasmine, watermelon and cyclamen, on powdery notes, sandalwood, tonka bean, cedar, musk and juniper berries. A fruity, powdery musk; its intensity is rated strong, so use fewer sprays than you think.
Read all the ratings, not just one. Mykonos Milk Drops is listed as moderate in intensity, yet Mykonos rates its sillage and projection as strong. It is a strong scent and a better second perfume than a first.
How little perfume should a teenager spray?
One spray is a good start: on the chest under clothing, or on the inside of the wrist. Extrait de parfum is the more concentrated type, so it needs fewer sprays than an eau de parfum; Reflection and California Club are extraits, Baby Love and Pink Beach are eau de parfum, and Slow Living is listed as both. Our guide to how many sprays of perfume gives a simple rule. If you have overdone it, see too much perfume: what to do.
In a classroom people sit close, so a scent that is fine at arm's length can feel strong at the next desk. A scent rated moderate for sillage and projection stays closer to you; our guide to the skin scent explains that idea. Your nose also gets used to a perfume, so do not add sprays during the day because you cannot smell it any more.
Is it OK to wear perfume at school?
Check the school's own rules first, because some ask pupils to go without scent. Where it is allowed, spray at home rather than in the classroom or the changing room, use one spray, and leave the bottle in the bag. If a teacher or classmate says it is too much, take that seriously and use less next time.
How do you buy a first bottle without smelling it?
Read the note list, with most attention on the base, and keep the choice small. All five scents above list a 50 ml size, which is the sensible first bottle; by our own estimate it gives about 500 sprays. The product page shows which sizes can be ordered. Our guide to how to test perfume shows how to judge it once it arrives, and the find your scent page and the unisex collection help to narrow it down.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good perfume for a teenage girl or boy?
Choose by family and strength, not by who the scent is marketed to. Citrus scents such as Slow Living, Reflection and California Club, or the soft musky floral Baby Love, are rated moderate or light for intensity by the brand. The label is guidance, not a rule.
How old do you have to be to wear perfume?
We have no age rule for wearing perfume. The only rule in our store concerns ordering and is stated above. For wearing it, the school's rules and the people around you matter most.
Is it OK to spray perfume at school?
Only if the school allows it. If it does, use a single spray at home and keep the scent moderate, so it does not reach the whole room.
How many sprays should a teenager use?
One. Extraits are more concentrated, so they need fewer sprays than an eau de parfum, and you can always add a second spray another day.