Finding a fragrance is a personal thing. It’s one thing to find something that smells good, but discovering the scent that’s truly made for you is an entirely different journey. And if I’m being honest, it has taken me a long time to find a fragrance that I feel embodies who I am as a person.
In the process, I came across Noteworthy and Scentbird, two brands popular among scent seekers that approach finding your signature fragrance a little differently.
Here's my friendly, no-fuss breakdown of which one worked best for me:
If You Want a Personalized, One-of-a-Kind Experience… Noteworthy
Noteworthy offers completely personalized scent recommendations based on your preferences, whereas Scentbird sends you a revolving catalog of designer perfumes to try in sample size. This is a very important distinction when it comes to finding the fragrance that’s truly right for you.
Noteworthy used a Fragrance Finder quiz to build my own Noteworthy Fragrance Discovery Kit ($24.99), a personalization tool that truly honed in on my preferences and reflected my actual taste.
I received two that were more citrus-y (my favorite! 🍊) and two that had subtle floral hints. These tailored recommendations felt genuinely curated, not randomly generated. ✨
Scentbird’s monthly subscription costs 16.95, but their quiz felt less specific, and I personally felt their fragrance recommendations were not as aligned with my actual preferences.
In the end, of the four fragrances I ordered from Scentbird, I only ended up really liking one of them. And even then, I loved my custom Noteworthy fragrances more, especially No. 307. 😍
If You Want Long-Lasting Fragrances… Noteworthy
Scentbird has an admirable selection of designer fragrances, but I’ve found that Noteworthy fragrances last much longer than a lot of the retail perfumes I bought from Scentbird.
I hate having to refresh my fragrance after only a few hours, so this was a major bonus for me, especially on nights where I had no room in my purse to carry around a bottle.
If You Frequently Travel with Your Fragrances… TIE
If you’ve got that travel bug like I do, Scentbird's compact sizes are very convenient, but Noteworthy also offers the same.
Both companies have thoughtfully made sure that your favorite fragrance can always accompany you, whether you're in the office or off on an adventure.
If You Value Environmental Responsibility…Noteworthy
Since I’ve subscribed, I’ve learned that Noteworthy is committed to sustainability. All the packaging that comes from Noteworthy are both recycled and recyclable. Additionally, they use minimal packaging, reusable bottles, recyclable glass sample containers, and recyclable cards.
While Scentbird is trying to make strides in this area, the more eco-conscious approach from Noteworthy makes it the winner here.
If You Want to Get Your Fragrance Faster… Noteworthy
Both subscriptions offer free U.S. shipping, which is a nice perk. However, my packages from Noteworthy arrived much faster, which gives them the edge in my book. I have to admit, I’m definitely someone who thrives on instant gratification. 💅🏻
They’re also offering a free $25 credit towards a full size purchase in every discovery kit! 🏃♀️
Final Thoughts
While Scentbird is arguably the more well known fragrance subscription service, Noteworthy really emerged as the clear winner in my experience. Through its commitment to personalization, quality, and environmental responsibility, Noteworthy offered the best experience for someone like me who was still exploring what scents I liked.
And now I can confidently say that my scent is Noteworthy No. 307!
