A simple starting map
Fresh and citrus descriptions suggest a bright direction. Floral descriptions point to flowers; woody descriptions often refer to materials such as cedar or vetiver. Gourmand describes an edible-seeming direction, such as vanilla or marshmallow.
Read the development
Top, heart and base notes describe facets of a composition and how it may develop. A note list is not a full ingredient list and cannot replace smelling the perfume.
Practise with two samples
Compare two different families. Write your own three-word impression immediately, then again later. Do you enjoy the opening, the later smell, or both?
Your checkpoint
You can describe your preference without relying on a bottle color, a gender label or a celebrity recommendation.