The appeal of fragrance goes back
centuries, with the use of plants, animal sources and
incense in religious ceremonies. Each civilization had their
own use and opinions of fragrance as time passed. Scents
emit beauty and allure.
Modern fragrances and perfumes evolved and
have become a multi-billion dollar industry. Different types
come with various price tags. Perfumes provide the best
value but are the costliest of all fragrances.
Parfum - The
most expensive with the longest staying power.
Eau de Parfum
- Less oil and staying power.
Eau de
Toilette - Suitable for office and work environment
provided there's no allergies or complaints. :-)
Eau de Cologne
- The most inexpensive and weakest scent.
The most popular scent categories include:
Fresh, natural,
green and floral scents
Fruity, citrus
and spicy
Musk and
pheromones
Oriental
Classic woodsy
scent
Sporty scents
Choosing Fragrance and Perfume
Women often choose their fragrance
according to their personality and chemistry without even
realizing it. What appeals to them often reflects their
personal self.
Fragrances smell different on everybody,
so it's best not to test a scent on a friend. When shopping,
stick to no more than three or four perfumes so you don't
confuse them. A fragrance will smell different several
minutes after you apply it, so give it some time before
making any decisions.
Applying Fragrance
Apply fragrance to your skin and pulse
points only. Allow it to dry naturally. Do not rub your
wrists together, this will alter and diminish the scent.
Avoid using it near your face or behind your ears. There is
no staying power in those locations and this will only dry
out your skin.
To avoid any stains and discoloration, do
not get any on your clothing or jewelry. Let your fragrance
dry before getting dressed. Some perfumes are darker and
have more of a tendency to stain, so take special care with
"dry clean only" clothing that can't be washed after every
wear. Follow proper storage rules, fragrance will darken
with age and improper storage.
For a longer staying aroma, apply the same
scent in layers. Many fragrances also come in bath soap, gel,
and body lotion. Top off with perfume of the same scent for
the long run. This will probably last you six to eight
hours.
Keep strong fragrances out of the office
and workplace. Some people genuinely have an allergy to
perfumes and don't appreciate the irritation. They can
produce headaches and bring on an asthma attack, so apply
sparingly.
Storing Fragrance and Perfumes
Avoid extreme temperatures when storing
fragrances. Keep your bottle tightly capped, upright and out
of direct sunlight. It's not necessary to store them in the
refrigerator, however, a cool, dark place should prolong the
life of your scent.
A tip to remember... Don't stockpile your
perfumes for a special day. Over time, the scent will alter
and diminish and you won't get what you paid for. Enjoy your
fragrance today, while it's in it's prime.
