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.
