A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting. ─ Christian Dior
One of my favorite things are colognes and perfumes. I've always wanted to smell good even if I'm just staying at home or even when I go to sleep. But finding the right scent is not as easy as it seem. Here are some pointers that I've learned when it comes to choosing, buying, wearing and storing the right fragrance for you.
Choosing the Right Scent
With so many brands coming up with new products every year, it is very easy to be overwhelmed by the huge variety. It can be tempting to purchase whatever perfume comes in the prettiest bottle, or a scent that smells amazing on your friend, your favorite pop star launching her own line of perfume or the newest scent with a cool ad campaign.
People would step into a department store and try on many different fragrances, one after another. But that is a big no no. Did you know that after 3 different scents, our olfactory nerves couldn't identify the following fragrances? So yeah, our nose hits overload after three scents. The solution: COFFEE BEANS (no you don't have to chew them ;)) They serve as "palate cleansers". Coffee beans work by allowing scent receptors to reach a new baseline before sniffing a second time. Wait three minutes between smelling different fragrances, and nibble on a cracker (to distract the receptors) while waiting.
Now, stick with a brand name that you are interested in or have been happy with in the past. Always, always test out perfumes in person, on yourself, before you purchase.
Remember: what smells great on your best friend may not smell the same on you, since everyone’s skin chemistry is different and the perfume may not react the same way for both of you.
Remember: what smells great on your best friend may not smell the same on you, since everyone’s skin chemistry is different and the perfume may not react the same way for both of you.
There are four major factors describing the skin:
2. Skin PH (affects odorous molecules)
3. Skin profile (rough skin retains fragrance longer)
4. Skin fat content (heavier fat content of your skin retains perfume longer)
Our own body chemistry affects how different notes react on our skin. Anything that affects the “natural” smell of our skin, such as stress, hormonal changes, current diet or medications, might change how a perfume smells on us. For a more detailed explanation, click here.
Don't judge a perfume immediately after applying it. There are 3 types of perfume notes:
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| The Fragrance Pyramid |
- Top note - The scents that are perceived immediately on application of a perfume. Top notes consist of small, light molecules that evaporate quickly. They form a person's initial impression of a perfume and thus are very important in the selling of a perfume. Also called the head notes. This what you smell when you initially spray the fragrance; they won’t last very long (how long depends on the strength of the perfume)
- Middle note -The scent of a perfume that emerges just prior to when the top notes dissipate. The middle note compounds form the "heart" or main body of a perfume and act to mask the often unpleasant initial impression of base notes, which become more pleasant with time. They are also called the heart notes.
- Base Note - The scent of a perfume that appears close to the departure of the middle notes. The base and middle notes together are the main theme of a perfume. Base notes bring depth and solidity to a perfume. Compounds of this class of scents are typically rich and "deep" and are usually not perceived until 30 minutes after application.
Do not repeat this with too many perfumes at the same time unless you refresh your smell palette.
Make sure you like the base notes of the perfume before you purchase anything, or else you’ll be stuck with something that you won’t like after an hour or so.
Wearing a Perfume
Everyone has an opinion on how to wear perfumes and where to apply them.
So where is the best place to apply perfume?
First, a small amount of the perfume should be applied to all of the pulse points of your body. They include your inner wrists, inside of your elbows, behind the knees and ears.
Others spray a little perfume into the air and walks straight into the mist. This helps diffuse the perfume's scent over the body. But I myself don't do this since I never feel satisfied with the concentration of the scent.
Always apply perfume starting with lower body and working your way up to the top. Never rub wrists together after applying perfume. This will weaken and crush the smell.
Some don't apply perfume on their clothing afraid that it might stain. I've been spraying and retouching on my clothing and so far I haven't messed up anything yet.
Also I spray perfume on my hair brush, wait a few seconds for it to dry (let the alcohol evaporate first since it could be damaging) and then brush it on my hair. It gives a nice light smell that's not to overpowering and lasts longer.
To help boost the scent of your perfume, consider using the same fragrance in your body wash or bath gel, body lotion and after bath spray. You may also consider using an EDP (Eau de Parfum) spray.
To help boost the scent of your perfume, consider using the same fragrance in your body wash or bath gel, body lotion and after bath spray. You may also consider using an EDP (Eau de Parfum) spray.
Storing Your Perfume
Some industry experts say that perfume should be replaced every year, but properly stored, perfumes should last much longer. Most perfumes will keep several years, some will keep many more years than that.
To store perfume properly, keep it away from heat and light. A dark closet or a covered box is best. Also avoid direct exposure to air. Splash bottles, which expose the fragrance to air every time they are opened, are problematic. Consider decanting into a smaller atomizer for regular use. If you apply perfume directly from a bottle stopper, wipe the stopper with a clean, lint free cloth before replacing it in the bottle.
What are your personal favorite scents?
My favorite scents: Floral, citrus, fruity with a hint of wood scent (Ed Hardy Hearts & Daggers, Happy & Happy Heart by Clinique, Ralph for Women by Ralph Lauren, Oui by Lancome, So Pink by GAP, Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden,etc.)
I use a wide variety of scents for different moods and occasions not unless I super love a new purchase, I would maybe wear it for a month or so.
Oh there are lots! Most of my sister and aunt's perfume doesn't smell so good on me. Most of their perfumes are musky and woody. It would smell great on them and awful on me.
I wear cologne everyday at home and wear verying EDT's (eau de toilette) or EDP (eau de parfum) when I go out or on special events. I put on baby cologne + baby lotion and baby powder before I sleep.
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