Buying perfume is one of life's affordable luxuries.
The packaging, the bottle design, the
colors and finally, the smell - all makes buying perfume a wonderful experience, whether its for ourselves or for someone else.
 Understanding fragrances makes 'scents'
However a little basic understanding of fragrance structure will
help us in our choice of fragrance. Have we ever bought a perfume
that didn't smell as good on us as it did in the store or on our best friend? This is because the aroma of perfumes
is affected by our skin chemistry, diet, mood and environment. The advantage of this is that the distinction between
women's perfumes and men's is less clear, so there is nothing to stop us trying out our partners scents.
Perfumes can be divided into several fragrance or scent categories - floral, spice, citrus, marine or woody for example. And while
perfume is used as a very general term, to be more accurate fragrances can be broken down into five types -
Perfume - this is the most concentrated and purest form of fragrance. It is composed of up to 40%
of
fragrance oils and therefore is the most expensive - but the scent lasts the longest. Real perfume is usually
dabbed on rather than sprayed.
Eau de parfum - is the most common type of fragrance and contains up to 14% of fragrance oils. Most of the scent
is lost after a few hours but about a third will remain until the next day. Its best to apply the scent to places where the skin is warmest,
on the wrists and ankles, on the inside of the elbow, on your inner thighs or between your breasts. But not
behind your ears as
there are too many glands that can alter the way a perfume smells.
Eau de toilette - is the weakest of the perfumes with up to 3% of fragrance oils and hence will only last a couple of hours.
One way to make the scent last longer is to rub some into the hair by your temples or run some through your hair on your brush.
Eau de cologne - was the most common fragrance in use about 300 years ago but is very rarely made anymore. The modern day
equivalent is eau fraiche and all the major perfume houses like Dior and Elizabeth Arden produce them and they act a little like a
concentrated eau de toilette.
Scented cream and balm - these contain a maximum of 8% fragrance oils, but because of there thick base the scent tends to linger longer
on the body.
Bergamot- the fragrant fruit
One of the most popular scents used in perfumery
and aromatherapy, the bergamot fruit is a versatile member of the citrus family
that has been cultivated for centuries. This small, sour fruit contains a
fragrant scent and flavor that appears in many forms including Earl Grey tea,
marmalade, soaps, aromatherapy oils, bath and body products and perfume to name
a few. Bergamot oil also is revered for its medicinal properties, and can be
used to treat depression and anxiety.
Read more
Essential oil families - the perfume
olfactory groups
Do you ever
wonder what constitutes a Chypre fragrance, or an Aquatic? Is your favorite
perfume called an Oriental Floral, but you don’t know why? You are not alone.
Most consumers don’t realize that each fragrance is a member of an olfactory
group. There are six main families that each have their respective sub-families.
While knowing these groups is not essential to wearing perfume, it is helpful to
know what olfactory groups appeal to you most when looking for a new fragrance
to wear. Read more
Armani cologne - couture fragrances for
men
Every so often a designer comes along that takes the fashion world by storm, not
only with their clothing but with their innovative personality. Giorgio Armani
is one such designer- bold and forward-thinking, his work in the fashion
industry is legendary. A designer with no formal training, Armani has an
impressive portfolio of products that are sold worldwide: Armani jeans,
sunglasses, haute couture and ready to wear lines, home décor, cosmetics and a
large collection of fragrances including perfume for women and various brands of
Armani cologne. A best selling component of the brand, Armani colognes have
expanded into a diverse line of fragrances that range from sophisticated to
edgy.
Read more
Also see: [ Skin Care ] [ Bath
and Body ] [ Cosmetics ]
|
