All About Perfume

Salam.

Do you like to wear perfume? Unsure which type is for you? Well, here are some information about perfumes for you to enjoy. Hope it helps! :)


First of all, you will need to know which perfume is which, right? So:-

From highest concentration to least, the different forms of perfume are:

Perfume, also called Extract or Extrait (also see Glossary), can include 15-40% perfume concentrates. This is the purest form of scented product and is the most expensive as a result. Perfume (or “parfum”) lasts longer than other scent types; typically around six hours.

Eau de Parfum(EDP) contains about 7-15% perfume concentrates. This is the most popular and common form of perfume. It provides a long-lasting fragrance and generally doesn't cost as much as extract perfume.

Eau de Toilette(EDT) has around 1-6% perfume concentrates. This makes for a light scent that doesn't linger as long as the more intense versions. It was originally intended to be a refreshing body splash to help people wake up in the morning.

Eau de Cologne (EDC) is sometimes used interchangeably with the term eau de toilette. However, the concoction began as the name of a light; fresh fragrance mixed with citrus oils and was made popular by Napoleon. Some perfumers today have a version of this called Eau Fraiche.

While these are the main classes of perfume, other products are frequently scented with perfume concentrates too. Lotions, creams, powders, body splashes, aftershaves, soaps, and other cosmetic products may contain variable (though usually small) amounts of fragrance. So, now you should know exactly which “Eau de” you should be using every time. Next, there are so many fragrant to choose from!!! Help!!  No worries, here is the information for you :)

Floral – most perfumes are created by flowers and this is a highly popular scent Flowers used to create floral smell range from roses, gardenia, carnations, jasmine and orange blossoms. Sometimes these are blended together to create a floral bouquet.  Recommended floral type would be Curios by Britney spears.

Oriental- this is a good scent for the winter due to its strong musky nature it is a mixture of spices, amber, balsams and resins

Citrus- these are soft subtle fragrances that are best when used in the summer time.  The scents derive from citrus fruits, like lemon, limes, tangerine and mandarins 

Chypre- This popular scent was name by the first person to invent perfume Francois Coty, he was inspired by the island of Cyprus where he inhaled scents and thus created Chypre.  This is a woodsy-mossy mix that also has hints of bergamont, oak, moss, citrus and other earthy aromas

Green- when you think green, think of grassy, pine, leaves or anything you may find in a forest. This is a great scent for the athletic type.

Fougere- is a strong scent mostly used by men, but women also love this smell. It is a combination of fresh herbs and mossy substances.

Even though there are six major types of scents that make up perfume, there are other types of scents that are just as pleasant such as 

Oceanic- which are synthetic perfumes that emulate scents of the ocean and it’ surroundings

Fruity- sets off a spicy and fresh scent as well as a fruity smell. This is a great scent for the summer time.

Woody Scents- think forest when you think of woody scents; these scents derive from bark, moss and other things you would find in a forest.

Well, Okay, but HOW do I CHOOSE one?

Find a fragrance that complements your skin and natural aroma of your body. The scent should be subtle enough to not invade anyone else's "personal space" but pleasant enough that others will want to stay around you. Perfume is meant to enhance your personality, attire, and overall being. 

When you visit the fragrance department in a department store, sample perfumes by spraying a couple of fragrances on your skin in areas located far apart from one another. For example, spray one type on your hand and the other on your upper arm. Don't try spraying on more than two fragrances in a single trip. Then, leave the store or at least the perfume section for a few minutes to smell the fragrances on your skin. This will allow you to smell the scents without them blending with others from the fragrance section. 

Try each scent directly on your skin to be sure it's the perfect match. The fragrance should blend well with your normal body aroma, as well as the scents of your clothing detergent, shampoos, and makeup. 

If you think you've found the perfect perfume for you, wait a day before buying. Try on a sample of only that particular perfume from the department store and then leave it on for a day. Be sure it doesn't lose its scent during the day, change scents, or cause any allergies or headaches. Wearing it for a day should reveal all of these. 






Last but not least, a little do's and don't of perfume :)

Do's of Wearing Perfume

If you have dry skin, wear extra perfume. The oils in your skin, or lack thereof, can enhance or weaken the scent. 


When it's cold out, wear extra perfume. Cold weather tends to weaken the scent as well. 


When, buying new perfume, don't base your decision on what works for someone else. Try it out on your own skin first. Everyone's skin reacts differently to a scent.

The best time to apply perfume is right after a shower or bath. After bathing, your skin pores will be open and will soak up the perfume's fragrance. Also when bathing, use non-deodorized soap where the perfume will be applied. Soaps and deodorants can affect how the perfume will smell on your skin; the mixture won't always be pleasant!

When applying perfume, dab it in unusual places where it will stay warm and keep its scent longer. It can be applied on the inside of the elbow, on the wrist, neck, stomach, cleavage, and back of the knees.

Don'ts of Wearing Perfume   

Certain types of jewelry, such as costume or pearl jewelry, can become discolored due to perfume alcohols. Some jewelry can also be stripped of its outer coating. When wearing perfume with this type of jewelry, apply it away from the jewelry.

Don't use only one perfume year round. Test out various perfumes during seasonal changes to see which ones work best in the hot or cool temperatures. Different fragrances are affected by temperatures when it comes to scent intensity.

Never apply perfume behind the ears. It can blend with skin secretions and create a bad smell. Also, don't spray perfume onto light-colored clothes because it can turn the fabric yellow. 



Good luck in finding your perfume! :)

      

*information obtained from various websites.