| A woman knows
the power of a fragrance. A simple trace
of a scent can evoke a wonderful memory. A favorite
perfume is more than essential oils and aromatic compounds.
It is a reflection of a woman’s personality,
her mood and her style. In short, it is an expression
of her beauty. It’s no wonder then that finding
the perfect perfume for any occasion is as essential
as the oils that go into it.
But with the number of fragrances available today,
how do you find just the right one? We’ve broken
down the basics to give you a general understanding
of perfumery and help you make sense of it all.
Fragrances contain a wide variety of ingredients
which vary not only in how they smell, but also in
their “staying power” on the skin. Perfumers
identify three parts of a fragrance called notes.
- The top note is the first
impression of the fragrance. It is the initial
impact of the scent on the sense of smell.
- The middle note is the heart of
the fragrance which unfolds and develops a few
minutes after the perfume
is applied to the skin.
- The bottom note is the final impression
of the fragrance and can last several hours after
the fragrance
is applied.
To help identify their aromas and attributes, fragrances
are classified by type or family. Fragrance families
cover a wide spectrum of scents such as Floral, Oriental
and Chypre (pronounced she-pra).
- The Floral family includes a diverse
bouquet of aromas that range from a light Floral
Sheer to a
sweet Floral Fruity and a spicy Floral.
- Floral Oriental combines floral
aromas with hints of sweet and spicy notes.
- Fragrances in the Oriental Sheer
family include a light blend of traditional oriental
notes.
- Chypre fragrances include a mixture
of pine, lavender, citrus and mossy notes.
To get the most out of your fragrance, try the following
tips.
- Scents rise. So start spritzing
at your ankles. Move to the backs of your knees
or wrists and then to
the nape of your neck or behind your ears. For
a final touch, spritz a comb and run it through
your hair.
- Lotions may be applied to the skin
before applying fragrance to extend its wear time.
Whether lightly spritzed or luxuriously layered,
fragrances have a wonderful way of enhancing a woman’s
beauty and her signature style. Click
here to see our selection of fragrances
and start discovering your own style with scents. |
