Fragrance
From Domicella's wikiStyle
Fragrance is a general, gender neutral term to describe scents put on the body by women and men. Although companies present fragrances as gender specific (through presentation, nomenclature, etc.), feel free to choose fragrances based on the qualities you want. As you can see below, fragrance types and categories do not have explicit gender boundaries.
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Fragrance Types
Fragrances come in four types for both women and men. They are differentiated based on the ratio of aromatic compounds (the concentrated fragrant oils) to alcohol.
- Perfume - Contains 15-40% aromatic compounds. Also called extract or extrait perfume. This is the purest form of scented product and is the most expensive as a result.
- Eau de Parfum - Contains 10-30% aromatic compounds. 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 - Contains 5-20% aromatic compounds. 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 - Contains 2-3% aromatic compounds. Usually referred to as just cologne and 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.
Fragrance Categories
The following categories apply both to women and men:
- Floral - Dominated by one or more types of flowers. Florals are also the most popular fragrances.[3]
- Chypre - Oakmoss, labdanum, pachouli, and bergamot
- Aldehydic - Piquant note produced by the chemicals aldehydes
- Fougere - Built on lavender, coumarin and oakmoss
- Leather - Features honey, tobacco, wood, and wood tar
- Woody - Sandalwood, cedar, and patchouli
- Orientals - Vanilla, animal scents, flowers, woods, often enhanced by camphorous oils and incense resins
- Citrus - Mainly refreshing eau de colognes, low tenacity
Fragrance Notes
- Top Notes - Fresh and sharp, it is the first scent you smell after applying the fragrance
- Middle Notes - Emerges within 10-15 minutes after the application. Middle notes may also take up to one hour to emerge.
- Base Notes - Bring a rich depth to the fragrance after 30-45 minutes. The base note is the longest lasting note and the smell that will stay a few hours after application.
When purchasing fragrances, try use the blotter card at the counter. Come back to the card at periodic intervals to smell the different notes.
You can also try smelling your sleeve to clear your nose between tests.[3]
How to Wear Fragrances
Don't apply fragrance behind the ears, because there are too many sebaceous glands in the area that can affect the way a perfume smells.[5]
Allow the fragrance to completely set, or dry, before you put on any clothes or jewelry. For example, pearls are especially delicate because they are organic. Therefore, any contact with chemicals from such toiletries as fragrances, lotions, creams, body oils, hairspray and even makeup and can begin to break down the top layer of the pearl.[6]
For optimal results, apply to your throat, wrists, chest, or the sides of your neck (opt for one or two of these spots at a time). These are "pulse points" for heat, and they create the best interaction between the scents and your natural oils. Another popular tip is to spray the scent onto the back of your knees before getting dressed, as scents tend to rise.
As a form of application, many men also prefer to spritz cologne into the air and then walk into the resultant mist, although most fashion experts caution against getting any cologne on your clothes; so sticking to the first application method is best.
Amount of Fragrance to Apply
- Perfume - Dab on just a drop or two of perfume, which is so intense it lasts up to 12 hours.
- Eau de Parfum - No more than three spritzes, which sticks around for almost eight hours.
- Eau de Toilette and Cologne - Apply more liberally, since they're diluted and last four and two hours, respectively.
No one should smell your fragrance unless they're standing close to you. If you enter a room and people three feet away start sniffling, you're wearing too much.[4]
Dry Skin
Fragrances dissipate faster from dry skin, so it must be applied more frequently. However, because of the ethyl alcohol base, frequent reapplications run the risk of further drying out and damaging your already dry or sensitive skin.[4] Stress, medication and hormonal changes, including pregnancy and menopause, can also affect how a fragrance smells on you. [5]
Oily Skin
Fragrance tends to last longer on oilier skins.[5] Too many natural skin oils (or perspiration) can merge with the fragrance to form an unwelcome odor. To guard against this, wear less fragrance over the course of the day and opt for lighter fragrances, or types that contain less hints of musk and earth, and more citrus and floral tones. Fragrances developed for summertime wear is the best bet for oily skin.[4]
Sensitive Skin
If you're prone to rashes and acne, you're best off refraining from using fragrances alongside strong aftershave balms and body sprays. The potential for allergic reactions is simply too great. When it comes to buying fragrances for sensitive skin, follow the same rules for dry skin, but also look for scents that list all-natural ingredients free from synthetic fragrances.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.jurgita.com/articles-id1974.html
- ↑ http://ask.yahoo.com/20030226.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Following the Scent." Allure. December 2009:pgs. 74-75.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_200/245_fashion_advice.html
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/makeup/fragrance/articles/0,,548148_183873-2,00.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.examiner.com/x-10473-DC-Fragrance-Examiner~y2009m7d19-Fragrance-101-How-do-you-keep-fragrance-from-harming-your-jewelry
