Understanding the power of perfume
When Coco Chanel said, "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future", she was probably overstating the importance of fragrance just a little. After all, none of us are doomed to failure just because we might not have a bottle of something scented on our nightstand. However, even though she employed a little too much hyperbole, she may have had a point. Perfume is more than just something that smells nice – it is a form of self expression. When used appropriately, it can complement and accentuate your personality.
Fragrance families
Perfume falls into many different categories. On a detailed level, perfumeries divide them into 13 families: Citrus, Green, Water, Floral, Soft Floral, Floral Oriental, Soft Oriental, Oriental, Woody Oriental, Woods, Mossy Woods, Dry Woods and Aromatic Fougère. While this may seem a little complicated, a few key terms will help you to understand and identify some ofyour favourite fragrances:
- Chypre - Named after the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and the woody, mossy scents it produces. Chypre fragrances tend to be rich, complex, and slightly unusual. They present a particularly elegant option, especially for women. Female: Miss Dior by Christian Dior and Mitsuoko by Guerlain Male: Givenchy Gentleman and Fendi Uomo
- Citrus - Some of the earliest perfumes and colognes were based around citrus fruits such as lemon, line, and tangerine. This family is light and fresh, perfectly suited for more casual use. Examples include. Female: Diorella by Christian Dior and Cristalle by Chanel Male: D&G Masculine and 1881 by Cerruti
- Oriental - These scents are based around such ingredients as vanilla and sandal wood. Carrying a heavy scent, they tend to be best for evening use. Examples include. Female: Opium by Yves Saint Laurent and Classique by Jean Paul Gautier Male: Equipage by Hermes and Joop Homme
- Floral - These are the most feminine of fragrances, featuring such influences as violet, rose and lily. Female: Chanel No 19 and Charlie by RevlonMen: Insense by Givenchy
- Fougère - The most masculine of scents takes its name from the French word for ‘fern', which is ironic as ferns have very little scent. Fougère fragrances often contain oak, moss, and lavender. There are very few famous examples of female Fougère fragrances, but several high profile male ones remain popular. Male: Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren and Cool Water by Davidoff
- Oceanic - Designed to evoke the scent and sensations of an ocean breeze. These light and sporty fragrances are somewhat unique, as they are the only family to be primarily synthetic. Female: Escape by Calvin Klein and Aquawoman by Rochas Male: L'Eau D'Issey pour Homme and Kenzo Pour Homme
Perfume Etiquette
When you think about donning your "invisible clothes", there is one golden rule that you should always remember, less is more. A bottle of the most wonderful fragrance may perfectly capture your personality and accentuate your outfit, but you need not drown yourself in it. For fragrances in the work place,‘subtly' is the watchword. Your favourite Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum may smell great to you, but think about others. Perfume is all about personal style and preference. Make sure the fragrance you love does not make your colleagues feel like you are trying to choke them!
Choices, Choices, Choices
One of the biggest issues that you must take into consideration when applying your perfume, is personal space. For situations in which you find yourself in close-quarters with others (meetings, interviews, and time in the office )make sure you go for a lighter aroma, such as an Oceanic or Citrus based fragrance. In more casual situations (parties or networking events) try something slightly stronger and more sensual, such as a perfume from the Oriental family. If you are looking for a more universal fragrance, then Floral blends are suitable for almost every occasion.
‘Tis the Season
Your choice of perfume often depends not just on the social situation, but also the time of year. Fresh and fruity fragrances, such as the Floral and Citrus families, are ideally suited to the hot summer months. The spicier, warmer scents of the Oriental family and some of the Chypre family blend better in the cold winter months.
Types of Perfume
In terms of aromatic strength, there are four major types of perfume available in your local department store:
- Extrait (Extract) or Perfume - This is the strongest, most potent and longest-lasting form of fragrance. For this reason, it is often the most expensive. It usually contains around 20- 40% of aromatic compound, giving it the largest impact on our senses.
- Eau de Parfum - Slightly weaker, EDP contains 10-30% aromatic compound and is the most common form of ‘perfume' carried at fragrance counters.
- Eau de Toilette - With just 5-20% concentration of aromatic compound, EDT is lighter and ideal for daytime use. It is also usually less expensive than either EDP or extract.
- Cologne - By far the lightest form of fragrance containing just 2-5%aromatic compound, cologne is often splashed across the whole body rather than just the face or wrists.
Sporting Your Invisible Clothes
Perfume should always be applied on clean skin, after you have washed or taken a shower. The amount you wear should be determined by the aromatic concentration of your fragrance. A perfume, an Eau de Toilette, or an Eau de Parfum should all be applied to what many experts refer to as pulse points -elbows, knees, neck, and wrists. Eau de Toilette can also be applied by spraying it into the air and then walking through the thin mist, allowing the fragrance to settle gradually across the body. It is best to apply perfume before dressing, as this allows the perfume to drift through your clothing subtly, intensifying the scent. A word of warning though, you should never apply perfume directly to clothing as it can leave an unsightly oily stain. Sporting the right "invisible clothes" subtly enhances your presence and makes an impression every time you enter a room. The clothes you chose perfectly accentuate your unique personality and the world that surrounds you.
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