Fragrance

Nowadays, we are more likely to treat fragrance as an accessory, changing our perfume daily – or even more often – to suit our busy lives and shifting moods. Perfume is a scented liquid worn on the skin to impart a pleasant odor. Deciding on a signature scent comes down to personal preference, but it can still take time and too much choice can lead to confusion.

There are several types of perfume that we can choose according to its strengths. This is in essence a breakdown on the differences among perfume oil, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, cologne, body spray, etc. Fragrances are priced according to their essential oil and alcohol content. The higher concentration of essential oils, the more expensive the perfume will be.

1. Perfume oils : are highly concentrated and up to ten times more concentrated than department store perfumes. This quality allows oils to last longer than their eau de perfume counterparts with the exception that the solvent is oil-based rather than alcohol-based. It is preferred by people with dry skin who find the alcohol in most scents too drying. These oils come from natural sources and are responsible for the scent of perfumes.

2. Eau de Parfum : is composed of 15-18 percent of essential oils with a slightly weaker alcohol content and water, which is good news for your skin – alcohol can have a dehydrating effect and act as an irritant for certain sensitive skin types.Last for up to 4-5 hours.

3. Eau de Toilette: is a much thinner dilution of the same materials, containing approximately only 4-8 percent of essential oils, in an even weaker alcohol and water mixture. Last for up to 2-3 hours.

4. Eau de Cologne : for men or women, or aftershave, is further diluted, about 3-5 percent of essential oils. Last for up to 2 hours.

5. Stick perfumes, pomades and solid perfume : an essential oil dissolved in wax, sometimes some other fats are blended in to make it easier to apply to the skin.

6. Body Mist & Spray : Same thing, like an Eau De Toilet but even less concentrated. These typically contain a tiny amount of perfume oil with the rest of the bottle being a mixture of alcohol and water. Last for up to1hour.

Tips to select the best perfume for you

1. Consider scents you enjoy.
2. Think about your personality.
3. Test perfumes before buying.
4. Ask opinions.

Perfumes fall under several categories of scent and it can be helpful to know what they are before making your next perfume purchase. This brief guide to the major fragrance categories will help you to choose for where to wear each one.

1. Floral
Probably the most popular scent option, floral perfumes contain the scent of either one flower (rose, gardenia, lavender) or a bouquet of several varieties. Floral scents are feminine and romantic.

2. Oriental
These scents tend to be muskier and smell rich and slightly spicy with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and clove.

3. Woody
Step into a forest and these are the notes you will get with a woody scent. Think pine, cedar, sandalwood – scents that are earthy and musky.

4. Oceanic
These scents use a blend of synthetic compounds to evoke natural aromas such as mountain air, ocean spray or clean linen.

5. Green
Smelling of fresh leaves and newly-mown grass, crushed leaves and other fresh, cool scents the green fragrances are a natural and energetic group that bring to mind the outdoors and open spaces.

6. Fruity
These fragrances please the nose with the bright and familiar smells of apple, peach, berry, mango and other juicy fruits, often blended with florals to create a compelling aroma.

7. Citrus
Infused with the tangy essence of citrus fruits, these perfumes are lively and energetic.

8. Fougere
Meaning fern in French, this family of scents is stronger and often used in men’s fragrances. They contain hints of oak, moss and fresh herbs.

Email Raisha at: raisha_83@yahoo.com

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Fragrance

Fragrance