Do you feel lost at the perfume counter of a department store? Is it difficult for you to make the decision of which perfume to buy? Are you afraid of choosing the wrong perfume and therefore stick to the ones you have already tried? If so, then you can join scores of other women who feel confused by literally thousands of varieties of perfumes out there.
We are happy to present this 5 point guide to help you in choosing a perfume which will not only make you feel glamorous but also gives your personality a distinct edge.
Understanding the types of perfume
There is a perfume for every mood and every season. The perfume comprises of three notes-Top note, middle note and base note. It is the base note’s scent which lingers on once you apply the perfume. The major categories of base notes are Floral, fruity, citrus, oceanic, oriental, spicy, woody and green. Floral perfumes have a flowery and romantic feel, fruity perfumes are fresh and sweet, citrus perfumes are zesty and tangy fresh, oceanic perfumes are crisp and aquatic, green perfumes are natural and energetic, spicy perfumes have spicy and sweet notes, oriental perfumes are exotic and feminine and finally woody scents are natural and unisex. Choose a perfume according to your personality and also according to the season. Citrus and fruity scents are great for summer days while oceanic and spicy perfumes are awesome for nightwear.
When to buy the perfume
The best time to buy a perfume is at the start of a day. Our olfactory senses are much stronger during the first half of the day and we are also sensitive to the differences between various fragrances. Buying the perfume at the beginning of the day has another advantage. Perfumes often have an emotional connect with us and if by the end of the day we are feeling depressed, sad or angry that might influence the kind of perfume we buy. You should also refrain from buying fragrances when you have a cold because your sense of smell is limited.
Testing the Perfume
You cannot really gauge the real smell of a perfume unless it is applied to bare skin. Wait for a few seconds and then smell it to see whether it works for you. Try 3-4 perfumes before you settle at a choice. Avoid applying to the same part of the skin otherwise you won’t have the correct idea about the smell. Also, if you really like a certain perfume, then apply a sample of that perfume and wait for a few hours to see how you like it by the end of the day. That way you can be sure of your choice before making the final purchase.
Applying the perfume
The best time to apply your perfume is just after a bath to freshly moisturized skin. The oils in your body moisturizer trap the fragrance on the skin and extend the wear of your fragrance, so slather on your favorite lotion post-shower, wait a couple minutes and then spritz away! Put perfume on your pulse points which include the inside of your wrist, the crook of your elbows, the back of your neck, behind your knees and the inside of your ankles. The pulse points are where the blood vessels are closest to the skin and give off heat acting as fragrance pumps. Spritz the perfume and then tap gently on the pulse points but never rub because it will interfere with the spreading of the scent.
To create a long lasting effect, fragrance should be layered all over the body. Use layering products from the same line like gel, body lotion and layer eau de parfum on top of that.
Storing the perfume
Perfumes should always be kept away from excessive heat or cold and to avoid evaporation the cap must be closed tightly to maintain the real fragrance. Once a perfume has been opened it should be used regularly otherwise it loses its character with time. Perfumes should be kept away from extreme sunlight and it’s best to store them at a cool dry place and preferably in its box.
The most important thing to remember while wearing a perfume is that it should be strong enough to smell distinct but should never be so overpowering that it intrudes others’ personal space. I hope these tips will help you in choosing the right kind of perfume and you will love rocking the perfume in your own style.
This post has been written by our staff writer Swapna.
Leave a Reply