JOIN USPicking the right perfume involves a well laid-out process. Rajiv Sheth explains how you can pick a scent that best suits your persona
Fragrances are part of our daily lives. Wearing a nice perfume not only makes you smell nice, but also makes you look more confident. We hardly come across anyone starting his or her day without an amazing fragrance. But choosing the perfect fragrance can be a tedious task at times.
Finding a perfect fragrance is like finding the most flattering hairstyle for your face shape or like matching your attire with an eye shadow. Always remember, the perfume you wear represents your personality. It essentially captures the essence of being you. Wearing the right fragrance is like a message in a bottle; it not only makes you smell nice, but also conveys your mood to the other person.
With new perfumes being launched almost every day, it’s essential to understand the different variants and notes of fragrances available. You should always choose a perfume that blends the perfect story between you and the fragrance, and projects your personality to others. People will remember you for your fragrance. Further, fragrances are categorised, according to notes or characteristics, into various olfactory groups. There are six main fragrance families, namely, Fresh, Floral, Oriental, Woody, Fougère and Chypre.
Fragrances with notes like fresh-cut green grass, the smell of spring in the air, light citruses and airy notes fall in the Fresh category. If you are an outdoor person, a fragrance with fresh notes will be best for you. The Floral fragrance family encompasses a wide range of blooms, from a single rose petal to a medley of floral bouquets. It includes notes of jasmine, carnation, gardenia, orange blossom, rose, lily of the valley and the like.
Oriental, as the name suggests, comprises fragrances with notes that are rich, bold and exotic. Notes like amber, spices and vanilla are part of the oriental family. The oriental fragrances are more sensual and ideal for night time wear or romantic occasions. The Woody fragrance group consists of aromatic woods, sandalwood, cedar wood and vetiver, to name some. Patchouli and pine are also part of the woody fragrance family. Given the richness of woody scents, many masculine fragrances fall into this category. Fougère, a blend of woody, lavender, aromatic notes and oakmoss, when mingled with floral or fruity notes becomes a part of the Chypre fragrance group. Here are certain things one should keep in mind while choosing a perfume:
Personality traits
* While notes of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood define the women leaving a lingering, passionate scent wherever they move, notes of blackcurrant, apricot and rose define the naughty and sensual side.
* For determined, free-spirited women who celebrate life as it comes, fruity fragrances with woody depths are the first choice.
* Choose perfumes with notes of mandarin, grapefruit, peppermint and amber for him, if he is charismatic, stylish and sensual.
* Shower your love on a free-spirited, vivacious man with fragrances containing notes of lemon, cedar, oakmoss and mandarin.
Trial and error
Always test the fragrance on you before buying it. Same fragrance can smell differently when applied by two different people; so just don’t buy a perfume because your friend owns it too and it smells amazing. You may not get the same result.
Never forget to read the description before buying a perfume. The oil content in a perfume determines how long the fragrance will last. The more the oils, the stronger and longer-lasting the fragrance will be. A perfume has the highest oil content, followed by Eau de Parfums and then Eau de Toilette.
For a long-lasting and stronger smell, always apply perfume on pulse points: wrists, elbows, cleavage, on the nape of your neck and even behind the knees. You can even apply a light mist of fragrance through your hair.
Always consider the season, when it comes to wearing perfumes. While floral and light fruity fragrances work well in spring, vanilla and spiced oriental perfumes mark the winters. Also, it is best to choose the perfume according to the occasion. For a romantic evening out, floral fragrances with notes of magnolia, white musk, rose and lily can be the best choice. For an all-night party, perfumes with notes of patchouli, sage and vetiver can turn on the magic.
Also note...
* Know the limits: It is advised never to over-spray perfume. Your nose gets used to your signature fragrance and you can only smell it when it’s first applied or when you consciously pay attention to it. Thus, it is always advised not to over-spritz.
* Keep away: Jewellery, especially pearls, tend to loose colour and shine if too much perfume is sprayed on them. It is advisable to keep your jewellery and clothes far from the perfume.
* Take your time: The heart notes of fragrances take about 30 minutes to fully appear. In order to buy the perfect fragrance, be a little patient. Spray the perfume and wait for the heart notes to settle and then, buy it accordingly.
* Store well: Perfumes should always be stored in a cool and dry place.
(The author is CEO & creative director, Just Scents Pvt Ltd)