Finding your signature fragrance can be a daunting task. With so many brands and so many different fragrances, how’s a girl to know where to start? Then once you find that perfect scent, how do you apply it? Where should you store it? How long will it last?
I’ve put together a list of the 5 basic categories of fragrances into which the majority can be divided, as well as some basic do’s and don’ts for choosing, wearing and storing your fragrance.
Most scents can be divided into these 5 basic categories.
Floral: Think gardenia, roses, jasmine… These fragrances work well on all women of all ages and are appropriate for most occasions. They typically smell pretty and feminine and appeal to most people.
If you like florals try Fleuresse and Black Velvet.
Fruity: These work mainly for younger women (and those that are young at heart!) and are great in warm and cold weather. Fruity scents tend to be fun and playful. If you like fruity scents try Serenade and Rhapsody.
Woody: These frequently include scents like cedar, sandalwood and patchouli. Woody fragrances have an air of sophistication that is well suited to the more mature woman, and often work better for evenings and special occasions. If woody is your thing try Arabella and Diandra.
Greens: Typically, these fragrances are a bit sportier and tend to appeal to younger women. If you're a green girl try Sara.
Oriental: For glamorous girls who want to turn heads, these warm sensual fragrances typically have notes of musk and vanilla combined with dramatic florals. Because these scents tend to make a statement, oriental fragrances are perfect for special occasions. If you like orientals, you'll love Monte Carlo.
Here are the basic dos and don’ts for choosing, wearing and storing your fragrance.
Do find a fragrance that compliments you and your natural scent.
Don’t choose a fragrance because you like it on someone else.
Do try the scent directly on your skin to see how the fragrance smells on you.
Don’t make a decision based on what the fragrance smells like on the tester cards.
Do sample a number of perfumes before making a selection.
Don’t try more than 2 or 3 in one day.
Do wear the perfume around for a whole day before buying.
Don’t buy right away as the scent will change as you wear the fragrance around.
Do wear more perfume if you have dry skin.
Don’t spray perfumes on pearls or costume jewelry as the alcohol in the fragrance may remove the finish.
Don’t overdo it.
Do put fragrance on your pulse points for maximum payoff. This includes wrists, throat, backs of knees, and the insides of the elbows.
Do try different fragrances late in the day as your sense of smell is sharper at this time.
Don’t feel like you must stick with just one fragrance. You can change fragrances from summer to winter as well as from day to evening.
Do store your fragrance away from extreme temperatures and sunlight.
Do Have Fun! Fragrances are just another wonderful way for you to express yourself, your mood and your individuality!
