Colognes and perfumes have been worn for centuries by both men and women to enhance their natural beauty or even attract a new love. The smell of a fragrance can improve your mood, bring back memories, or even simply make you smile because it smells so good.
Thanks to innovative marketing, fragrances have become a multi-million-dollar industry. New brands and designer lines are sold out before they even hit the sales floor. With literally thousands of different perfumes and colognes on the market today, the possibilities are endless.
But how do you know how to choose a perfume that suits you? Do you prefer a floral scent or are you more of a citrus lover? There are several ways to determine the perfect scent that matches your personality and unique style.
Choosing Your Scent
Every bottle of perfume consists of different notes. It’s these notes that determine the final product. Within the notes are three layers—base, top and middle. All of them work together to create a very specific smell. The notes within a product may not be noticeable right away, but come to light over time.
For example, some perfumes contain different notes such as gardenia or rose. Others may be a tad fruitier with undertones of apple or citrus. More exotic combinations usually have undertones of cinnamon or anise.
It’s a good idea to determine which types of perfume works for you before making that final purchase. As odd as it may seem, there are certain combinations that don’t sit well after application. What made you swoon in the store may turn you off several hours later.
The Concentration Factor
Fragrances are available in four levels of concentration. The stronger the concentration, the higher the price tag. In general, perfumes with higher concentration levels last longer. Although they may cost more, some people think their exorbitant price is worth it.
Parfum has the highest level of concentration. At this level, the scent usually lasts all day with only one application to your wrists. Next in line is eau de parfum. This concentration usually last about six hours.
Coming in third is eau de toilette. It’s reasonably priced and easy to find in retail outlets. Unfortunately, it usually requires more than one application during the day. Cologne comes in fourth and usually lasts about two hours.
Take it for a Test Drive
As previously mentioned, it’s a good idea to give your favorite scent a test run before your make a final decision. Varying levels of hormones and pheromones can change the composition of undertones, so it’s best if you spritz yourself and see how it hold up. If the perfume still makes you swoon after a few hours, it’s a keeper.
If you’re a fan of online shopping, you definitely want to do your homework on how to choose a perfume before you head to the final check out. Knowing your ‘notes’ before buy can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
