Mymingpai

Choosing a fragrance is like choosing a shoe: you have to walk around in it a bit to see if it fits.  You cannot assess how a fragrance will smell on your skin by simply smelling it out of the bottle.  To ensure that you find a scent that is right for you, try it on and walk around in it for a bit so that it can mix with your natural scent.  You will be amazed at how different a perfume will smell on your wrist than directly from the bottle.  Many brands have a signature fragrance which is available season after season, but they also will release new seasonal fragrances, so there are plenty to choose from!  Brands such as Chanel, Dior or Gucci have very strong signature fragrances that are very distinct and heavy scents, but they have also released lighter versions or entirely new fragrances for those who do not like a strong perfume.  For example, Gucci has a very strong patchouli signature fragrance, but just this year they have also launched a second much lighter fragrance called Flora that is specifically for those who don’t like intense scents.  Once you find a scent that fits you, it will become your own signature scent, and you will never want to be with out it! Read up on the basic fragrance vocabulary to help you navigate your way to finding a signature scent!

The Fragrance Families: Generally speaking fragrances are a combination and special recipe of scents from five main fragrance families, choose a family that suits you best and then find a fragrance that has dominant tones from that family.

Fougère: Scents from this family are primarily found in men’s colognes and are heavy with lavender, warm spices and cool woody notes.

Oriental: Oriental fragrances are warm, sweet and spicy and very sensual scents.  A trademark scent from this family is vanilla.  Fragrances from the oriental family usually have very heavy and strong scents; they are common for both men and women’s fragrances. 

Woody: This family has very cool notes of cedar, tobacco, patchouli, pines, sandalwood or even mossy and slightly floral notes.  Many types of cologne are from this family, but also women’s fragrances use hints from this family as well.

Fresh: This family includes sweet fruit and citrus scents as well as outdoor scents such as fresh cut grass, the ocean or fresh rainfall.  This family creates light but distinguishable notes to a fragrance.

Floral: This is by far the most popular family for feminine fragrances.  It evokes the scent of any single flower or even any combination bouquet of flowers you can imagine.  Also included in this family are powdery notes which are combined with floral scents to create a soft floral fragrance.

Fragrance Range: Many fragrances are available in a range of five to six concentration levels.  The concentration level of a fragrance measures the amount of aromatic oil used, thus the higher concentration of aromatic oil the more potent the scent will be.  

Extract or Perfume: This is the strongest, most potent and long lasting form of the fragrance.  It is best when applied sparingly, on to specific points on the body: the neck, crease of the elbows, inside the ankles, or behind the ears. 

Eau De Parfum: Not quite as potent as a Perfume or Extract, these are made to be applied over the entire body and are long lasting.

Eau de Toilette: Because there is a lower concentration of aromatic oils used in the eau de toilette these have a less concentrated smell than eau de parfum, but should be applied the same way.  Eau de Toilette is perfect for those who want wear a fragrance, but don’t want it to be overpowering.  However, these fragrances don’t last as long or hold their scent as well as the more concentrated fragrances.

Eau: Also known as fragrance waters, this is the lightest of the range of fragrance strengths and can be sprayed over the entire body for a fresh and light natural aroma.  However, because of the less concentrated formula these fragrances won’t provide a lasting scent.

Bath and Body: Many fragrances are also available in lines of soaps, bath and shower gels or even body moisturizers, known as the bath and body range.  These are not meant to provide a lasting scent, but are great boosters to your favorite fragrance. 

Beauty Tip: For those with dry skin types, you will find that any range of fragrance will not last as long on your skin because you don’t have as many natural oils to lock the scent in.  Be conscious of your skin type when applying, if you have oily skin you may not need to apply as much, but for those with dryer skin you may need to apply fragrance multiple times a day to keep the scent.