Perfumes have the ability to make lasting impressions. Be it good or bad, is entirely up to you. Choosing a fragrance that suits you can be tricky and pricey. If done right, a good bottle is a good investment and can add a nice signature to your presence.
Here are a few tips on how to ensure you are using that fragrance the best way possible:
Do a test run
Planning on buying a new bottle? Test it for a couple of hours. I know it may be a little awkward walking into a perfume store and walking out without buying anything, but it would be invariably worse if you hate the bottle of fragrance after making that purchase. Spritz some on your skin and tell the store assistant you want to see how the scent develops and smell the mid and base notes before making a purchase. Still can’t decide on what to buy? Get testers, this will give you the opportunity to experience the scent at your own pace as against deciding on the spot.
A whiff of coffee beans
Neutralize the strong scents while testing fragrances by smelling some strong coffee beans in between scents. This will enable you smell better the next swatch of perfume.
Know your fragrance tenacity
The lasting power of your fragrance is dependent on its tenacity. The tenacity or staying power on the other hand relies heavily on the concentration of oils in the mix. Eau Fraiche has about 1-3% concentration and lasts the shortest while Parfum or Extract have up to 40% concentration and has a staying power of more than 8 hours. Of course the higher the concentration, the more expensive it gets. A longer tenacity fragrance allows mid and base notes to develop as the day progresses.
Store your fragrances in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
Prolong the shelf life of your fragrance by storing them properly and avoid storing them in your bathroom where it can get damp. Instead, safely tuck them away in a dry cabinet or drawer away from the direct sunlight as the UV rays can damage the perfume composition, causing them to age quick, and dry out.
The best time is after showering and moisturizing
Our pores are open after taking a shower and will soak in fragrance better. Applying unscented moisturizer before perfume will trap the smells making them last a lot longer. To make the most out of your perfume without having to worry about re-applying frequently, use bath soaps, lotions, and perfume with the same pallet or notes.
Avoid fabrics
As tempting as the sound of your closet brimming with your favorite smell is, don’t do it. This may permanently stain and ruin your clothes, leading to waste of money of both perfume and clothes.
Pulse points are the real deal
The hot points on your body, where your pulse is felt is the best place to spritz your fragrance. The insides of your wrists, the neck, behind the knees or your inner elbows are the perfect placement areas to spritz some perfume as the heat in these aforementioned areas help diffuse the fragrance throughout the day/night as the case may be.
Don't rub your perfume
This is the most abused tip when it comes to perfume application. Rubbing, dabbing or even tapping your wrists after spritzing fragrance will muddle the top and mid notes, destroying the intricate balance and composition of the fragrance, making it last less than usual.
New day new fragrance
Have an everyday fragrance and another for special occasions. Use lighter mixes like an eau de toilette for daily use and reserve your eau de parfums or perfumes for select occasions when you desire to feel extra special and stand out. Wearing lighter, fresher or fruity notes connotes a more approachable aura rather than an intense musk or spicy notes.
The beautiful thing about perfume is that the reception is different for everyone. Your skin type and sweat levels interacts with the fragrance and changes its development in many ways. This is one of the reasons, some perfume might smell or develop better on some than others. Once you are confident about your perfume know-how, have some fun layering them with notes that complement each other.
Hope you found this helpful, don't forget to leave us a comment. We will love to hear about your perfume experience.
Thank you for reading!
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