Fragrance Tips

A lot of the fashion items we wear or the accessories we don are very personal, and the perfume we spritz on everyday is no exception. For this very reason, it's incredibly difficult to pick out a perfume or fragrance for another person. Therefore, I won't even try to offer a list of potential fragrances, because my choices will invariably be based on my personal preferences. And that's not necessarily what you like.

So I'll leave the actual picking of a scent up to your own tastes. But there are some general and (hopefully) helpful tips I can pass along about all those nose enticing products.

-How to Make it Last
If you put perfume on in the morning, you probably want it to last through your day. But as many of us know, that isn't always the case. In fact, usually about half way through the afternoon, you can't even tell you're wearing perfume anymore.
The first thing to note is that the type of perfume you're wearing makes a difference. If it's a body mist (pretty much anything that isn't eau de parfum), the product is slightly diluted by water. They simply don't last as long. If you want your perfume to pack an all day punch, stick to perfume oils or items marked as eau de parfum. They're more expensive, but you don't have to use as much, and they last a lot longer.
Secondly, where you put your perfume matters. Try spraying of bit of perfume on your wrist, back of your neck, and even the back of your knees. All these places are warm spots on your body, and perfume really gets working when it's just a little humid.

-Application Technique
So now you know what to buy and where to put it, but what's the right and wrong way to put on perfume? It's pretty simple. Don't over-apply, don't under-apply, and don't kill the scent before you even walk out the door.
As far as how much to use, if you've ever worn a strong perfume, you know how little you need for it to be effective. So stick to one squirt if you're using a perfume with a sprayer. Anything more is unattractively overpowering. (Just think of the last time you were stuck in the elevator with an overly perfumed individual. Not fun…) On the other hand, don't skimp too much in order to avoid this fate. Again, stick to one squirt. It's quick, easy, and usually just about the right amount.
And lastly, many people have a tendency to rub perfume in right after they apply. Resist this urge! Even if it's a little sticky or wet, the alcohol ensures that it evaporates very quickly. If you rub, say, your wrists together after putting on perfume, you actually kill a lot of the scent right away and leave nothing for the rest of your day. Just apply and walk out the door.

-Don't Mix and Match
Many scents are extremely distinctive and comprised of several different components that work nicely together in a delicate balance. But because it's a delicate balance, it usually doesn't work well in tandem with other scents. If you're wearing perfume, avoid putting on scented body lotions, hand creams, etc. While each product might smell fantastic alone, it almost certainly won't smell so great competing with another strong fragrance. This doesn't mean you have to only wear one perfume day in and day out. Just stick to one perfume in one day. If you want a change, just wear a new scent the next day after the other one has faded or been washed off.

And never forget your perfume manners. Some people are simply more sensitive to fragrances than others, and be conscientious of that fact. Remember: you want your perfume to be noticeable up close but not from across the room.

Good luck, and happy shopping.

by Liz Herrin