Fragrance Tips

From the Boardroom to Bed – Fragrance Tips to Get You Through your Day

Perfume, colognes and other 'scentfull' things like oils, sachets and candles trigger our strongest, fastest sense -- the sense of smell. So few people know, however, how to use these scents to help them get through their otherwise unscented days. Here are some tips about different kinds of scents and how to make them last . . . last, that is, at least as long as your legs hold out!

French Perfume! The French didn't discover perfumes (the Egyptians did) but the French turned perfume into an industry and they turned perfume making into a science. Their most important discovery was a way to overcome the fact that every scent will, over time, fade and the corresponding fact that some scents fade faster than others. The French answer to this was layered fragrances -- three layers, to be exact. In the perfume industry these layers are called notes: there is a top note that consists of the most volatile scent that will last for only a few hours (perhaps, to get you through your morning break), a middle note made of a less volatile scent that will last you until you're ready to punch out at the end of the work day and the base note that will follow you into your shower or tub just before bed. A slight down side to this French solution to the all day fragrance problem is that each 'note' is a different scent, so your scent will be a bit different (but still fabulous) at each stage.

Eau de perfume! Eau de perfume is the most popular fragrance type because it is less expensive than perfume and lasts a good long time. Eau de perfume is best applied to the warmest body areas, the pulse points on the wrists and the side of the neck, between the breasts, in the crook of the elbows, behind your knees, on your inner thighs, and around the ankles. Never put any scent behind your ears and never overdo it. You want your scent to suggest not to scream.

Eau de toilette! Eau de toilette contains a small percentage of fragrance oils and will only last three to four hours (depending on your skin type. Many women use eau de toilette and expect it to last throughout the day but are disappointed by mid-morning. This is really a minor problem that's easy to get around, simply carry a purse size with you and refresh your scent when you get the chance. Eau de toilette provides a wonderfully subtle scent and that's certainly a positive point -- it bears repeating that you should want your scent to suggest not to scream.

Scented body creams and lotions! Scented body creams and lotions have approximately the same fragrance content as eau de toilette but because of their thick cream or lotion base they last somewhat longer; the scent should still be detectable at the very end of your day.

There are ways to make the most of your fragrances, and one way NOT to!

The French way! The best way to make your fragrance last all day is the French way, layer them. Start with a scented bubble bath and use the scented soap -- both should be available in your favorite scent (if either is not available, use an unscented substitute). After toweling off, use the body lotion -- use lots of it so your skin absorbs enough to last. Finish it off with your favorite scent (perfume or eau de toilette).

Romantic interludes! If at some point in your day romance is in the air, put some romantic scents literally in the air; here are some ways:

Use essential oils, put a few drops of orange or some other citrus oil in a warmer or in a light bulb ring on the bedroom lamp -- don't overdo it, subtle is the word! You can also use juice squeezed from the rind of an orange or grapefruit.

Have a vase of flowers in warm water next to the bed. The warm water will bring out the maximum scent from flowers that have a naturally strong scent . . . flowers like gardenias or lilies.

Burn a scented candle (orange or jasmine) in the room.

Put a light coating of an essential fruit or flower oil right on the light bulb in the nightstand lamp (naturally, you'll do this when the bulb is cold). When the light is turned on the oil will send it's scent to all corners of the bedroom.

A no no! Just in case you missed it before, never apply fragrance behind your ears -- it can throw off the scent and produce a scent you didn't bargain for (this is because of the sebaceous glands behind your ear.

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