Perfume, earring rules dropped from Capitol intern guide

Dozens of snappily dressed Kansas Legislature interns arrived Thursday for an orientation session as each prepared to begin assignments working with House and Senate members.

"I'm excited about this year," said Rep. Peggy Mast, an Emporia Republican who serves as House speaker pro tem. "We are sitting right now in the most attractive building in the state of Kansas."
The sparkling Capitol, borne of a 13-year, $320 million renovation, awaited interns from The University of Kansas, Washburn University and Kansas State University. They will begin duties Monday at the start of the 2014 session.

Before leading tours of the building, Mast made no reference to controversy about proposed revisions to the intern handbook. Numerous rules suggested last week for inclusion by Mast were edited out.
"We don't want it to be an onerous environment," Mast said in an interview. "We wanted it to be a professional environment."

Staff members of Democratic legislators had raised questions about fashion regulations for interns that went beyond limits applied to legislators. Civil rights attorneys had taken issue with boundaries on social media expression among interns that had been put forward by Mast.

"This should have been settled a long time ago, and the process ought to have been more inclusive," said Will Lawrence, who runs the intern program for Senate Democrats.

The final 2014 intern handbook no longer contained mandates on quantity of perfume and cologne, "over the top" hair coloring, number of earrings, length of facial hair and "tight, skinny" pants.
Removed from the document was an admonition volunteer interns were expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct because they represented House or Senate members at all times whether at work or play.

Another eliminated rule asserted "inappropriate" photographs and language had to be deleted from personal social media sites. Also dropped was a requirement interns "never say anything derogatory about another individual with whom you interact or about any policy your legislator is supporting and or advocating."

In addition, a prohibition on interns dating legislative staff members was removed.
The document advises the college-age interns to dress professionally. They were still blocked from wearing flip-flops and tennis shoes. The handbook says tattoos should be covered — if possible.
Under revised rules, men were to wear a suit or a collared dress shirt and tie, dress slacks and dress shoes. Women, meanwhile, were to arrive in "suits or business dresses or a shirt-dress pants and dressy top."

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The Spice of Life: Layering fragrances and loving it

As a young lady, when I was feeling down or a little under the weather, my mother’s advice was simple: Get up and put on some lipstick. You’ll feel better.

This did actually work. Still does.

But I’ve found as I’ve matured that perfume may even work better. When I’m feeling stressed, tired or sad, just a couple of spritzes is all it takes, and I feel so much better. And if I spritz when I’m actually feeling well, then look out, world!

The new Aerin Fragrance Collection by Aerin Lauder makes me very happy. There are five scents — Gardenia Rattan, Amber Musk, Lilac Path, Ikat Jasmine and Evening Rose — and they really smell like their names.

The press materials say that the collection “is the most personal and intimate expression of Aerin’s life and memories. Whether evoking the feeling of sunshine on a long walk on the beach or the cozy peacefulness of a quiet retreat in the mountains, each fragrance tells its own story.”


Each fragrance comes in a box featuring an Aerin for Lee Jofa design. (Courtesy photo)


Aerin Lauder may not appreciate me muddling her memories, but what I like most about the fragrances is how they layer together. (Confession: I always layer and mix complementary fragrances because it creates a unique scent I won’t smell on anyone else. So if you ask me what scent I’m wearing and I only give you one name, I’m lying. This is either because I really can’t remember what combo I put on that morning, or because I don’t like you and I don’t want you to know my secrets. Smiley face.)

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Fragrance sensitivity: accommodate it! Here Are Some HR Tips

Ah, spring is in the air? Too early for that. It’s just Sandy’s new perfume that smells as sweet as a spring meadow after a rainstorm.

But if another employee complains that the fragrance is aggravating her allergies, you had better act on it or the scent of a lawsuit will soon begin to fill the room.

Severe allergies may be considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), particularly since the definition of disability has been significantly expanded under the ADA Amendments Act. Employers have a legal duty to reasonably accommodate affected employees who request accommodation.

Case in point: The city of Detroit found this out the hard way when a city employee with multiple chemical sensitivity sued the city under the ADA for refusing to accommodate her disability.

A co-worker who wore heavy perfume and used a plug-in room deodorizer had transferred into the department in close proximity to the employee, causing the employee to become ill. The employee asked the co-worker to refrain from using these fragrances; the co-worker stopped using the room deodorizer but continued wearing the perfume. The employee complained to her super­visor, and although the possibility of relocating either the employee’s or the co-worker’s workstation was discussed, no steps were ever taken to remedy the situation. The employee took multiple sick days and leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and finally sued the city.
What you need to do

If an employee approaches you with an accommodation request due to their adverse reaction to strong fragrances, immediately start working with her to come up with reasonable solutions.

Consider adopting a fragrance policy like the one the city of Detroit eventually did, advising employees that mild scents may be worn in moderation, but strong or offensive scents that become detrimental to the work unit are not ­welcome. You could incorporate it into your existing dress code policy, or create a stand-alone fragrance policy.

When announcing the new policy to your workforce, explain the general reason behind the policy, but be sure to respect a disabled employee’s privacy and keep that person’s medical information confidential. If other employees complain that their rights are being infringed upon, explain to them that wearing a personal fragrance is not a need or a protected right, while accommodating an employee with a disability is both a legal necessity and the right thing to do.

If, after the policy is implemented, an employee comes into work scented too strongly, discreetly pull her aside, gently point out that her fragrance is too strong for the workplace, and ask her to refrain from scenting herself that way in the future. If she continues to ignore the fragrance restriction, treat it as an issue of insubordination and discipline. Apply the same treatment to men who overdo it with cologne.
Accommodation ideas

In addition to or in lieu of a fragrance policy, here are some alternative accommodation ideas you could adopt:
Get a small air purifier for the employee to keep in her workspace.
Move the employee’s workstation to an area where she would have less exposure to fragrances.
Designate certain areas of the workplace (e.g., meeting areas) as fragrance-free.
Reduce the employee’s face-to-face contact with co-workers or clients by permitting her to conduct business via email, phone, instant messaging, etc.

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Is it a fragrance or a stench?

This past week I had to go to the mall. I know, I should know better but I thought I could sneak in, get what I needed and sneak out again. So much for my thoughts.

I wanted to purchase several tie chains for my neckties and searched every jewelry store and nobody had them. Finally, I ordered three online, which would be shipped free, (which always gets my attention) to the nearest store, which happened to be in the mall.

I do not like the mall and choose not to go there if I can help it. When in the mall I am usually very nervous and get confused and do not know which way I am going. Once I get in, I am not quite sure how to get out again. Everything seems to be contrived to confuse a person like myself.
Looking down at the ground while walking I became rather confused and I happen to turn into an open door.

My mall savvy is not sophisticated in the lease. The door I turned into happened to be for the store Victoria’s Secret. I do not know who Victoria is, I did not know what the store was all about but when I got in the store I discovered Victoria’s Secret much to my great embarrassment.

That is exactly the reason I do not like going into the malls. They have places like this that a gentleman, such as Yours Truly, should never enter.

I am not sure how I got out of that store, all I can remember was a great deal of hilarious laughter thrown in my direction from inside. I just hope they did not recognize me. They probably did not, because I had all my clothes on.

It has been a long time since that incident and now I had to go and pick up my order. I put together a plan to sneak in very quietly, pick up my order and tiptoe out as quietly as I came in.

You know what they say about well-laid plans! Whether mine was well laid or not, it blew up in my face.

I did slip into the mall and found the store where my order was. I picked them up and quietly turned around and started for the door. How I got turned around is any man’s guess. Actually, I think it turned around too many times. For the next 15 minutes, I tried to find the way I came in so I could go out.

The trouble started when I hesitated. I stopped to try to get my bearings and in stopping a young woman approached me.

“How do you do today, sir,” she said most cheerfully.

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MY LIFE THUS FAR, THROUGH 5 PERFUMES

There's nothing more secretly thrilling than buying a new perfume. It's been one of my favorite silly little kicks since I was, well, way too young to be wearing perfume. Whatever, I highly doubt I'm the only circa-Gen-X-ish lady whose parents indulged her love of fragrance from a juvenile age (Love's Baby Soft! I had the whole box set of Love's fragrances, including some watery jasmine number plus "Lemon Fresh," because everyone wants to smell like countertop spray!). Then it was Jovan White Musk (SSSEEEXXX) before I progressed into naughtier territory with Skin Musk. Anyway, perfume hound here -- so now I'll describe five of my former favorite scents, plus how they affected my burgeoning ladyhood.

AGE: 14

Burying my angst in 6 tons of eyeliner -- NOW with large eyeglasses! (Oh and hello '90s.)

PERFUME: Calvin Klein Obsession
ME, THEN: SO.F*CKING.MISERABLE. Varying shades of Angela Chase red hair. A walking tailspin, all heightened emotion desperately waving its arms and floundering to poke its head above a roiling ocean of unrestrained angst. I was desperate to be liked, desperate to be loved, and more than desperate for a real, non-Truth-or-Dare-fueled kiss. Somehow I thought wearing an "Adult" fragrance like Obsession would help me reach that goal. It didn't. My friend M. (on right above) and I used to drive around DC listening to REM's "You Are the Everything," theatrically fighting off tears because we wanted, soooooo badly, to be the kind of girl a guy like Michael Stipe would write those kind of lyrics about ("I look at her and I see the beauty of the light of music, the voices talking somewhere in the house, late spring").

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Why Perfume Is Actually a Great Travel Accessory

One of my favorite travel accessories to pack: those little vials of perfume samples. You can pack several, because they take up hardly any room in a TSA liquids plastic bag; they add unexpected to spice to any outfit; and they can also be a conversation starter. Instead of mainstream samples, I like to source from independent artisans. Not only will few people be able to identify what you're wearing, but you might also benefit your skin, as artisans often use organic ingredients instead of the synthetic molecules common in the commercial perfume industry.

Here's what's currently in my little travel sachet of statement perfumes. One caveat: artisanal perfumers are in many cases rebels who do not abide by International Fragrance Association restrictions on ingredients that potentially cause allergic reactions or other irritation. So always do a skin test before wearing.

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Perfumania District Manager, David B Was Rude

This is my opinion of a phone conversation I had with the District Manager for one of Perfumania stores. His first name is David and last name begins with B.

I had an issue with a particular Perfumania where a discount was not applied. This is an advertised discount that the clerk failed to apply. When I checked out, I noticed the balance was not right--I am accounting by profession sorry. I brought to the clerks attention and he said "it looks like one of those discounts were not applied"  He asked me to fill a form ask for a refund, which I did and I was credited the difference. Now, this happened with me at least once before at the same store.

I went home and wrote to the Perfumania customer service email, asking them to make sure this does not happen again, I like two things perfume and like to be charged the advertised price. An agent was gracious enough and told me the district manger will call me to address this problem withing 48 hours he called. He did call, and he went on the offense...."we want to talk to you, you asked the store clerk for a discount", to which I said, "No, I did not" , he shot back like a kid who is about to win a pissing match "Yes, you did" I watched the footage and saw you did? I was taken aback! What footage? He kept telling me he saw me and the video from a month ago--which is also false my trip to the store was on July 6...he called me on the 18. Then he mentioned the loss prevention department and I was all confused. He kept I saw you on the camera, I was like it could not be if you say the video dates back to a month. I did not appreciate how he was telling me I asked for a special discount. This is so untrue, but for some reason he kept saying that.

I think two things are true he was impatient and standoffish--two toxic personal traits for anyone in customer service. I really did not ask for any special discount--he seems to believe so--from the video?  Then I suggested I give him the number of the transaction, he agreed. I gave him the item number he found one but not the other. Finally, he called the store and chatted with them and learns what had happened--something I stated in the email to the customer service. He told me, I am looking at your email and this is not what you said. I just did not understand what he was trying to accomplish. I was not asking for anything. I simply did not want this mistake to happen again to me or whomever.

I asked him to relax and to be professional. In my judgment the way he conducted himself on the call was neither. To a degree that I asked him, I wish this phone call being recorded. I have shopped in perfumania stores in  ten different states. I have always felt my business is welcome there. This conversation with the district manager was so bizarre. I conclude, an erratic approach is unfit for someone who should be working with people.

I hope he was having a bad day and hope he is not like this all the time. I know I felt intimidated by his talk and was not impressed by his style and constant scoffing throughout our conversation. While there's no alternative to perfumania and their line of products, I will shop at another branch--maybe the one in Columbia Heights or Pentagon City.


   

"Original Scent", The Blending Bar In Pasadena

There'a new company in town and they are launching this week, it's one of its first kind in America, blending perfumes for those who seek something to call their own. European capital have had those for a really long time, but America is just getting warmed up to the idea. One of the country’s top perfumers is joining forces with two top female entrepreneurs to open a one-of-a-kind custom fragrance bar to help people create their own unique scent.

Original Scent's process to creating someone's custom scent begins with a 'Scent Profile,' which matches them to one of five distinct personality groupings. Using more than 150 of the finest fragrance and essential oils from around the world, Original Scent's perfumers use that personality profile to create an original formula containing a variety of defining scents, or "notes." Whether for use in the boardroom, the bedroom, on stationery, on the body, or as a unique way to immortalize a wedding or big event, Original Scent will always unique to each person.

“We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to fill the void in the relationship between mass market fragrances and a customized, personalized scent all your own – your most important personal accessory,” Winnaman said.

Original Scent's VIP Launch is 6 to 9 p.m., March 14 at Nikki West Boutique in Pasadena, California. Kelly Bensimon from "Real Housewives of New York" will be the celebrity host. Other celebrity guests include Actress Melora Hardin of "The Office". Featured wines will be from Casa Dumetz Winery and winemakers Sonya Magdevski and Actor Emilio Estevez. Fashion icon Ron Robinson will also be on hand to introduce his amazing home and fragrance collection that Original Scent will be carrying. Original Scent will be the first ever fragrance blending bar in Pasadena.

Growing Up With The Love Of Perfumes

When I was 12 years old, I walked the half-mile to the neighborhood drugstore. I spent my complete month’s allowance on a bottle of the year’s popular cologne. It was an excessive but poignant Christmas present for my mother and I purchased it weeks in advance, painstakingly carrying it home and leaving it wrapped and unattended on a bookshelf.

I impatiently anticipated the holiday. My younger brother, just 4 years old, couldn't resist the attraction. One late afternoon I came across the present on my bedroom floor, it's bottle shattered, its box unwrapped. Heaven Scent by Helena Rubenstein spilled carelessly on the floorboards, trickling into the crevices of the hardwood.

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Allergy To Perfume, Covered Under Americans with Disabilities Act?

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 A former Champaign County (Illinois) employee could receive a $20,000 settlement after she argued the county failed to accommodate her while she suffered from an allergy to perfume. I know breathing issues are a big deal, this is another reason why cleaning companies stopped using bleach. But this is a rather intersting case where perfumes are involved.


In the civil case, Core had argued two of her co-workers had intentionally worn Japanese Cherry Blossom perfume, despite knowing it caused her to have an allergic reaction.

Pamela Core, a former social services worker for the Champaign County Department of Jobs and Family Services, will be paid the money as part of the tentative agreement. Core had complained that she suffered from asthma and a severe chemical sensitivity to certain perfumes and other scented products.

In return, Core will drop her claim against the county under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Core, hired in 2003, will also release the county from a separate civil lawsuit that is still pending against two former co-workers.

“I think we’re both satisfied with the settlement,” Gerboth said.

Frank Hatfield, an attorney who represented the county, declined to discuss the case because the settlement process is still ongoing.

According to court documents, Core filed a claim against the county under the Americans with Disabilities Act and also sought a disability claim because of her condition, which included an allergic reaction to some perfumes, including the Japanese Cherry Blossom fragrance. The U.S. District Court ultimately ruled in favor of the county. But the case was appealed and was settled after mediation.

Core had maintained her position as a social worker since 2003, but her healthcare provider informed the county that Core could only work in an environment that is “free of perfume,” according to court documents.

However, a decision by the U.S. District Court also showed Core sells jewelry at craft shows, where she could be exposed to perfume. The disability also did not prevent Core from shopping, eating at restaurants, attending college classes, wearing perfume or walking around her neighborhood, the court said.


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Here's How You Can Pick The Right Fragrance For You

Picking a signature fragrance -- for you or someone else -- can be tricky. You want the fragrance you choose to perfectly capture the essence of the person who will wear it. Plus you want the fragrance to smell amazing -- to mostly everyone who will come into contact with you or the person you're buying it for.  Finding a perfume that is just right for you can feel like an overwhelming task. Given the thousands of fragrances on the market, it may seem easier just to stick with what you've always known. If that were the case for me, I'd still be wearing the 1986 version of Liz Claiborne perfume -- the one in the red triangle-shaped bottle.

Overall, yes, it can be overwhelming to find the right fragrance. The perfume you wear is a personal choice; it's not like the clothes you borrow from your best friend. The fragrance your best friend wears might not work with your particular body chemistry.

Besides, fragrance is a very personal choice. People will remember you for it. They will compliment you on it. They will ask what you're wearing. You'll wear it on first dates or for your wedding.

If you arm yourself with proper knowledge, then shopping for the right fragrance won't be such a daunting task.

There are some basic things to consider when selecting a fragrance. They include the personality of the person it's for, their taste in food, their favorite smells, and even their movie and music preferences. Considering all of these things while being overwhelmed by multiple fragrances at a department store counter or at stores like Sephora and Ulta is nearly impossible. It's stimulation overload. That's where this quiz comes in.

Find Out Which Family
All fragrances fall into family groups e.g. Floral, Woody, Spicy and Fresh etc. People tend to stay with a certain smell family, either because it recreates happy memories, or simply because it stimulates their olfactory receptors.What our Experts say
“Olfactory Receptors = Sense of Smell”

If you want to change your perfume/aftershave or are looking for a fragrance gift, it is a good idea to look at what you/they already like and try to find something else within that particular family group. The chances are if they like one floral fragrance, they may also like others.

When Will It Be Worn?
There are some perfumes/aftershaves which have been specifically designed for different periods of the day. Decide whether you are looking for something to wear during the day, for evenings or just for fun! People usually prefer lighter scents for daytime and more intense for evening.

How Much Do You Want To Spend?
Be clear in your mind how much you want to spend before you begin trying different scents. If you tell one of our team they will ensure that they find something to suit your budget not blow it completely! At The Perfume Shop prices are clearly displayed so that you don’t have to ask if you don’t want to.

Why Does It Not Smell So Nice On Me?
If you like the smell of a perfume or aftershave on someone else it may not smell the same on you. Fragrance reacts uniquely on different skin types or under different conditions e.g. body temperature, diet, weather.

They All Smell The Same?
It’s important when finding a new scent that you don’t try more than three at any one time. Your nose may become de-sensitised (smell fatigue) if you try more than a handful so take a break. The most traditional way to take a ‘smell break’ when trying different scents is to inhale coffee beans but if they aren't available simply take a deep breath through your nose and smell your sleeve or cuff. This will clear your nose of any lingering perfume/aftershave notes.

The Easiest Way To Find The Right Fragrance
If you are still confused or simply want someone else to help then come and see us in-store. All The Perfume Shop staff are fully trained in fragrance and how to find the right one so will be happy to help.

This is why most men and women stick to the same fragrance year after year? Well, the obvious reason is people hate changes.

Lernert and Sander Blend 1400 Fragrances To Create The Lord Of Perfume

This is amazing, 1400 new fragrances were launched in 2012 alone--those are new editions--stuff we did not have the year before. Two Dutch artists had a wacky idea, combine all those 1400 fragnraces in one scent to rule them all--lord of the perfumes edition. Lernert and Sander, you can now smell all of these perfumes together, at once, in one big, fat perfume they're fittingly calling Everything. Perfume phobes, hide your noses.

"We think Everything smells of your average fragrance department store -- that wall of smell that hits you when you enter it," Lernert and Sander told The Huffington Post via email. "A friend of ours thinks it smells of Chanel #5. We think it doesn't, but love the idea that all the fragrances of 2012 mixed together ends up to smelling like the most iconic smell in the world."

Apparently, over the past year, Lernert and Sander systematically collected sample vials of every single new fragrance that was launched. Now, they're combining all of them in one hand blown bottle (designed to look like an elephantine sample vial) and displaying it at super-chic Parisian boutique Colette, so that innocent shoppers can be assaulted by experience the mix for themselves.

There's no nice way to put it: We're terrified by this fragrance. We've experienced for ourselves how polarizing fragrances can be, and the thought of having all of the stinky, sickly sweet, Bieber-tastic fragrances of the year in one place just kind of makes us gag in anticipation.

But then again, who knows what happens chemically when you mix thousands of fragrance notes in one bottle? Maybe they cancel each other out and smell totally boring. Or amazing. We just don't know. For now, we are just happy that we will be too far away from Everything to even be tempted to find out. (Jezebel)

Whether floral or musk, it's definitely powerful. "When Lernert tried it on in our studio yesterday and took the tram, the unbelievably handsome man that came to sit next to him instantly got up and found another seat after smelling Everything," said Lernert and Sander via email. "But, hey, Everything is not for everyone."

Lucky (or unlucky) Parisians can experience Learnert and Sander's potent scent in person at Colette from March 1-9, 2013.

See The Impressive Lanvin’s Arpege Evening Bag

Roa is I’m a die-hard Lanvin fan. In fact it’s one of the most important reasons that I cannot get a credit card. If I owned a house to mortgage, She would be indulging in the labels every collection. This is the work of a magical fairies give us treasures beyond our most lavish imaginations, season after season.

Among this season is a fresh items the Lanvin ‘ARPEGE’ evening bag; a hand-polished black enamel case, trimmed with gold clasp and gold snake handle. The bag is a tribute to the 85 years of Arpège fragrance, resembling the black ball bottle designed by Armand Albert Rateau in 1927. Hot off the Lanvin runway and into the closets of presumably every other fashion follower is the Parisian maison’s Arpege evening clutch.

Worked in shiny, hand-polished black enamel, a gold clasp trimmed with a yellow gold snake handle overhangs it. As an ultimate designer detail, the name of the house of Lanvin is discretely engraved on the clasp.

Jeanne Lanvin asked André Fraysse, a young man with a prodigious “nose” to compose an eternal fragrance to celebrate the 30th birthday of her adored musician daughter, telling him to “Think of Marie-Blanche”. It’s a musical fragrance with the top, middle and base notes bewitching the woman wearing it. An iconic reflection of its fashion, Arpège remains one of the most symbolic references of the Lanvin universe.

The ARPEGE evening bag will be available in LANVIN boutiques and on the e-store from February 2013.

The Do's And Don'ts of Wearing Perfume

The perfume you wear can cause them to be attracted to you or, unfortunately, to flee from you! You should carefully choose perfumes that enhance the space around you. Be careful not to offend others with fragrances that are too strong. Here are some quick perfume tips on choosing and wearing fragrances.

Find a fragrance that complements your skin and natural aroma of your body. The scent should be subtle enough to not invade anyone else's "personal space" but pleasant enough that others will want to stay around you. Perfume is meant to enhance your personality, attire, and overall being.

Do's of Wearing Perfume

• If you have dry skin, wear extra perfume. The oils in your skin, or lack thereof, can enhance or weaken the scent. When it's cold out, wear extra perfume. Cold weather tends to weaken the scent as well. 
• Leave the store or at least the perfume section for a few minutes to smell the fragrances on your skin. This will allow you to smell the scents without them blending with others from the fragrance section.
• Sample perfumes by spraying a couple of fragrances on your skin in areas located far apart from one another. For example, spray one type on your hand and the other on your upper arm.
• When, buying new perfume, don't base your decision on what works for someone else. Try it out on your own skin first. Everyone's skin reacts differently to a scent. 
• The best time to apply perfume is right after a shower or bath. After bathing, your skin pores will be open and will soak up the perfume's fragrance. 
• Also when bathing, use non-deodorized soap where the perfume will be applied. Soaps and deodorants can affect how the perfume will smell on your skin; the mixture won't always be pleasant! 
• When applying perfume, dab it in unusual places where it will stay warm and keep its scent longer. It can be applied on the inside of the elbow, on the wrist, neck, stomach, cleavage, and back of the knees. 

Don'ts of Wearing Perfume 

While there are many positives to wearing perfume, there are few things to avoid.

•  Certain types of jewelry, such as costume or pearl jewelry, can become discolored due to perfume alcohols. Some jewelry can also be stripped of its outer coating. When wearing perfume with this type of jewelry, apply it away from the jewelry. 
• Don't try spraying on more than two fragrances in a single trip.
• Don't use only one perfume year round. Test out various perfumes during seasonal changes to see which ones work best in the hot or cool temperatures. Different fragrances are affected by temperatures when it comes to scent intensity. 
• Never apply perfume behind the ears. It can blend with skin secretions and create a bad smell. Also, don't spray perfume onto light-colored clothes because it can turn the fabric yellow. 
• When buying perfumes online, try out the same brand and scent in a local store first to be sure it's right for you. You can often find great perfumes and men's colognes such as Adidas, Antonio Puig, Anucci, Byblos, Britney Spears, Bulgari, Chanel, Capucci, Cartier, and more at online shopping stores. 
• These stores carry a wide supply of fragrances, even at wholesale prices. 
• Use these tips to find that perfect perfume for you and start drawing people to you with your lovely scent! 

If you think you've found the perfect perfume for you, wait a day before buying. Try on a sample of only that particular perfume from the department store and then leave it on for a day. Be sure it doesn't lose its scent during the day, change scents, or cause any allergies or headaches. Wearing it for a day should reveal all of these.

My Timeless Tips for Buying Perfume

I am the kind of person who makes decisions when I know the person at the counter is looking at me or jumping to conclusion about my taste of weather I will buy something from them. I mean they are standing right there in your face, attending your needs. Least you can do is buy something and not make it too difficult for them. You cannot be that obnoxious snob person, but on the other hand, buying perfumes is a long term commitment   

1. It's no secret some people sniff coffee beans to help them distinguish between different perfumes when shopping. Coffee beans are a great palette cleanser for your nose! but do take a small break before trying again. By the way, they should make a fragrance which smells like coffee. I'd buy that.
2. I would rather try one on at a time as I've found that my skin chemistry effects the outcome of the smell. What is nice on someone else can smell like fly spray on me.
3. I usually just sniff straight from the bottle and then spray the one I like onto my skin. Not into using the cardboard testers. It smells nothing like that on me. It takes me a while to purchase a perfume because of all the smells
4. It's OK! we all get confused if i smell more than two different perfumes. I always get mixed up with the smell. It defiantly is an overwhelming experience sometimes
5. I will generally try a few on paper and then of my 2 favorites on each wrist… then go away and so shopping etc… after a few hours I usually can ascertain which has staying power and which one I like more (based on how it ‘settles’) and then go back to purchase…
6. Roa sniffs the bottle if she likes it she will spray some on her wrist, never use the cardboard strips, then she goes and see if it still inspires me at times it becomes vague and uninspiring so she doesn't buy that one or the other way round.
7. I am allergic to strong perfume, but found one which is fresh, non overpowering, if it's discontinued in your country, shop online. Tip:  I adore lavender and often wear lavender essential oil
8. Yes it can be overwhelming trying to find a perfume to buy. I generally know if I like a perfume by the first whiff. Perfume can smell different on one person to another because of our chemistry makeup. I like to have a wear of the scent and then I know for sure. 
9. It's a real thing, you can totally OD'd on fragrances! On hindsight probably should have sniffed less than five on myself as I had a tendency to forget which fragrance was on which patch of skin!!
10. Stick with what you know, you never never go wrong, though it does not happen often, but sometimes the recipe for you favorite fragrance may change. 

Are You A Perfumista? Here's How To Keep Perfumes Affordable

Nothing beats the wisdom of the crowds, 

“Keep all of your samples!” This was one of the best tips I received when I first started out as a perfumista. If I didn’t like a fragrance, I would be tempted to pass my sample onto someone else. But the more I sampled, the more my tastes kept changing, and I can’t count how many times I’ve revisited a perfume and ended up liking it. 

A is for Always Ask. Sometimes I hesitate to ask a SA if they have any samples, and am pleasantly surprised when they pull one out from a drawer. The worst thing they can say is “no” and give you a withering look–Vanessa

A is for Atomizer. Bring an empty one everytime you go to see the SA that you’ve cultivated (see C for Cultivate). They can fill it with whatever you want, when you think you need more than a sample but less than a bottle of anything–Sassa Swartz

B

B is for Binge. Sometimes perfume binges are unavoidable, but try to pace yourself: it’s about enjoyment after all–Gogol

B is for Blind Buys. They are risky. Sample before buying–Victoria

B is for Box. Always keep the box (or other packaging). Keeping the boxes becomes even more important as your perfume collection grows. The box will help protect it from heat and light, two enemies of perfume. Plus, having the complete presentation makes it easier to swap or sell later on. Some of our fragrances may even end up as collectibles down the road, and the boxes could add to their value–Silvia and Minette

C

C is for Comment. You never know what great suggestions the perfume blog community will offer in response. You might discover a new favorite fragrance, or even make a real-life friend–Elizabeth

C is for Compliments. Do not be shy and compliment a nice perfume when someone wears it. It is a good conversation starter and may lead to finding a friend with the same hobby and a lot of information! People love being complimented on their perfume!–Yulya

C is for Copycat. Never copy a friend’s signature scent. Be your own person. Take the journey to find your own–Cynthia C

C is for Cultivate – as in SA at Nordstrom/Sephora. Find an SA that you like, and buy everything through him/her. Your perfume, makeup, even purses and accessories. There is no end to the free gifts and samples and advance notices that these people can provide for you–Sassa Swartz

D

D is for Dab vs Spray (complementary to Spray vs Dab tip below). I use both. Dab, not spray, when you feel that the fragrance is otherwise overwhelming. Try how it will be dabbed and then decide. Maybe you only need to wear a tiny dab of it for the entire day, and then your sample is your full bottle–Warum

D is for Dark. All perfumes, especially samples, should be kept in a dark place–Olfacta

D is for Decant. A decant is a small amount of perfume transferred to a small vial or a spray atomizer. When you are first starting out, it is best to invest in a few decants, rather than the full size bottles. There are several websites online that sell decants such as The Posh Peasant,Surrender to Chance and The Perfumed Court. Also, decants are useful when traveling, in which case it is best to seal them with tape. NST has a great article on how to decant and where to buy decanting supplies–Bee, Victoria and Mary Beth

D is for Diary. Keep a perfume diary or blog. Writing about what you smell will help you learn but will also help you to remember better–Gogol

D is for Display. Perfume bottles are often beautiful pieces of art in themselves. Display them on a shelf or table in a nice arrangement for both viewing and sniffing pleasure–Diane And also, display your empty perfume bottles. It’s the female equivalent of guys displaying their action-figure collection!–Haefennasiel

D is for Drain those samples. A little pile of empty sample vials is a great indicator of whether a full-bottle purchase is in order–Elizabeth

E

E is for Empty Spray Atomizers. Order a couple of dozen so that you can use them with the vial samples that you get, or use them with your minis–Sassa Swartz

E is for Envelopes. I write the names of perfumes I want to try on the outside of the envelopes. I spray the strips and put in the correct envelope. When I arrive home, I start testing them. If I find one that I like, I go back the next day and generously spray my wrists. If I’m still in love with the fragrance, I go back the next morning, purchase and enjoy!–Cynthia C

E is for Evocative. Sometimes the best way to get started is to start with perfumes that have evocative names–Gogol

E is for Extras. When you arrange a bottle or sample swap, throw in an extra sample or 3. This is just good karma!–Elisa

F

F is for Fridge. Storing your perfume in the fridge will help retain its freshness. I keep reading that perfume should not be exposed to cold temperatures, which is not true. A cool temperature (not freezing cold) is ideal. The French perfume conservatory The Osmotheque stores their wares in a climate controlled environment. The libraries inside the perfume houses are houses in regular fridges. I would only recommend sealing your bottles in a couple of zip-lock bags to prevent your butter smelling like Coco Mademoiselle–Victoria

F is for Friends. Perfume may smell different on you; don’t just buy it just because it smelled gorgeous on your friend–Suleen

F is for Full Bottle – that thing that you always think you need, but rarely do–Sassa Swartz

G

G is for Gender-bending. Don’t assume you won’t like something because it’s marketed to the opposite gender–Elisa

G is for Go hard or go home! If you can’t tell how you feel about a perfume, put more on–Elisa

H

H is for Headache. The worst time to try anything–Mary Beth

H is for Heat. The less, the better!–Olfacta

H is for Hormonal. Changes in your hormone levels can affect how fragrance smells on your skin and on how you perceive smells, so beware the PMT shopping!–Tanya M

H is for Husband’s video game hobby. It doesn’t count higher than your perfume collection!–Victoria

I

I is for I (me).  It is all about how I feel about the perfume, whether I like the smell, whether I get pleasure from sniffing it. Not the brand, not what the friends are liking. I. Maybe it’s pretty obvious, but it took me a while to arrive at this thought–Warum

I is for Inventory. You *must* keep track of what you’ve acquired or you’ll get the same sample over and over, because it always sounds good! Keep the inventory online (I like GoogleDocs) and you can consult it while shopping out in the world–Unseencenser

J

J is for Jargon. It can puzzle you initially and that you soon will master, so you will be able to fully understand what you read on blogs–Annemarie  (Victoria: I’ve compiled a list of fragrance descriptors here: Speaking Perfume: A to Z)

J is for Joy – not the perfume, the feeling. Study, investigate, try, experiment – but spend as much time as you can wearing what brings you joy–Unseencenser. Spread your joy in your hobby around. Write about it, talk about it, express it, be encouraging to others. Live in the moment of your scent and revel in it out loud. Joy is a happy contagion. You never know when your joy in perfume will catch someone else in it’s tendrils–Dervishspin

K

K is for Keep All of Your Samples. Our tastes change the more we are exposed to different scents. It is a good idea to revisit fragrances time to time. This is especially true for classics and complex, rich blends that require a longer courtship from you. Plus, it is so much easier one wallet to have a sample to check one more time before shelling out for a decant or a full bottle–Victoria, Mary Beth and Unseencenser

L

L is for Label samples/decants you make carefully. Make sure labels are readable and protected from the moisture. It is heartbreaking to have a sample of a perfume you like and not know what it is–Undina

L is for Layering. This way you can make use of something you would otherwise find unweareable and get the most of a limited perfume wardrobe–Amer (for instance, check outthis guide on layering created by Elle Magazine and perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena)

L is for List. A lists helps a total newbie to get started. List some perfumes you really want to smell. List some that you need smell in order to learn what you are smelling–Gogol

M

M is for Migraine. Some perfumes trigger them–Gogol

M is for Miniatures. If you are a fickle perfume junkie, a nostalgia freak and like the Lilliputian factor, you can find some old classics and mass market juices at online stores (such as www.miniatureperfumeshoppe.com). Great for your handbag, weekend away and building a mini perfume wardrobe to compare–Tanya M

M is for Minimum of sampling or spraying different perfumes when you are trying to choose a perfume. You will get confused about the smells–Suleen

N

N is for Nerd. Feel free to be one!–Silvia

N is for Never say Never. I do regret some samples I have given away, but at the same time it is liberating to be free of the ones you never learn to appreciate, so I am on the fence with the sample retention principle!–Vanessa

N is for No Need to Try/Buy Everything at Once. There are lots of perfumes released each year and lots at the stores and discounters; pace yourself (see B for Binge and P for Pace Yourself for more reminders that it’s best to take it one perfume at a time)–Rosarita

N is for Notes. Teach yourself to distinguish individual notes by smelling every essential oil, absolute and tincture you can get your paws on. Actually, make it a point to smell everything!–Minette

O

O is for Opinion. Yours is as important as that of anybody else. Do not let a negative comment influence you if you like a perfume, and vice versa, don’t be swayed by positive reviews until you test the fragrance thoroughly (see T for Three Times)–Bee and Victoria

O is for Organized. I keep samples organized by fragrance family in those taffeta bags they often come in, but any small bag or container will work–Olfacta

O for Overdose. If you want to make sure whether a fragrance would turn out right on you, before buying, spray it on abundantly–excessively, actually–have a walk and watch how you react–Iodine

P

P is for Pace Yourself. When you first start, the amount of stuff to try can be overwhelming. But even if your sampling budget is tiny, you will eventually get to the point where you’ve got an impressive sample collection–Dionne

P is for Patience. Always sample a fragrance that tempts you on your skin and WAIT. The alcohol needs to evaporate, and the juice needs to warm on your skin – let it bloom and grow and sniff at intervals, then decide if its a keeper–Tanya M

P is for Pleasure. Perfume is the most effortless way to infuse pleasure into your daily life.  Wear what you like and don’t feel pressures to enjoy a fragrance just because others are raving about it (or vice versa)–Victoria

P is for Populist. If possible, skip that snob-phase where you think only the luxe or niche will do. There are beautiful discoveries to be found at every price point–Elizabeth

P is for Pregnancy and Perfume. Try to avoid your favorite perfumes during early pregnancy; you could end up hating them for ever–Suleen

Q

Q is for Quality or Quantity. Do you want to spent your money on stuff you really, really love or do you want to buy and try a lot? Hélas, you will probably opt for both–Annemarie

Q is for Question. Don’t be afraid to question the wisdom of “The Guide”. It’s fun and informative, but don’t assume that if you disagree with a review, the authors must be right and you must be wrong–Denise

Q is for Questions. They are the questions that you always should pose as a beginner (or an expert). Answers can be stupid, but questions never are–Annemarie

R

R is for Read. Read blogs, read messages on online forums, read perfume-related books–Gogol

R is for Reference Cards. Keep reference cards in a box and write them as you sniff along, listing perfumer, year of creation and top/middle/base notes. Over the years they will become a quick and invaluable reference tool–Silvia

R is for Reformulations. When you fall in love with a scent enough to buy an full bottle, if you possibly can, get two. Even classic beauties like get reformated or discontinued–Elizabeth Ann

R is for Rules. Listen to what others have to say, take the best ideas, and then make up your own rules, using what works for YOU as your guide. So what if no one else is doing it the same way? You are unique. Your perfume habit will reflect it–Minette

S

S is for Samples.  Sampling programs and swaps make it easy to try a wide range of scents and make perfume hobby more affordable–Victoria

S is for Seasonal Changes. If you don’t like something in summer, put it away and try it again in winter (and vice versa)–Elisa

S is for Smell on Skin, not Strip. Never commit before trying on skin. Some perfumes smell incredibly different on paper, others quite close–Vanessa Always try a perfume on your own skin before you decide to buy it. Wait at least an hour for it to reveal itself. More time is better. Some suggest waiting until you’ve tried something several times, but I tend to fall in love pretty quickly (or not), so I sometimes break that rule–Minette

S is for Smelling. Train yourself to become aware of and smell everything in your environment. Sniff the air like a wolf or a cat – ask yourself what is on the wind. Perfumer Jean-Michel Duriez (ed: the head perfumer for Rochas Parfums) told me he sometimes gets caught holding odd objects to his nose for a deep sniff, but he doesn’t care. Be like Jean-Michel. It’s fun and insructive–Minette

S is for Splits. Share the cost of a full bottle with one or more friends–Silvia

S is for Spray vs Dab. A perfume can smell different when sprayed versus when touch-applied. I overlooked a lot of good scents when I first started sampling until I learned to transfer my sample vials to a spray atomizer (see E for Empty Spray Atomizers)–Sweetpea

S is for Storage. Proper storage—cool, dark place, outside of direct sunlight–makes your collection lasts longer and remain in good shape–Victoria

T

T is for Talk. Talk to your local perfume salesperson (sometimes they know their stuff, sometimes they don’t); talk with your friends, family about perfume. You’ll learn a lot–Gogol

T is for Three Times. Never buy a fragrance until you haven’t tested it minimum three times on skin, possibly at least once in Overdose (see O for Overdose)–Iodine

T is Travel size bottles. Always get them when you can. They are great for traveling, trying a smell out and simply if you get tired of fragrances and do not wish to end up with the almost full bottles of unwanted scent–Dianna

V

V is for Visit the websites of (smaller) brands to find fantastic and affordable sample offers–Annemarie. Annemarie lives in Europe and likes the samples programmes of brands like Divine, Etat Libre d’Orange, Histoires de Parfums, Juliette has a Gun, LesNez, Memo, Mona di Orio, Olfactive Studio, Parfum d’Empire, Parfums de Rosine and Tauer Perfumes. For instance, Parfum d’Empire offers 13 samples of their whole collection for 16 euros, Histoires des Parfums has 6 samples for 10 euros plus refund if you buy a full bottle, Olfactive Studio offers 3 samples for 4 euros and Mona di Orio sells 7 ml samples/decants for just 8 euro. Those who live in the US, can try Aedes.com and Luckyscent.com sample programs.

U

U is for Undesirable Fragrances/Unwanted Perfume Presents.  I’ve had a few well meant presents that are pleasant in themselves but just didn’t work on me. If they could not be swapped, sold on ebay or given away, I have found a use for them as home fragrances. For instance, they can be sprayed on blotting paper and left in shoes, linen drawers, books, etc. Otherwise, leave in a public place with a post-it note, saying “smell me and take me home” – your random good deed for the day!–Tanya M

U is for Unsniffed. Never buy unsniffed. Don’t rely on the list of notes only, if you don’t want to end up with the scrubber (also see B for Blind Buys)–Bee and Behemot

U is for Unscented. If you are looking to buy completely unscented products, be sure that the label says “scent-free.” Anything else means that it does have a mild perfume added–Victoria

W

W is for Wary at Work. Be careful with fragrance at work, because some people do have awful perfume induced conditions. If you go light, you will be less likely to get into “fragrance free workplace” issues–Warum

W is for Wear What You Like. Don’t worry about what others say or write, trust your own nose–Dionne

W is for Write down the names of what you are smelling on the blotters. Nothing worse than a clutch of anonymous blotters at the bottom of your handbag after a good day’s sniffing–Vanessa

X

X is for Xerox (not exact copies). If you liked a certain fragrance and it has changed, got discontinued or turned out to be too expensive, search the blogosphere for recommendations–Tanya M

X is  for X-rated. Don’t be shy of trying perfumes totally outside your comfort zone. If you are a delicate, spring floral kinda gal go and try something with a hint of earth, animal or leather–you may be pleasantly suprised–Tanya M

X is for Xylophone… if humble pieces of wood can produce melody then humble materials can make good perfume. Don’t be fooled by an extravagant list of ingredients. Follow your nose–Amer

Y

Y is for Year Cycle. Watch the turn of the seasons, note what you like to wear for holidays that mark the Year Cycle (Christmas/Solstice for Winter, MidSummer, fragrances that mark the start of Spring and the Fall for you in the area where you live). Mark your personal year with perfume and you will experience time differently–Warum

Y is for Yearn. Unless it’s a one off chance to buy something, think about it over before handing over the credit card. It will save you money and will ensure you appreciate every purchase to the max–Silvia

Y is for You and Yourself, Your nose and Your reaction, Your smile and Your joy that are Your best guides in the end. Blogs and reviews are there to inform and inspire you. Brands and their campaigns are there to seduce and impress you. Other noses may be more trained or refined, but you have just your own nose and that one will tell you what is right for you–Annemarie.  Trust yourself to know what is right for you. Don’t buy a perfume because it smells great on someone else, or becaue your boyfriend likes it on another woman (especially not because of that!). Only you know what makes your heart flutter and helps you feel more confident–Minette

Z

Z is for Zero. Sometimes you need a day with zero perfumes–Gogol

Z is for Zip-lock Bags. Collect them, especially tiny ones (for example, 2″x2″). They make great holders for sample vials. You can organize your vials into categories, for example, and you can see what you have without having to label. Plastic bags can also contain the sillage from powerful scents!–Patty

Thanks To Them

Perfume 101, Let's Get Started

I share with with few tips about perfume to get you more bang for you buck. It's not always the perfume, it's sometimes you. Three tips to break it down for you

1. For long-lasting effects fragrance should be applied to the body’s pulse points. These include the wrist, behind the ear, crease of your arm and knee, and the base of your throat. Pulse points give off more body heat as this is where blood vessels are closest to the skin, therefore continually warming and releasing your fragrance. Also, for a lasting effect spraying fragrance lower on the body allows it to rise throughout the day. Layering with the corresponding bath or shower gel and lotion, also is another good practice to help your fragrance last longer.

2. Having the right Perfume at the right time. Normally people will only go for one bottle or maximum two bottles of perfumes, after using them up they will restock with the same perfume they have been using. This is not a wise choice as using the same perfume over and over again will create boredom to people around you and yourself. There are tons of perfumes available in the market and each year there's more than 50 new perfumes in the Market. In order to have the right Perfume, we must at least have more than 3 perfumes in our collection to spice up our daily life. For example, keep a woody smell perfume for a night out with your special ones, use a bottle of Marine perfume for your daily college classes, and use a bottle of perfume with spice for some formal meetings, try to put more colors and choices in your life.

3. Did you know that a perfume has 3 layers - the top note, the middle note and the base note? When you first spray a perfume, the first whiff is the top note, which will slowly change to middle before settling into base note, which will linger on your skin. The right way to test a perfume is not on a piece of card, but on your skin. Our skin's chemistry is different from everybody else's, therefore some perfumes smell different on us. So try the perfume you intend to buy first on your skin, and walk around for an hour or two. If you like it, then it's right for you! Our nose can only register three perfumes before it gets confused, so sniff some coffee beans to clear it up!

The Ten Essential Perfume Tips To Live By

Remember most fragrance have complex ingredients, some have as many as a 300 items going into their making, and the fragrance with the most oil at least 22 percent is perfume  everything else will be lighter--which means it won't stick around longer.

1. Choosing a perfume has its moments. The time of day, venue of purchase, one's moods, and even skin type plays its part. So know these factors, something that you might like today, might not be that special tomorrow. 
2. Perfumes do not smell the same to different people. Exactly right, the sooner you realize this, the sooner you know each of us is really unique. 
3. Different people have different reactions to the fragrance. What might give you allergies, may give your next door girlfriends a boyfriend. Your husband might hate a certain perfume, but his brother might gift it to all the ladies he comes across. 
4. You could find yourself not liking your own perfume choice, after some time. Naturally  we grow, and out tastes change just like in food. 
5. With changing body temperature and body chemistry, scent and fragrance change in smell too. Pay close attention to season change and travel arrangements. Keep on mind, the fragrance won't smell the same after a day at the gym or a day spent hiking.  
6. Fragrances stay longer on some skin types. With dry skin, fragrances do not stay as long as on oily skins. so make sure to moisturize well. 
7. Applying a layer of non perfumed oil skin lotion, before putting on perfume, may help perfume stay longer. This is why ladies always smell that dudes, they are almost never low on lotions
8. The best spots to apply perfume are the pulse points like wrists; inside of elbows, inside of knees, neck and cleavage--if you have one.
9.  Do not rub the perfumes upon application. Let's it go to work the way it's intended to, 
10. Perfumes on clothes will not help much either. I am guilty