Why it's Best not to Wear Perfume Nor Take the Pill when Looking for a Mate

Fine perfume might be more intellectual and spiritual in nature than instinctual after all. A few years back - in 2008 - there were a series of articles on olfaction and attraction shedding light on enduring sexual attraction thanks to new research on the role of the contraceptive pill. It is required reading if you wish to grasp some of the potentially thwarted "chemistry" at work when choosing not only a compatible mate, but a long-term one...

The research resulted in the practical advice not to be on the contraceptive pill when dating - and even in order to perfect the approach, not to wear fragrances in the first few weeks of getting to know someone so as to be able to olfactorily ascertain the soundness of the basis for your sexual attraction. It has to do with MHC genes compatibility - they should be not too similar, but not too dissimilar as well. These are as unique as a finger prints so there are no obvious visual predictors such as the color of skin, or race. Only your nose will tell, provided no pill is involved and perfumes do not blur the olfactory message too much although a link has been found between perfume preferences and the Major histocompatibility complex. If you and someone else consistently show similar cologne preferences, this tends to mean you have similiar MHC genes, and so are not biologically compatible actually. They should stay great buddies of yours.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Perfume, Courtesy Of Frédéric Malle

We like to consider ourselves pretty scent-sitive (har, har) when it comes to fragrance. As our perfume preferences have evolved, we're finally able to sniff out top and base notes — and sometimes even the layers in between. But, like our favorite multi-dimensional fragrances,there's a lot more to perfume than meets the nose. The man with a firm grasp on all its many nuances? Frédéric Malle.

And, lucky for us, his newly relaunched website is a goldmine of tips and tricks for choosing and applying fragrance. Case in point: Though we religiously put perfume on our pulse points, it might be wise to spritz it in our hair instead. Because of the slight oiliness of hair and the heat emitted from the head, scent has more staying power and will diffuse throughout the day. But, Malle cautions, “Be careful not to spray hair too often, as the alcohol contained in the fragrance might dry it.”

Click on over to Beautylish to learn four more little-known facts about fragrance from the mix master himself. (Beautylish)


5: More expensive doesn’t mean better.

Even as a purveyor of high-end fragrances, Malle admits that price is often a marketing tool used to “position” perfumes. “Fragrances are like food; they can be delicious and cheap. A talented perfume can make a great fragrance for little money,” he writes. The brand prices its products based on the cost of its raw materials and their concentration (“like a restaurant that sells a dish made with caviar for more than something cooked with eggs and potatoes!”). Also, synthetic-based perfumes can be more expensive than natural ones, which feels counterintuitive given the price of some organic and natural skin care lines on the market. This is because rare, high-tech raw materials are often more expensive than natural oils and essences.

How to (Really) Wear a Fragrance

“Perfume should be discovered, not announced.” I read that line many years ago in a magazine, and ever since then I have been extremely conscious about, ahem, overdoing it. I love wearing fragrance—I love everything about it. But as with all things, there is a right way to do it.

To help demystify the technique, I reached out to Wendi S. Berger, creator and president of Pour le Monde, a newly launched 100% natural perfume company. (I love this brand—the scents are really fabulous but best of all, each one of their fragrances benefits a different charity!)

There are so many misconceptions about fragrances, says Berger, and here, she shares her expert advice.

How to find your scent:

1. Fragrance is so subjective, which is why the fragrances in Pour le Monde’s collection are all very different. To find a scent, think about when you’ll be wearing it and what season. If it is a daily fragrance for work or hanging with Mom, you may want something lighter and less powerful like a light floral or green. For the winter months, you may be drawn to something bigger; for summer, a citrus or something sporty.
2. If you’re just looking for a new signature scent, shop around, and wear before you buy. The top notes of a fragrance are known as the “sales” notes, meaning they’re what you first smell and what sells the juice. Top notes fade, depending on if the fragrance is synthetic or natural, in about 1-2 hours, and then the middlenotes or “heart” of the fragrance really evolve on your skin, smelling different than when you first applied. That’s why you should test-drive perfume.
3. Don’t buy what smells good on someone else. Our own body chemistry can dictate how we’ll wear the fragrance, and many times we will carry it much differently than our friends.

How to wear it:

4. Never rub wrists together—especially with naturals! Rubbing creates friction, and friction creates heat. Essentially, you have rubbed off the top notes of the fragrance—which are usually what attracted you to buying it in the first place.
5. Don’t put it in your clothes. The fragrance may last longer, but because some fragrances (like naturals) were developed to heat up from your skin, spraying directly may not only stain your clothes, but will make scents stay flat and, over time, get stale. The only positive is that the chemicals found in synthetic fragrances won’t leach onto your skin and into your body.
6. It’s OK to lightly spray on your hair. It will last longer (especially the top notes). “Lightly” is key, as you don’t want the alcohol to dry out your ends.

How to store it:

7. So many of us have our fragrance trays in the bathroom. Bad idea! All that changing heat and humidity can affect the compounds of the fragrance.
8. The refrigerator is humid too, so it’s not a better alternative.
9. It’s best to store perfume in a dimly lit, climate-controlled area. Your closet is the perfect place! If properly stored, a fragrance can keep for several years.

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In the Garden: Flower fragrance a factor

It’s not too early to begin thinking about plantings for next year. One quality often overlooked is flower fragrance. It is sensed daily in the indoor/outdoor atmosphere. A landscape, large or small, should have a plant with outstanding fragrance. For some, it could be a potted gardenia, an indoor/outdoor plant with superb fragrance.

My most prized fragrance is that of a lilac flower. The worst most unfavorable fragrance (odor) is that of a skunk. If you are ever sprayed by a skunk, the experience will be with you for a lifetime. There are a few plants with very unpleasant fragrances.

Barb and I were introduced to lilac fragrance in May 1960 when we visited our presenthome as prospective buyers. The lilacs were in full bloom and the lilac scent completely smothered the entrance. It seemed like it happened this year. That was our pleasant introduction to plant fragrance. I called the fragrance “heavenly.”

For the purchase of a fragrant tree or shrub, I suggest the first year be devoted to visits to garden centers/nurseries while plants are in bloom. After the growing season, decide which plants were most impressive. There is no substitute for on-site visits when evaluating plant fragrances.

There are many descriptions of fragrance. Terms may include slight, moderate, medium, strong, heavy, intense, old-fashioned, overpowering and more. Some fragrances are more specific and include fruity, herbal, citrus, sweet, clove, vanilla, honey-scented and many others.
Fragrant choices

• Lilac — My first choice. The old-fashioned lilac tends to have the best fragrance. Visit them in early to mid-May for bloom time. One recommendation is named Albert F. Holden, from the breeding of the late Father Fiala of Medina. It grows to a height of 8 feet with purple flowers and plenty of lilac fragrance.

• Rose — For a fragrant rose it’s hard to beat Chrysler Imperial, a hybrid tea. It overflows with rose fragrance from the dark red flowers. There are many more non-fragrant roses than those with fragrance. The one downside of the newer shrub roses is a lack of fragrance. It will likely only be a matter of time until the fragrance barrier will be developed.

• Annuals — Many annuals have some fragrance, but it is nothing outstanding. My most memorial fragrance was when I grew some carnations several years ago. Plants were started in the light garden and the flowers had sensational carnation fragrance. Heliotrope with the dark purple flowers has flowers with a vanilla fragrance, unusual very pleasant. Marigolds have a fragrance, but not to the liking of most people.

Some petunias offer a rather sweet fragrance.

• Herbs — The herb group has a good variety of fragrances. Some of the mints have citrus fragrance. I planted one with lemon fragrance many years ago and it has spread everywhere. I smell it every time the mower gets near it. Rosemary has a unique fragrance and is often used in cooking for the added flavor. Herb leaves release many different fragrances for cooking purposes.

• True lilies — For bulbs, the true lily not only has large colorful flowers, but offers a sweet fragrance that can be detected many feet away from the plant. The lily show at Kingwood Center in July is most pleasant because the meeting hall is filled with lily fragrance from dozens of lilies in full bloom.

• Others — Spring bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths offer fragrance. The late flowering Cheerfulness daffodil has a strong fragrance. Hyacinths are noted for their strong fragrance in the April garden.

Besides a lilac, other shrubs with fragrant flowers include mock orange, spice viburnum, honeysuckle and honey scented summer sweet hummingbird. Always check mature size and avoid those that have a tendency toward invasive growth.

Richard Poffenbaugh is a retired biology teacher and active home gardener since 1960. He is a member of the Mansfield Men’s Garden Club and was editor of the club newsletter (The Greenhorn) for 21 years. He resides in Ontario with his wife, Barbara. Reach him at 419-529-2966.

Fragrance group brings scents to the Hill

Even your perfume can’t avoid a Washington connection.

The International Fragrance Association, whose Washington operation is based out of Arlington, Va., is one of those only-inside-the-Beltway organizations, a niche-sounding group that proves the theory that Washington touches everything.

“We’re active all day, every day, on issues, whether they be in the regulatory agencies or on Capitol Hill,” said Jennifer Abril, the president of IFA, which boasts more than 60 members in the fragrance industry. “We’re involved quite heavily in regulatory efforts to make sure that our members are well-informed about their requirements and to improve the business climate of our membership.”

And they have the office to prove it. Most every mainstream fragrance or cologne you can imagine can be found there — but it’s really the private blends that they get a first look at that prove to be the real highlight.

“I come to the office most days without wearing a scent and then I decide what I’m wearing for the day,” Abril confessed. And friendly lawmakers might also get a small take-home gift of those private blends, providing, of course, that it fits within the ethics guidelines.

It’s a field that, traditionally, has not emphasized its Washington connections.

“For many years, our industry was part of the broader supply chain of a consumer product and so we were not very active as an industry up until about the last five years,” Abril said. “That’s when we really started to build out our voice and be more active in both lobbying and in education and awareness about the fragrance industry, what we do for them, and the safety programs that we have.”

You can get a peek at its Washington work Wednesday, when the IFA hosts an event on Capitol Hill called “A Symphony of Senses,” for which they invite lawmakers, staffers and other interested parties “to experience these fragrances for yourself, enjoy cocktails and meet the perfumers behind some of the world’s most popular scents.”

But despite the group’s fancy title, it’s not all about high-end perfume.

“A fragrance is a scent and so we are scent innovators, we’re scent specialists,” Abril said. “Whether that fragrance is going into a fine fragrance — which would be a cologne or a perfume — or whether that scent is going into a household product or a personal care product, so it could be lotions, it could be cosmetics, it could be detergents, it could be laundry products. Anything that you can think of that is scented would be made by one of the fragrance houses that we represent.”

Abril says that just her association’s members turn out more than 5,000 fragrance offerings a year.

“It’s an interesting dichotomy — on the one hand, we’re regulated with the broader chemical industry and, on the other hand, we’re thought of being more of a discretionary purchase. But it’s really such an important and mainstream part of everyday life. … It brings pleasure to everyone’s day.”

And for those who opt for fragrance-free products?

“That’s perfectly understandable,” Abril said. “We want to have something for everyone.”

Abril admits there’s typically a big learning curve for most lawmakers on the issues that matter most to the fragrance industry.

“Generally speaking, it’s a new issue for them to learn about.” That is, of course, with one exception: lawmakers from New York and New Jersey, where Abril says 85 percent of its members hail from.

“We’re particularly active talking to those legislators.”

So a President Chris Christie might be a big coup for the IFA?

“We’re pulling for the success of the state of New Jersey.”

source

Wear perfume according to personality

The fragrance you wear goes a long way in reflecting your personality type. Here's how you can match the two.

For the party girl: If you're an extrovert who loves to let her hair down, opt for fruity and floral blends that will reflect your charm instantly. Avoid amber or vanilla fragrances which are often said to be soporific.

For the traveller: Colognes are a good option if you are a globetrotter. Lavender and citrusflavours work the best since they keep you rejuvenated in the hot weather.

For the multi-tasking mum: If you are a working woman and have to tend to your kid's needs as soon as you return home, you need a fragrance that will last through the day. Go for unfussy fragrances that match your laid-back look and avoid arousing, oriental scents.

For the introvert: Studies show that shy, introverted women are more attracted to oriental scents composed of ingredients like musk and vanilla.

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5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Perfume for Your Wedding Day

When it comes to your wedding day, you'll want to smell as amazing as you'll surely look. That's why finding the right fragrance is just as important as picking out your dream wedding dress. Before you start spritzing, you'll need to know when to shop, how to test out various perfumes, and what will determine the best scent for your body. You—and everyone who catches a whiff—can thank us later.

1. When you embark on shopping for a wedding-day fragrance, go in the afternoon, when your sense of smell is at its peak.

2. Find your fragrance type. Are you "fresh" (i.e., a fruity floral) or "warm" (e.g., a spicy musk)? Picking one will help you tailor your search, says Chris Wyatt, head of global education at Jo Malone.

3. Don't be a follower. Body chemistry can change the way a perfume smells, so what works for your BFF—or your favorite celeb—may not work for you.

4. Skip the blotting strips—because you won't know how a scent smells on your skin until it's, well, on your skin. Aim the atomizer at pulse points like your wrists, neck, and décolletage. And limit yourself to two scents per shopping trip to avoid olfactory burnout.

5. Sit with it. Most perfumes take at least half an hour to dry. And until one does, you won't be able to smell the top, middle, and base notes. So take a little walk before you commit.

And if buying perfume over-the-counter doesn't do the trick, why not try a custom blend? Hello, you're personalizing your cocktail—why not your fragrance? Bespoke perfumer Sarah Horowitz just launched Original Scent (from $99) helping brides and grooms create totally one-of-a-kind wedding fragrances. You can even have yours made into a unity candle for your ceremony. Love that!

Clockwise from top: Elie Saab Le Parfum eau de toilette, $75, neimanmarcus.com; Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y. eau de parfum, $100, sephora.com; Victoria's Secret Beauty Love Is Heavenly eau de parfum, $42, victoriassecret.com; Michael Kors Gold Rose Edition eau de parfum, $98, michaelkors.com; Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina eau de parfum, $74, nordstrom.com

—Written by Brides

Our Favorite Fragrances This Fall — Shop Our Top 13 Perfumes

When you smell good, you feel good! To help you amp up your style, we have compiled a list of our favorite perfumes this season and they all smell amazing! Shop our gallery to find the fragrance that’s right for your personality!

Finding the right fragrance for your personality can be challenging — whether sweet, floral, or bold, these perfumes will help you achieve sexiness! Perfume can help enhance your mood and style by creating a potent accessory that others can admire. Has someone ever complimented you saying “Wow, you smell great!” — Well, now they will!  No matter your age or personal style — our top 13 perfumes will surely leave you smelling great and feeling even better!


Best Perfumes For Fall — Sweet Smelling Fragrance
If you like sweeter and richer smells — then a light and airy perfume is the perfect fragrance for you! One of our favorites is Britney Spears Fantasy perfume. This spray has white chocolate, musk, and jasmine blended together to make the perfect smelling fragrance.

This perfume is great for day or night and can be sprayed all over the body because it is not overpowering. What’s even better about this particular fragrance is that it is SO affordable — it’s a great gift to give this holiday season!

Floral Smelling Fragrances

Want to show off your confidence and make your presence known? May we suggest you try Nicki Minaj’s Minajesty. This floral fragrance is a sultry scent that is a mix of various fruits and flowers — surely making you stand out! The glamourous smell is one that you will fall in love with — it’s the perfect perfume for day or night.

A few spritzes of this glamourous fragrance and you’ll be smelling like a diva. Just as the bottle is beautifully bold — this perfume can take your look to the next level!

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Experts discuss what factors drive fragrance sales

Is it the smell of the fragrance, the image of the brand or the way they are communicated? Industry experts took the stage at the third IFRA UK Fragrance Forum to discuss.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/Experts-discuss-what-factors-drive-fragrance-sales

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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The Secret to Finding Your Perfect Perfume

The wall of scents that hits you when you approach a sea of perfume bottles is overwhelming to say the least. With so many notes lingering under your nose, it's hard to know where to start much less what will smell great on your skin. But with a few expert tricks, you can train yourself to sniff out your ideal perfume. Illuminum fragrance expert Bart Pawlak is breaking it down one whiff at a time.

Don't lock yourself into a certain scent.
"Never stop discovering new notes. As humans, we are naturally drawn to the familiar, so too often we end up with a lot of similar fragrances in different guises. Don't be afraid to explore different scents that you may not expect to like."

Set limits on how much you smell, even if it means making a few trips.
"Smelling fragrances is difficult for the untrained nose, and when we're testing many at a time, we can get sensory overload," says Pawlak. "Try a maximum of six fragrances at once."

Use your arms to your advantage.
"It's best to spray it on your skin and not just a blotter. It takes contact for a fragrance to come alive, and each one will smell differently as it reacts with your individual PH levels, your body temperature, and your own personal scent."


This is not the time for impulse buys.
"Let it develop on your skin throughout the day. If you still like it after all that wear, only then should you return to buy it."

You may want more than one.
"You don't have to (and sometimes shouldn't) wear the same fragrance all the time. Daytime scents are softer-think of florals. For night, you can wear a more intense perfume, like one with notes of thick amber or balsam. These will thrive where lighter scents would struggle to shine."

Now take your new smelling skills for a spin and sniff out some signature scents to wear this season.

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What's the Shelf Life of Perfume?

According to MARILYN VOS SAVANT from Parade Magazine


I believe this is the final answer: Perfume lasts as long as you continue to like the way it smells. Why should you discard a bottle of pleasing fragrance just because it’s six months or two years or two decades old? The decision is entirely up to your nose, as it was when the bottle was new. No expert can argue otherwise. If you think the perfume smells good, it is good!

The Perfume Sisters With Opposing Skin-Care Routines

Anne Serrano McClain (left) and Katie McClain are the sisters behind Brooklyn-based perfume company, MCMC Fragrances. Anne is the scent designer while Katie handles the business side of things, and together they hand-bottle every perfume. With normal skin types and a spray of freckles across their nose (thanks to their part-Irish heritage), Anne prefers a pared-down, simple routine with fragrance-free products — unlike her nostrils, her skin is sensitive to scented ingredients — while Katie opts for multiple department store products and an alternating nighttime cleansing routine. Despite their differences, they're both adamant about sunscreen usage, so click below to compare their routines.

Anne Serrano McClain: 

Cleanser
I always use something that doesn’t foam, because I find the foam dries out my face. So right now I’m using 365 Daily Facial Cleanser from Whole Foods. It’s just a gentle skin cleanser that’s fragrance-free. I'll use that in the morning and at night.

Toner
I always use a Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner after I wash my face, morning and night. The one thing I do have is a ton a freckles and I’m prone to sun spots. My sister was the one who recommended this toner, because it helps with the dark spots. I use that morning and night.

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Poetic Twist to Indian Perfume Industry

India perfume (Ittar) sellers tend to disagree with William Shakespeare who said “What’s in a name?” in one of his famous novels. Many sellers of natural scents in India prefer to give poetic names to their perfumes to attract customers.

The same perfumes, carefully packed in same kind of bottles, sell differently in shops around Bangalore—some shops sell the same fragrances more just because of the attractive poetic descriptions they give to their perfumes.

“If we feel one fragrance is liked a lot by customers, we keep an attractive name for it,” said Abdul Rehman Khan who sells natural scents in the crowded market of Shivajinagar, Bangalore. “We keep the name for recognition; like we name a child.”

According to Khan, every scent induces an emotion and the customer identifies with the scent through that emotion. A perfume with a complementing name strikes a better cord with the customer. “When a customer buys a perfume with an attractive name from my shop, he’ll get confused at the other shop when he finds the same fragrance with a different name. He’ll come back to me,” said Khan.

Khan’s father was a teacher who used to do an extra business of selling natural scents outside the mosque, carrying small scent bottles in the empty case of a geometry box. “When people came out after offering prayers, we would apply scents on them. Out of the 100 people we would apply Ittar on, at-least 10 would buy. I converted that street business into a shop,” said Khan who has been selling natural scents for the past 25 years.

He has given many Arabic poetic names to natural scents. “There is “Tamana” which means wishes. I named it so because when applied once, one wishes to apply it more. Another is “Dilnasheen,” which means heart alluring. We say that if you apply Dilnasheen you will be “Hamnasheen” which means the beloved,” he explained.

Another one is named as “Alkharaba,” which means luminescent. “We say if you apply Alkharaba, you are ”marhaba” meaning welcome.”

Khan says that if you are without family, selling natural scents could be a good business. “You can roam from street to street; sell one bottle of perfume and eat your lunch, sell another in the evening and eat your dinner. But when you are with a family, you need to be innovative like I am.”

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Question: Can I counsel an employee about wearing strong perfume in the office?

You have the following options when dealing with fragrance sensitivity: (1) Remove the fragrance to the extent you can; (2) Remove the employee with the concerns from the area (telework, work in a private office or different department, etc); or (3) Reduce the employee’s exposure to the fragrance.

Practically speaking, here is what we recommend: Definitely talk with the employee using the strong perfume. The employee may not even realize the effect the scent is having on others. Use a tactful approach to explain to your employee wearing the perfume that fragrances can cause allergic reactions to many people, which can either be minor productivity issues (like headaches) or more major safety concerns (like sickness and lost time from work). And you personally have noticed this employee’s scent and have received complaints that it is bothering other people. In the interests of your workplace harmony, productivity, and safety, you will have to respectfully ask him/her to not wear it to work. You could also let him/her know that you are not singling him/her out but will also address the issue with others as needed.

Keep on mind, some individuals might believe that this is a disability issue under the ADA.

Abby: Mom's strong perfume puts household in funk

DEAR ABBY: My problem is my mother-in-law and her abundant use of perfume. The last time she visited, it was so bad we had to open our windows to air out the rooms.

My husband addressed the problem with her when I was pregnant, but now that the baby is here she's back to her old habits.

We are all sensitive to perfumes and get headaches when exposed to it. When she visits, we can't get away from the smell. I don't wear perfume, but was always told that "perfume is to be discovered, never announced." When I say this around her, she dismisses it.

What's the proper etiquette in addressing her perfume cloud? -- The Nose Knows

DEAR NOSE: I receive complaints about perfumes almost daily. Perfume "in abundance" can cause serious allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it. And when they are exposed to it in enclosed places, it can cause real problems.

Your mother-in-law should be reminded again that her perfume is causing headaches and asked to not use it around you.

DEAR ABBY: I have a son, "Billy," who will be 9 soon. He was conceived through rape by a man who was physically, emotionally and sexually abusive, as well as controlling and manipulative. He threatened to kill me and Billy, but I eventually got free. I have a criminal no-contact order on him, and he has no legal rights to Billy.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/06/30/4769795/moms-strong-perfume-puts-household.html#storylink=cpy

Perfume pour you By Karissa Montania

With every season of summer, spring, winter or fall, new memories will be created, whether it is through time spent on campus with classmates or evening dinners with friends. The scents of perfumes are oftentimes linked with memories, and some fragrances have more distinct aromas for certain times of the year. Here are a few tips on how to choose your personalized scent for summer.

DAYTIME

If you’re stuck in a fragrance rut and don’t know how to choose, then test out the smells of different perfumes in stores like Macy’s, Sephora or Nordstrom.

What you’re looking for in a daytime scent is certain notes that emit a floral aroma. Scents can smell differently on each person, so spray it on yourself and let it sit for a while so that you’ll know what it smells like specifically on you.

The smell of a perfume can change from the time you put it on to the time you walk out the door, so make sure you are satisfied with how the scent lingers on your skin.

Dolce and Gabbana’s “Light Blue”  ($70)
It has the aroma of a white rose along with amber and cedar wood undertones.

Marc Jacob’s “Daisy”  ($68)
This fragrance is more intense than the previous one, but is sweet enough to wear either on campus while reading a book or spending your time shopping. “Daisy” has notes of strawberry, jasmine petals and vanilla.

NIGHTTIME

For nights out, sticking to scents that are more overpowering than a daytime one and are slightly musky work well. Nighttime fragrances should not be as floral as the daytime ones and shouldn’t have as many sweet ingredients like jasmine and vanilla.

Look for something spicier with hints of cinnamon or lemon.
If you want to create your own scent for day or night, spray a combination of two fragrances that share similar notes.

Coco Chanel’s “Mademoiselle” ($64)
It has the right mix of aromas with a lemon note; this perfume is a good choice for nights out because it is potent and not as fresh as daytime scents because of the citrus element.

 Ralph Lauren’s “Romance” ($65)
It contains a blend of floral and wood scents; somewhat of a mixture of night and day but with notes of marigold, musk and ginger it tends to be more of an evening scent.

Source

Make Your Own Solid Perfume — It's Easier Than You'd Think

If you have sensitive skin or just can't find any fragrance you love in stores, then why not make your own signature scent with natural ingredients? In her book Scents & Sensibilities: Creating Solid Perfumes for Well-Being, Mandy Aftel provides a recipe for creating your own solid perfume. While the talented perfume maker sells a variety of scented solids on her website, you can create these thoughtful and easy gifts for your friends and loved ones on your own. Learn how to make these customized compacts when you read more.

The Steps:

In a beaker or small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Example: 7 drops of ylang ylang and 13 drops of grapefruit (see more of Aftel's combos below). She recommends your local health food store as a go-to place for inexpensive oils.

Melt 1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax over heat.

Mix oils and wax together, then pour into a small container. Aftel recommends using antique cases, small tins, or lip balm jars — basically anything that closes with a latch, is not too deep, and is rounded in shape. Your solid will set in about 10 minutes.

Other Scent Combinations to Try:

Clary sage and rosewood

Patchouli with either rose, ylang ylang, or frankincense

Plain vanilla extract will work too — imitation not allowed

Original Article By Pop Sugar

Watch Out For The Anti Perfume: She HATES Perfume!

By Helena 

So me and perfume have never gone together, despite my self-identification as a girly girl.

Can those cards be revoked? Renewed? Because according to Ike, who allegedly violated some "man law" in revealing this to me, women who smell nice are considered very, very sexy, which DUH, but also really?

I looked on stunned as my boyfriend leaned back and closed his eyes, recounting how if a woman passed him on the street wafting the perfect amount of perfume (any perfume), she would instantly be underlined in his book. If two women passed him, both attractive, and only one "smelled nice" then that's the one he'd remember. 

If the stereotypical way to a man's heart is through his stomach than what's the nose lead to? My guess is his loins. And both landmarks are pretty vital on the love train. So I've been reconsidering my zero tolerance stance on smell goods.

It's not like I don't have a few bottles of liquid sexy in the house, I just never use them. They were all gifted to me by one aunt or random coworker some time or another. And they sit prettily on my vanity just begging to be put to good use. Thing is I'm not sure that any of them are me per se, since I'm new to the fragrance game.

This is an interesting read for more 

The Guide To Sniffing Out Vintage Perfumes

Perfume, like fashion, changes in style from decade to decade. We’re not encouraged to think of perfume this way, but our noses, like our eyes, need novelty. Perfumers, like fashion designers but working in an invisible medium, can decide to use perfume ingredients (that's “notes,” in perfume lingo) not only to create something beautiful, but also to convey meaning and reflect a culture’s zeitgeist.

In the 1920s, when flappers’ loose silhouettes reflected a freer, more liberated view of femininity, tobacco and leather perfumes like Caron’s Tabac Blond and Chanel’s Cuir de Russie (Russian Leather) — scents that even today are considered more more masculine than feminine — were all the rage.

In the 1950s, bullet bras combined with flouncy skirts and rounded shoulders, and the good girl/bad girl dichotomy was represented by stars like squeaky-clean Sandra Dee and va-va-va voom Marilyn Monroe. All this reflected a conflicted view of women’s liberation, and perfumes participated, too. For each Givenchy L’Interdit, the perfume Hubert de Givenchy created for the ladylike gamine of the day, Audrey Hepburn, there was a Max Factor Primitif, which offered to express what was still not entirely socially acceptable for women to express publically: their sexuality. “Why not let your perfume say the things you would not dare to?” a sultry Primitif ad cheekily asks. Why not, indeed?

By the 1980s, post-Women’s Movement, as more women were in the boardroom as well as the bedroom, perfumes got as big as the shoulder pads, jackets, and hair of that era. (So much so that restaurant owners were forced to put up signs saying, “Please. No wearers of Passion, Giorgio, Poison,” the most popular — and nose-and room-clearing — scents of that decade.)

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