Perfume has long been used to enhance a person's natural scent and to display personal style. Women's perfume runs the gamut from light floral and fruity scents to warm spicy and woody ones.
With the many scents available, finding the perfect scent to suit one's personality and preference can be quite a task.
The formulation of perfumes is a very laborious process and involves a large number of ingredients in their formulation, such as essential oils, alcohol, and water. Based on concentration, perfumes are divided into three categories, notably:
Eau de Cologne: 2-4% fragrance oil.
Eau de Toilette: 5-9% fragrance oil.
Eau de Parfum: 10-15% fragrance oil.
Extrait de Parfum: 20-30% fragrance oil.
The strength and longevity of a perfume are directly associated with the amount of fragrance oil in that particular perfume. Extrait de Parfum is the strongest form and has the most long-lasting fragrance.
There are, however, two basic factors that can help you decide on a perfume for women: your personal preference and the occasion. In the daytime, floral fragrances may be preferred but at night, spicy and woody scents are in demand. Second, skin chemistry determines that all people smell a fragrance differently.
Floral: These are perfumes with the perfume of flowers such as rose, jasmine, lily, and gardenia.
Fruity:These fragrances absorb the fragrance of fruits like citrus, berry, and tropical fruits.
Oriental: These perfumes are warm, spicy, and usually combined with vanilla, amber, and musk.
Woody: These are earthy and masculine with the scent of wood, spices, and tobacco.
Chypre: These are complex and sophisticated, usually combining citrus, floral, and mossy notes.
Apply on pulse points: Due to the larger content of blood flow in these regions, diffusing fragrance will be more effective.
Don't rub the perfume: It disrupts the fragrance molecules and makes the scent fade out more quickly.
Avoid applying perfume on clothes: Perfume has the ability to stain.
Consider the occasion: Select a fragrance that is suitable for the right time or occasion, such as light floral for daytime wear and more concentrated and sophisticated for evening events.
Prices vary significantly from brand to brand for women's perfumes, depending on the concentration and the size of the bottle. Some general price ranges for different kinds of perfumes are as follows:
Eau de Cologne: $20-$50
Eau de Toilette: $30-$100
Eau de Parfum: $50-$200
Extrait de Parfum: $100-$500
This, again, is just an estimate; different brands and different outlets will have different prices.
Perfume is a mighty way to express oneself and showcase one's personal style. There are so many to pick from, so be assured there is one out there for you. By understanding the different families of fragrances and following these few tips, you will be able to choose just the right scent to make your natural beauty shine through.