Everyone loves to smell good and own some amazing fragrances. Some people spend a great deal of time in researching about a perfume that they want to call theirs and some just buy it like that.
For the latter ones, we at Awesome Perfumes have come up with a list of things that you must know before buying a perfume for either yourself or for gifting purpose.
Perfume, Eau de Parfum and Eau de toilette
Perfume is the most concentrated one that you can choose which is sometimes also called perfume oil. With 20 to 40 percent oil (though usually on the lower end), it lasts for about six to eight hours—though it could stick around even longer. It also comes with a high price tag as it sticks around for long but it sure is worth it.
Eau de Parfum (EDP) usually has 12 to 15 percent fragrance concentration and lasts for about 4-8 hours. They tend to be affordable as compared to perfumes and with a scent that lasts almost as long as perfume; they could be a good option.
Eau de toilette (EDT) has a fragrance concentration of between 5- 15%. It is cheaper than the EDP and is one of the most popular types of fragrance in market. The term eau de toilette comes from the French term “faire sa toilette” which means getting prepared.
Reason why the fragrance changes throughout the day
You must have noticed that the smell of perfume changes throughout the day. This is due to the top, heart and base notes in a perfume. When creating a fragrance, the chemistry of the skin and the raw materials used causes a perfume to change from time to time. A perfume is a very composition of top notes, heart notes and base notes. The top notes are the most delicate and do not last for a long time. Heart notes tend to be herbal, floral and spice notes which last longer than the top notes but you will be able to smell the base notes the longest. Base notes are usually composed from wood, amber and musk.
Is perfume meant to be forever?
The concentration of a perfume might change over time. This is why it is recommended to use your perfume within 2-4 years. Once the bottle is opened and comes into contact with air it should be used within the first three years. The more time you keep a perfume with you the more it starts to change. Eau de Toilette might only smell of alcohol after a few years. The higher the perfume concentration, the higher is the chance that it will last longer- in the bottle and as well as on your skin. Commonly, Perfumes with oriental base notes last the longest that you can get.
How to make sure your perfume sustains?
There are certain factors you should remember if you want your perfume to live a longer life. Humidity, sunlight and variations of temperature will impact your perfume over time and spoil it. Therefore, to make your perfume last longer, make sure to store it in a dark place that is not impacted by humidity or extreme changes of temperatures. Therefore it is advised not to keep the perfume in car or washroom.
Can perfume affect moods?
If you smell good your confidence automatically boosts up which can positively impact your mood. Therefore a good perfume can leave you in a happy mood all day long.
How can 1 perfume have different fragrances?
Everyone has a different skin PH and also lead a different lifestyle (sports, diet, smoking, drinking, etc). This can have implications on how your perfume smells on your skin in comparison to someone else or on a scented card. If you notice that your perfume smells different than it used to, it does not automatically mean that the perfume has gone off or that the formula of the perfume has changed.
What is the difference between a splash bottle and atomiser?
Most perfumes are atomisers, which is essentially a spray pump. A splash bottle does not have a spray pump and does not necessarily have an applicator on the bottle top. Splash bottles are usually used for Aftershaves. Pure perfume oils might also be presented in crystal bottles that do not have a spray pump but feature an applicator which allows dabbing and applying the perfume on the skin.
Right way to apply the perfume
Perfume is activated by body heat this is why you should apply perfume on your skin at the main pulse points, the inside of your wrist, on the neck, behind the ear, elbows and behind your knees. Do not rub your wrists together as this will alter the molecules of the perfume and will result in the fragrance smelling different. You can also spray some perfume into your hair as it will last longer and will diffuse the scent. Please refrain from spraying perfume directly on your hair as the contained alcohol can dry it out.
How to make your perfume last longer
Nobody wants to splash out on fancy fragrance, only to find that the scent has all but disappeared by lunchtime. The best ways to make it last longer is by applying it on top of a moisturizer then re-apply when needed. There are more such ways which will help you use your precious bottle of perfume wisely.
Some must know hacks to make your perfume last are-
Moisturize your pulse spots
As mentioned above as well, it is best to use non-scented moisturizer like E45 or Vaseline. It will create a barrier and ensure that the fragrance lingers on for a longer time. It gives the oils something to cling to and will boost its staying power as well. It is also a hack to use matching scented moisturizers at the same time as your perfume as a way to ‘layer’ on your scent.
Spray Perfume after you take a shower
Damp skin is most likely to lock in the scent but if you get dressed immediately it will rub it off. Wait a few minutes for it to dry and then smell fresh like a happy morning all day long.
DON’T rub your wrists together
It’s habit for most perfume-wearers to spray on their neck and then each of their wrists and then jiggle them together. But sorry to break it to you, it is so wrong to do that. Friction causes the top notes of the perfume to fade faster and your perfume won’t last for as long and rubbing those wrists together will break down the natural development of the perfume as well!
Use Perfume with strong base note
Different perfumes have different lifespans. Citrus tends to fade away soon because their molecules are so light. However, floral and spices will take longer to leave due to their nature. Scents that stick around longest are the ones commonly used as base notes, like vanilla, musk and wood. Therefore it is advised to do your research before investing and look out for long lasting notes.
Build layers
Molecules in fragrance bind to the oils in your skin when applied, so if you use a body oil or lotion first and then your perfume then it will stay intact for a longer period of time. The best time to spray is after a shower or bath.
“Well-hydrated skin holds fragrance the best, so I love to spritz my fragrance after getting out of the shower and applying unscented body lotion,” says Christine Luby, co-founder of luxury San Francisco-based fragrance company Pinrose.
Buying a good perfume is no rocket science but it is always better to have knowledge before making an investment. You might spend a lot of money on a perfume but if you don’t know how to make it last then it is a waste.
If you are confused before buying a good fragrance for yourself or for some special one then do get in touch with us and our team will be happy to assist you.