Dating to 4000 years ago, perfume making began by Ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians; later, modern perfumery began in the late 19th century. But from ancient times to present, perfumes have always offered many unique qualities to those who wear them. Perfumes can enhance your mood, revive a happy memory of a person or a place or unleash a new, divine and alluring experience every time you spray them. So does that mean a little drizzle and that's it?
Of course not: in order to attain the full experience of any perfume you are wearing or about to wear, you must understand the art of applying perfume the proper way. We have jotted down a list of seven techniques that will guide you in attaining the perfect olfactory experience.
But before digging into the techniques, let’s back up a bit and learn more about fragrance potency and notes, and use them to understand what factors to consider when buying the right perfume.
Guide to buying the right perfume
Fragrance Potency
The fragrance concentration levels commonly found on bottle labels are one indication of perfume potency. Generally the higher the concentration level,the stronger the potency.
Also, if the fragrance concentration is higher, the lasting power on the wearer's skin will be higher, which is generally referred to as tenacity. The fragrance concentration level is often categorized into five sorts.
1. Parfum
Parfum is a little more expensive because of its increased concentration. They have a concentration level between 20% to 40%(anything above 30%). This type lasts longer on the skin while providing the wearer with a full spectrum of top, heart, and base notes delivered for at least 8 hours and sometimes much longer.
Extrait de Parfum - 20 to 30
2. Eau de Parfum
Eau de Parfum (EDP) is one of the most popular perfumes and fragrance categories, with a scent concentration of 15% to 20% and longevity of approximately six hours. The top notes of Eau de Parfum evaporate much faster from the skin, allowing it to focus on the heart notes. As a result, it is typically less expensive than Parfum.
3. Eau de Toilette
Many Eau de Parfum perfumes are also available in Eau de Toilette (EDT), a less expensive version of the same aroma. Eau de Toilette fragrances typically have a scent concentration of 8% to 12% and last about five hours. The top notes are more prominent, making it pleasant when first applied; this is why EDT perfumes are so popular throughout the summer.
4. Eau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne (EDC), which has a scent concentration of around 2% to 5% and lasts about two hours, is one of the most popular varieties of perfume with the lowest concentration. Eau de Cologne is the least priced of the scent varieties listed above and is often available in larger quantities, such as conventional splash-style bottles.
5. Eau Fraiche
Eau Fraiche has a much lowest perfume oil content than the previous four varieties of perfume, ranging from 1% to 3%, yet it lasts up one to two hours, similar to Eau de Cologne. The fundamental distinction between Eau Fraiche and Eau de Cologne is the low level of alcohol, as Eau Fraiche often has a low scent concentration and a high water content.
Types of Fragrance notes
Fragrance notes are the various aroma layers that make up the final fragrance. These smells are divided into top notes, heart notes, and base notes. The scent is created by combining the top, heart, and base notes.
1. Top notes
Top notes are sometimes known as head notes. Top notes are small, light molecules that dissipate quickly and are smelled immediately after applying a scent. They shape a person's first perception of a smell and play a vital role in the product's sale.
Examples
Some popular top notes include bergamot, basil, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clary sage, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, coriander, peppermint, and thyme.
2. Heart notes
Heart notes or middle notes, as the name implies, constitute your perfume's heart, and the scent's rich body is made up. These perfume notes are the main attraction of a fragrance, the scent you detect after a few hours of wearing it.
Examples
Easily identified heart notes are cinnamon, rose, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, and neroli.
3. Base notes
Base notes give perfume depth and stability. The base notes' role is to hold and strengthen the top and middle notes.
Examples
Base notes commonly used include cedarwood, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, and vanilla.
The art of applying perfumes in the right way
Now that you understand the concentration level, longevity, and fragrance notes, it is time to learn the art of perfume application to get the most out of your scents. Remember that how your body reacts to perfume is determined by your body's pH level, your diet, and how dry or oily your skin is. As a result, the fragrance profile of perfumes varies from person to person. Here are some standard perfume application methods to help you see and smell the maximum scent of your favorite perfume.
1. Don't rub perfume on your skin
When applying a perfume, many people mistakenly rub the scent against their skin. They do so because they have seen someone do that. Unfortunately, pressing or rubbing perfume on your wrists causes friction, which generates heat and modifies its scent. For example, you won't be able to smell the top notes of your newly sprayed perfume because they may evaporate and get mixed as soon as you massage it. As a result, you will never be able to decipher the top notes that piqued your interest when buying.
2. Spray it on your pulse points
Pulse points are locations on your body where blood vessels come into close touch with the skin. They can be found on the inside of your wrists, inside your elbows, below your belly button, behind your ear lobes, and on the back of your knees. When you apply perfume to your body's pulse points, the fragrance tends to remain for a more extended amount of time.
3. Where you store your perfume matters
Don't be surprised if you haven't heard this before, but where you store your perfumes matters greatly on their effectiveness. If you tend to keep your fragrances on your bathroom vanity, it is time to find a new location. Because water and humidity have the potential to change the scent profile of your favorite perfume and reduce its effectiveness. So always store your perfumes in a dark, dry place.
4. Do not use perfume on your hair
Who doesn't want to have nice-smelling hair? Of course, everyone does.
The most important reason why many professionals advise against using perfume on your hair is that fragrance contains alcohol. If you still want to go for it, try using all-natural products; so that your hair will smell beautiful and be free of harsh chemicals.
5. Walk-through method
You must have seen this strategy at some point in your life. Either your favorite character in a series doing it or a celebrity giving tips on how to apply perfume. In both cases, they are right. All you have to do is spray the scent in front of you and walk right into it. As a result, the fragrance cloud will leave a thin coating on your garments, providing you with a full scent experience. But be careful not to apply it on the wrong clothing such as silk, which will leave a stain on your clothes, as perfumes tend to react differently to various clothing than our skin.
6. Post-shower
According to experts, the most fantastic time to apply perfume to your skin is immediately following a shower. This is because wetness provides a base for your fragrance to cling to. Spraying your favorite perfume on freshly cleaned skin increases its longevity to help you smell great all day long.
7. Moisturize
Perfumes evaporate quickly on dry skin, so keeping your skin hydrated will ensure your perfume will cling to your skin longer.
8. Do not layer scents
Many people mistake layering two scents together, believing that they will last longer and give a unique scent profile. But it isn't; to be honest, they'll create a jarring, overwhelming experience that no one wants. So it's best to stick to one scent at a time and avoid the tendency of layering various perfumes.
Finally,
When it comes to perfumes, there are no hard and fast rules. These are some helpful techniques that will increase the effectiveness of your scent and allow it to last longer. The list does not end here because there are hundreds of different methods in use today. Experiment with your perfumes until you achieve the perfect experience for you.
Unleashed Perfumes provides high-end, luxury body works, skincare, and fragrances made and designed in-house by our perfume experts and inspired by world-famous luxury brands. Our vision is to create high-quality products inspired by your favorite scents at an affordable price, made entirely of all-natural, non-toxic, and cruelty-free ingredients, ensuring an immersive experience.
More posts from Roman Freiter
About The Author: Roman Freiter (Co-Founder and Chief Perfumer at Unleashed Perfumes)
Meet Roman Freiter, the co-founder of Unleashed Perfumes, a maestro in the realm of fragrance with an insatiable passion for all things scented. Within the fragrance industry, Roman is celebrated for his ability to infuse his love for scents into every drop of his inspired perfumes. Join Roman on our blog as he takes you on a fragrant journey, revealing the artistry and magic that goes into creating each unforgettable scent, and learn how he seamlessly incorporates his passion into every bottle.
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