Perfumery is somewhat of an art: Part artists, part scientists, the experts creations have the ability to change moods, make impressions and memories, and even help people fall in love. Since Ancient Egyptians (if not before) we have turned
to perfumers to help fragrant our bodies with pleasant scents from extracts of flowers, essential oils, herbs, spices and aroma compounds.
Modern perfumery really hit the scenes in the 19th century due to the creation of aroma compounds which allowed for a large variety of scents and these days, the choices are endless. If you often purchase a perfume due to the packaging or
branding over the actual smell, we do understand. That’s why we want to arm you with the knowledge now, so you don’t have to waste hours sniffing your way through the fragrance counters.
THE BASICS:
Each perfume consists of 3 levels of notes: base notes, middle notes and top notes.
Top notes, also called head notes, are the smells that first hit you when it comes into contact with your nose. They evaporate quickly so whilst you’re inclined to make a quick buy on your first whiff, these notes will disperse so always
let it settle and give the scent time before heading to the check out.
Middle notes, or the heart notes, as the name suggests is the core of the scent and will be the ones that come through after top notes evaporate. Middle notes also mask the heavier stronger smells of the base notes, until these settle in.
Base notes offer depth to the scent and work with the middle notes to deliver the main crux of your perfume. Dense and heavy, base notes do not usually come through until later, after the initial spray.
SPRAY THEN WAIT
Start by spraying perfumes onto blotters and let them fully dry on the card before you decide. You can ‘reset’ your nose between scents by sniffing your shirt or bare skin. If you wear a watch, bracelets or bangles, the metal and leather
can alter the fragrance, so instead of applying testers to your wrists, go for your bare skin further up your arm.
First impressions aren’t what counts here: Fragrances develop over time – first the top/head notes, then the middle/heart, and finally the base. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours, so it’s best to try them, wander
around, then give them a sniff later. For each, think about where you want to wear it, how it makes you feel, and if you really love it, then buy the one (or ones!) you like best.
CHOOSE FROM THE VARIETIES OF SCENTS
Let us set the scene. You’re buying perfume for someone as a gift, and when asked their preference they say “Oh I like floral fragrances”. But this doesn’t help you because you don’t know what a floral scent smells like versus all the other
options. Yes, don’t worry, many of us have been there.
Here’s a quick breakdown below on all the different types of perfume available to give you a helping hand next time you find yourself in the above sticky situation!
Floral
Light, sweet and very feminine, floral smells resemble, surprise surprise, a bouquet of flowers. Think violet, rose and jasmine as the popular floral notes.
Fruity
Sugary sweet, fruity scents nod towards peaches, apples or a bowl of mixed berries. They’re often light and fresh, but can have spicy undertones too.
Green
Did someone say freshly mowed grass? Well yes, they did, for the green scents are just that. With a light leafy tone, the green scents deliver a modern and casual aura.
Spicy
Freshly baked gingerbread, or perhaps a cinnamon bun? These smells will be reminiscent in spicy fragrances. Often similar to the oriental smells, spicy scents look to cloves, ginger, cardamom and pepper for their distinctive fragrance.
Citrus
These scents are often the easiest to identify, taking inspiration from the citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and bergamot. They deliver a powerful, energetic and invigorating feel for the wearer.
Oriental
Perfumes that, obviously, are favoured in the East, the oriental scents take inspiration from exotic spices like cinnamon, vanilla, pepper and cloves. Often have a musk base note, oriental scents are very alluring and sensual.
Oceanic
Light and free as the ocean, imagine the scent of a seashore or mountain air for these scents. Extremely fresh and exhilarating, most of the notes used will be synthetic compounds. If you love the smell of freshly laundered linen, you’ll
love oceanic scents.
Woody
Warm, dry and dense. Think bark and moss smells in a forest or woods. Majority believe these to be men only but woody notes are unisex and suit females too. Sandalwood is a popular woody note.
Most of us think we know how to wear perfume, but there are some simple rules to follow. Apply it only on dry skin so it isn’t diluted, and spray just a little at first – it’s harder to take away than add. Go for a couple of locations only.
Wrist and neck are classic, but you can also opt for the inner elbows or behind your knees – if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, the perfume will be released through the day as you walk around.
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