Gone are the days of having a lone perfume sitting on your dressing table. With literally hundreds of new scents being launched each year, separating the wheat from the chaff (or the roses from the orchids!) to find “The One” is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
When it comes to clothing, we tirelessly collect pieces that will work for every area of our lives: tailored suits for business, cocktail dresses for a fancy evening out, gym clothes, beach clothes, I-can’t-be-bothered-peeling-myself-off-the-couch clothes (you get the drift, the list goes on!) So, let’s look at perfume in the same light! Just as we wouldn’t dream of making do with just one outfit, why make do with one solitary scent?
Read on to find out how to build and add to your very own fragrance wardrobe — a bountiful scent collection filled with choices that are perfect for every occasion!
Understanding Fragrances
The aroma you wear can identify you as clearly as the way you look, and has the potential to set the tone for how you want to be perceived. For instance, whilst your boyfriend may love it when you are doused in something sexy and intense, when you’re at the office, it’s probably not the best idea to overwhelm your colleagues with the musky base-tones of ‘Eau de Dirty Weekend’!
Perfumes are generally divided into five categories. Having an understanding of the essential characteristics of different fragrances will set you in good stead when adding pieces to your own collection. Below is a brief explanation of each of the five categories (and for further helpful info, you might like to also check out this guide to finding the perfect perfume for your personality).
Woodsy: Earthy, refreshing and energetic, these are great for casual, everyday wear.
Fruity: Great for warm weather, these are fruity, spicy and tropical.
Floral: Always a classic, floral perfumes are feminine and romantic.
Oceanic: These have a modern smell that uses synthetic elements to evoke the smells of the beach.
Orientals: Spicy and sexy, these scents are dominated by notes of musk, vanilla or heavy flowers.
How to Build Your Fragrance Wardrobe
I’m a huge fan of zesty, citrusy scents, and up until a few years ago, I guess you could say my ’signature scent’ was Ralph Lauren RALPH. To me, Ralph is the embodiment of summer: it reminds me of gorgeous blue skies, crystal clear waters, beach parties, and cocktails at sunset. I think I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this vibrant scent, however, these days, I find wearing one fragrance incredibly limiting, which is why I am now all about accumulating fresh new scents and building my fragrance wardrobe over time, just as you would with clothing and accessories. The romantic in me likes to imagine a day where I will have a slew of perfume bottles lined up, row-upon-row (sorted by colour, darling!) in a beautiful set of old shelves — glittering in the light, winking out at me, and practically begging to be worn! Nice thought, huh?!
Daydreaming aside, I think it’s a good idea to have a general understanding of scent types and when they are best spritzed, so read on for my suggestions and feel free to add your own in the comments!
SCENTS TO SPRITZ: The Office
When you are deciding on which fragrance to wear to work, the best thing to remember is that subtle wins every time. Of course, if you work in a casual environment, you have a bit more creative license, but if you are in a corporate job, be discerning and choose ‘appropriate’ fragrances. Light, refreshing, crisp scents are fantastic for the office, and a little spritz throughout the day may just be the pick-me-up you need to get you through the afternoon! Citrus odours are both energising and uplifting (try ones with lemon, lime and grapefruit). You can also give fragrances with a hint of delicate floral a go if fruity perfumes ain’t your thang.
SCENTS TO SPRITZ: The Weekend
The weekend is all about winding down from the working week, and since scent and memory are inextricably linked, it’s a good idea to shelve your work-day fragrance in exchange for a perfume that you associate with chilling out and kicking back. Fresh, aquatic scents are ideal — so too are soft florals and “gouramand” fragrances (think perfumes with “dessert-like” qualities — a hint of sugar-n-spice or chocolate and caramel. YUM!) Think effortless and casual, yet sweeter than cupcakes…
SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Girl’s Night Out
The scent you choose to wear on an evening out with the girl’s all depends on your intentions for the night. For a strictly-no-boys-allowed night full of dancing and delight, choose a fun, feminine fragrance that fills you with confidence and smiles! Try spritzing an uplifting combination of citrus and white flowers — sniff out notes of lemon, mandarin, jasmine and bergamot.
On the other hand, if you wouldn’t mind a little bit of attention from the opposite sex when you hit the town, deep, mysterious, oriental scents will ensure you positively smoulder! If you are after an intoxicating, come-hither elixir which really performs, keep your nose out for base-note heavy fragrances featuring lots of vanilla, musk, incense, patchouli and sandalwood. To turbo-charge your fragrances’ seductive powers, dab it above your collarbone and in your cleavage… Raawrr!
SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Romantic Evening
Spending quality time with your special someone is the perfect excuse to wear something shamelessly girly. This really comes down to individual taste and your plans for the evening.
A lusty, glamourous fragrance will turn heads if the two of you take to the town… but if you are enjoying a quiet night in, your best bet is a sumptuous floral juice that is ultra-feminine and won’t overpower your partner. Orange blossom, sweet fresh fruits and berries, musk and flirty florals are my recommendations — but, like I said, it’s totally up to you and your situation!
SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Holidays
Scents have the power to transport us back to certain moments in time — so why not try a new fragrance next time you go on holiday? Every time you encounter it thereafter, you will be right back on that plane (Yay! Spark those senses!) Any new perfume will do the trick — if you are heading somewhere tropical, opt for fresh, light scents, whilst a strong, rich fragrance is a must-have if you are hitting a city or colder destination.
Tips to ensure the sweet smell of success!
When choosing a fragrance…
- Wear what gives you pleasure, find fragrances that complement your individual style, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
- A perfume will not smell the same on everyone, so unfortunately, just picking up the bottle and sniffing the contents isn’t going to give you the best indication of whether or not is it the right one for you. Test it out on your own skin to avoid making expensive mistakes.
- Try to shop for fragrance in the morning when your sense of smell is at its sharpest.
- Steer away from spicy foods or garlic the night before your scent-shopping expedition; they can alter the aroma on your skin.
- Give sales assistants a brief overview of your aromatic preferences and ask them for advice. Be aware of consultants who are working for specific companies and “pushing” products, and don’t ever feel pressured to make a decision on a fragrance if you aren’t 100% sure. Sample all you like!Give the fragrance at least an hour to develop. The top and middle notes will dissipate after about 15 minutes, and after an hour you will be left with the base notes, which is what you will ultimately live with.
- Prevent olfactory overload when selecting a fragrance by sniffing coffee beans between scents, or holding a wool sweater/scarf to your nose (I have no idea where I read the wool thing, but trust me, it works!)
- Bear in mind that the climate you live in will actually affect how the fragrance will smell. Cool, showery weather will bring out the scent and strengthen it, whereas, strong, dry heat will make it more difficult to smell. Fragrance is intensified in warm, humid countries so choose a lighter scent and spritz it more frequently.
- The scented strips you’ll find on ads in magazines can be misleading, as they often fail to accurately convey the true fragrance. If you don’t absolutely hate it from first impressions, my advice is to test it out in real life!
- Don’t underestimate the power of perfume oils! They are a great alternative to buying a big bottle of perfume, and just a tiny dab will last all day! I have a massive crush on The Body Shop’s entire range, and highly recommend Dewberry and White Musk (check out their online store). BEEYOOTIFUL!
Wearing your fragrance…
- When applying your perfume, hold the bottle about five centimetres from your skin to combat wastage
- Spray the fragrance on your pulse points: wrists, backs of knees, front of elbows and behind the ears (although, Coco Chanel did once say “Put perfume where you want to be kissed,” so if I have forgotten anywhere…) ;D
- Don’t rub your wrists together as this can crush the delicate fragrance notes (apparently this is called “bruising” the fragrance)
Making the most of your scent
- Store it in a cupboard where possible, as heat and light will change the fragrance over time
- If you have enough room, store your glorious elixirs in the fridge — they will keep at least four times longer this way!
Extra sweet-smelling delights!
- Purchase (obscure) perfume samples for a mere $3 on Lucky Scent!
- Check out the devilishly cool offerings on Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab!
- Sephora and StrawberryNET are both fantastic sites for purchasing fragrances online!
So, spill the beans! What’s your favourite fragrance, and why? Are you a loyal lover with a signature scent, or a fragrance flirt who plays the field? I’d love to hear about all the amazing aroma’s that spellbind and empower you!
Flirty, citrusy kisses!
Rach xxx
Ok so for Years and Years ive always used “Shiseido” relaxing and energising fragrance which i just LOVE.! and the trusty old Body Shop Perfume Oils “White Musk” is a nice little hit of smell for when your out and about doing the shopping… BUTT… Im on the Prowl for something amazing.. Wish me luck as i check out the above link “Finding the Perfect perfume for your Personality.!” Yay.!!
xxx
I love this article!!! Thank you!!! I have one bottle of perfume- and although I love it- Stella by Stella McCartney…. I realy do need to mix it up a bit!!! so i am going to use ur little guide and maybe buy something ’sexy and seductive’ or ‘bright and breezy’ duty free in a few weeks!!! mmmmm