Perfumes are an amazing instant mood-booster. A good perfume has aromatherapy qualities which make you feel alert, more motivated and relaxed. Choosing a suitable one can be an uphill task though. After all, there are so many, even within one brand. Here are some things to consider as you make a decision.
Concentration
Perfumes come in 4 different concentrations that vary with the scent and how long they last. Those with higher concentrations last throughout the day. Parfum is ranked at the top. You only need one application and that’s enough for the day. Next is eau de parfum, which lasts up to 6 hours after application. Eau de toilette comes next- this one needs more than one application. Finally we have eau de cologne which lasts about two hours.
Scent
Every perfume consists of various notes in 3 layers: base, middle and top. Notes determine the overall scent and create a signature smell. Top notes are sharp and last 10-20 minutes before they evaporate. Middle notes are soft, they last 3-6 hours on the skin. Base notes are heavy, made of large molecules and evaporate slowly. They last up to 24 hours after application. The scent can be either fruity, spicy, woody or floral.
Test
The best way to determine a perfume that’s best for you it to smell it. Take a whiff of the bottle then apply a small amount of the tester to your wrists. Wait for a few seconds then smell the scent on your skin. Our body chemicals may alter the way a perfume smells. Don’t rub it into the skin since that destroys the small molecules of the delicate notes. Also make sure the wrist you’re testing on doesn’t have perfume already. If testing more than one perfume, wait a few minutes in between them to allow your nose to adjust.
