Fragrance Scents
We’ve all done it: noticed the lovely fragrance a friend is wearing and found ourselves constantly catching whiffs of their delightful perfume on a night out.
Eventually, curiosity gets the better of us, and we ask our friend which perfume she’s wearing. She just so happens to have the bottle in her handbag, as many women do on a night out, with perfumes often available in smaller sizes for easy carrying.
Many women love to freshen up on a night out, popping into the ladies’ room for another spritz of perfume before returning to the pub or nightclub.
You ask if you can try a little spritz because it smells gorgeous on your friend. It must smell the same on you, right? Let’s consider this from a different angle. You bought the same blouse as your friend because it looked amazing on her the last time you went out together. Seeing her wearing it prompted you to ask where she bought it, so you purchased the same blouse.
Chances are, it will look and feel very different for you. Your shape and height may vary even if you are the same clothing size. No two people are exactly alike; our bodies differ even if we wear the same size clothing. The same principle applies to fragrances. What suits one type of skin won’t necessarily suit another. Each person has a unique scent, so even if a fragrance smells lovely on a friend, it may not fit our skin the same way.
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The perfect fragrance scents
My sister and our late mum always wore “Sunflower” by Elizabeth Arden.
It’s a delightful, affordable floral perfume that comes in a simplistic bottle. Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden was very popular in the early 90s. When our mum passed away, I discovered a brand new, unopened bottle of Sunflowers in her bathroom cabinet as we faced the daunting task of clearing out her home for someone new to move in.
Our mum had a habit of buying two of everything, and unfortunately, she never got around to wearing the new bottle before she passed away. It remained unopened and sealed. I decided to keep it as a keepsake, a reminder of how our mum used to smell.
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Fragrance notes of Sunflowers
Top notes: include lemon, orange, blossom, rosewood, mandarin, peach, bergamot and melon.
Heart notes: Rose, pure jasmine, iris root, cyclamen, osmanthus.
Base notes: cedar, musk, amber, moss, sandalwood
I couldn’t bring myself to throw away a brand-new bottle; that just seemed like a waste. Sunflowers were a gorgeous fragrance for my mum and sister, which suited them very well. Sunflowers have a distinctive floral and fruity scent, so one might think that its versatility would appeal to many women. This fragrance family happens to be one of my favourites.
One day, I decided to try the fragrance for myself and experienced a completely different scent on my skin than that of my mom and sister. Let’s say it smelled like garden weeds! I left it on for about 30 minutes, as scents can change once the notes settle, but it didn’t improve. I had no option but to wash it off.
I was left feeling disappointed that my mum’s favourite fragrance didn’t have the same scent on my skin as it did on her and my sister. Even though the collection of fragrance notes on paper appeared to be a delicate mix, it seemed that one or two scents clashed when I sprayed it on my skin.
I kept the bottle for a few years until it ‘turned,’ and I felt there was little reason to keep it, knowing that I would never use it, and it was too late to give it to my sister. A perfume that has gone bad is best to throw away; this is why trying a sample of perfume or aftershave on your skin before making a purchase is essential. It’s the only way to determine if your friend’s scent suits you.
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Perfumes, especially luxury and some celebrity brands, can be expensive. Having another bottle in the unused wardrobe is disheartening because you bought it hastily without trying it first.
Some people opt to spray a little into the air before making a purchase, and while it’s another way to get a sense of a scent, nothing compares to trying it on your skin first. Fragrances can enhance our personality, so we must select a perfume that complements our skin and character.
Try before you buy
Trying a scent on your skin before buying is essential.
Chemistry with Your Skin: Fragrances can interact differently with each individual’s skin chemistry. The same perfume can smell different on different people due to variations in body temperature, pH levels, and natural oils. By testing the scent on your skin, you can assess how it develops and whether it complements your body’s unique chemistry.
Evolution of Notes: Fragrances consist of top, middle and base notes that unfold over time. When you apply a scent to your skin, you get to experience the complete evolution of the fragrance. The initial top notes might be enticing, but you need to see how they blend with the heart and base notes to decide if you like the overall composition.
Longevity and Projection: A fragrance’s longevity (how long it lasts on your skin) and projection (how far the scent radiates) are influenced by your skin type and body heat. Testing it on your skin allows you to gauge how long the scent lingers and how it interacts with your body’s natural scent, helping you decide its suitability for your needs.
Allergic Reactions: Some people may have allergies or sensitivities to certain fragrance ingredients. By trying a scent on your skin, you can ensure it doesn’t cause any adverse reactions, such as skin irritation or headaches.
Seasonal Considerations: Weather and climate influence fragrances. Some scents might be better suited for warmer seasons, while others shine in colder weather. Testing a fragrance on your skin in the appropriate season can give you a better idea of how it performs in specific conditions.
Personal Preference: Fragrance preferences are subjective and unique to each individual. A fantastic scent on someone else may not appeal to you similarly. Trying a fragrance on your skin lets you determine if it aligns with your tastes and makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Purchase: Buying a fragrance can be an investment, especially with designer or niche perfumes. Trying a scent on your skin before purchasing gives you more confidence in your decision and reduces the likelihood of buyer’s remorse.
Other perfumes by Elizabeth Arden
Remember to give it time to develop when trying a fragrance on your skin. Wait 30 minutes to an hour to experience the scent’s true character.
If possible, refrain from testing multiple fragrances on the same day, as the scents might mix and interfere with each other. Testing a fragrance on your skin is crucial in finding the perfect scent that complements your unique personality and style.
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