How to Wear Fragrances Well

A hint of perfume or aftershave is sometimes all it takes to change your everyday outfit into a special occasion. A quality fragrance can be wonderfully pleasant and can make you feel good about yourself, too. After all, who doesn’t like a nice smell?

But as nice as they are, many fragrances can become overpowering if you use too much of them. Sometimes the chemicals used in making a perfume or aftershave lotion can even give people headaches – including the people who are wearing the fragrance. Additionally, some people are allergic to scented products, whether it’s perfume or scented laundry detergent.

Here are some tips for choosing fragrance products so that they are enjoyable and do not overwhelm you or give you a headache.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Several different perfumes, colognes, or after shave products of your choice

1. Learn the differences between perfume, eau de perfume, and toilet water. Perfume is the strongest of the fragrance products and has the highest concentration of fragrance oils, usually 15-40% of the total volume of the liquid. Eau de perfume is more diluted, at 7-15% fragrance oils, and toilet water has only about 1-6% fragrance oils. The higher concentration of fragrance is why perfume is also the most expensive of these three products, but it also means that you need to use very little at a time and so the bottle of perfume can last a very long time.

2. Go to a store that has a large variety of fragrance products. You’ll also need to decide on a budget before you go to the store so you don’t go home in debt. Try one perfume, and if you don’t like it, ask the sales clerk for help in avoiding other products that are similar. This way, you can rule out a range of products that you won’t like and start focusing on what you do like. Sample just a few of the products or you’ll end up with so much perfume on your skin that you won’t be able to smell the next one

3. When you find a fragrance you like, look at the price tag. Is it too much money? If so, ask if there is a less expensive version, such as an eau de perfume or toilet water. Don’t be afraid to tell the clerk that you don’t want to spend so much money on perfume, and be sure to ask if there are similar products. You might find another fragrance you really like that is much less costly.

4. Buy at least two fragrances if you can afford them. You want to avoid wearing the same fragrance all the time, because after awhile you literally won’t be able to smell it – that’s just the way the sense of smell works. If you have several fragrances, you can alternate between them and avoid “getting used to” the way they smell. Add fragrances to your collection periodically so you have a nice selection that you can choose from.

5. Enjoy your new fragrances!

Tips & Warnings

• Do go to a store and try fragrances before you buy them.
• Select several fragrances that you like, and alternate them.
• Plan at least one day a week where you don't wear any fragrance.
• Wear small amounts or no fragrance if you are going out to dinner.
• Be careful not to overdo perfume at work; remember, some people are allergic to fragrance products.
• Remember, a perfume should whisper -- not shout.
• Don't wear the same fragrance everyday.
• Avoid using scented soap, lotion, shampoo, and perfume at the same time.
• Don't order products online just to save money if you haven't them tried before.
• Don't wear fragrance to events like wine tastings because the smell can interfere with your sense of taste.

Resources

• The History of Perfumes and Fragrances