Do you want a beguiling scent of jasmine, or would you prefer a hint of bitter musk? There’s a lot to consider when choosing the perfect fragrance. Here’s how to find, select and apply the perfect perfume in six steps.
Search: If you want to find a fragrance that really suits you, it’s important to take your time. It is always worth testing the fragrance on your own body beforehand. That’s because it smells a little different on every person.
In addition, those shopping in a perfumery usually perceive the so-called top note first – and only later the more mellow character of the heart note. It’s best to allow both to unfold in peace.
Select: The nose gets tired quickly when it has to distinguish between different smells. That’s why perfume expert Birgit Huber always advises starting with lighter fragrances and not trying out too many at the same time — she suggests a maximum of five to six different fragrances. If the scents are very similar, try only two or three.
Wear: In order for the scent to be effective, it should be applied to warm areas of skin with good blood circulation – for example behind the ear, at the pulse below the wrist or in the crook of the elbow. Freshly washed hair and wool clothing are also suitable.
Combine: Never combine several fragrances at the same time — this can disturb the harmony of the components and even lead to an unpleasant odour. This should also be considered when choosing deodorants and creams, and strong-smelling products should be avoided altogether.
Dosage: Those who regularly use a certain fragrance should apply it sparingly. Birgit Huber explains that one’s own sense of smell quickly gets used to the fragrance and perceives it less strongly. Too much of a fragrance can be pungent and unpleasant to other people. It can also help to change scent from time to time — in order to sensitize one’s own sense of smell again.
Apply: Use fragrances discreetly, especially on warm days. This is because increased skin fat production can intensify its effect. In the morning you should use light scents and avoid sweet, heavy perfumes, especially since perfume has the highest concentration of perfume oils with 20 to 40 per cent.
Eau de Parfum, on the other hand, is lighter in intensity and usually has a fragrance content of 15 to 30 percent, while Eau de Toilette has only 4 to 8 per cent. With a 3 to 5 per cent content, the Eau de Cologne counts as a light fragrance. – dpa
