Everything You Need to Know About PERFUME

Is your favorite fragrance a floral? If so, you’re not alone – but there is a whole world of scents to explore beyond bouquets says by the perfume society

Q Why does a perfume smell great on me at first but ‘icky’ later?

A: Many perfumes are blended with notes – such as citrus – which give an initial zing. These evaporate quickly, though, allowing the middle and base notes to become more dominant: they’re heavier and hang around longer. You’ve got to be sure you like all stages of a fragrance’s ‘journey’ before buying it.

Q: I found an old bottle of perfume. Do you think it’s OK to use?

A: Well, it won’t kill you. But a lot depends on how well the fragrance was stored. If the scent is less than two years old, it’s probably fine (especially if unopened). Test the scent on a tissue. If it seems to smell sour, or ‘off’, heat and oxidation may have broken down the fragrance molecules. The very best place to store fragrance to make it last is in a cool, dark place.

Q: Is the fragrance in a department store tester the same one I’m buying?

A: Yes, absolutely. The whole idea is to give you a sense of what the fragrance smells like – and we can assure you that fragrance houses don’t have special bottles for in-store spritzing. The only difference might be that the in-store tester, if it’s been around for a while, may have been slightly affected by heat and light, both of which can damage a perfume. A clue can be if there’s just a little of the perfume left in the bottle; you can always ask for a fresh tester to be put out (and any fragrance sales consultant really ought to oblige).

Q: I’m very concerned about animal testing and cruelty. Do perfumes contain animal ingredients?

A: Nowadays, almost certainly not. Although animal-derived ingredients used to be among some of those most prized by perfumers, they have almost all been replaced by synthetic versions, which are a) cheaper, b) more reliable, and c) don’t upset conservationists and those who (like us and like you) are concerned about animal welfare. Because ingredients are so hush-hush, though, you can’t be 100 per cent sure that a fragrance is free from animal ingredients – and even the customer-care line probably can’t tell you. We can only echo the advice of perfume expert Luca Turin: ‘If you are really concerned about the possibility that something might have an animal ingredient, buy something recent and cheap.’

Q: What sort of perfumes should I wear for a job interview?

A: When you feel comfortable in an interview, you’ll do your best, which means not only choosing the right clothing, but selecting a scent carefully. The rule of thumb is to make sure it’s on the light side and to apply just a touch. If you have one that makes you feel calm and relaxed, wear a drop of that. Otherwise, a very, very light floral can work, or just a splash of a cologne when you’re getting dressed: the citrus notes will make you feel focused and alert, but the chances are
by the time you get to your appointment, they’ll have completely dissipated, as colognes have a short life on the skin. But, remember, in this situation less is more – so if you’re anxious about overdoing it, go scent-free.

Q: Can I wear more than one fragrance at a time?

A: We believe this is going to be a massive trend. In the Middle East, women (and men) wear as many as seven different fragrances at a time, to create an entirely ‘unique’ and personal fragrance. This is pretty much heresy as far as the creators of perfumes are concerned – but certainly in a region where people’s clothing is very standardised it’s an effective form of self-expression. What we find works best is to combine two fragrances from within a family (see page 89): pair a couple of orientals, or a duo of fresh scents. It’s fun, and if you don’t like the results you can wash them off – you might even come up with a combo that you love, love, love. But go lightly: you want a dab of this and a dab of that, rather than twice or three times the usual ‘dose’ you apply, if you don’t want to overpower.

Q: Should I buy perfume at Duty Free? 

A: Yes, absolutely. But we recommend you to check other great legit stores that also provides online services and shipping. You can try to check websites such as perfumeslosangeles.com located in downtown LA. In that way, you can save money as they sell branded perfumes in a modest price and find hot new trend fragrances and exclusive editions.

Q: I love my friend’s perfume. Why doesn’t it smell as good on me?

A: Everyone’s body chemistry is different, influenced by hormones, skin type, what you eat, medications you may take and more. Simply adding a new vitamin or supplement to your wellbeing regime can change how a fragrance smells on your skin. Even experts can’t pinpoint which factors change perfume the most, or predict how a scent will be altered: it might become more sour, or more sweet. What is known is that deeper, richer notes – woods and ambery ingredients, for instance – won’t change as much from person to person as do the fresher, more volatile ingredients such as citrus or lily. The bottom line is: don’t ever buy a fragrance because you like it on a friend. More than that, never buy a fragrance without trying it on your own skin – full stop.

Q: Can I wear my perfume in the sun?

A: Definitely not! With the exception of fragrances that advertise that they’re ‘safe’ for sun exposure (some of the leading beauty brands occasionally bring these out), there are good reasons not to wear your perfume in the sun. Certain widely used fragrance ingredients contain psoralens, components that over-stimulate the pigment-producing cells, producing localised brown patches (which have the official medical name berloque dermatitis), a streak of brown pigment akin to a raindrop running down a window pane. The solution? If you want to enjoy a summer fragrance in
the sun, try spritzing it on your clothing rather than your skin. (Check first, of course, that it doesn’t discolour the fabric: you can try it on a tissue.) Wear a ribbon around a wrist or your neck that has been drenched in scent à la Marie Antoinette and her mob. Soak some cotton wool in fragrance and tuck it into your bra (or your swimsuit, if you’re not planning to get wet). Just be certain to cleanse away the fragrance next morning with a wet flannel before you go anywhere near the sun.

Q: What can I do when I’ve applied too much perfume?

A: One answer is to grab a lemon: the juice’s acidity (more powerful than other citrus fruit) helps to cut the fragrance’s oil. Wash with soap and water, then take off what’s left with a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice.

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