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05-19-2010, 03:15 PM
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LoTuS eAtEr..X..mId 2011
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: my.......den
 Likes Received: 3056
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What you always wanted to know about scents
What you always wanted to know about scents
Unlike most products, fragrance doesn't come with handy instructions in the box. You're just supposed to know things like: How much should you mist on? Why does the scent disappear? And why does something smell amazing on a friend but like bathroom air freshener on you?
Q: How do you make your scent last longer?
A: "Applying a body lotion or cream with the same scent as your fragrance followed by applying the fragrance itself will make the scent last longer without its being too strong or overwhelming," says Karyn Khoury, senior vice president of fragrance development for Estιe Lauder. "I've had people do the layering on one arm and spray the fragrance alone on the other and compare. They always see the difference in the strength and lastingness with the layering technique."
Q: Should you put fragrance on bare skin or after you're dressed? I've been told both.
A: "The best is to apply the fragrance directly onto unclothed skin," says Christopher Sheldrake, deputy perfumer for Chanel in Paris. "This method creates an alchemy between the skin and the perfume, which is going to express the scent in a more personalized way. On the skin, the perfume gets warmer it rises with your temperature, which isn't the case of a perfume applied directly on clothes."
Q: Why does the same fragrance smell different on me and my friend?
A: "Fragrance comes to life on the skin, so it's understandable that individual differences in chemistry impact how it smells," explains Khoury. "Everything from diet to skin type can affect the way the individual facets play on the skin. Although the overall impression remains the same, certain notes may be heightened or blurred on different people." To ensure you'll like the way something smells on you, always test it before buying it.
Q: What fragrances do guys love? Hate?
A: Usually, the way a guy responds to scent has to do with context. If he smells something that triggers a happy memory say, a fruity floral from a tropical vacation spent with you it will turn him on, says Alan Hirsch, MD, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, in Chicago. Conversely, if he encounters a whiff with unsexy associations like his grandma's powdery floral he'll probably be less into it. So grab samples and ask him for feedback.
Q: What's the best way to test perfumes?
A: "Try to hit the department store when it's less crowded and chaotic, usually before noon, so you can focus, and make sure you do not have on any other scent that can interfere," says Lev Glazman, founder of and perfumer for Fresh. "Also, ask for a sample, then apply it after a shower. This way, you will have a true connection with the fragrance."
Q: If you put on products with scent, like hand lotion and shampoo, then perfume, what will you end up smelling like?
A: "People can only detect three different olfactory components of a mixture," explains Dr. Hirsch. Says Glazman, "Eventually, the lesser-scented products usually the shampoo and lotion will fade, and the main fragrance will take over, and that is the perfume that you applied."
Q: What are some key areas on the body to spray on a fragrance so the scent is likely to last?
A: Besides the usual areas, like your inner wrists and neck, many perfumers recommend the nape (back of the neck), an often overlooked spot that can be very sensual. "Every movement releases the scent around you," says Glazman. "It's very long-lasting and seductive."
Q: Is there a kind of fragrance out there that is easy on people with allergies?
A: "It depends on your sensitivity," explains Dr. Hirsch. "True fragrance allergies are rare. However, susceptibility to the effects of perfumes is common, especially if you have asthma." If you get a headache or itchy skin after applying perfume, switch to a single-note essential oil, which may be less irritating than a multinote blend. "Or wear lightly scented lotion in place of concentrated parfum," suggests Khoury.
Q: What's the fix if I spritz on too much fragrance but don't realize it until I'm already out?
A: "That's a great question!" says Khoury. "It's very difficult to compensate for applying too much it's like using too much of a particular spice when you're cooking. Try to rub on an unscented body lotion if you've applied the fragrance to your arms or neck the lotion will help diffuse it or wash where you've applied the fragrance with an unscented soap."
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