Alphabet Beauty: F is for Fragrance

F is for Fragrance

"Fragrance is liquid emotion." -Michael Edwards

I love finishing off an outfit for the day with a spritz of my favorite fragrance! Here are some tips to keep in mind...

When purchasing a fragrance, there are 4 Major Notes (source: Sephora.com)

1. FRESH- Citrus scents, green leaves, and marine aromas
2. FLORAL- Fresh-cut flowers, sweet spices, and powdery scents
3. ORIENTAL- Incense, patchouli, musk, and vanilla
4. WOODY- Aromatic woods, moss, and leathery scents

There are 3 Notes in Fragrance Development:

1. TOP NOTE: known as the "first impression"  and lasts approximately 5-30 minutes.
2. MIDDLE NOTE: Most of the alcohol has evaporated and this is known as the "heart note."  The fragrance has stabilized and takes 10-30 minutes to fully develop.  
3. BASE NOTE: helps to give the fragrance its staying power by using the intensity of expensive oils.  People around you can smell this note, whereas you most likely will not.  
4. The MISSING NOTE is the chemistry and warmth  of the individual wearing the scent.  A person can change a scent based on the wearer's particular chemistry.  

• Spray perfume on your pulse points to help release the scent in layers throughout the day. The warmth of your skin and blood flow encourages the scents release after the initial spritz.  Pulse Points: behind the ears, sides of the neck, chest, belly, inside of elbows, wrists, and behind the knees.  Depending on the strength of your particular fragrance, you don't have to hit every pulse point when applying perfume.  But it's certainly good to know where they are!  

• Layering scents will intensify the staying power of a favorite fragrance.  A great way to do this is to use a favorite scent's body wash, body lotion and perfume.  *Applying the body lotion directly after a shower, while the skin is still warm and damp will help with the absorption of your scented lotion, making the skin even more fragrant once it is fully dry.

•  If you want a scent to linger as you walk on by, spritz your fragrance above your head ensuring it hits your hair.  You don't want to make a habit of this, as the alcohol can damage and dry out your hair over time, but it's a great tip for a special occasion or a fun night out.

• When you spray your writs with perfume and rub your writs together directly afterwards, you are actually damaging the notes in your perfume, therefore ruining the smell.  This action does not enhance the smell, it destroys it! Spritz and DON'T RUB.  Let your fragrance air dry.  Allow the notes to be released in layers, as it was intended.  

• Don't be afraid to spray your fragrance on clothing, bed sheets, curtains, and around the home.  This is a great way to have your "favorite scent" become your "signature scent" in no time!  *Be cautious, as the oils in some perfumes can damage or discolor furniture, metals, jewelry, and clothing.  You want to be sure to spray your fragrance at a good distance and not directly onto these items.   

• Best way to store your fragrance is away from sunlight, in a cool, dry place.  Keeping it on your dresser, near a window is a bad idea!  The sunlight breaks down the notes making the perfume smell rancid prematurely.  Try keeping it in your dresser drawer instead.  This means keeping  your fragrances out of the bathroom too!  The constant temperature change and damp air will also break down the notes prematurely. 

Did you know?  Most fragrances have a shelf life of approximately 18 months once it's opened and when stored properly.  If the color of your fragrance deepens over time, that's a sure-sign that it has gone bad and needs to be tossed.  If you were to wear it anyway, you may discover the smell is not the same on your skin.  The mid to base notes can smell old, stale, and rancid without you even knowing and no one wants that!  

Smell is one of our most powerful senses.  Make sure you take pride in your fragrance choice and if you hear, "You smell so good!" often enough, chances are you found your scent!  Go with it and enjoy how refreshing that actually is.  There's nothing quite like smelling something wonderful that instantly reminds you of a special someone or brings you back to a meaningful moment in your life.  Smell.  It's one of our greatest gifts.

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Niki Brennan of B3: Beauty by Brennan, is a professional makeup artist living in Philadelphia.  

You can learn more about her at www.nikibrennan.com. You can also find Niki on facebook, twitter and linkedin.