How To Match Cologne And Skin Type

Both cologne quality and effectiveness are tied to a great range of factors, such as diet, environment, genetics, and behavior (stress, smoking, etc.). But the biggest x-factors are your skin type and PH levels. And the oilier (or dryer) skin is, the more potent (or weak) cologne can smell.

Oily Skin

Skins high in natural oil represent more active body chemistry. This extra oil at the skin's surface can interact with cologne to create longer-lasting, more powerful scents. Alternately, too many natural skin oils (or perspiration) can merge with cologne to form an unwelcome odor. To guard against this, wear less cologne over the course of the day and opt for lighter fragrances, or types of cologne that contain less hints of musk and earth, and more citrus and floral tones. Cologne developed for summertime wear is the best bet for men with oily skin.

Dry Skin

Cologne dissipates faster from dry skin, so it must be applied more frequently. However, because of the ethyl alcohol base, frequent reapplications run the risk of further drying out and damaging your already dry or sensitive skin. What a conundrum...With this in mind, dry-skinned guys should opt for "winter" colognes. These are stronger fragrances, formulated to last longer in drier, colder times, and thereby reducing the need for frequent reapplication.

Sensitive Skin

Arguably the biggest danger for the sensitive-skinned man is wearing strong cologne while wearing other potent skin products. If you're prone to rashes and acne, you're best off refraining from using cologne alongside strong aftershave balms and body sprays. The potential for allergic reactions is simply too great. When it comes to buying cologne for sensitive skin, follow the same rules for dry skin, but also look for colognes that list all-natural ingredients free from synthetic fragrances. I'm especially partial to colognes from small natural health labels.

How To Test Cologne

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of matching cologne with skin type, here are some basics for picking out cologne:Play the right notes.

Each cologne is comprised of three "notes," or fragrances. While you're at the store, pick your favorite colognes, and spray a sample of each onto a blotter card (practically every fragrance counter provides these for free).

Smell the cologne; this is the first note, or "top note"; essentially, it's your first impression of a scent.

Wait 10 to 15 minutes and smell the card again. This is the middle note: it's the scent that takes over after the top note dissipates.

Now, wait 45 minutes to an hour, and smell again. This is the "dry-down note" -- the longest-lasting scent and one that will hang on for three to four hours. If all three notes meet your olfactory standards, you're good to go.

Popular Tip

For optimal results, apply cologne to your throat, wrists, chest, or the sides of your neck (opt for one or two of these spots at a time). These are "pulse points" for heat, and they create the best interaction between cologne and your natural oils. Another popular tip is to spray cologne onto the back of your knees before getting dressed, as scents tend to rise.

As a form of application, many men also prefer to spritz cologne into the air and then walk into the resultant mist, although most fashion experts caution against getting any cologne on your clothes -- so sticking to the first application method is best.And finally, the rule I can't repeat enough: No one should smell your cologne unless they're standing close to you. If you enter a room and people three feet away start sniffling, you're wearing too much. When in doubt, use as little cologne as possible. Women want to smell you, not Christian Dior.

• Owning the best colognes is a deal maker or breaker, but in order to make sure you step out looking and smelling like the complete package, make sure you're applying and storing your cologne correctly. Here are some tips:

• Never spray cologne onto your clothes.

• Apply cologne onto pulse points like the back of your knees (before getting dressed), on your wrists, on the base of your throat, and behind your ears.

• Keep your cologne in a dry, cool place, like a drawer or medicine cabinet.

• To make the cologne's scent last longer, "layer on" the same fragrance by using shower gel, moisturizer, or after-shave by the same brand and product line. Every man should have a rotation of at least three cologne bottles, to avoid the risk of being known as a predictable guy.

• Change up your cologne every now and then by always making sure it's appropriate for the time and place, and others will smell style from a mile away.

Tips Of The Day

Do dab or spray fragrance on areas of your body where the heat will cause the fragrance to slowly release.

-The "pulse points", i.e., anywhere you can easily feel your pulse, inside of wrists , inside of elbows, base of the throat, temples, behind the ears, behind the knees, ankles, breast cleavage or the middle of the chest, above the heart.

-To store perfume so it will last, keep it away from heat and light.
A dark closet, a seldom-opened deep dresser drawer, or a covered box will work well. Exposure to light is a sure way to send your fine fragrances round the twist.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not keep fine fragrances in the bathroom.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not keep fine fragrances in the bathroom, as the heat and humidity will hasten the breakdown of the chemicals.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not store perfumes in the fridge.

-To store perfume so it will last, do not store perfumes in the fridge as the humidity and temperature can cause unhappy changes in the chemistry
Layer the scent of your fragrance to make its presence felt longer.
Buy matching accessories to that fragrance (such as aftershave, shower gel, body lotion, deodorant) and apply those before spraying on the fragrance of the same make.

Do not spray fragrance into the air and then walk into it.

-This disperses most of the fragrance into the air and you may end up with it on your face, which will cause breakouts due to the high oil content in the perfume. It is not very effective as far as making the fragrance last.

Do not spray fragrance in your hair.

-It's sometimes believed that this will make the fragrance last longer, but in fact the oils in your scalp can change the fragrance in a way you won't like, and the alcohol in the fragrance can dry your hair

Do not spray fragrance directly on your clothes.

-Fragrance is designed to be on skin, not fabric, it may quickly turn into a smell you don't want around you as it reacts with the fabric.
To store perfume so it will last, avoid direct exposure to air.
Splash or pour bottles, which expose the fragrance to air every time they are opened, cause problems, so consider decanting perfume into a smaller atomizer for regular use.

Additional Tips For Men

When it comes to buying cologne, most men take one of two routes:

1. They restock bottles of the same cologne they've been using since high school.

2. They mix it up, changing their cologne based on what smells good to them at the department store counter.The latter route is obviously preferable, but choosing the right cologne isn't just a matter of what suits your nose -- it's a matter of what suits your skin.

The way a particular fragrance smells will change from guy to guy, as a cologne's scent is the product of chemical reactions between your skin and the cologne's ingredients. So read on and learn how to find the best types of cologne for your skin.

What Ingredients are in Perfume ?

In order to create the most desirable scent and to make it long lasting, perfumes include layers of notes. These notes include:

· Top notes
· Middle notes
· Base notes

Top notes, which are also referred to as head notes, are those scents that are immediately perceived when applying the perfume. These notes are made of light molecules that evaporate quickly, thus creating the person’s first impression of the perfume. Ginger and citrus are both popular choices for top notes.

Middle notes, also referred to as the heart or as the main body of the perfume, are those scents that come after the scent from the top notes have evaporated. This part of the perfume can actually seem unpleasant at first, hence being masked by the top notes. Over time, however, the scent becomes more pleasant. Rose and lavender are commonly used in order to create the middle notes.

The base notes is what is smelled after the middle notes dissipate. The base notes are meant to help provide the top and middle notes with added strength. Some base notes can still be smelled up to 24 hours after being applied.

A guide of the different scents available to you

Fruity

Fruity fragrances use fruit scents as part of the formula to create a spicy, fresh, and youthful scent that is versatile and may be worn in all seasons. These fragrances provide a classic scent with an added twist, and are ideal for outdoor wear particularly during milder weather.

Woody

Woody perfumes (sometimes called "chypre") are unique in that they feature hints of earthy tones such as tree bark or moss that are associated with forest scents. Woody scents are generally suited for the mature woman, since they have a very sophisticated quality. These scents - which can include sandalwood, patchouli, bergamot and cedar - are particularly suited for cooler evenings, and add a rich, natural and fresh air.

Green

Green fragrances provide a lighter scent that is reminiscent of freshly cut grass or spring growth. The predominant notes of these fragrances are derived from green plants such as pine, juniper, grass, leaves, and herbs. Generally speaking, green fragrances feature more neutral tones, making them ideal for all occasions – particularly for younger or sportier women.

Oriental

Oriental perfumes are strong and full-bodied, creating a sensual, exotic, and warm impression. Oriental fragrances include ingredients such as spices, musk, balsams, resins, sweet vanilla, and sumptuous flowers. Fragrance tones in this category cross over from spicy fruit scents to warm and woody ones. Oriental perfumes are ideal for corporate environments and special events.

Facts about perfumes

Generally, the fragrance of perfumes last longer for people who have an oily skin. This is because their oily skin has more natural moisture content that holds the fragrance. On the other hand, dry skin has less natural moisture content and, hence it fails to hold the fragrance for a longer period of time.

Admired perfumes for men range from citrus, spicy, woodsy, leathery and while they are designed in a controlled environment, the same for the women are designed for primal senses with the combination of subtleness and refinement. Perfumes for women can be found in different wonderful themes such as floral like roses, jasmine, fruity like citrus or orange blossoms, oriental like mix of spices, amber and so on.

Perfumes are worn by both men and women to display their individual personality. However, what smells wonderful on your friend might not suit your body temperament. Hence, while buying a designer perfume, bear the following dos and don`ts in mind:

How to try

When you want to try new fragrance for its chemical reaction, try it on your body and not on an object, say on the perfume bottle cap or a piece of cardboard. If you experience any irritation on your skin, take it for granted that the chemical components of the fragrance are not suitable for your skin tone and texture and its use could be harmful for you.

No two-timing

Buyers are often found to be trying different perfume fragrances at the same time. Do not use three or four fragrances at a time as it affects your sensory reflections leading to confusion relating to the choice of a particular fragrance. So, the chances are you will fail to pick that perfect perfume which would be suitable for your skin tone.

Say NO to fake & cheap

Do not go for fake and cheap designer perfume fragrances merely for the sake of saving a few pennies. What seems like a saving could cost you dearly in the long-run. Fake and cheap fragrances can be extremely detrimental to your skin tone and texture as they are not made up of quality and standard components of fragrance. The best way to choose the perfect perfume is sniff coffee beans to clear and refresh your smelling power.

Samples

Always try to use sample perfume bottles if it is possible for you to get one. They are extremely ideal for you to understand the ultimate effect on your body. Incase you find them suitable or otherwise, you are in a situation to make a choice accordingly.

How To Make The Best Buy Of Perfume

The importance of perfume has been realized a very long time ago. Its birth can be dated back to the early Egyptians era when it was being used for religious ceremonies and love making preparations.

Nowadays, perfumes have virtually become a bare essential in our society and they are being used in all walks of life. The use of perfumes adds zing to the occasions as they are considered to be one of the most luxurious and sensuous accessories in the modern society.

When it comes to the use of perfume as an essential part of body accessories, they are numerous brands available in the market that one can choose from.

However, the choice of a particular brand largely depends on the social stratum of a person. These days, the use of designers` fragrance is a rage in the market and everyone wants to use a specific brand of fragrance which is not only well-known but also stands out in terms of smell.

Prefer Right Perfume For Right Occasion

Perfume comes in different products and they products are more updated every now and then by different manufacturers. Perfume products come in large numbers and they are produced by more number of manufacturers.

These perfume products are produced using different ingredients and flavors to meet the requirements of the customers. So, when men and women choose perfume and fragrance for them, they should select carefully and appropriately. Today, in the market more and more perfumes are listed for sale and from that choosing the perfume for wear is difficult.

People should be careful and should see to that whether that perfume suits for them with regards to their skin and body sweat. Skin and sweats differs for each individual and so that the perfume should be selected as per their skin and sweat. So, when people goes for shopping first they should apply the perfume products on their skin for some times and see that how the perfume reacts with him.

Since ingredients and flavors differs as well as skin and sweat differs, most of the perfume products suits for the skin and sometimes it does not suits for them.

Perfume and fragrance are the most important and essential requirement for people and nowadays, perfume products where used for almost every occasions and climate. When perfume is applied to human body and it does not cause any skin allergies or it does not show any effect on human body, then men and women can use perfume and fragrance without any problem.

Perfume and fragrance such as lotion, body creams, shave gel, scents, deodorizers, soaps and powders only suits for some people and for some people, the different ingredients and flavors does not suit.
In such a case proper care and precaution should be taken to come up from the problems caused by perfumes and fragrance.

Perfume and fragrance are better for human body, because it helps to keep cool, fresh, relaxed, confident and sexy all over the day. The main reason, why people use perfume and fragrance for the day is to make them cool, fresh, relaxed and pleasant. When perfume and fragrance products are used after bath, shave then it provides ample relaxation to human. People enjoys while wearing perfume and fragrance products for daily wear.

Generally, when purchasing a perfume product from the departmental stores or from online perfume website, then please try a sample for to check whether the perfume suits your skin and sweat generated from your body. The smell of perfume differs from each individual, though the same perfume is used by all of them. This is due to the body sweat with which perfume mixes.

That why the smell differs from each individual. Preservation of perfume plays the major role in preserving the smell of the perfume. The freshness remains for longer time, only when they stored under proper place.

Types of Perfumes

There are actually many different types of designer perfumes to select from, these being:

• Parfum


• Parfum De Toilette


• Eau De Parfum (EDP)


• Eau De Toilette (EDT)


• Eau De Cologne (EDC)


• Aftershave
  


• Parfum is a type of designer perfume with a 15-30% perfume essence concentration. As such, it is the strongest available fragrance. As a result, the wearer does not need to use as much of the perfume and it is capable of lasting much longer.
  


• Parfum De Toilette is generally somewhere between Parfum and Eau De Parfum when it comes to strength, though some companies actually use this term to describe Eau De Toilette. When it comes to men’s cologne, the term is used to describe the greatest concentration available and is usually available in either a splash or a spray.
  


• Eau De Parfum, on the other hand, typically has an 8-15% concentration. As such, it is less expensive than Parfum but does not last as long.

• Eau De Toilette has a 4-8% concentration, making it a lighter and more delicate fragrance. As such, it is less expensive and makes a good choice for every day use. Eau De Cologne has a 3-5% concentration and generally can last up to two hours.
  


• Aftershave and Eau De Cologne is the more popular choice for men as it is more gentle on the skin, but it does not last as long as Eau De Toilette.
  


• So next time you're out buying a fragrance, remember to check if it's EDT or EDP, as EDT is always cheaper but if you want the best and longer lasting scent go with EDP.

Perfume

Perfumes have been around for thousands of years. The Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture, and the first to place perfume into glass bottles. Soon after, the entire world began to see (and smell) that perfumes tickle the senses and evoke strong emotions.

Of course, perfumes have undergone many changes since the ancients first used them. Changing tastes and the development of modern chemistry have led to different and more elaborate perfume mixtures. Some perfumes now consist of more than 250 different ingredients.

Below are some other facts about perfumes that you may or may not have known:

• The word perfume is of Latin descent, and comes from the phrase per fumum, which means “through smoke”.

• Perfumes are a mixture of water, alcohol, and scents. The alcohol is a necessary ingredient, because without it, the scent would not emanate from the skin.

• Perfumes can be sorted into seven major categories: Greens, Florals, Aldehydics, Chypre, Oriental, Fougère, and Tobacco/Leather.

• Perfumes can be graded according to strength. From strongest to
  weakest: Perfume, Eau De Parfum, Eau De Toilette and Eau De Cologne, Aftershave. The more perfume oils that a solution contains, the stronger it will be and the longer it will last.

• An individual’s body chemistry determines what a perfume will smell like once it is applied to the skin. The same perfume can smell different depending on who is using it.

• You should never test more than three different perfumes at once. If you do, the smells will become so complex, that it will be impossible for your nose to properly evaluate each scent.

• Because perfume evaporates from the skin quickly, it may be necessary to reapply your scent every four hours.

• To lengthen and strengthen the smell of your perfume, apply perfume, and then add a layer of lotion with no scent or a complimentary scent over top.

• Perfume that is applied to places like the wrist, the neck, behind the ears, and crooks of arms will smell the strongest.

• Perfume should be stored in a cool, dry place. If possible, keep open perfume stored within a box to lengthen the shelf life.

• Most perfume manufacturers recommend disposing of perfume after one year, but perfume may last as long as two to five years when stored under the right conditions.
  
  The Five Common Fragrance Group
  
  For men, as well as some women, finding the perfect perfume can be a stressful, time-consuming experience. . If you familiarize yourself with the six basic fragrance groups, you will not only save time, but also make your shopping experience more enjoyable.The following paragraphs will discuss the six common fragrance groups when it comes to perfume in order to assist you in finding the right perfume with more ease.
  


• The floral category is the largest and most popular scent for perfumes. These scents are made mainly from different varieties of flowers. These varieties include roses, orange blossoms, vanilla and jasmine. Other flowers are also used, including different varieties of lilies and orchids.
  


• The oriental category of perfume scents represents a relatively large group of scents, as well. These scents include heavy mixtures of spices, balsams, resins, and amber helping to suggest a warm, exotic sensation. This category is very popular during wintertime, and colder months of the year because of its heavy, musky traits.
  


• The citrus category of perfume scents are derived from different fruits. These fruits can include lime, lemon tangerine and mandarin. This often creates a tangy aroma women find refreshing, as well as uplifting. This category of perfume scent is most popular during warm months.
  


• The Chypre category of sent are most generally strong, earthly scents. Although it can be hard to describe the scent of a color, this is a real category of perfume scents. Perfumes falling into this category of scents tend to be sharp, outdoor scents. This includes the scents of pine, juniper, leaves and herbs.Lavender and cocoa are also examples of green scents.
  


• The Fougere category of perfume scents is most common among men. These aromas are usually created from herbs and mossy ferns. Perfumes that fall into this category normally come together in a very sophisticated style. While men typically where scents that fall into this category, there are popular perfumes for women that fall into this category as well.

• Most every fragrance retailer will make you think their perfume is a totally new scent, all scents are likely to fall into one of these six categories.
  
  Perfumes & The Various Types
  
  Perfume fragrances were classified by Charles Piesse who was a perfumer from the 19th century. Charles had actually tried to classify each type of fragrance to a musical chord. Unsurprisingly his system failed but the terminology stuck on. The current perfume fragrance pyramid was invented by William Poucher in the 1920’s. The fragrance pyramid is based on the instability of the perfume ingredients or how fast the fragrance fades away.
  
  The fragrance of a perfume is described as top note at the point when it just gives you a whiff and then passes on. The heart notes then follow where the fragrance actually has a chemical reaction with your skin; and finally are the base notes where the true essence of the fragrance is revealed when the highest molecular weight from the ingredients begin to surface.
  
  There different categories of scents to describe perfumes meant for women and perfumes meant for men. Under the women’s category, we have the most common scent, which is floral. This is in fact the largest category and the primary ingredients are from flowers like rose, jasmine, carnation, violet and orange blossom. Some of the perfumes that come under this category are Paris and White Diamonds. Some of the sub categories for floral fragrances are like floral green (Bvlgari, Chanel 19); floral fruity (Baby Doll, Amarige) and floral woody (L’Eau D’Issey, Romance).
  
  The next category is oriental. This means the scent is made to create warm, exotic impression because of its ingredients like balsams, spices, resins and musk. Perfumes that fall under this category are Royal Secret, Contradiction and Shalimar. Some of the sub categories of oriental are oriental spicy (Opium); oriental citrusy (Candies); floriental (Hugo Woman, Wings) and oriental gourmand (Angel, Casmir and Wish).
  
  The other categories of perfumes are chypre, citrus, fougere and green. Chypre was first described by Francois Coty to describe the aromas from the island of Cyprus. This fragrance is generally sweet, soft and earthy with ingredients like oakmoss, patchouli, bergamot and citruses. Some of the well-known perfumes under this category are Paloma Picasso, Fendi and Femme. Citrus fragrances have citrus fruits like tangerine, lime, mandarin and lemon in them. These are very common in men’s fragrances. Examples of citrus scented perfumes are CK One and Jess. Fougere is French for fern, which relates to freshness and is best described in Cool Water. Green fragrances are from green plant parts like grass, pine and herbs. Safari and Bvlgari Extreme best describe this scent.