Choosing a Signature Scent

By Karinda Ristic
Professional Make-up Artist

“Where should one use perfume?” a young woman asked.
“Wherever you want to be kissed!” said Coco Chanel.

Selecting your perfume is a sensual rewarding and profoundly personal experience.  It is an expression of your personality.  Choosing your perfume as your signature scent says a great deal about you.  It speaks of emotion, memory, romance, energy and empowerment. 

The first step is to decide what aromas you like.  Do you like the scent of the ocean or do you like the scent of roses… this will ultimately guide you in the right direction. 

1. Floral
This is the largest of the perfume families, drawing on a high level of essential oils resulting from flowers.  These perfumes are feminine and romantic.

2. Green 
Fresh, energetic perfumes that evoke grass, meadows and leaves.  Often these perfumes are popular for outdoor wear.

3. Oceanic
Modern fragrances that use synthetic elements to have a strong aroma of the sea and its surroundings.

4. Fruity 
Fresh and spicy fragrances with fruit as the main theme.

5. Orientals 
Sexy, exotic and strong fragrances that smells of opulent intense flowers, spices, musk and vanilla.

6. Woody 
These fragrances have a strong scent of the forest and its surroundings.    

Remember that the only way to find a perfume that suits you is to wear it for at least an hour.  This allows the top, middle and base notes to develop and gives you time to consider how it will suit your lifestyle. 

When testing a perfume, place it on the pulse points on your wrist.  Do not rub it into your skin.  Doing so will crush the delicate ingredients and can distort the fragrance.  Ideally you should limit the amount of perfumes you test.  If however you do have limited time for buying perfume, place the samples as far away from each other as possible.  Opposing wrists are perfect for testing a couple of scents.  After using your wrists you can also use your upper arms.

Avoid testing perfumes after strenuous exercise or if you are running a fever.  Your body temperature will be higher and will change the aroma of the perfume on your skin.

Lastly, consider when you will wear the perfume.  During the day, lighter fragrances tend to be worn more often then heavier ones.  The heavier perfumes are great for evenings.  Furthermore fresh, floral notes are popular in summer and warm weather.  Mellower and rich fragrances are best in the cold of winter.

Take your time in selecting a signature scent.  It is meant to be a unique expression of your individuality!

Note: This article was posted on http://www.destinyconnect.com/blogs/karinda/archive/2009/03/03/choosing-a-signature-scent.aspx (3 March 2009)