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Thursday, 05 April 2007 |
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First introduced by the Egyptians in their religious ceremonies, perfume has become part of men and women’s daily routines across the world. Perfume became cosmetically popular in France in the seventeenth century when women scented their gloves, and its popularity grew during the following centuries. In the nineteenth century alchemy changed to chemistry, and designed fragrances became what we know today. Initially, only the wealthy could afford this luxury. Today there are over 30,000 designer fragrances available in a vast array of price ranges.
There are parfums, eau de toilettes, and Colognes; the difference between them being the concentration of the fragrance. Eau de Cologne is the least concentrated, then eau de toilette with cologne being the most concentrated form of perfume. Individual body chemistry means that a fragrance may smell differently in the bottle than on the skin. In addition, a fragrance may have one aroma on one person and an entirely different fragrance on another. It is important that when purchasing a perfume, the buyer test the scent on his or her own skin. In addition, heat changes the aroma of a fragrance so it may be a good idea to wear a lighter scent in the summer, and a headier fragrance in the winter. Perfume is made using notes. Top notes, heart notes, and base notes are mixed in varying degrees until the desired scent is achieved. It is important that you store your fragrance in a cool, dark place to preserve the formula and keep it smelling as it should. |
