Parfum Perfume
Perfumes have been used by both sexes for over 4 000 years. Once a sign of wealth and a means to cover less fragrant whiffs, today perfumes are a must-have accessory. Perfume needs to be carefully chosen and matched to personality and occasion. Familiarity with types, ingredients and the jargon of the parfumier’s art will help you choose amongst the many hundreds of brands on the market.
Perfumes consist of aromatic compounds dissolved in ethanol (alcohol), sometimes diluted further with water. They are described according to their dilution:
° Parfum extrait (perfume extract): 15–40%
° Eau de parfum: 10-20%
° Eau de toilette: 5-15%
° Eau de cologne < 5%
Like music, fragrance is described in terms of ‘notes’. Middle and base notes combine to give the principal scent of a perfume. The parfumier is an expert in creating harmonious compositions, as skilled as any artist.
° Head notes, or top notes, are the smells you smell first in a perfume (because they evaporate first).
° Heart notes, or middle notes, are the next to emerge.
° Base notes may take up half an hour or longer to appear, which is why you should never spray and buy in a hurry.
For the last twenty-five years fragrances have been classified into five main families:
floral, oriental, woody, fresh and fougère. Many masculine fragrances belong in the family ‘fougère’, meaning ‘fern’ in French. Fresh fragrances include citrus and ‘green’. Gourmand fragrances are those with the ‘eat-me’ factor, with notes that may include chocolate, vanilla or other edible substances.
Plants are the main sources of organic or natural perfume essences, and include flowers, resin and even roots and bulbs. Some sources are no longer used because the species is endangered (such as sandalwood) or because of cruelty to animals (civet, musk oil, ambergris).
Synthetic compounds are commonly used in perfumes today, in some cases because they are cheaper but also because chemists have created fragrances not found in nature.
Essential oils are distilled from plants instead of being extracted by dissolving in alcohol or by other chemical processes.
Storage of perfume is important if you want it to last. Heat, light and air cause perfumes to degenerate. Ideal temperatures are less than 10 degrees Celsius. Spray bottles are best because they prevent exposure to air every time the cap comes off the bottle.
Perfumes, especially those with higher concentrations of aromatic compounds, can trigger allergies, asthma attacks and rashes. Because the ingredients of perfumes are closely kept secrets, the industry has been under-regulated but is increasingly being required to comply with regulatory guidelines. If in doubt, stop and switch.
Understanding perfume helps you match scent to scenario. A concentrated perfume with heady oriental notes is for evening, a fresh, green eau de toilette ideal for daily use. The number one rule of perfume use is that less is more. The old chestnut about spraying perfume into the air and then walking through the mist is not such a bad idea. If the whole room smells like you, you’ve overdone it and are probably quite literally getting up people’s noses. Just the right amount suggests a person of elegance, taste and sophisticated femininity.
About the Author:
Owner of JLCGifts.com online gift store offering discount designer fragrances, jewelry and gift baskets for all occasion. My “Fresh Scents” Blog provides educational and informative articles on the fragrance industry.
An accountant by occupation for 20+ years and currently employed as a Controller in the non-profit industry for an organization providing social services to women and their families.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Perfume: the Essential Fragrance Facts
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Allure Sensuelle Perfume by Chanel Parfum 0.25 Oz $78.74 Allure Sensuelle perfume by Chanel, 0.25 oz Parfum. |
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Parfum Sacre Perfume by Caron Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $40.94 Parfum Sacre perfume by Caron, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. Launched by the design house of Caron in PARFUM SACRE PERFUME is a scent of an exquisite fragrance. |
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Climat Perfume by Lancome Parfum 0.47oz. $78.74 Climat perfume by Lancome, 0.47oz Parfum .. Launched by the design house of Lancome in 1967, CLIMAT PERFUME is classified as a luxurious, gentle, floral fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of soft, floral aldehydes with sparkling aldehydes. It is recommended for romantic wear. |
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Amarige Mariage Perfume by Givenchy Miniature Eau De Parfum 5 Ml $12.59 Amarige Mariage perfume by Givenchy, 5 ml Miniature Eau De Parfum. |
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W Perfume by Banana Republic Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Oz $36.74 W perfume by Banana Republic, 4.2 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Suu Perfume by Masaki Matsushima Eau De Parfum Spray 2.7 Oz $62.99 Suu perfume by Masaki Matsushima, 2.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Modigliani Perfume by Modigliani Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $15.74 Modigliani perfume by Modigliani, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Virtual Moon Perfume by Pupa Eau De Parfum Spray 1.69 Oz $33.59 Virtual Moon perfume by Pupa, 1.69 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Apparition Perfume by Emanuel Ungaro Eau De Parfum Spray 3.0 Oz $31.49 Apparition perfume by Emanuel Ungaro, 3.0 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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L’inizio Perfume by Carlo Corinto Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $20.88 L’inizio perfume by Carlo Corinto, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Most Perfume by Jeanne Arthes Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Oz $12.59 Most perfume by Jeanne Arthes, 3.3 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Iridescence Perfume by Bob Mackie Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz $34.64 Iridescence perfume by Bob Mackie, 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Jacomo For Her Perfume by Jacomo Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz $26.24 Jacomo For Her perfume by Jacomo, 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Tracy Perfume by Ellen Tracy Eau De Parfum Spray 2.5 Oz $26.24 Tracy perfume by Ellen Tracy, 2.5 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Amarige Mariage Perfume by Givenchy Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Oz $47.24 Amarige Mariage perfume by Givenchy, 3.3 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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My Couture Perfume by Givenchy Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Oz $40.94 My Couture perfume by Givenchy, 3.3 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Rumeur Perfume by Lanvin Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $33.59 Rumeur perfume by Lanvin, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Lady Caron Perfume by Caron Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $31.49 Lady Caron perfume by Caron, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Trouble Perfume by Boucheron Eau De Parfum Spray 2.5 Oz Refill $41.99 Trouble perfume by Boucheron, 2.5 oz Eau De Parfum Spray Refill. |
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Amaya Perfume by Pupa Eau De Parfum Spray 1.69 Oz $33.59 Amaya perfume by Pupa, 1.69 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Aramis Always Perfume by Aramis Eau De Parfum Spray 1.0 Oz $29.39 Aramis Always perfume by Aramis, 1.0 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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My Torrente Perfume by Torrente Eau De Parfum Spray 2.5 Oz $35.69 My Torrente perfume by Torrente, 2.5 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Britto Perfume by Romeo Britto Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Oz $39.89 Britto perfume by Romeo Britto, 4.2 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Deseo Perfume by Jennifer Lopez Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 Oz $26.24 Deseo perfume by Jennifer Lopez, 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
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Rumeur Perfume by Lanvin Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Oz $36.74 Rumeur perfume by Lanvin, 3.3 oz Eau De Parfum Spray. |
