×
Back left
Back right

Buying & Applying Women's Perfumes & Fragrances

Dec 27, 2006

Scents can be very powerful. Has your nose ever caught a whiff of something and it's brought out an emotion? It happens all the time. You sniff something and think "that reminds me of last summer." Or it can remind you of someone - you sniff some really familiar perfume and you think "my gramma wears that." Well, somewhere along the line, you have taken an interest in how you smell. That's a good thing. There is nothing wrong with applying a little scent as long as it's done right. Here are some tips so you don't make people's eyes water.

Pickin' a Frgrance For You
Your scent goes hand in hand with your style. Why? Because both reflect your personality. So sniff-out a few different types and go with what you think suits you. Don't be a follower. Just cuz everybody and their dog is wearing CK One doesn't mean you have to. And big brand names aren't always for everyone. Try scoping out the cool, natural scents at the Body Shop or lesser known brands. This is a good idea when you are first "experimenting" or if you're on a budget. It might be that perfume isn't your thing at all - you don't have to wear it. Why commit to a pricey bottle and then decide that you prefer the baby powder scent of your speedstick.

Pulse Points

Believe it or not there is a "technique" to putting on perfume and fragrances. If you follow it you'll be able to use the least amount and have it last the longest. It's simple, really - just put dabs of your fave scent on your pulse points. Pulse points are places like the insides of your wrists, the insides of your elbows and the backs of your knees. Oh yeah, and your neck, just below your jawline near your ears. The reason that this is so effective is because your heart beat is prominent there and the warmth that it creates helps keep the scent.

Testing Is Best

You have to be careful when picking a perfume, especially if you have sensitive skin. It's always best to get a sample of the smell you dig and try it out for a week or so before committing to a big bottle. I really loved the smell of Tommy Girl and asked for it for Christmas one year. Well, my mom bought me a big bottle and after wearing it for a week, it gave me a rash. It's not that there is anything weird in Tommy Girl, it's just something reacted badly with my skin. You never know if that'll happen until you try it out. (Again, Body Shop is a great options. Their perfume oils are much easier on the skin, partially because they're alcohol-free. Regular perfume or eau de toilette have alcohol added.) Also, fragrances can smell one way in the bottle, or on a friend, and completely different on you. This is because your body chemistry is not the same as someone else's. It can be a good thing cuz even if you and your best bud wear the same perfume it'll probably smell a little different. It can be a bad thing if you forked out $60 for Ralph Lauren perfume and it makes you smell like dirty gym socks. It's kinda like shoes - you don't buy 'em without trying 'em.

Scent Overload

If you buy perfume because you wanna smell a certain way then don't overpower it or mess it up with a bunch of other smells. It's best to stay away from scented deodorant and hair products when wearing a perfume. Otherwise you've got your mango conditioner, your spring fresh deodorant and your perfume in a scent smackdown. The result is a big stinky mess.

Remember there is a fineline between smellin' good and stinkin' bad.

Versatility

Don't be afraid to explore all your options. Check out the men's counter. There are some great, fresh, outdoorsy scents available. Some girls prefer CK for Men over CK for Women.

Do you have a perfume you love? about it.

Related Stories:

  • The 411 on Body Odor
  • Girlie Gift Ideas
  • Make-Up Clean-Up
  • More Style Tips
  • Related Articles