which one of these would attract you? Your special someone?
Sex and Pheremones: What attracts you to another person or them to you? How can you “just know” that you could be friends or lovers with someone? Of course you can’t know for sure that someone is right for you if you know nothing about them, but chemical attraction is powerful. At first it might be something on a visual level, but chemistry is also based on things you can’t even see or sense. Animals, humans and even insects, respond to something so invisible that you can’t even really define them, It’s called “pheromones.” These are chemicals that bypass conscious systems to trigger specific, often sexual, responses. Even more amazing, every person has their own, unique pheromone molecule that carries a one of a kind, chemical signature. Although you might not be aware of it, your personal pheromone messenger molecules are continuously whirling off your body and into the air around you. They rise up from the recesses of your sweat glands, and they linger in strands of your hair. The most potent pheromone-generating regions of the body are located in the groin, the armpits, and in the narrow strip of skin between the base of the nostrils and the upper lip.
Whether the scent is naturally produced by your body, or spritzed on or around you, another person’s reaction to it can be highly subjective. There is no such thing as a “perfect scent” that everyone likes, non even the smell of baking bread, or even vanilla or pumpkin pie, two popular aphrodisiac smells. However, there are different categories of fragrance that you (or that special someone) might find more pleasing than others. That’s why it’s a good idea to know your own fragrance style, and match it with the people you are attracted to.
The search for your signature scent is a voyage of discovering that you shouldn’t rush. Buying fragrance as a gift for someone else is romantic, but even more challenging. Here’s what you need to know to make a good choice:
HOW TO CHOSE A SCENT FOR YOURSELF:
Learn Your Style: First, identify the type of fragrance you like best. The six classic types are: Floral (flowers); Fruity (fruits); Fougère (grassy, green, herbal); Oriental (incense, spices, exotics); Chypre (woods, earthy) and Oceanic (synthetics meant to evoke a particular feeling such as: ocean, sand, rain, fabric). You will also see mixes of these types, such as fruity florals, or “florientals.” You may be drawn to several types or mixes of scent and that’s fine…you’ll have more scents to love!
Note the “Notes”: Perfumes have top, middle and bottom notes. These are ingredients blended together to give you a first impression, and as it dries down, a second and perhaps a third, as the fragrance mixes with your own body chemistry. Even if something is trendy, or if you love the bottle, that doesn’t mean the scent will smell good on you. Try the fragrance on your own skin and let it sit a while to understand how it will smell, hour after hour, on you. Scent is an investment so choose wisely.
Layer: If you love the way a particular scent smells, indulge in products in the same scent that you can layer (some scents are even created to layer with completely different scents). Layering products such as body washes, lotions, oils, soaps and mists are less expensive, and a good way to test out a pricier fragrance. Layering also helps intensify the scent and help it to last longer.
Know Your Options: Fragrance is available in different types. Actual Perfume is most expensive, because it contains the largest amount of distilled essential oils and is very concentrated, but you can use it more sparingly. Cologne and Eau de Toilette are less expensive and less intense but you can apply it more generously. A solid fragrance (good for travel) is also a choice that’s less concentrated. Body Mists or Splashes are even less concentrated. Many fragrance lines are also available in candles and potpourri, sachets (great for your sweater and lingerie drawers) or even in aroma sticks, scent diffusers, and room sprays. These are good seduction tools, too.
Change with the Seasons: Some people wear one scent to the exclusion of all others, but it’s fun to have different fragrances for different moods and activities. The temperature, your mood, your health, and your clothing all work with your body chemistry to affect how a scent smells on you. Lighter fragrances are generally the best when the weather is warm, and heavier scents are better for cooler months and special occasions. Be considerate no matter what the season. Your fragrance is not meant to be smelled across the room or broadcast to an entire busload of people. It’s meant to be savored just by you, and when others are up close to you.
Sample: Don’t choose by just sniffing a bottle or a paper “scent strip.” You need to test fragrance directly on your skin, and let your body chemistry to tell you what works and what doesn’t. Ask for a small sample to take home, or at least try the tester on your skin (this means you can’t try many fragrances at once). Wear the scent for a few hours and note how it changes and if you still love it. Sampling is particularly important if you have sensitive skin or allergies. Take the time to shop for scent when you’re not in a hurry to buy. You might have to make multiple trips, but it will be worth it.
Boutique vs. Drugstore: More expensive fragrances are usually more complex, and they include pricier ingredients. They’re also blended by skilled experts (“noses”) and often come in beautiful packaging and bottles. But, as with wine, scent is a personal choice. Many of the less expensive brands are still mixed by master perfumers. You can find pleasing scents in a variety of different price points. Your nose, not necessarily the price, will guide you to the type of scent that has your favorite notes.
Care: Fragrance is organic and fragile. It can also be quite an investment. Just like wine, a scent can “turn” over time, and especially when exposed to heat, humidity and light. If you don’t use up your perfume quickly ( usually within a year), the notes may fade or change. Keep fragrance out of the hot, humid places, and away from the sun. Some people even put fragrance in the refrigerator if their home is very hot.
BUYING SCENT FOR SOMEONE ELSE:
What’s Their Type? If the person you’re buying for already has a favorite fragrance, you will want to get them something in that scent or something similar. If you’re ot sure what they’d like, their personality and lifestyle can give you some clues. Are they laid back and happy? Get them a cheerful, fresh or fruity scent. Are they a stressed-out Type A? Try something light and clean that won’t react so strongly more with body heat. Are they girly? roses, violets, orange blossom, and lily of the valley are romantic feminine notes. Edgy? unusual mixes, and those with gourmand and incense could be the right thing. A person’s style (e.g. casual, or formal, classic or fashion-forward) can also give you a clue. Does this person work alone, or closely with others who will be subjected to the fragrance? Have they ever mentioned a type of smell that they love or dislike? If none of these clues help you find the right thing, you can give scent in a safer way with sachets, a scented candle, or a room spray.
Many Happy Returns: Scent is highly personal, so even if you think you’ve found just the right one, your recipient may not like it, or it may react badly with their body chemistry. When you give a gift of scent, make it clear that your s/he can return your gift (and you won’t be offended). It’s considerate to include a return slip (know the return policy of the store and buy it in a reputable place).
submitted by Alison for Leatherandlaceadvice.com
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