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Buying
a fragrance is one of the most fabulous ways to splurge on yourself.
If you already have a favorite perfume, you probably know the
feeling, but if you don't, now is a wonderful time to start enjoying
one.
 There
are more fragrance products available today than ever before,
and in addition to just smelling pretty, many new fragrances have
the advantage of being inspired by the trends of health and well-being.
Some of today's best scents contain the essences of natural ingredients
that can help you feel calm, energized, cheerful or just plain
old beautiful and sexy. Whether you want to spend $7 or $700,
there's probably a fragrance out there that will make you feel
very special and give you that pick-me-up you've been looking
for.
Time
to Start Smelling
The
first thing you'll want to do is find a product that you like,
and the only way to do that is to start smelling. A good place
to begin is at a department store, where you'll be able to sample
glamorous fragrances such as Chanel No. 5, Yves Saint
Laurent's Paris and Jean Patou's Joy, as well as a
host of other perfumes and colognes. Fragrances like these are
created through a complex process of combining or "layering" any
number of essential oils, and then diluting them to a wearable
concentration. If you find these designer fragrances expensive,
don't worry. A high price doesn't necessarily denote a better
product. A simple cologne of lily of the valley, lilac or
gardenia can be just as captivating as any costly concoction.
Perfume,
Eau de Parfum and Cologne
You
should know, however, that fragrances usually come in three strengths:
perfume, eau de parfum and cologne. Perfume, which has the highest
concentration, is the most expensive. Eau de parfum is not quite
as strong as perfume, and cologne, being the least expensive,
is also the least potent. The only real advantage to buying a
stronger concentration of a fragrance is that it will last longer
on your skin. A slight dab of perfume, for example, will probably
outwear several generous splashes of cologne. But don't start
splashing yet; No matter what kind of product you're using, you
won't want a room full of people to smell you. Only you and a
person close enough to whisper in your ear should be aware of
your scent.
Aroma-Therapeutic
Products
If
you're set on finding a fragrance that will help you smell good
and feel great, there are hundreds of aroma-therapeutic products
out there making just as many claims about improving your health
and your mood. One of the best-selling ingredients of the aromatherapy
boom is lavender, a fragrant flowering herb that has been used
for hundreds of years as a remedy for anxiety and depression.
If you're looking for a fragrance that will give you an energy
boost, try one with a base of citrus essences. Two more age-old
scents that seem to have the power of creating warmth and inviting
intimacy are sandalwood and musk. Fragrances with feel-good ingredients
like these are available at specialty stores like Origins,
The Body Shop and Occidental, as well as some clothing
stores, pharmacies and health food shops.
Wear
It Before You Buy It!
Once
you've found a fragrance you love, you'll want to wear it for
a few hours before actually buying it. Because fragrances interact
with your body's chemistry, they often smell very different on
your skin than they do in their bottles. If you aren't used to
wearing perfume or cologne and it seems too strong for you, try
a scented body lotion - it's a great way to enjoy a fragrance
while doing something good for your skin. You might also want
to try some scented body oil, shower gel, bubble bath, bath salts
or talcum powder. Even if you have extremely sensitive skin and
can't bear putting any scented product on your body, you can still
enjoy a perfumed candle at home.
Whether you'd rather spoil yourself with a long, sweet-smelling
bath or spritz your pulse points with an elegant eau de parfum
before a big night out, try to fit a fragrance somewhere into
your busy schedule. It's one of the simplest ways to treat yourself
to a great luxury, and of course, you deserve it.
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