Beauty & the brush: Picking the right perfume

How to ensure the brand you to select will complement your chemistry and last as long as possible on your skin.

Almost every woman has a signature scent. There are some who own multiple fragrances but find themselves reaching repeatedly for a particular bottle, while there are others who simply repurchase the same one over and over again. Either way, whether it’s a lotion, fruit spray or high end perfume, we all proudly apply the product we believe best represents our personality.

When purchasing a fragrance, it’s important not  to simply choose a brand that you believe will turn heads, but to select one that will complement your chemistry and last as long as possible on your skin. How do you ensure this?

For starters, we can’t stress enough that no one perfume should be used the entire year - the intensity of your fragrance will vary with temperature. Scents are generally enhanced in the summer time and subdued in cold weather. For this reason, many ladies opt for stronger products when winter rolls around. Ever wonder what the terms “eau de toilette” and “eau de parfum” mean? They represent the concentration of oils and perfume versus water and other ingredients in the bottle. It is best to stick to toilettes (the lighter option) in the summer and parfum in the winter so as not to overwhelm those around you.

Your skin also plays a great role in your choice of perfume. Those with dry skin can get away with wearing stronger mixtures like eau de parfum and simple parfum based products. This is because the lack of oils in your skin causes the smell to evaporate at a faster pace. Ladies with more moisture in their skin may opt for eau de toilette perfumes, as parfum may mingle with their natural oils to create a more overpowering result.

When testing perfumes, the smells can become intermingled and it can be difficult to discern one scent from the other. This is why when shopping for perfumes you should keep a small jar of coffee beans at hand. Coffee behaves as a kind of “palate cleanser” as sorbet does between meal courses. Sniffing the beans between perfume samples will allow you to enjoy all the notes of the product.

Once you’ve chosen your favourite perfume, the challenge becomes trying to make the scent last. The best time to spritz yourself is when you have just showered. Remember how we said dry skin doesn’t retain scent as well as oily? Well, after bathing, the water will have opened your pores, allowing for any fragrance you apply to mix in with the warmth of your body.

Spray your perfume onto areas of your body that create heat and will enhance the scent. This is why most beauty artists recommend applying fragrance to your pulse points. Just remember, as the day goes on the scent rises and evaporates, so it’s best to start on the lower half of your body. Splash the product on the backs of your knees, then work your way up to your stomach, the insides of your elbows, your wrists and on your neck.

If you feel like your skin does not retain perfume, invest in a body lotion by the same brand and scent. Layering the two together will allow for long lasting power. Also, wait a few minutes between application and dressing yourself to avoid the smell from rubbing off your body. Finally, try to avoid using hair products that are heavily fragranced, as these will interfere with the notes in your perfume, possibly resulting in odour rather than aroma.

Maria Saadat is author of the popular desi beauty site Lipstick Masala.

QUESTION TIME

Do you have a question about make-up? Can’t figure out a hairstyle for an upcoming wedding? Do your attempts at smoky eye make-up leave you looking like a raccoon? Have no fear! E-mail your questions and issues to [e-mail] and Maria Saadat will respond to them in an upcoming column.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2010.