With a rich history of 3,200-years-long, perfume plays important roles in cultures across the world. In the U.S., it’s a status symbol, fashion accessory and simple pleasure enjoyed by millions. From Bond No 9 to Tom Ford, tens of thousands of brands are available, offering plenty of options to novices and experts alike. If you’re interested in exploring the world of fragrance, here’s everything you should know.

Fragrance Basics Everyone Should Know

 

How To Use Perfume

Using perfume may seem simple, but there are guidelines for getting the most from your fragrance. For example, you should store colognes out of direct sunlight, preferably in a cool place. Ultraviolet radiation and heat can degrade fragrance, making it less potent. It’s also crucial to dispose of perfumes past their expiration date; if your favorite Bond No 9 is more than five years old, it’s outlived its usefulness.

Now that you know how to care for your perfume, it’s time to talk about application. These three techniques offer versatile ways to incorporate your favorite cologne into daily life.

1. Apply To Clothes

If you want a lighter scent, consider spritzing your clothes. Because the oils won’t be in direct contact with your skin, they won’t activate as strongly, giving you a subtle fragrance. One caveat: Fragrances can stain, so avoid silks and other fabrics you can’t toss in the washing machine.

2. Spritz on Hair

Applying perfume to your hair is a lovely way to shake things up, especially if you have long tresses. However, you’ll need to check the ingredients on that bottle of Bond No 9 before spraying, as many colognes contain a high percentage of alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol is extremely drying, so only use water-based formulas or perfume oils on your hair.

3. Dab on Pulse Points

Natural body heat activates fragrance oils, allowing them to evolve through top, heart, and base notes over time. To take advantage of this, apply perfume to your pulse points:

  • Back of your knees
  • Behind your ears
  • Below your belly button
  • Inside your elbows
  • On your wrists

When applying, make sure you dab instead of rubbing, as rubbing will destroy the top notes, preventing you from enjoying the full effects of your favorite Bond No 9 cologne. To help the oils stick to your skin, moisturize the application area beforehand, preferably with a non-scented lotion.

 

How To Choose a Type

As you look through fragrances, you’ll notice they have different acronyms, such as EDP or EDT. These denote the type; there are six, which vary by longevity:

  • Perfume oil lasts 12 hours.
  • Parfum lasts over 10 hours.
  • Eau fraiche generally fades after two hours.
  • Eau de cologne (EDC) may last up to two hours.
  • Eau de toilette (EDT) lingers for four to six hours.
  • Eau de parfum (EDP) can last eight hours.

The longer a scent lasts, the more fragrance oil it contains, which usually makes it more expensive. However, brands such as Bond No 9 offer EDTs and EDPs at affordable prices, ensuring you can get quality fragrances without breaking the bank.

 

Where To Find Affordable Fragrances

To find your new favorite fragrance at a great price, check out LaBelle Perfumes. Find your favorite brands and fragrances for men & women.  

Sources:

https://www.discoveryuk.com/how-its-made/how-perfume-is-made/

https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2019/10-fragrance-facts-every-woman-should-know.html