Fragrances

Buying Fragrances

Did you know that not all fragrances smell the same on all people? Fragrances have different reactions on each of us. This is why you should never purchase a fragrance just because you like the way it smells on a friend. The fragrance might not have the exact same scent when you try it on.

Don’t be surprised if a fragrance seems to change with a few hours of wear. This is normal. All fragrances have three notes (or phases) that they go through during a single wear. It might smell different at the end of the day than it did in the morning.

The top notes are what you smell when you put the fragrance on. This period usually lasts for about five to ten minutes. The top notes provide freshness and are often comprised of lighter notes.

The middle notes, which are also called the body notes, tell the story of the fragrance. As the fragrance begins to warm on your skin, the true scent comes to life. The body notes will combine with top notes to expose the fragrance’s warmth and distinctiveness.

The base notes are the final expression of a fragrance. They are the memory of the top and body notes. Base notes will surface after three to six hours of wear. They are the lasting staying power of the fragrance. Wood, moss and musk scents are common base notes.

Floral Scents

Jasmine

An essential oil that is extracted from jasmine shrubbery. Characterized by a sweet scent that’s known as a romantic fragrance.

Neroli

Oil of neroli is distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. It has a very strong and refreshing bittersweet aroma and is one of the most widely used floral oils in perfumes.

Tuberose

Mexican herb having grasslike leaves and grown for its spikes of waxy white flowers with a highly fragrant lily-like scent.

Ylang-Ylang

The flower of the cananga tree. It yields a fragrant oil, which is characterized by its sweet floral scent.

Osmanthus

A flower native to China that is valued for its delicate fruity-floral apricot aroma.

Citrus Scents

Bergamot

An extract from the rind of the bergamot orange. Characterized by its light citrus fragrance.

Mandarin

A small orange tree of southeastern Asia with yellow to reddish-orange, loose-rinded fruits.

Exotic Spice

Patchouli

A fragrant oil that comes from mint. It’s one of the earthiest of all essential oils. Known for its distinctive woody fragrance and rich notes of musk.