The Art of Perfume: A Complete Guide to Fragrances
Perfumes , with their emotional charge, accompany us in almost all moments of life. Choosing a perfume is a very important and personal action.
Only the fragrance that represents your personality and conveys an olfactory emotion is the right one for you.
Tre P i Profumerie offers a mini guide on how to choose the right perfume that dresses your aura.
What elements to consider when choosing a perfume
Did you know that perfume is linked to memory ? Yes, that's right. Smells, fragrances, aromas, are processed in our body, in structures dedicated to memory. For this reason, perfumes are often linked to memories .
Smelling a fragrance that is linked to a positive moment in your life can impact your mood for the entire day.
Choosing the right perfume , therefore, turns out to be an extremely delicate and fundamental action.
Whether it's for yourself or as a gift, it might be helpful to know that there are 5 essential elements to consider when choosing a perfume.
Intensity of the perfume
By intensity , we mean the percentage of oil dissolved in water or alcohol.
Generally, the more intense the perfume, the longer it lasts.
There are, in practice, 4 types of intensity:
Eau de Parfum : contains 10-15% essential oils dissolved in approximately 85% alcohol. It lasts 3 to 6 hours and is the best-selling type of perfume.
Eau de Parfum Intense : with 15-40% essential oils, it is a very strong type of perfume . Just apply a small amount and dab it on your wrists. It lasts 6 to 8 hours and production is usually limited to historic brands.
Eau de Toilette : containing only 4-10% essential oils diluted in approximately 80% alcohol, it is suitable for daily use , lasting 2 to 4 hours.
Eau de Cologne : with 2-5% perfumed oils dissolved in about 70% alcohol, it is generally associated with masculine perfumes . It lasts about 2 hours, so it needs to be sprayed several times throughout the day.
Types of perfumes
Each perfume has a different aroma , which belongs to a different olfactory family . The main types of perfume are:
Aromatic: it has a composition in which aromatic plants of the Mediterranean predominate, such as lavender , symbol of this olfactory family. The aromatic notes give a sensation of freshness and vivacity to the personality.
Citrus : a rich blend of citrus fruits, in which the peel of the fruit is used for the composition. This type of perfume gives a feeling of purity .
Aquatic : The aquatic olfactory family evokes the scent of the sea breeze or the unmistakable aroma of rain . Notes of pure freshness, often used to add a touch of vivacity to floral, oriental and woody fragrances.
Fougére : a name born of fantasy , the Fougére perfume typology has a structure characterized by basic accords of lavender, geranium, vetiver, oak moss and coumarin to which hints of fresh notes are added. It is an elegant and refined composition, generally for men.
Fruity : Characterized by a touch of tropical fruits such as pears, apples, strawberries, raspberries, etc., this olfactory family is able to release the delicious aroma of a fruit-based cocktail .
Green : the composition of this type of perfume is characterized by the aroma of freshly cut grass and slightly talc-like violet leaves . This olfactory family evokes life in the open air celebrated by light resin accords.
Chypre : the name is a reference to the island of Cyprus , where the first composition was created. The basic accords of this olfactory family are bergamot, rose, jasmine, oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum, to which synthetic molecules are added to make the perfume more modern and light.
Floral : olfactory family of women's fragrances par excellence. In addition to the myriad of flowers present in nature , perfume compositions for this typology are created with synthetic molecules to recreate the smell of particularly delicate flowers that cannot be treated with traditional extraction methods.
Woody : The woody olfactory family is characterized by the strong presence of dry woods , such as cedar (from the leather olfactory family) or soft woods , such as sandalwood. They are considered a fundamental structure , around which the fragrance is developed. It can be both masculine and feminine.
Oriental : the name refers to distant worlds , from which unknown odors come. The composition of this olfactory family is characterized by notes of patchouli, vanilla and spices, which make the structure of the perfume enveloping and sensual . A complex of aromas with a strong impact on both men and women.
Composition of the perfume:
A perfume can have different quantities of raw materials , which create different nuances . The olfactory pyramid at the base of the composition of the perfume is generally structured in three parts : top notes, heart notes and base notes.
Top notes : also called capital notes or head of the perfume , they are essences that are perceived immediately after applying the perfume to the skin. It is the scent that is recognized before any other aroma and for this reason it must be the most intense of the entire composition. After having sprayed the perfume it is advisable to wait a few seconds, so that the top notes vanish to reveal the heart of the structure.
Heart notes : the central aromas of the perfume develop on the skin within a few minutes and are the scents that persist the longest . The heart usually contains floral, fruity and spicy fragrances.
Base notes : the base of the perfume is the last part of the aromas perceived in the perfumery process . They are fragrances perceived in the space of a few hours that gently accompany the evaporation of the heart notes. Generally the base is composed of woody or musky essences.
Season:
When choosing a perfume, it is very important to decide which one will be the right one, taking into account the season in which you decide to wear it.
Autumn : for the autumn season, the recommended fragrances are those in which woods and spices predominate, which underline the typical scent of dry leaves falling from the trees.
Winter : Winter is known to be the ideal season to stay at home, warming up with the fire in the fireplace. The fragrances indicated for this period are without a doubt the oriental ones that blend with slightly fruity scents .
Spring : with the spring season, flowers and plants bloom. Sensations of lightness and freshness flood our nostrils. Prefer perfumes with the aroma of lily of the valley or jasmine, certainly brings a breath of well-being and vitality.
Summer : The summer season is characterized by sticky heat and mugginess. What better fragrances to use than those with citrus notes combined with aquatic and green scents ? A perfume that brings a burst of freshness on a scorching summer day.
Target:
Every perfume has its target , and every target is characterized by a typical fragrance . The classic distinction is between men's perfumes, women's perfumes, unisex perfumes and children's perfumes.
Men's perfumes : Men's fragrances are generally characterized by woody notes that envelop citrus fruits and spices in a warm embrace. The types of perfume par excellence for men are those belonging to the Fougère olfactory family.
Women's perfumes : women's fragrances, on the other hand, are characterized by their floral heart wrapped in fruity and spicy notes . The olfactory family par excellence of women's perfumes is undoubtedly the Chypre olfactory group.
Unisex perfumes : these perfumes are characterized by aromas that kiss both male and female skin. A combination of citrus fragrances mixed with woody notes for the more daring or with aquatic and green notes for the more tender.
Perfumes for children : fragrances for children, on the other hand, are distinguished by sweet notes that recall the smell of sweets or chewing gum, often accompanied by coconut or floral aromas .
Wearing the right amount of perfume
Choosing the right fragrance is not enough, but you also need to know how to wear it . Here is some useful information on how to wear the right amount of perfume .
First of all, you need to understand what effect you want to achieve. It is important to understand whether the perfume must anticipate or follow the person. Both effects, in fact, are very different from each other. If the perfume wants to anticipate the person , then it is mandatory that it leaves an emotional trail .
To obtain this effect you need to spray the perfume in the following way:
- a spray of perfume behind each ear;
- a spray on the nape of the neck;
- one spray on each collarbone;
- one spray on both wrists ;
- a splash in the bend of both knees .
Important note, do not rub the perfume, because the heat of the skin alters the fragrance.
By letting the essence evaporate , in a few seconds a film of oil will be created on the skin which will release all the power of the fragrance.
If the perfume wants to follow the person , the perfume must be sprayed in the following way:
- one spray on both wrists ;
- one spray behind each ear ;
- two sprays on the neck .
In the case of more concentrated perfumes , such as Eau de Parfum or Eau de Parfum Intense, to achieve this effect you will need to spray on one wrist only and dab (do not rub) with the other wrist.
By following these little tips , you will no longer have to worry about having sprayed too much or too little perfume, but you will always wear the right amount of your favorite fragrance.
How to make perfumes last for 24 hours
Making a perfume last all day is a real challenge. Regardless of the concentration or quality of the perfume, you often have the feeling that the trail fades during the day.
How to solve this problem ?
First of all, for a perfume that lasts 24 hours , it is necessary to concentrate the spray on those points that physiology tend to heat up easily , that is, points where the veins are closest to the skin and therefore the blood circulation pulsates. In these areas, the aroma penetrates the skin more, creating the well-known scented trail .
There are 6 hidden zones that can release the fragrance notes throughout the day.
Hair : This is the best area to concentrate the perfume because the hair absorbs the aroma and makes the fragrance persistent . But spraying the perfume directly on the hair can damage it, so a trick is to spray it all over the nape of the neck , near the hairline.
Back : It may seem strange, but a spray of perfume along the back could make the fragrance last even beyond 24 hours . Just lift the collar of the shirt or blouse and spray a drop of perfume along the back. In this way the aroma will be absorbed not only by the warm part of the body , but also by the clothing you are wearing for a long-lasting result.
Ears : a spray of perfume behind the ears and you will be able to smell the fragrance that spreads leaving its trail . Also, spraying perfume in this part of the body is an excellent alternative to avoid the risk of the jewelry becoming tarnished.
Navel : The belly is undoubtedly a perfect part to spray perfume. A trick to intensify the persistence of the fragrance, often used by stars, but that not everyone knows, is to aim at the navel , from a distance of about 10 cm.
Elbows : Spraying perfume on the inside of your elbows can be a great alternative to your wrists . This area is a strategic point, as it is a mobile impulse zone , so it is able to release the fragrance with every natural movement of the body. A small consideration to keep in mind is to moisturize your arms before applying to avoid the risk of irritating the area.
Knees : last but not least, the knees are a crucial point where you can spray the perfume. In fact, during the day the essence evaporates and releases a freshness that starts from the lower limbs and envelops the entire body. Don't be afraid to dare with these suggestions. Try it to believe it !
How to keep perfume for a long time
If you want your favorite perfume to last a long time, then you should know how to store it .
Exposing a fragrance to sunlight or humidity certainly does not help preserve the aroma.
A dry and cool place is ideal for preserving the essence for a long time.
Always store your perfume in its box at a temperature of around 20°C and you will reduce the risk of the fragrance losing its freshness.
The most popular perfumes of Trepiprofumerie
A list of our customers' favorite perfumes :
How to buy your perfume on Tre Pi Profumerie
Trepiprofumerie discovers new products every day tailored for you and offers a wide range of branded perfumes and best-selling perfumes at discounted prices and manyperfumes on offer
If you already know which perfume you want to buy, just type the name in the search bar located at the top center.
If you are undecided or want to make a gift, read the mini guide , calmly choose the type of perfume and the concentration you want and look for the perfume that is right for you , using the various filters on the left side of the site.
Tre Pi Profumerie offers a variety of categories : women's perfumes, men's perfumes, unisex perfumes and children's perfumes. If you are planning to make a gift, the gift box section could be the right one for you.
In addition to perfumes , we have a wide range of make-up products and face and body treatments .
