Good ScentsHave you ever sat in class beside someone who smelt like they were out clubbing all night? “What’s appropriate for the dance floor does not necessarily work in the classroom,” cautions Canadian Frangrance Expert Marian Bendeth of Sixthsense Consulting. “Be mindful that fragrances that have a lot of vanilla, or smell very sweet, can actually make you loose your concentration.”
/A simple method of choosing the right fragrance is to know which Top Notes—the ingredients that give a fragrance it’s first impression—are appropriate for certain situations. Bendeth breaks down what’s best in the classroom, after gym, hanging with friends or if you’re going to a concert.
Put these Top Notes at the top of your fragrance list:
Class Act Fresh citrus notes won’t upset the teacher or classmates. Girls can wear soft florals with leafy, grassy, mossy notes. Avoid sweet florals.
Hanging with Friends Upbeat fruity floral scents. Choose scents with fruity notes like peaches, apricots, berries, watermelon, fruity florals, kiwi, mango, and roses.
Party Time Pick something mysterious. Look for gourmand ingredients like chocolate, coffee, figs, cupcakes, vanilla or spices.
WEAR IT WELL
1. Don’t wear your new fragrance every day—you’ll become exhausted and bored with it quickly. Alternate fragrances every couple of day.
2. Do put fragrance on first, before you get dressed, and let it dry off for 5 minutes.
3. Do keep fragrance away from fresh piercings as the oils can lead to infection.
4. Don’t be heavy-handed. One spritz on the inside of the wrist, and around your neck is ideal.
5. Don’t mix fragrances since each was blended to smell unique.
6. Don’t spray your clothes or hair.
Dabble in Oils
Aromatherapist Sandra Livingstone, who custom blends essential oils, mixes up a recipe for a fun, festive fragrance. Aromatherapy blending, with therapeutic-grade essential oils, offers an alternative for those vervegirls who are either allergic to perfumed products, or who wish to create their own signature scent. Add essential oils one drop at a time into a small bottle of carrier oil—such as jojoba or apricot kernel oil—shaking and smelling between each drop until you have achieved the aroma that perfectly suits you.
Scent Sense
Floral notes such as rose, lavender and neroli offer reassurance and increase confidence. Citrus oils such as mandarin, bergamot and grapefruit increase energy and concentration. Deep aromas like cinnamon, sandalwood and frankincense comfort and relax.
Picking a WINNER
1. Start with clean skin. Don’t wear fragrance when shopping.
2. Try fragrance directly on your skin; scent develops uniquely with individual chemistry.
3. Spray on the inside of your wrist and don’t rub them together.
4. Try a maximum of three scents at a time.
5. The best time to smell the fragrance is outside the store in the fresh air.
6. Don’t choose a fragrance because it smells great on your best friend. It has to smell good on YOU!
