Floral fragrances are the most traditional, and also most popular family. They range from a linear scent of one flower (Yardley’s English Rose) – to a veritable bouquet of flowers (Guerlain’s Champs-Elysees). The floral family is feminine, romantic, and suitable for any age. Nice for romantic evenings under starry nights. Sigh. Does this sound like you?
Oriental scents are strong, often spicy, with musk and vanilla tones, warming and exotic and are created from a blend of spices, resins, and other exotic aromas. Think winter evenings by the fire. Personalities think Paloma Picasso and Salma Hayek. Also personal colouring e.g. olive skin, dark hair, dramatic appearance, strong physical features etc. Someone who has delicate features and fair colouring would find the heavy oriental fragrances too overpowering. Example: Guerlain's Mitsouko
Fruity fragrances are fresh, youthful and most popular in summer. They contain citrus fruits like lime, tangerine, and lemon creating refreshing aromas. These can be worn during the day for most people, perhaps evening for people with fairer complexions. I think more feminine personalities would enjoy the lightness of these fragrances. A light splash of eau de toilet in this perfume family would be refreshing and very appropriate for those engaged in active sports and gym workouts etc.
Examples: Yardley’s Strawberry and Kiwi (sweet) or DKNY (fresh, citrus).
Woody scents are earthy, sophisticated and perhaps a bit more masculine. Definitely an acquired taste. This is my favourite perfume family. Perfect for my skin and personality. Florals are much too flowery for me. I’d never wear a flowery print either – interesting.
They range from smoky to mossy and include scents such as patchouli, pine and sandalwood. Example: Miss Dior
Green fragrances are fresh and neutral and use notes such as pine, grass, fresh leaves and herbs – these are too ‘green’ and herbal for me, even though I can grow things in the garden ha ha! Are you a sporty individual, natural and unfussy? If so, you might enjoy this fragrance family. E.g. Elizabeth Arden’s Fifth Avenue.
The Concentration Levels of fragrances - from Perfume to Cologne.
Pure perfume is the very concentrated and also most expensive. It will stay on your body for long period of time. Use sparingly because of it’s high level of aromatic formulation and cost. Not appropriate for the office.
Eau de Parfum is one of the best sellers, still stays on longer than the weaker varieties, yet less expensive than perfume.
Eau de Toilette is a lighter scent, doesn’t stay on long so needs reapplying occasionally. Ideal for the office.
Cologne has the least concentration of it’s aromatic ingredients – between 2% to 5%. As a light fragrance, it is suggested for wear in the office. But wearing lighter perfume requires more frequent application in the summer months. Evening wear colognes are mostly Oriental to enhance a warm and exotic mood.
Finding Your Signature Perfume
Part of your unique style could include a signature fragrance you wear most of the time. When you build a strong connection to a favourite perfume, it becomes part of you so that each time someone smells that fragrance it brings to mind YOU!
So many to choose from. It can be confusing to find a signature fragrance you love that suits your skin and personality, so be prepared to try sampling many to find the ‘just-right’ fragrances for you. Most often, people discover their right fragrance quite by accident – an impulsive sniff while shopping, a magazine sample sachet, or someone’s perfume wafting over you (you’ve got to be prepared to ask them what perfume they are wearing though).
When you find one you like, spray it on a pulse point or inside your elbow then check it again in an hour or so to see if you still like it. If you still do, then buy the smallest size available until you're sure it's a scent you want to wear for a while or longer. You don’t want to buy an expensive bottle of perfume only to find it gives you a headache, or starts to smell like cat-pee after several hours.
Tip: Don't test too many perfumes in one day or you'll be overwhelmed by it all and won’t be able to distinguish one scent from another. It’s suggested that smelling ground coffee beans between sniff tests will clear your nose so you don't confuse scents. Hmmm I know I love the smell of coffee beans even if I’m not sure about the perfumes.
In Tune With Perfume
We talk about music scores made up of ‘notes’. Did you know that perfumes are also made of a variety of ‘notes’ that come together to create that special blend we call perfume?
That’s why the perfume you wear gives out a different aroma at different times after you apply it. The smell you get on application is quite different to what you get after about 30 minutes have passed. Then it can change even more during the day. The perfume starts to evaporate and the "different notes" start to come out.
Top notes – these are what you get when you first open the bottle and stay with you for the first 5 - 30 minutes.
Middle (or heart) notes - can be smelt after 10 - 30 minutes. These notes are what balance the various blends of the perfume. Interesting isn’t it?
Base notes - these are the most dominant part of the perfume. These notes hold the fragrances together, last the longest and slow down the evaporation of the Top and Middle notes.
A Little On Perfume Etiquette
1. Don't spray perfume in public. Use very little or none at all if you’re going to be in a closed room meeting or working next to someone.
2. Avoid heavy scents at the office. For a lasting effect without overpowering is to layer your fragrance by using the same scent through your bathing process: scented bubble bath, body cream, dusting powder, deodorant and finally a very light spray of cologne. Never finish with a heavy perfume when layering.
3. Some fragrances come in perfume form, which is the strongest scent; Eau de Toilette is lighter; and cologne spray, the lightest of all. Go lighter in the day than at night. Before dousing yourself with perfume, think of people around you. You don’t want them choking for air.
My favourite perfumes
Chanel No. 5 Chanel No 19 Chanel – Allure Chanel - Coco Dior – Dune White Linen - Estee Lauder L’air du Temps – Nina Ricci
Did you know...? The most expensive perfume in the world as listed in The Guinness Book of Records is Clive Christian No. 1
Best place to buy your Brand perfumes and skincare at terrific discounts is at www.strawberrynet.com
And finally - do you have a favourite perfume? Share it here by adding a comment below. Your recommendation could help someone discover a new favourite for themselves. 
2. Mix affordable fashion trends with investment pieces - a casual T-shirt with a classic trench is effortlessly French.
