A Guide To Fragrance

Our image is made up of our interpersonal communication skills, body language, attire, grooming standards, and olfactory presence. This blog has written extensively about the importance of image. In the past, our discussions have focussed on our physical appearance and interpersonal skills. But in todays blog we thought it was pertinent to touch on the importance of fragrances and how to use them. 

What Is A Fragrance

A fragrance in its simplest form is a raw material dissolved in a solvent. The raw materials used are usually essential oils derived from natural or synthetic sources. Types of fragrances differ based on the concentration of solvents and raw materials used. 

The types of fragrances are:

• Eau Fraiche- The most diluted option available, usually with 1-3% perfume oil in alcohol and water. It usually lasts for less than an hour. 
• Cologne- Light, and fresh typically composed of 2-4% perfume oils in alcohol and water. Lasting for about 2 hours.
• Toilette- A light spray composition with 5-15% pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol. It lingers for 3 hours.
• Perfume- Contains 15-20% pure perfume essence and lasts for 5 to 8 hours.
• Parfum- The most concentrated and expensive of all fragrance options. It is slightly oilier, composed of 20-30% pure perfume essence. A single application can last up to 24 hours. 

There is a misconception that colognes are scents made for men and perfumes are fragrances made for women. This is false, all these terms refer to is the concentration of the fragrances. It does not denote gender or olfactory body. 

Choosing A Scent

While choosing a scent is a highly personal process based on taste and appropriateness of the occasion there are some things to keep in mind. Richer muskier scents like wood, pepper, smoke, and leather carry a masculine connotation. Lighter more floral, citrus, sweet, herbal scents have a unisex/feminine connection. A good fragrance will transform throughout its life cycle, revealing new notes as time goes on. It is important to be aware of each of the notes in a fragrance when selecting one to choose the most appropriate scent.

Do’s and Don’ts

The key concept to keep in mind with any type of fragrance is that subtlety is key. Less is more should be front of mind. If you apply too much it can conjure up memories of bad car salesmen and Pepé Le Pew. A good fragrance can draw people in, leave a lasting impression, and show attention to detail. Scent is closely associated with emotion and memory so a signature aroma can be beneficial both in business and romantic settings.

Do:

• Spray the scent directly on your skin. The fragrance will react to your body heat and create depth in the scent along with dulling its pungency (remember subtly is the name of the game).
• Apply the fragrance to naturally hotter parts of the body, I.E. the chest, jaw, wrist, inner arm, and armpits. Many aromas are activated by our body heat.
• Adjust your tactics based on the type of fragrance. If you have a very mild cologne it might be a bit underwhelming to use only use two spritzes. But two sprays of parfum might be overkill. It is important to work with the scent instead of having a rigid perfume routine. 

Do Not:

• Apply a fragrance directly to your clothes, the alcohol and oils will stain most shirts and jackets.
• Walkthrough a mist you spray in the air. Most of it just ends up on the floor.
• Rub the fragrance in after application. This is called killing the note as it will weaken the scent and cause it to dissipate quicker. 

Conclusion

We hope you feel more empowered to confidently experiment with new scents. If you have any other questions regarding images or fragrances give us a call or email us and we would be happy to help. Give us a call at 215-310-0219 or email info@henrydavidsen.com for more information.