Perfumes and fragrances have been used by many cultures over centuries with one goal in mind: to incorporate fascinating scents that smell really nice. Scents have the power to change your emotions, mood and even elicit good memories. A pleasant fragrance is a sign of goodwill and for others, it is a tool to draw in a potential mate. In the 21st century, scents are also used to define character and personality. For many, wearing a suitable scent is like wearing a piece of clothing. Fragrances have become part of us and their role cannot be underplayed.
Today, you have thousands of choices when it comes to perfumes and colognes. These scents are also readily available over the Internet. To this end, your favorite fragrance is only a click away. Buying tom ford perfume and scents online is easy and convenient. However, to choose the best scent, you must arm yourself with the right information on various scents and their attributes. This guide breaks it all down for you. This way, you can buy a perfume confidently online without smelling it first. To build your buying confidence, start by learning about various fragrances and notes.
What exactly are fragrance notes?
Fragrances are mainly created using three layers of scents. This trinity of notes work together seamlessly and they are; the top note, the middle note and the base note. Every layer of note serves a distinct purpose and below is an explanation on the same.
Top notes
As alluded to above, the topmost scents are perceived first and they are the top notes. They are normally strong scents which evaporate quickly owing to their volatile nature. These notes are commonly described as sharp, strong, fresh and assertive. Some of the most common top notes to find in perfumes and fragrances are ginger and citrus scents.
Middle notes
Once the cover or top notes have evaporated or dissipated, you will smell the middle notes. These scents are therefore seen as the body or the heart of the fragrance. They are also known as heart notes. They are used to mask the base notes which will be highlighted below. After the fragrance has been applied, you will find that middle notes may take 2 minutes to an hour to appear. Rose and lavender scents are the most common middle notes of many fragrances.
Base notes
These notes are known to form the depth of any perfume. After the first two notes can no longer be perceived, the base notes hold the compounds together. These deep scents are usually perceived after 30 minutes because they are heavy in nature. Scents extracted from plant resins, musk and vetiver are some of the top examples of base notes used to create fragrances.
Different kinds of scents and their perfume strengths
Scents will carry different depths and perfume strengths. You may choose a very strong scent or a light one depending on your preference. Below is an overview and classification of various scents to find online.
Splashes – If you really want a light touch of scents, splashes are the best way to do it. They usually contain 1 to 8% perfume. Some people call them mists.
Eau de cologne – These are scents that will carry anywhere between 3 to 8% perfume. They are stronger than splashes and are great for making a bolder statement.
Eau de toilette – These fragrances are much stronger than the above two types. They contain 5 to 15% perfume.
Eau de parfum – If you are looking for a scent that delivers up to 20% perfume, this is a great choice.
Solid perfume – These scents will have up to 15% perfume and come in form of balms. They are usually made from oil and bees wax bases.
The major scents to find in fragrances
A main classification of fragrances categorizes scents into four kinds. This includes citrus, floral, oriental and woodsy scents.
Citrus scents are known for their fresh appeal. They are considered clean and tangy. If you love citrus fruits and how they come across, you might have a liking for citrus fragrances.
Floral scents are mainly rosy and are associated with female perfumes. They are delicate and soft; and having a floral theme can really showcase your personality and give you a feminine appeal.
Woodsy scents will give you very strong and deep notes that are woody. Sandalwood and patchouli notes also have that earthy and woodsy appeal.
If you have a thing for vanilla, musk and oriental resins, then oriental scents are made just for you. They are more powerful than floral and citrus scents and are great for making a strong statement.
How to choose your personal scent
Every person has a preferred scent, just like they have a chosen style of wearing clothing. Indeed, if you are actively wearing fragrances, you have an idea of what pleases you. However, if you are new to scents, it is critical to choose a style that will speak about your persona. The scent should enhance who you are and give you the confidence and vitality. If you are not sure what you like, below are a few tips to get you started in the right direction.
– If you are feminine and prefer something romantic and delicate, you will be more inclined to floral scents. These are some of the most preferred by women and men who want to showcase their femininity. Floral scents are appealing and will ignite the right mood to your delight.
– On the other hand, if you prefer something sexy and edgy, you should look into woodsy scents. This is a sure way to be bold and unapologetic with your notes of choice. Both men and women can find the right sexy scents online.
– For those who adore simplicity, keeping it clean is the right thing to do. Citrus scents will go a long way in helping you display what you are all about. This is certainly a minimalist approach that is bound to boost your presence.
– If you are looking for a contemporary, bold and edgy scent, choosing oriental fragrances will work very well with your agenda. These perfumes are daring and help you highlight your persona as a go-getter and as a fashion-forward person.