While it’s good to have a favourite perfume, it’s a shame to limit yourself. A small collection of fragrances ensures that you won’t get bored and can even enhance your overall look.
Which perfume is right?
Never underestimate the importance of scent. People are influenced by the smells around them (and tend to categorise smells into ten groups), and their moods can even be altered by a particularly evocative fragrance.
With that in mind, here’s a quick guide to what type of scents you should pick for different occasions:
• Hard-wearing day-to-night fragrances. It’s a good idea to have an ‘everyday’ perfume – one that you can use in the office, out shopping with friends, or even on a casual night out.
If you’re looking for something more laid-back, then go for a fruity or floral scent. Citrus notes are lively and invigorating – perfect for a pick-me-up at work. Likewise, berry aromas are vibrant and sweet. When choosing a day-to-night floral fragrance, look for perfumes that feature ingredients like delicate jasmine or rose, rather than musky flowers like lavender.
• Perfumes for special events. Obviously it depends what the event is, but if it’s something really special (like a wedding) we’d recommend going for a fragrance that stands out. Look for unusual ingredients with a bit of ‘bite’ – like green tea, pink pepper or cinnamon. These spicy, tangy flavours ensure that your perfume is immediately identifiable.
• Evening fragrances. If you’ve got a hot date planned, you’ll want a scent that’s alluring, without being too over-the-top. A lot of evening fragrances are dominated by wood scents like sandalwood or cedar, or musk. These are sensual aromas, but be careful not to go for something too heady.
Oud fragrance is a great choice for the evening. Oud oil is one of the world’s most exclusive ingredients, and is deep, rich and exotic. It combines perfectly with jasmine, patchouli or sandalwood, among others.
• Playful perfumes. Think summery and fresh – something that conjures up images of being outdoors. You don’t have to limit yourself to wearing them outside; playful perfumes are a great way to improve your mood on a rainy winter’s day.
If you’re looking for a playful scent, choose something with blossom in it, or lemongrass. These flavours are breezy and light, and won’t over-dominate. Bergamot is also an ideal ingredient; it’s tart and sweet, without being too sharp.
Matching the perfume to the outfit?
It’s true that some fragrances work better with some outfits than others. For example, if your perfume is light, fresh and delicate, it’s unlikely to complement formal-wear for an evening event.
However, many perfumes are surprisingly versatile and can be used with a variety of different clothing. When creating a fragrance collection, think about when each one will be worn, and with what. This should help you to ensure that you’ve got all bases covered.
