Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and/or aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the human

body, animals, objects, and living spaces a pleasant scent. The odoriferous compounds that make up a perfume can be manufactured synthetically or extracted from plant or animal sources.

The most concentrated of these is called 'Perfume Extract' (Extrait) where the aromatic compounds can be between 15% and 40%. That said you will rarely find this as it can irritate the skin it is so strong.

Eau de Parfum (EdP) is the next most concentrated and is also sometime known as Parfum de Toilette (PdT). The aromatic compounds for this fragrance are typically 15% but can range from 10% to 20%. It is sometimes listed as "eau de perfume" or "millsime".

Eau de Toilette (EdT) is the next strongest with a typical concentration of about 10%, but again this can range from between 5% to 15% of the aromatic compounds that give it its distinctive smell.

With a typical concentration of 5% (but again varying, this time between 3 and 8%) is Eau de Cologne (EdC). In this category you will find Chypre citrus type perfumes.

Splash and After shaves contain about 1% to 3% of the aromatic compounds.

Imbued with the aroma of fresh fruits. Wear a fruity aroma for a fresh, "just picked from the vine" day.

Fresh, energetic and light fragrances, with a natural smell. Wear green scents on great-to-bealive days.

Smells reminiscent of the sea, fresh, natural and light. Oceanic fragrances work well on the weekends when you're out and about.

Deep, lusty perfume with the aroma of bark, leaves and all things woody. Wear woody scents when you're feeling sensual and exotic. Great hotdate perfume!

Intense, sexy and rich with the opulent smells of spices, musk, vanilla and heavy flowers. Wear Orientals when you want to be remembered long afterwards.

Infused with the tangy essence of citrus fruits, these perfumes are lively and energetic. Wear a citrus perfume to meet your girlfriends for brunch, brighten a baby shower, or ride your bicycle to the organic market.

Feminine

Perfume Personality Fruity Perfume Personality Oriental Perfume Personality Woody Perfume Personality Delicate Perfume Personality Sensual Perfume Personality

If under stress, be aware that it can affect the body's chemistry by increasing the heart rate, thereby generating more heat or causing sweating that can alter the scent. Apply perfume to the pulse points, the area where the blood vessels are close to the surface and create the most heat -- the wrists, neck and behind the ears. Smell the fragrance throughout the day to see if the scent lingers or fades away quickly.

Eating certain foods can alter body chemistry and make fragrances smell different, most notably onions or garlic. The smell of garlic will drift out through the pores in the skin and can mix with perfume in an unpleasant way. 3 The aging process can change the body's chemistry due to hormonal fluctuations. A perfume that used to smell good can change with the increase or decrease in hormone levels.

4 Skin type can determine the way perfume smells. Certain skin types absorb the oils in perfume and cause the scent to vanish quickly. A person with this skin type will need to test many different fragrances to find one that will last.

Things You'll Need Perfumes for testing

1
Apply

the perfume to your pulse points when attempting to make a choose. Pulse points actually radiate warmth because they are where your blood vessels are closest to the surface of the skin. 2 Wait for ten minutes to allow the scent to develop after you apply the perfume to a pulse point, . Sometimes, scents can actually take hours to develop. Most perfumes have three stages of development, top, middle, and base.

3
Smell

the perfume on your skin repeatedly, throughout the day. If you enjoy the scent each time that you test it, you may have found the right perfume. 4 Refrain from trying more than two perfumes at a time. You will not be able to differentiate the scents and make the proper choice.

5
Consider

the climate that you live in when choosing a perfume. Humid temperatures will intensify the perfume. Choose a lighter scent if you live in a humid climate. 6 Remember that the scent of your perfume will not last as long if you have dry skin. The scent actually clings to oils in the skin and will fade quickly if your skin is fairly dry. If you do have dry skin, consider a perfume with a musk or sandalwood fragrance. These bases tend to last longer.

i. While applying your perfume, don't splash it all over your clothes. Apply it behind your earlobes, the upper sides of your palms and on the right and left side of your neck. These are your pulse points and the fragrance will sustain for a longer period. Besides, you won't soil your clothes. ii. Even though you might have seen it in the movies, do not rub your wrists together after spraying on perfume. This reduces the effect of the top layer of perfume. iii. If you like a little flamboyance, do it the filmi way, by spraying some into the air and walk through it. Now, you are soaking in your favourite scent! iv. Keep the spray away from your nostrils, else you might inhale the chemicals. This could lead to breathing trouble. v. How much should you apply? One round of application to all the pulse points will do. Unless you perspire a lot, in which case, you could go in for round two. vi. Many people love to spray perfume everywhere, including their hair, handbag, cushions and sheets. Well, go ahead and indulge yourself. But when it comes to spraying it on to your silk sari or tie, restrain yourself, else you will end up ruining your best silk!

A nature colors B pastels C naturals and deep tones D southwest colors E the colors of sunsets and moonlight F rich tones and creamy ivory G black, white, and red H rainbow hues and deep green I jewel tones

A fresh air, seaspray, citrus fruits B old English roses, walking through a flower shop, scented candles C cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, lichens, and moss D a walk through the woods, linens drying in the breeze E apple pie, birthday cake, fresh peaches, violets F incense, gardenias, and night-blooming jasmine G blackberries, fragrant wood burning, lilies, narcissus H freshly mown grass, juicy oranges, hyacinths, ocean air I raspberries, tuberose, old books, leather

A outdoor and water sports, horseback riding, hiking B writing poems, gardening, making gifts for family and friends C scuba diving, innovative cooking, chess D working out at the gym, parties, competitive sports E collecting beautiful things, Victoriana, tea parties in the rose garden, carousel rides F shopping, decorating, gourmet dining, island hopping G seminars, art galleries, French cuisine H entertaining, friendships, volunteer work, potluck suppers, letter writing L museums, European vacations, polo, old houses, concerts

A mood music, nature tapes B Vivaldi, songs with a message, Rachmaninoff C good old rock and roll D jazz and the newest dance music E show tunes, love songs F classical and John Tesh concerts G opera H popular music L piano and violin concertos

A picnics in the meadow, canoe rides, visiting the zoo B art and craft shows, visiting a teahouse, reading in a hammock C coffee houses, unusual cuisine, visiting the local playhouse D dancing the night away, jumping in the pool at midnight, good conversation E candlelight dinners, dancing in the moonlight, bubble baths F a relaxing massage at the spa, traveling to new places, dining alfresco G going to the theatre and the ballet, vintage wines, drinking champagne H making new friends and cherishing old ones, ice cream socials, going to the circus L garden tours and flower shows, visiting designer houses, haute cuisine

A Citrus, oceanic, and marine scents B Floral bouquets and single floral scents C Spicy and chypre blends D Fresh, spicy florals, woodsy-mossy chypres E Fresh and fruity florals F Floriental, oriental, amber notes G Modern aldehydic scents that sparkle, florientals H Green, fruity, and marine scents L Oriental, modern, florientals