Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Perfume and AfterShave Information

Fragrance Guide
Fragrances consist of a concentration of perfume oils in a solvent (normally alcohol). The amount of oil in the scent dictates whether it is an EDP (Eau de Parfum), an EDT (Eau de Toilette), an EDC (Eau de Cologne) or an Aftershave.

The type of scent chosen decides how long the fragrance last on the skin, and also its price.

Here is the guide:

Type Concentration of perfume oil Scent to evaporate
Perfume 15-30% 6-8 hours
Eau de Parfum 8-15% 5-7 hours
Eau de Toilette 4-8% 4-6 hours
Eau de Cologne/ Aftershave 3-5% 2-3 hours

The price of a product will depend on several factors; the type of scent (EDP, EDT, EDC), designer brand and, of course, the size. The most expensive are the pure perfume products, followed by EDP, EDT and EDC/Aftershave.

The chemical make up and balance of our skin also defines how long a fragrance actually lasts, therefore it is common that some fragrances smell differently and last longer on some people's skin.

Fragrance Categories
Emotions play such a large part in the sense of smell; because of this people assume there is no logic in their choice of fragrance. It is highly likely that at least two of their favourite fragrances belong to the same "family."

There are four major groups of fragrances defined by perfumers - Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh. Each of these groups is then split between three "categories." Aromatic Fougere is a universal fragrance family that includes elements from all the other families; the freshness of a citrus; floral notes of lavender; the spicy-sweetness of floral oriental; the ambery depth of an Oriental; mossy wood notes of oakmoss and sandlewood.

Here is a table that correctly categorises each fragrance:

Group Blend Family
Floral Fresh Cut Flowers Floral
Aldehydes Powdery Notes Soft Floral
Orange Blossom Sweet Spices Floral Oriental
Oriental Incense Amber Soft Oriental
Oriental Resins Vanilla Oriental
Sandlewood Patchouli Woody Oriental
Woody Aromatic Woods Vetiver Woods
Oakmoss Amber Mossy Woods
Dry Wood Leather Dry Woods
Fresh Bergamot Citrus Oils Citrus
Galbanium Green Notes Green
Marine Aquatic Notes Water

Stages of the Fragrance
Perfume and aftershaves develop in 3 stages and this does alter the scent:

Top Note - The initial smell of the fragrance which lasts between 8-15 minutes.

Heart/Middle Note - This smell remains constant when using the scent and develops after the top note.

Base Note - This is the final stage of development and helps attach the fragrance to the skin. Woodier notes become more prominent once the fragrance has been on the skin for a while.

Storage
Fragrances including perfume and cologne should be kept away from extreme heat and light and stored in a suitable location. Storing fragrance in fluctuating temperatures (such as a bathroom) will cause the scent to degrade very quickly.

Perfume ingredients and Information

You can use most essential oils for blending.

Here is more perfume info for you:

Fragrance Families:
Floral: A Floral fragrance is generally a fragrance that has a single flower scent or is predominantly a single floral scent. The most notable examples are Rose, Jasmine, Gardenia, and Ylang-Ylang. There are many others of course.

Fougere: [pronounced "foo-zhair"] comes from the French word for "fern"; most often associated with men's fragrances; this is a mossy or woodsy kind of scent often contain Lavender and Oakmoss.

Green: Green scents would be considered "natural" in flavor. Herbaceous scents would fall in this category. The hallmark of this fragrance family is "fresh". Some examples would be: fresh-cut grass, leaves, forest scents, pine.

Spicy: Spicy scents will often make your nose "tickle". They are pungent and carry a high amount of the chemicals eugenol and isoeugenol. Some well-known examples of spicy scents would be clove, cardamom, coriander, ginger, carnation, and lavender.

Oriental/Amber: Oriental fragrances are common in both male and female fragrances. They are often warm, spicy and sweet and contain ingredients such as Vanilla and Tonka bean. Musks and precious woods like Sandalwood is also very common in these fragrances.

Citrus: The earliest colognes were in the citrus family and citrus fragrances are still popular today. Obviously, this fragrance family would feature fragrances that are citrus and/or tart scents, i.e. lemon, lime, orange, bergamot, clementine, yuzu, grapefruit, pineapple,

mandarin, etc...

Modern/Aldehydic: These perfumes are blended from organic chemical that have been produced synthetically. These scents do not exist, as plants, in the world. They are very potent and are used in extreme dilution by perfumists. Aldehydes often make exciting top notes in a perfume blend.

Chypre: Chypre [pronounced "sheep-r"] is a uni-gender category that appeals to both men and women. A Chypre fragrance contains woody, mossy and floral notes, as well as the scent of leather. This kind of scent is tenacious and rich, often containing Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Vetiver. Chypre was named after a feminine fragrance by Coty called 'Chypre' in 1917. [The name 'Chypre' is French for Cyprus, which is where many of the notes that make up the Coty fragrance (and this fragrance family) could be found.]

Oceanic/Ozone: The Marine fragrance family is relatively new and is used to describe scents that evoke a feeling of the sea air. An ingredient called calone is said to be used to give the marine scent. This, too, is a uni-gender scent category.

TOP NOTE

The top note is immediately detectable, due in large part to the fact that it is evaporating quickly and so is more evident. Poucher determined that top notes fell within a rating of 1 to 15.

By way of example, here are some rates of popular top notes:

Mandarin = 2

Coriander = 3

Nutmeg = 11

Discount perfume examples of Top Notes:

Floral & Citrus: Chamomile, Gardenia, Geranium, Iris, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Rose, Tuberose

Fruity: Apricot, Black Currant, Grape, Peach, Pear, Plum, Marigold (tagetes), Melon, Orange, Raspberry

Citrus: Bergamot, Clementine, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Petitgrain, Pineapple, Tangerine, Yuzu

Green: Basil, Clary Sage, Galbanum, Hyacinth, Lavender, Mint, Rosemary

Spicy*: Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Pepper, Nutmeg, Coriander, Allspice

Woody: Sandalwood**, Rosemary, Cedar, Oakmoss**

[* Sometimes appears as top notes]

[** Also listed as a fixative by other books and by Making Soaps & Scents, itself. My thought is that they are considered "top" notes because they rise to the front of the blend as well as being at the base.

TOP NOTE

The top note is immediately detectable, due in large part to the fact that it is evaporating quickly and so is more evident. Poucher determined that top notes fell within a rating of 1 to 15.

By way of example, here are some rates of popular top notes:

Mandarin = 2

Coriander = 3

Nutmeg = 11

Fragrance examples of Top Notes:

Floral & Citrus:

Chamomile, Gardenia, Geranium, Iris, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Rose, Tuberose

Fruity:

Apricot, Black Currant, Grape, Peach, Pear, Plum, Marigold (tagetes), Melon, Orange, Raspberry,

Citrus:

Bergamot, Clementine, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Petitgrain, Pineapple,

Tangerine, Yuzu

Green:

Basil, Clary Sage, Galbanum, Hyacinth, Lavender, Mint, Rosemary

Spicy*:

Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Pepper, Nutmeg, Coriander, Allspice

Woody:

Sandalwood**, Rosemary, Cedar, Oakmoss**

[* Sometimes appears as top notes]

[** Also listed as a fixative by other books and by Making Soaps & Scents, itself. My thought is that they are considered "top" notes because they rise to the front of the blend as well as being at the base.]

MIDDLE NOTE

The perfume middle note lasts longer than the top note and has the advantage of mixing with the top note to begin with, and leads into the base note at the end of its phase.Middle notes generally develop within 10 minutes and can last as long as hours. Middle notes tend to be rich in florals.Poucher's classification system rates middle notes as being between 16 and 69. Some examples of middle notes are:

Marjoram = 18

Clove Bud = 22

Jonquil absolute = 24

Ylang-Ylang absolute = 24

Rose absolute = 43

Tuberose absolute = 43

Jasmine absolute = 43

You'll note the "heaviness" of rose absolute. We've been told that while rose is very expensive, that we don't need a lot of it for it to make an impact. With this quantification system, we have an easier way of understanding that statement!We can also see that Jasmine, which is less expensive than rose, can have a similar impact at a lower cost. It does affect our choices for the other notes though, doesn't it?

Fragrance examples of Middle Notes:

[NOTE: You will see perfume fragrances repeated in this list. The rationale for the duplication seems to be that the fragrances in question are on the edge between fleeting and more enduring. They are also successfully blended with other scents to create a true middle note.]

Floral:

Camellia, Carnation, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Frangipani, Freesia, Gardenia,

Geranium, Heliotrope, Honey, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Jonquil, Lavender,

Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia, Mimosa, Narcissus, Orange flower/blossom,

Orchid, Peony, Rose, Stephanotis, Sweet Pea, Tuberose, Violet, Water Lily,

White Lily, Ylang-Ylang

Green:

Mostly aldehydes

Cucumber, Grass, Green leaves, Lettuce, Tomato,

Modern:

Mostly aldehydes simulating:

floral, fruity, citrus or woody notes

Oriental/amber

Amber, Musk, Vanilla

Chypre: (pronounced 'sheep-r')

Calamus, Clary Sage, Labdanum, Oak Moss, Patchouli, Storax

Citrus:

Bergamot, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Lime, Mandarin, Orange

Pettitgrain, Tangerine,

Spicy:

Allspice, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Ginger, Myrrh, Nutmeg,

Pepper, Pimento

Oceanic:

Aldehydes which simulate:

Freshly-washed linen, Ocean breeze, Sea Air

BASE NOTE

The base note is the longest lived of all the notes. However, in spite of coming "last", it is arguably the most important choice in your blend. The discount perfume base note is present throughout the other two notes. While it is not noticeably detectable until the others have evaporated, it has affected and altered all of the scents contained in the blend. The change of the base note fragrance can radically alter the perfume.Base notes are notable because of their longevity. Base notes may also be thought of as "fixatives".

Some examples of base notes listed in Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes are: Galbanum resin = 90 Propanax resin = 90 Angelica = 94 Fixatives = 100 Frankincense Benzoin Patchouli Sandalwood Oakmoss Tonka bean Vetiver Balsam Copaiba resin balsam of Judea balm of Gilead balm of Peru Tolu balsam

Fragrance examples of Base Notes listed in Making Soaps & Scents: Animalic (origin: "animal" or synthetic): Ambergris Castoreum Civet Musk Resinous (origin: resin from roots or trees, etc...)

Angelica root, balm of Gilead, balm of Peru,Balsam, balsam of Judea, Copaiba resin, Frankincense, Galbanum, Tolu balsam

Woody:

Aloewood, Ambrein, Benzoin, Cedarwood, Coumarin (similar to Tonka bean), Labdanum, Musk, Oakmoss, Orris root, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Styrax (storax), Tarragon leaves, Tonka (tonka bean), Vanilla; Vanillin, Vertiver (vetivert; vetiveria), Virginia cedar

Monday, March 3, 2008

Mens and Womens Fragrances

Womens perfume can set an attitude right from the moment it is sprayed on. There are many pleasant fragrances to choose from and each one, can add to a different sensory mode. There are womens perfume that are specifically designed for everyday use and some that are very expensive and designed for that special event or moment. Womens perfume is given away as a gift more often than most anything else. Guys, it's probably fair to say that when in doubt, you can always feel safe with a gift of womens perfume.

Some search for the own product of cologne that study for how effect for the body skin. no effect for body skin that search for product is right so the product is launched for the market and advertise for this product and given result is satisfaction for you that for your opinion for that product is romantic, seasonable and your suit for body mist .I hope that product is love with or a practically product is attractive product. You consider How if effects your feeling or corporeal consciousness, its beautiful design packing or its color .so aroma is corporate business and one of the good researched market is aroma

Another secret great place to find brand name perfume is the Internet. If you are in the market for a quality brand name perfume, you might want to hop online. This is probably the best place to go if you're in the market for cologne, body spray or brand name perfume. With a little shopping savy and even some Internet research, you can find nearly any of yhese types of perfume at incredible discounts.

For their body, beauty products for men's cologne include: deodorants, cologne sprays, perfumes and lotions. Men should not forget to pamper their bodies. A man with a fresh scent is good to smell compare to those who are not. It is best for men to apply their underarms a deodorant everyday especially after taking a bath. A study says that men sweat twice compare to women. It’s just right for them to take extra care to their body. To add an extra fresh feeling, cologne sprays and perfumes are being used. Women find men who smell like a man fresh from shower than a man fresh from work or sleeping.

Ensure you have a bath before any party; this will ensure that your skin is clean and clear of any previously used make up and perfumes. So when you use new make up and new perfumes you can avoid a mix up of perfumes and smudge of the makeup. Also ensure you wash and neatly comb your hair, you can also select a chic hairstyle. Use a shampoo that has a mild scent and not a strong one.

Hopefully, these tips will help you smell better at any party and attract a whole lot of people to you.


Where should a woman wear perfume? The answer is simple wherever they want to be kissed! We cannot talk about perfumes if we don't talk about women. Perfumes play a great role in women's sensuality.

All time favorite for any woman when it comes to perfumes are Christian Dior's collection: Dior's Jadore and Addict that have been in the market for a long time. For women who want to smell a bit sweet and yet want to leave a whiff of smell behind, it is suggested the latest collection of Burberry perfumes. And if sensuality is something your partner is luring for, go for Nina Ricci's spring-summer collection. The other perfumes that you can pick are Escada, Gap, or Tommy Hilfiger's exclusive girl's collections when you want to accompany him on a car race.


When it comes to the use of designer discount perfume as an essential part of body accessories, they are numerous brands available in the market that one can choose from. However, the choice of a particular brand largely depends on the social stratum of a person. These days, the use of designers` fragrance is a rage in the market and everyone wants to use a specific brand of fragrance which is not only well-known but also stands out in terms of smell.

Some facts about perfumes:

Generally, the fragrance of perfumes last longer for people who have an oily skin. This is because their oily skin has more natural moisture content that holds the fragrance. On the other hand, dry skin has less natural moisture content and, hence it fails to hold the fragrance for a longer period of time.

Admired perfumes for men range from citrus, spicy, woodsy, leathery and while they are designed in a controlled environment, the same for the women are designed for primal senses with the combination of subtleness and refinement. Perfumes for women can be found in different wonderful themes such as floral like roses, jasmine, fruity like citrus or orange blossoms, oriental like mix of spices, amber and so on.

Perfumes are worn by both men and women to display their individual personality. However, what smells wonderful on your friend might not suit your body temperament. Hence, while buying a designer perfume, bear the following dos and don`ts in mind:

How to try:

When you want to try new fragrance for its chemical reaction, try it on your body and not on an object, say on the perfume bottle cap or a piece of cardboard. If you experience any irritation on your skin, take it for granted that the chemical components of the fragrance are not suitable for your skin tone and texture and its use could be harmful for you.

No two-timing, please:

Buyers are often found to be trying different perfume fragrances at the same time. Do not use three or four fragrances at a time as it affects your sensory reflections leading to confusion relating to the choice of a particular fragrance. So, the chances are you will fail to pick that perfect perfume which would be suitable for your skin tone.

The basic difference between perfume and cologne is in their strength. While both perfume and cologne are made denatured ethyl alcohol and essential oils, perfume and eau de parfum contain between fifteen and twenty-two percent essential oils; eau de cologne contains only between four percent essential oils.

The major differences between perfume and cologne, therefore, are that perfume’s fragrance is stronger, and will remain fresh longer, so that it should be applied much more sparingly than cologne, which can be splashed on. And the greater the amount of the essential oils in perfume and cologne, the more expensive they will be.

Fragrance Health Risks

There is an overwhelming amount of cosmetic and body care products on the market. Even more overwhelming is the task of selecting safe products. Manufacturer's labeling is often not clear and not completely forthcoming with all of their ingredients. To help protect consumers and assist us with safe product selections the Environmental Working Group along with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has developed the Skin Deep cosmetic database.

Recently, the risk that perfume causes to environmental health has come under fire. Many people believe that the chemicals used in perfume are dangerous to inhale. While there aren’t many clinical studies that have been published on the subject, the number of people who complain about the irritation has certainly raised a few eyebrows.



Though it is hard to think of perfume as being dangerous, the fact is that some perfumes do contain toxic chemicals. Most scented products now on the market, including perfume, are made up of synthetic chemicals derived from ingredients such as coal tar and petroleum. When someone wears perfume, they are essentially wearing these chemicals on their skin. As the chemicals vaporize into the air, they can cause sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, breathing problems, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.


It is estimated that twenty to thirty percent of the world’s population has physical or allergic reactions to one or more synthetic substances. However, many people go undiagnosed and never realize that they have an allergy problem. Even so, the concern over environmental illness is becoming widespread enough that many offices, schools, and other workplaces have banned the use of perfumes.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), discount fragrances are considered the leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. As a health problem, this sensitivity alone affects more than 2 million people, and studies suggest that sensitivity is on the rise.

(What do you do when faced with fragrance sensitivity or allergy? Talk with others on the Health Cafe board.)

Fragrances and Our World
Experts theorize that one reason fragrance allergies appear to be increasing is that fragrances themselves have become such a prominent part of our world. According to the AAD, some 5,000 different fragrances -- and countless other fragrance combinations -- are used in products today. And they can be a powerful, toxic brew.

Principal chemicals found in scented products are:

ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail enamel remover) - On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in severe exposures, coma." "Acts primarily as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant."

BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent) - Narcotic. Sensitizer. "Local anesthetic, CNS depressant"... "irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain." "May cause kidney damage." "Do not use with contact lenses."

BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants) - Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."

BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric softener) - "irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."

CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, stickup air freshener) - "local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions" "Avoid inhalation of vapors."

ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover) - On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms: "...fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations..." "Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor..." Causes CNS disorder.

ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, discount cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid) - Narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste list; "...irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."defatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after handling."

LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover) - Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."

LINALOOL (in: perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant) - Narcotic. ..."respiratory disturbances" ... "Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ... development of respiratory disturbances leading to death." ..."depressed frog-heart activity." Causes CNS disorder.

METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover) - Banned by the FDA in 1988! No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Carcinogenic" ..."Absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood." "Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs." Causes CNS disorder.

a-PINENE (in: bar and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener) - Sensitizer (damaging to the immune system).

g-TERPINENE (in: cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener) - "Causes asthma and CNS disorders."

a-TERPINEOL (in: perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll-on deodorant) - ..."highly irritating to mucous membranes"... "Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."

With increased usage and exposure, problems have emerged regarding fragrances. There are concerns for both those that use scented products and those exposed from others' use. Many of the concerns regarding skin allergies are well recognized. Other concerns, such as those surrounding phthalates as possible hormone disrupters and its impact on respiratory health, are emerging issues in which there are limited data available.

Skin

The vast majority of medical literature available on health effects of scented products is in the realm of dermatology. Fragrances have been long recognized as skin allergens and irritants. The skin was thought of as the primary route of exposure from scented products and up until the late 1970s the skin was thought to be an effective barrier to fragrance materials entering the body. Most health and safety concerns related to fragrance were focused on effects on the skin. It is now recognized that the skin is not an effective barrier to many substances. The skin is an entry point for materials into the body. Once entry has been gained, there is potential for systemic effects.

Fragrance ingredients can be irritants, allergens, photosensitizers, photo toxins, and they can have other negative effects on the skin. In spite of the fragrance industry's focus on skin safety of fragrance materials, dermatologists are usually the ones to pinpoint problematic materials. Actual real use situations reveal much more than tightly controlled laboratory testing of singular materials.

The incidence of skin allergy to fragrance has increased with exposure. A conservative estimate is that 1 -2% of the population has skin allergy to fragrance. There is a direct correlation between use of scented products and development of skin allergy to fragrance.12

Fragrances are complex mixtures of substances whose interactions with the skin are affected by many factors. Even though there may be sensitization to a specific substance, other substances can impact penetration, distribution, metabolism and interaction. Singular materials may have a far different effect than complex mixtures.

Some materials used in perfumes alter the surface tension of the skin and thus can more deeply penetrate the skin. Combinations of materials can have an impact on absorption. Materials commonly used in fragrance formulas can increase penetration of the skin. Some terpenes have been found to significantly enhance dermal absorption of pharmaceuticals. It is thought that they disrupt the stratum corneum to allow increased penetration of the skin. Terpenes are common in scented products and are likely to increase absorption of other materials in products and in the fragrance portion of the product.13

Testing by the RIFM is usually done on healthy adult volunteers whose skin is intact. It fails to account for more vulnerable populations. One in ten eczema patients have allergies to fragrances. The rate has doubled since 1979.

Perfume allergy is one of the most frequent types of contact allergy among children with eczema. Children, especially children with eczema, should not use perfume, to avoid developing perfume allergies. Generally pediatricians and dermatologists recommend scented products not be used on children. And yet there are many scented products available for children, many of which contain known skin allergens, sometimes at levels that exceed industry's recommended use level.14

In addition children are exposed to fragrance in many of the same products as adults such as soaps, laundry products, and toiletries, and should, particularly if they have perfume allergies, avoid scented products. Also, as is the case with adults, those with eczema should avoid skin contact with perfumes to avoid developing fragrance allergies.

It has been found that there is an additive and probably synergistic effect when multiple allergens are used in fragrance. By changing testing protocols so that similar materials were not tested on the same panel, the RIFM has missed an opportunity to better evaluate real use situations. In actual use formulas may contain several known sensitizers, and in some instances higher than industry recommended levels are used. Such formulations increase the potential for allergies to develop. Further use of multiple products can expose the skin to numerous combinations and levels of allergens.

It has also been found that inhalation of some fragrance materials alter the immune response of the skin. Interestingly it was found that application of the materials to the skin did not have this same effect.

There is widespread use and exposure to scented products. While there are frequent clinical and anecdotal accounts of adverse effects, there is limited research outside of the area of dermatology. The available information is widely scattered and needs to be considered as a whole. Fragrance is clearly an emerging health and environmental concern that needs to be tackled. Make sure to do your research before selecting a name brand fragrance from an Online Perfume and Cologne Fragrance Store.

Online Discount Perfume and Cologne Fragrance

The first step involved in shopping for perfume or cologne is to examine the scent category. Floral fragrances consist of large variety of flowers such as roses, jasmine, lily of the valley and many others. They are sometimes mixed with hints of other subtle scents such as vanilla to create a well balanced lighter fragrance that is perfect for a romantic evening or starry night. Floral fragrances are the largest group to choose from. The citrus fragrances contain a blend of fruits such as lime, tangerine, lemon and mandarin, creating very refreshing aromas. These fragrances are mostly worn during the evening, or in the office. Oriental fragrances derive from mixture of spices, resins, amber, balsams and other exotic aromas. These fragrances are widely used for winter evenings.

When many people think of good scented perfume, they think "that must cost money." However, there are many companies that now that specialize in buying and selling discount perfumes that are virtually the same as what you will find in high priced department stores.

Discount perfume can be a great way to have a fragrance that is popular without spending tons of your hard earned cash. These companies are very easy to purchase from, as many of them have internet stores where the items are readily available.

A quick look-up on a search engine will help produce the discount cologne products a person is looking for. A person can type in the specific perfume they are looking for and several internet stores will quickly appear that will offer the special fragrance at a discounted price.

The perfect places where you should spray your cologne are all the open areas. Among those areas, there are some of the areas that produce body heat. These spots are just perfect place to spray your cologne. Ideal places for wearing cologne are wrist, armpit, neck back side of ears etc. So when you spray on these areas, the smell will not fade away so easily and it can give you the best results.

Our bodies can become sedated, stimulated or relaxed by the action of certain oils.

Pain may be relieved, wounds may heal, inflammation and spasms may cease.

The fragrance of the oil also travels by way of the olfactory nerve pathways directly to the limbic system in the central portion of the brain where emotions are stored. This area is known as the amygdala and it plays a major role in storing and releasing emotional trauma. Science is now saying that fragrance is the most direct route to clearing emotional traumas.

Essential oils can assist in the removal of potentially harmful chemicals (free-radicals) produced in the body during cellular and tissue metabolism. They can play the role of detoxing the body of free-radicals as well as removing petrochemicals taken in our bodies through our food, water and air.

Perfumes from natural odorants like sandalwood or musk were preferred. In today`s world due to illegal trafficking and species endangerment, natural odorants are replaced by synthetic aromatics. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Aromas like musk from natural ingredients are extremely complex and have been impossible to imitate through synthetic aromatics like nitro-musks or macrocyclic musks. On the other hand, synthetic aromas like ozone, marine, metallic, etc., have no parallel olfactory relationship in the natural odorants.

There are three major types of perfume for fans to choose from. They are the Oriental class, which is rich and bold in its varieties; the floral class, which is flowery and feminine; and the chypre class, which tends to involve the clean-scented perfumes. Before even shopping for cheap perfumes, pick from these classes.

Once a main class has been decided upon, there are key words to look for when examining cheap perfumes. Orientals will often be described as musky, spicing, bold or sensual in their body of scent. The floral types are pretty easy to pick out. Chypre variety perfumes might be touted as clean, sporty, aquatic or woodsy by design.

Locate discount cologne that have earned reputations for fitting the bill you're looking for and then try out the samples on for size. If a perfume smells especially great in the bottle and there are no samples available, consider going for it. Remember, though, that not all perfumes, cheap or expensive, smell as good after an hour of wear as they do in the bottle. This can be due to the perfume itself or its reaction with a person's own chemical makeup.

For those who won't settle for anything other than high-end, brand names, there are some cheap fragrance options open. The reality is some of the most expensive perfumes can have lower dilution formulas available that cost less, but still give off the signature scent.

Perfume itself is considered the purest and strongest of the scent concentrations. In an actual perfume, the amount of fragrance oils can be as high as 40 percent. This is where the real high pricing comes into play.

It is common practice when buying a perfume is to visit the fragrance counter and spray different scents on different parts of your body so you can compare them. We suggest you avoid this because after two or three applications your olfactory responses (that's your smell and taste senses) can easily be confused and your brain will be remembering and blending previous sniffs rather than sampling new ones. Secondly, how are you going to remember which you sprayed where. If you are going live shopping, we suggest you do something more like this.

Use fragrance blotters to gather your samples of different scents. These are small porous cards and are usually available at the perfume counter. Once you've sprayed the card you can write the name of the fragrance on the reverse side, that way you can identify the fragrance when you need to, and you can more readily compare the different aromas.

All fragrances take a few minutes to develop once they've been exposed to the atmosphere. Allow a few little time after it's been applied before sniffing the perfume. To overcome nose fatigue (confusion of the olfactory), leave the smelling alone for a while and take in some fresh air, or smell something that carries your own body odour (armpit of your shirt sleeve for example). Sometimes eating a mint can refresh your olfactory senses.

Try to narrow your selection to two or three fragrances and then spray some on your skin, making a point to remember what you sprayed where. Now you need to go and do something else. You need to remove yourself from the perfumery (too many other smells in the air) and take your mind off the fragrance shopping altogether.

Let ten or fifteen minutes go by and then smell those parts of your skin that you sprayed. Let your gut reaction tell you which is the most effective, relative to the reason you are buying the fragrance.

Mens Cologne and Womens Perfume Fragrances

The internet has really taken shopping to the next level. With so many places to buy your favorite perfume on the internet, there is plenty of competition which drives down the cost of the womens perfume to rock bottom prices. You can find great deals on perfume whether it is mainstream, by a top designer or even perfume that is included with a gift set. For perfume enthusiasts, the internet is the one of the best places to buy perfume.

People use the scent of perfume to enhance their smell. They might want to be more attractive to someone (such as a potential mate) or they may just enjoy the smell. There are so many different scents available and different marketing strategies are used. There are basic perfumes that you could pick up at a local Wal-Mart or similar location that are $10-40 a bottle and will last you awhile even if you wear perfume every day.

When it comes to ingredients, make sure you check them closely so that you can get an idea of what kind of perfume oil it is. Sometimes the ingredients won't be shown. In this case, you'll have to be the judge as to whether you still want to go with it or not. For example, some products have been known to be listed as aromatherapy products but do not have true aromatherapy ingredients.

Perfume oil is the perfect solution for someone who doesn't want to have to keep re-applying fragrances all the time. The concentrated nature of perfume oil gives it wonderful, long-lasting benefits.

You may have many discount fragrances that truly suit you. You may have a different one for daywear as opposed to nightwear. You may have a special one for romantic occasions and different perfumes for changing seasons. If your complexion is olive in nature you are probably more suited to heavier, exotic fragrances. Fair skins tend to react better to lighter, floral type scents. Experiment at the perfume counters. Consultants just love you to try them out. But try them on your skin, not a fragrance card.

Please remember, perfume or cologne smells different on different people, and may even smell different on one person if they are ill, or change their diet, or many other reasons. The best way to try out a new fragrance is to spray some on your wrist and smell... where the fragrance for awhile and frequently smell your wrist. Personally I wait for a few minutes for the perfume to "sink in" before I base an opinion, and quite often I will like the fragrance much more after its been on me for awhile!

Next, you must understand that men's fragrance is composed of many layers of scents. Scents are broken down into groups called notes. You have top notes, middle notes and bottom or base notes. Top notes are usually light spices, fruity, citrus scents that disappear within ten minutes after application. Middle notes are usually spices of vanilla, cinnamon, woodsy, and heavier citrus scents that last for about an hour. The bottom or base notes are made up of stronger scents: long-lasting leathers, woods, tobacco, and heavy spices such as peppers and cloves.

Perfume and fragrance attract the opposite sex and helps to expose the feelings and affection to opposite sex. At the same time it keeps cool, fresh and sexy both men and women. Most of the women and men perfumes offer different types of occasions with others. All days spent are memorable and makes other appreciable. Perfume and fragrance should be properly purchased by men and women. At first, human should apply the perfume on their body and see to that whether it suits your skin. Generally all humans body differ and the smell comes from them also differs. So, when you purchase a perfume, first apply on your skin and see to that when it mixes with your seat, the original smell of the perfume never changes.

A great place to test out a new fragrance is often on either on the wrists or in the inside part of your elbow. These areas of the body are the best locations to test out perfumes. Waiting for about an hour or so will give time for the fragrance to settle onto the skin, as well as gives your body the chance to react to the scent. Pheromones in women react differently to scents. Therefore, what can smell great on one woman may not be the right scent for another.

Testing perfumes out before you make a purchase is a great way for you to decide what perfumes may work without having to buy an entire vial of fragrance. It is also important to remember, when you test out a new perfume it may smell totally different on the skin versus in the bottle, so test it out on where you intend to use it.

There are many things a fragrance house will fail to tell you as they are pitching price to you as their major selling point. Of course, no one will admit their faults, shortcomings, or negative press when it comes to landing that 55 gallon drum order. As an 11 year veteran, with experience in all areas of fragrance creation, shipping, purchasing, and sales...I can tell you that there are many hidden thorns in that Rose fragrance you probably just purchased from the lowest bidder.

In the fragrance industry, quality is key for most...but not for all. Companies who are using an inexpensive masking agent for a portable toilet application need not worry about specific gravity or color index. However, in fine fragrance, candles, personal care, and the now growing "Green" product lines...a fragrance house needs to pride themselves on quality and consistency. Failing to remain consistent with fragrance batch formulations will result in off spec. material. This off spec. material may not be suitable to use in candles as it may cause discoloration or not properly blend in wax. For fine fragrance, it may cause irritation to the skin. These types of issues are a major concern to the Yankee Candle type companies and Revlon cosmetic type companies that hold sterling positions in the market. Companies such as these, do not purchase on price alone. Quality control plays a large role in their decision making and dictates which fragrance house qualifies as a core vendor...or not.

When considering a fragrance manufacturer, initially, you should perform a Dun and Bradstreet on the company to see its history and viability. Take that information into consideration, then meet with your area sales representative to gather more information like quality and delivery terms. Keep pricing on the back burner for now...that part is coming next. Then, you should ask for representative samples of fragrances that you either cannot find elsewhere, or comparative samples to what you are currently using to use as a benchmark for quality and price. Giving a perfume sample to this vendor to see what their duplication capabilities are isn't such a bad idea. However, you may want to wait until the initial sample request is completed first. After your meeting, count the days and see how long it takes for your samples to arrive. Anything over two weeks is considered slow...at least in my eyes. Samples should be able to be produced in a week to 10 days max...unless you specify that you are in no rush for them. In most cases, you will be.

Cologne and Perfume Facts and History

The use of perfumes, colognes, and products which contain fragrance have increased tremendously over the past few decades. Historically, fragrance has been for luxury and special occasion use. Since the 1970s fragrance has become a part of daily life. The use of fragrance has increased ten-fold since the 1950s. The fragrance industry doubled it size during the 1980s.

Scented products are generally perceived as pleasant, a harmless means of self-expression and certainly not a significant health concern. Very little thought is given to the numerous products used a daily basis that contain fragrance unless you happen to be one of the growing numbers of people adversely affected by scented products.

The fragrance industry has traditionally been a very secretive industry. For decades secrecy was required to protect fragrance formulas from being copied by others. Fragrance formulas are considered "trade secrets" and do not have to be revealed to anyone, including regulatory agencies. On the label, only the word fragrance must appear in the list of ingredients. The secrecy of the industry has led to tremendous problems in terms of regulation, monitoring, and impact on those that have problems from fragrance.

It's not all about finding the cheapest product. Knowledge and information about origin and fragrance can guide you to the right product. Detailed information and guidance to each and every perfume can be found in the brands section - by clicking on the relevant link and going to the page about the specific perfume or cologne you have in mind.

Most, if not all modern commercial toiletries are made with synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrance oils are made from petrochemicals, have no health or well-being benefits, are often overpowering rather than subtly evocative, and have negative environmental impacts. Synthetic fragrance oils are absorbed through the skin and inhaled, posing health concerns (e.g. asthma, allergies, headache). They do not readily break down and are reported to be as noxious as chemical pesticides, adversely affecting aquatic wildlife and the environment.

Pure essential oils, unlike synthetic fragrance oils, have complex and rich alchemical elements which permeate the limbic system, stimulating our memory and pleasure centers.

In ancient times, perfumes and aromas were made of all natural botanical ingredients and were often reputed to be magic potions. It's true that the realm of natural fragrance can take one on a journey of sensuality and elicit deeper stimulation of the psyche, emotions, and erotic center.

A personal fragrance makes a statement about the person wearing it. An inspiring personal scent can only be realized through the synergies of natural ingredients which merge with ones own unique body chemistry, heat, and physiology.

So what's the deal with perfume? Why so mesmerizing to the opposite sex? And what in the world is the stuff made from anyway? For all we know it could be made from chicken gizzards.

Fortunately, it's not.Perfume is made from about 78% to 95% of specially denatured ethyl alcohol and a remainder of essential oils. The perfumes that are made up of the 22% oils are the most expensive, going for as much as $100 an ounce or more. I'm sure a little too rich for most people's blood. These perfumes are called perfume, literally. The next costliest on the ladder are the ones called Eau de Parfum, which are made up of between 15 and 22% oils. After that comes Eau de Toilette, which is made up of between 8 and 15% oils. Next on the totem pole is Eau de Cologne, which is made up of about 4% oils. And finally the bottom of the barrel, for those who really like subtlety, is Eau Fraiche, which is made up of about 1 to 3% oils.

Then of course there are fragrance categories, a TON of them.

Here is a listing.

Floral, Oriental, Floriental, Chypre, Green Marine and Fruit. Typical plant products include anise, bay leaf, bergamot, cardamom, cedar wood, eucalyptus, frankincense, gardenia, geranium, iris, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lilac, lily, lily of the valley, magnolia, moss, neroli, orange, orris, patchouli, pine, raspberry, rose, sage, sandalwood, tuberose, vanilla, violet and ylang-ylang.

Perfumes are categorized in to different types like woody perfume, floral perfume, oceanic perfume, greens perfume and oriental perfume. The customer can select any one of the perfume from the list. Almost in every part of the world, most of the people are influenced in usage of perfume. Perfume and fragrances becomes the essential and important in every part of life. As trend and ways of living of people are changing, production of perfume and fragrances are also changed. During the past years, most of the people do not use perfume for their skin. But when the trend changed, men and women were inspired to use perfume and cologne and fragrance for their skin. Perfume and fragrance is also said to be a skin care product. Perfume and fragrance is also used to expose the feelings of human to the opposite party.

When wearing perfume, you must always take care as to not to apply to much perfume, as enough is enough and there are others who have adverse reactions when influenced by particular types of perfume ingredients. When someone wears too much perfume, the fragrance becomes obnoxiously overpowering, and for some can cause illness. You know when someone is wearing to much perfume when you can actually taste the fragrance they wear.

Wearing too much discount perfume in small areas can cause serious to mild allergic reactions in some individuals, even if they are not wearing any themselves. Although it is easy to tell when someone is wearing more than enough perfume, it is not always easy for a wearer of perfume to know they have been applying too much perfume; this is because no ones sense of smell is the same. Never spray perfume directly on your clothing, you can use perfume samples of your favorite perfume as sachets to scent your clothes.

Perfume and discount fragrance are the most important and essential requirement for people and nowadays, perfume products where used for almost every occasions and climate. When perfume is applied to human body and it does not cause any skin allergies or it does not show any effect on human body, then men and women can use perfume and fragrance without any problem. Perfume and fragrance such as lotion, body creams, shave gel, scents, deodorizers, soaps and powders only suits for some people and for some people, the different ingredients and flavors does not suit.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Perfume & Cologne Fragrance Information

This blog was created to give the fragrance lover some hopefully useful information on what designer fragrances are and where they come from.
Perfume and Cologne have always been involved in a tremendous market. Since the early Egyptians used perfume balms for religious ceremonies and love making preparations, perfume and cologne fragrances have become a standard in our ever changing economy. Today the perfume market is a 10 billion dollar industry with no signs of slowing down. With celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Niki Tayor just to name a few-the perfume market is stronger than ever. With every smell, scent, aroma, spice, and sniff the manufactures can come up with....they're headlining big stars to promote. Why not? Everyone loves perfume and cologne. Every bottle has its own beautiful style and unique shape. We wear it whenever we go out and so do millions of other people to stimulate each and every occasion.
The late 19th century was the first real era of perfume as we know it when new scents were created because of advances in organic chemistry knowledge. Synthetic perfume products were used in place of certain hard to find or expensive ingredients. At the same time a similar chemical knowledge development happened in textile printing dyes.Grasse in Provence, France became a centre for flower and herb growing for the perfume industry. The men who treated leathers in the same area found the smells so bad they perfumed themselves and the leathers. They were knowledgeable about making the botanical essences and were the early perfume noses. But it was only in the C20th that scents and designer perfumes were really mass produced. Before that, the few trade names that existed were Coty and Yardley who made fairly light scents with familiar smells.
Womens Perfume is the ultimate sensory experience, calling up emotions and forgotten memories. And so, many of us spend a small fortune on exotic and extraordinary fragrances, yet we often don't know how to use them properly. Follow these suggestions and discover new ideas for dousing yourself in mood-boosting aromas, the best ways to wear your scent and how to give it staying power.
Fragrance 101
Classic French fragrances are created by combining three layers of scent, called notes. These different notes can be synthetically created in a lab or extracted from natural sources like flowers or fruits. The top note, which contains the most volatile oils, lasts the least amount of time; the middle note lasts a bit longer and forms the heart of a scent; and the base note lasts around 24 hours. In the last decade, some fragrances have been formulated to change relatively little with wear. What you smell when you spritz is more or less what you get several hours later. However, with most fragrances, you'll smell the top note first, then the scent will change and you'll detect the middle note a few hours later. There are five main types of fragrance.

Perfume (also known as extract or extrait), is the purest, smoothest and roundest of all the concentrations of fragrance and the most expensive by far. It contains 20 to 40 per cent of fragrance oils held in alcohol, a much higher concentration than in other types of fragrance. Fifty per cent of the fragrance is formulated with the long-lasting base notes. Perfume is generally dabbed onto the skin rather than sprayed on.

Eau de parfum is the most popular kind of fragrance and contains seven to 14 per cent fragrance oils. Around 70 per cent of an eau de parfum is lost after several hours but that 30 per cent will remain 24 hours later. If you want a scent that will last and isn't too expensive, buy this kind of formulation. Apply your scent of choice to the places where the skin is the warmest - the wrists, collarbone, between the breasts, in the crook of the elbows, behind your knees, on your inner thighs, and around the ankles.

Eau de toilette contains one to three per cent fragrance oils, of which 80 per cent will evaporate within three hours. 'Many women buy eau de toilette expecting it to last all day, but eau de toilette (or toilet water, as it's historically known) was originally created to be splashed all over the body to refresh and wake you up instantly,' says Roja Dove, a perfume expert. Dove advises against spraying eau de toilette on your pulse points - instead he suggests spritzing some onto your hairbrush and running the brush through your hair for a more lasting effect.
Eau de cologne, the first type of commonly used fragrance that was popularised by Napoleon, is rarely made any more and doesn't have the same structure as classic French perfume. However, eau fraiche, which was created by Christian Dior with its classic men's scent Eau Sauvage, is similar to an eau de cologne but lasts like a very concentrated eau de toilette. Contemporary eau fraiche scents may have the words 'O de' in front of the name, for example 'O de Lancôme'.

Scented body creams contain around eight per cent aromatic oils, and lotions have three to five per cent. Because of their thick cream or lotion base, the scent will linger all over in its more concentrated form for several hours and can still be smelled faintly on the body up to 24 hours later.
"Perfumes are increasingly used in an ever wider variety of fields, including perfumes proper, cosmetic products, hygenic products, discount fragrances, drugs, detergents and other household products, plastics, industrial greases, oils and solvents, foods, etc. Their composition is usually complex - it involves numerous natural and synthetic sweet-smelling constituents, more than 5,000 of which are known. Perfumes may produce toxic and more often allergic respiratory disorders (asthma), as well as neurological and cutaneous disorders." from the French toxicology journal, Ann Dermatol Vernereol, Vol 113, ISS 1, 1986, P.31-41

84% of these ingredients have never been tested for human toxicity, or have been tested only minimally. N. Ashford, Phd and C. Miller, M.D. Chemcial Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes 1991, p. 61

In 1986 the National Academy of Sciences targeted discount fragrances as one of the six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority for neurotoxicity testing. The other groups include insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives and certain air pollutants. The report states that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. "Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace" (Report by the Committee on Science and Technology. U.S. House of Representatives, Sept, 16, 1986) [Report 99-827]

A few chemicals found in fragrances known to be neurotoxic: hexachlorophene; acetyl-ethyl-tetramethyl-tetralin; zinc-pyridinethione; 2,4,dinitro-3-methyl-6-tert-butylanisole; 1-Butanol; 2-butanol; tert-Butanol; Isobutanol; t-Butyl Toluene. Neurotoxic properties of chemicals found in fragrances have caused testicular atrophy in lab animals as well as myelin disease. The myelin sheath protects the nerves and does not regenerate. (Compiled from TOXLINE database of fragrances industry and medical journals.)

Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Lupus, and Alzheimer's are all neurological disorders. Dyslexia is a neurological dysfunction. Could any of these neurological dysfunctions be caused by exposure to neurotoxic chemicals? Symptoms are often identical to chemical hypersensitivity. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also a neurological dysfunction. Could fragrant fabric softeners or detergents emitting neurotoxic chemicals cause the neurological breakdown?

A few chemicals found in fragrances known to cause cancer and birth defects: methylene chloride; toluene; methyl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; tert Butyl; sec Butyl; benzyl chloride. (Compiled by comparing a list of 120 fragrance chemicals from the EPA obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and California's Prop 65 List of Chemicals).

A few chemicals found in womens fragrances and mens cologne designated as hazardous waste disposal chemicals: methylene chloride; toluene; meythl ethyl ketone; methyl isobutyl ketone; ethanol; benzal chloride. These chemicals are listed in the EPA's Code 40 of Federal Regulations, Ch 1, Section 261.33.

884 toxic substances were identified in a list (partial) of 2,983 chemicals used in the fragrance industry: "Many of these substances are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, breathing and allergic reactions and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities." (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report.)
Let's look at a brief description of some of the new perfumes or discount cologne products of the past few years. We have more knowledge of some than others, so do write and tell us at the email address below if you are very familiar with a particular new perfume and why it appeals so much. Write also if there is a special luxury perfume less well known that you want to share with others. A few from the previous decade are included because of their dominance in world sales now, but it is impossible to list every perfume and which might just happen to your favourite. Prices where given, are approximate to give you an idea of possible cost in December 2003 and will more than likely vary with supplier. Also we have tried to give an idea of the starting prices of these perfumes where practical.


Ardenbeauty by Elizabeth Arden (floral green) - A rich elegant floral with green notes, Rubrum lily, golden sweet orchid, a twist of lemon, on a base of Indian sandalwood, amber and musk. $32.50 for 50ml EDP. Launched 2002.


Emporio Armani Night for Her by Armani - A seriously seductive, mysterious voluptuous and sensual perfume with a woody, floral and amber base hinting at peonies, lily of the valley, blackcurrant, cranberry amid sandalwood, patchouli and myrrh. Ideal for winter. $30 for 50ml EDP.


Sensi by Georgio Armani (floriental) - A refined, stylish perfume that encapsulates Armani fashion with woody, floral and oriental notes of Kaffir lime leaves, barley, Palisander woods, vanilla and delicate flowers mimosa, jasmine. $39 for 50ml EDP. Launched 2002.


Boss Intense by Boss (oriental) - A sensual mesmerising fragrance of amber base notes, spice mixed with vanilla, all mingled with vanilla orchid and warm wood notes. $29 for 50ml EDP. Launched 2003.


Initial for Women by Boucheron (floral) - A sweet and romantic refreshing floral with notes of lily of the valley, Turkish rose, cinnamon, patchouli, blackcurrant leaf and vanilla. Launched 2000.


Burberry Brit by Burberry (oriental) - Very reminiscent of all things British, with soft wood, sugared almonds, lime, pear and amber tones. $23 for 30ml EDP. $36 for 50ml EDT.

Gloria by Cacharel (oriental) - A fresh oriental, with notes of Hibiscus, roses, amaretto and vanilla ideal for rock chicks. $18.50 for 50ml EDT.


Chance by Chanel (oriental) - A watery floral with a warm background. $31.50 for 50ml EDT.


Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel (oriental) - A fresh oriental fragrance. $40 for 50ml EDT.


Clinique Happy by Clinique (floral) - Launched 1997, but one of the world's most popular perfumes of now. Full of fruits and flowers with a white floral base including magnolia and red grapefruit and blonde woods making this an upbeat warm scent in a rather dull bottle.


Clinique Simply by Clinique (floral) - A watery floral blend of white flowers with a touch of aniseed and a creamy warmth. $32 for 50ml EDT.


Celine Dion by Coty ( floral) - Ripe fruits with soft florals. $25 for 50ml EDT.


Ghost by Coty - A sweet, flowery, but modern classic perfume. $27 for 50ml EDT.


ISA Bella by Coty (oriental) - Vanilla and balsam with florals create a deep mysterious smell. $27 for 50ml EDT.


Cool Water Woman by Davidoff - An aquatic blend. $21 for 30ml EDT.


Escada Ibiza Hippie by Escada - A blend of amber, pear, freesia and cranberry. Launched 2003.


Dior Addict by Dior (floriental) - Sexy sandalwood based scent with vanilla rose and jasmine and the rare Jamaican flower The Queen of the Night. $39 for 50ml EDP, $23 for 20ml EDP.

Sicily by Dolce and Gabbana (chypre) - A twist on citrus, herbs and blossoms, including honeysuckle, Italian bergamot, jasmine, hibiscus and sandalwood. $30 for 25ml EDP.


Magot by Etro (chypre) - Fruits mixed with blossoms and patchouli combine to give a sensuous perfume once settled. $48 for 100ml EDT.

Celine Pour Femme - A spicy woody fragrance with rich florals. $21.50 for 30ml EDT.


Fendi by Fendi (oriental) - A modern scent of amber, musk and vanilla on soft woods. $40 for 100ml EDT.


Serenity by Ghost - A feminine scent that contains, bergamot, lily of the valley, Peony and Tonka beans. $28 for 50ml. Launched 2003.

Very Irresistible by Givenchy (floral) - This is the world's first floral aromatic scent. Fresh with a heart of rose, combining 5 different roses and star anise with verbena. $27.50 for 30ml EDT.

Hot Couture by Givenchy ( floral) - Sexy and sensual flowery scent with a heart of lily, magnolia and fruity raspberry, amid black pepper overlaid with vetiver, sandalwood and ambergris notes. Launched 2000.


Quel Amour By Annick Goutal - A fabulous new fragrance with the discrete scent of peonies mixed with wild roses and geranium rosa, is enhanced by fruits such as pomegranates, redcurrants, cherries and peaches. $35 for 50ml. Launched 2002.


Gucci eau de Parfum by Gucci - A rich, musky, heady, exotic and erotic, luxurious perfume with orange blossom, thyme, cumin and heliotrope that mellows into an elusive scent. Not for the shy and retiring. $26 for 30ml EDP.


Gucci Rush 2 by Gucci - A gentle luxurious discount perfume for those who prefer the fresh and flowery. Launched 2001.


L'instant by Guerlain (oriental) - The latest offering from the wonderful Guerlain range. A delicious classy oriental scent roundly finished with a powdery feel. $30.50 for 50 ml EDT. $52 for 100ml EDT.


Mahora by Guerlain (floriental)- A heart of frangipani, jasmine, tuberose, ylang ylang and neroli overlaid with vanilla, sandalwood and vetiver. This is a serious, sultry memorable exotic fragrance for those who like to make a statement. You will either love it or loathe it. If you like Dior's Poison you will like this. I love Guerlain perfumes, but this is the one I find too obvious and too cloying. Launched in 2000.

Chic by Carolina Herrera - A seamless, fresh, elegant scent blend with Bulgarian roses, orange flower, mandarin, freesia, ambrette, and vanilla. Launched 2002.


Marc Jacobs by Marc Jacobs (floral) - A modern, crisp, clean, feminine perfume based around the mystery of gardenia, musk, cedar and ginger. Launched 2001. Very popular.


Glow by J.Lo (floral aldehyde) - A warm sexy and fresh floral fragrance of jasmine, orris, grapefruit and orange flower, with sandalwood, soft musk and amber. Some may find it too sweet, but my husband always says "you smell lovely" whenever I wear this. $21 for 30 ml EDT. Launched 2002.


Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan - A beautiful floral scent that is refreshing, subtle and feminine. $27 for 30ml EDT. $37 for 50ml EDT.


Flower by Kenzo (floral) - A simple straightforward powdery floral fragrance. It combines poppy, rose, vanilla, violet and hawthorn. $27.50 for 30ml EDP. $38 for 50ml EDP.


Truth by Calvin Klein (green) - A refreshing woody oriental fragrance ideal for casual wear. $34 for 50ml EDP. $21 for 30ml EDP. Launched 2000.


Michael by Michael Kors - A sophisticated much loved scent with woody undertones, freesia and tuberose on the surface.


Attraction by Lancôme (floriental ) - An attractive stylish perfume which is fresh, floral and green to start with, then hints at an amber and vanilla note on iris, syringa and patchouli. $28.50 for 30ml EDP. Very now.


Connexion by Lancôme - An attractive, friendly, happy scent with a warm musky feel. It is like a bouquet of white flowers and includes magnolia, wild roses and hibiscus together with the fruitiness of blackcurrant and blackberries and the lushness of whipped cream, vanilla and patchouli. The lingering smell of this perfume hauntingly reminds me of a long lost favourite perfume of many years ago. $25 for 50ml EDT. Launched 2003.


Miracle by Lancôme - A contemporary feminine white flowers perfume with zesty sharp green notes in a haze of jasmine and magnolia, all underscored by spices and amber. Perfect for casual and daywear. Launched 2001 and hugely popular.


Tresor by Lancôme (floriental) - Re-launched as long ago as 1990 this feminine scent is high on the USA top ten list of best selling scents in this decade. Containing lilac, apricot, amber and musk it is a sharp floriental fragrance. $28 for 30 ml EDP.


Pour Elle by Ted Lapidus (oriental) - Rich blossoms on a cushion of exotic wood and oriental notes. $37 for 50ml EDP.


Beautiful by Estee Lauder (floral) - Launched in the 1990s, but one of the most popular perfumes in the USA top ten. A lovely scent like a bouquet of flowers with citrus woods and spices. $30 for 30ml EDP.


Intuition by Estee Lauder (oriental) - A beautiful soft sensual scent with vanilla, fruits and floral notes that is modern and wearable. $36.50 for 50ml EDP. Launched in 2000, hugely popular and still in the USA top ten perfumes.


Beyond Paradise by Estee Lauder (oriental) - A light, radiant, tropically fresh, simple, but warm and full exotic perfume, using lingering scents of flowers like Natal plum blossoms and crêpe jasmine and moss. Very now. $27.50 for 30ml EDP. $37.50 for 50 ml EDP.


Pleasures Intense by Estee Lauder (floral) - Intensely feminine this is a fresh take on the original Pleasure, but with more intense concentrated Eau de Parfum violet tones and ideal for summer. £48 for 100ml EDP. Launched 2002.


Glamourous by Ralph Lauren - A dress up or down special floral fragrance made from the Casablanca lily, Siam wood and musk. $41 for 50 ml EDP. Launched 2002.


Romance by Ralph Lauren (chypre) - This contains chamomile, freesia, tangerine, ginger, violet and oakmoss and makes a light perfume. $25 for 30 ml EDP. Launched 1999.

Stella by Stella McCartney (floral) - Fresh simple delicate flowers such as roses offset with amber and woods. $37.50 for 50ml EDP.


Kingdom by Alexander McQueen (chypre) - A spicy, bright, sensual and exotic fragrance full of character that turns heads. Contains ginger, vanilla, woods and myrrh. $31 for 30ml EDP.


Enjoy by Patou (floral) - A lively, sensual fruity floral for grown ups. $31 for 30ml EDP.

Malabah by Penhaligon (oriental) - Smells of exotic spices mixed with oranges in a far eastern harbour. $57 for 100ml EDP.


Premier Jour by Nina Ricci (floriental) - A subtle, slightly exotic musky scent with notes hinting at sugared almonds, gardenia, mandarin, and sweet peas and all that is lovely of a long summer's day. Launched 2001.


Absolu by Rochas - A gentle spicy fragrance with sandalwood, cinnamon and a sharp twist of pepper. Soft enough for office wear. Launched 2002.


Aquawoman by Rochas - This is a sharp aquatic scent, a blend of nacre, amber, musk on criste marine. Launched 2002.


Manifesto by Isabella Rossellini - A fresh floral scent launched in 2000. Made from an exotic mix of fruits, soft flowers, spice with under tones of sandalwood, white musk and chestnut.


Extreme by Paul Smith - A sophisticated perfume of mandarin, blackcurrant, freesia and amber. £20 for 30ml EDT. $27 for 50ml EDT. $37 for 100ml EDT.


Kate Spade Parfum - (At present exclusively available at Harrods in UK) - a beautiful new simple sensual fragrance of white flowers, neroli, jasmine with a heart of gardenia.


Anna Sui dolly Girl by Anna Sui (floral) - A flowery, sweet, girly fresh scent, reminiscent of melons and apples, roses, jasmine, and magnolia. $20 for 30ml EDT.


Vera Wang The Fragrance by Vera Wang - The perfect scent for brides. Roses calla lily, gardenia and stephanotis with lotus iris, woods and musk combine to make a classic floral bouquet for the dream day. $48 for 50ml EDP. 2003.
Everyone understands that it is important to smell good when trying to attract the opposite sex. However, do you know which colognes are the most effective? Do you know the few simple tricks you can utilize to bring your "smelling good" up to the next level? If not then you've come to the right place...

Cologne Rotation

Always have a few different colognes, we recommend at least 2-3 which you rotate often. You will become more attractive to women that you are around on a regular basis because they will not be able to predict what you will be smelling like. Predictable is boring, and most women think that their own lives are boring... so in turn they search for a mate who does NOT appear to be living a boring life in order to add some flare to their own. When you smell different just about each day, you will be displaying that you are a spontaneous person... as well as a person with style, and with the right choice of cologne... a person with class also. This is exactly what ANY real player should want the ladies to think of them.

Cologne & Pheromones

Never apply cologne to your clothes, the smell will fade away in less than a few hours, plus your clothing does not contain natural pheromones like your body does... so spraying your shirt would not produce the full effect of the cologne. When you spray cologne on your body in the right spots, pheromones mix together with the cologne to "create" an original smell... YOUR original smell. If you have ever wondered why the same brand of cologne smells different depending on who is wearing it, now you know... it is because each person's body produces slightly different pheromones, and when mixed with cologne produces their own unique "version" of the cologne. For more information on boosting your body's natural pheromone production... click here.

The "Hot" Spots

The best spots to apply cologne are the areas of your body that produce the most body heat. Body heat "activates" the cologne, increasing the strength of the smell and making it last as long as possible... while colder areas of your body tend to dull the smell and make it disappear more rapidly. To achieve maximum results when wearing cologne, apply it to the following body parts : Wrists, neck, arm pits, and behind the ears. When using a cologne spray, do NOT spray behind your ears, spray it onto your hands and wipe it on... the last thing you want is to smell like you took a bath in your cologne. Another added bonus of putting cologne behind your ears is the fact that when you are in a club with loud music girls tend to talk into your ear so you can hear them... and when they do they will get a nice gentle whiff of your scent.

Choosing The Right Cologne

When shopping for a new cologne, never go by what smells good... you don't want a cologne that JUST smells good... you want a cologne that will trigger good memories. When a woman smells a scent that triggers an old, happy memory... she becomes instantly attracted to whatever is producing the scent... and your want that to be YOU, right? Sure you do, so keep that in mind when choosing a new cologne. The trick to selecting a cologne that does this effectively is to test them on yourself... if it triggers any type of good memory in your mind, then it should have a similar effect on most of the women that you try to pick up. To make your life a bit easier I have compiled a list of cologne at the bottom of this page that are the absolute BEST at doing this... so you don't even need to go "smell testing" :)

Cheap VS Expensive

Don't be fooled by brands like Calvin Klien and Polo Sport. If you wear any of these "regular brands" you will not be ANY better than the last guy who decided that a decent cologne was not worth the investment, plus most of the cheaper brands smell pretty bad... the last thing you want to do is turn women off simply because your cologne gave them a headache! Now you might automatically say "I can't afford that!" when you hear a name like Armani or Versace... but I can assure you that their cologne is quite cheap compared to most of their other products, and spending $30 on a REALLY good bottle of designer fragrance at an online perfume or cologne store instead of wasting $20 on a cheap bottle is definitely worth it when people constantly tell you how good you smell!