Shopping for fragrances can be tricky if you're not sure how to explain the scents you like. Talking about a fragrance can be as difficult as describing a glass of wine, with so many different layers of scents becoming noticeable as you enjoy it. This fragrance buying guide will show you how to identify the fragrances you are looking for, so buying fragrances can be much easier, even when you are online shopping and can't actually smell the fragrances.
Perfumes and fragrances are intricate creations with many layers of scents, called "notes," that become noticeable as the fragrance dries. There are usually three main layers: top notes, middle notes and base notes. Perfumes and colognes fall into a fragrance family based on the most noticeable notes -- the scents in the middle layer.
With so many different scents in perfumes and colognes -- sometimes hundreds -- a fragrance may not fit precisely into one group. These are the general families of fragrances, and when you know which ones appeal to you, you can shop for new perfumes by looking for the middle notes that you like.
While many people associate all perfumes with the scent of flowers, floral fragrances are just one type of fragrance, although it is one of the most popular types. Because there are so many floral fragrances, they range from soft florals to bright florals with many diffrent variations in between. Florals can warmed up with spices or left purely flowery.
Featured notes: Floral fragrances often feature rose, lily, gardenia, jasmine or tuberose scents.
Who wears floral fragrances? Floral fragrances tend to be romantic and feminine and are often women's perfumes (although, as with all perfumes, sharing is allowed).
Amber fragrances, also known as Oriental fragrances, are based on the warm, incense-like scent that comes from an old perfume ingredient, ambergris. Natural ambergris, which was used historically as a scent stabilizer, comes from the digestive tract of sperm whales, an endangered species, so synthetic ambergris is used now.
Featured notes: In addition to synthetic ambergris, amber fragrances also feature labdanum, the resin of a plant that grows prolifically in the Middle East and Far East, and they are are often combined with vanilla and wood scents.
Who wears amber fragrances? Amber fragrances have a spicy warmth that makes them appropriate for men and women who like to have an exotic, mysterious feeling.
Recalling the feeling of being in the forest, woody scents range from light, mossy and fresh to warm, dry, dark and spicy. Wood fragrances combine well with amber fragrances as well as vanilla.
Featured notes: A woody fragrance features woods like cedar, agarwood (also known as "oudh") and sandalwood, often accompanied with lavender, patchouli, lime, bergamot or ginger.
Who wears woody fragrances? Earthy, woody scents are popular in both men's fragrances and women's fragrances and are perfect for people who love the rugged comfort of the outdoors and are not easily swayed by trends.
While leather scents may not smell exactly like the leather interior of a luxury car, they do have a deep, warm scent that alludes to leather or suede.
Featured notes: The leathery scents come from honey, cloves, tobacco and cedar and are often layered with citrus notes.
Who wears leather fragrances? Leather fragrances are for people who like a traditional feeling of a leather jacket, a tack shop or a leather armchair. Leather fragrances can be either men's fragrances or women's fragrances, although they are more often men's.
Also known as oceanic or ozonic fragrances, aquatic fragrances have a fresh scent that is often described as "clean."
Featured notes: The aquatic fragrance of the ocean is often created with layers of light floral and citrus scents, although there is an ingredient called "calone" that is used in some fragrances to dupliacte the slightly floral scent of an ocean breeze.
Who wears aquatic fragrances? Fans of aquatic fragrances tend to be sporty, youthful and energetic. Although there are a wide variety of men's aquatic fragrances, they are often marketed as unisex perfumes.
Like the tantalizing scent of a gourmet meal, the appeal of food is undeniable. Gourmand fragrances mimic the scents of desserts and other edibles.
Citrus or fruity: Citrus and fruity fragrances are fresh and light, just like their food counterparts. The scents may come from blossoms or leaves, but many are synthetic.
Vanilla: Vanilla fragrances are often accompanied by other spicy "flavors," and some vanilla fragrances smell like cookies, cupcakes or even pumpkin pie.
Chocolate: Like fine dark chocolate, chocolate fragrances have a nutty, bittersweet scent.
Who wears gourmand fragrances? The smells of delicious food are attractive to many people, even when they aren't hungry.
Chypre fragrances: Named after a perfume that came out in 1917, fragrances from the family of chypre (pronounced "sheepra") fragrances have a citrus top note with a base of oak moss, labdanum or synthetic ambergris. Earthy, woodsy chypre fragrances often feature notes of patchouli or bergamot. The overall effect is an elegant, dry scent that is not at all sweet.
Fougere fragrances: Fragrances in the fougere family contain elements of other fragrances and usually feature a top note of lavender and base notes of coumarin (a chemical compound found in plants like tonka beans and vanilla grass), bergamot and oak moss. Woody and spicy fougere fragrances are often men's fragrances.
Fragrances are categorized by the concentration of the aromatic compounds, the ingredients that provide the scent. The more concentrated the aromatic compounds, the stronger, longer-lasting and often more expensive a fragrance will be. The rest of the fragrance is the liquid carrier, usually ethanol or a mix of ethanol and water.
Perfume: Perfume is about 20 percent aromatic compounds; in some cases, it is even more concentrated.
Eau de parfum or eau de perfume: Eau de parfum is about 15 percent aromatic compounds.
Eau de toilette: Eau de toilettes are about 10 percent aromatic compounds.
Eau de cologne: Colognes are between 2 and 5 percent aromatic compounds.
Scented lotions and powders, splash perfumes and aftershaves: Scented products like these are about one-half to 2 percent aromatic compounds, perfect for a light scent or for layering.
To give a favorite scent: If the gift recipient has a favorite fragrance, you can't go wrong by giving it again. Check to see if there is still a lot left in the bottle; if so, give the matching lotion, body wash or body powder. If he or she only has a small bottle of the favorite fragrance, give a larger size. This safe gift-giving technique is excellent for newer relationships.
To give a designer or celebrity fragrance: Many fashion designers and celebrities have namesake fragrances. If your gift recipient has mentioned having a favorite designer or celebrity, try giving the fragrance. While the exact scent may be a surprise, you will know that its style will likely be similar to the recipient's. This gift-giving technique involves some guessing and is little bit tricky.
To give a beautiful bottle: Designers create the perfume bottles to reflect the mood of the fragrances that they hold. If you see a bottle with a design that reminds you of the recipient, you can give it as a gift. For example, if you are giving a gift to a woman who decorates her home in a sleek, modern style, a perfume bottle with a similar modern feeling may go over well. This daring gift-giving technique is for the more advanced gift-giver.
Whether you have one favorite fragrance that you use until it runs out or you are building a collection of fragrances, you'll want to preserve the scents and continue enjoying them. Storing your fragrances in a dry spot away from light helps retain the true scent the longest. In general, higher quality fragrances will retain their scents longer than those of lower quality. That doesn't mean you should forget about wearing less expensive fragrances. If you store your quality perfumes and colognes away from humidity and light, they can last for decades. For your less expensive fragrances, enjoy using them until they run out instead of trying to preserve them for a long time.
How do I make my fragrance last though the day?
Although your first instinct may be to apply more perfume or cologne to make it last, it's actually how you apply your fragrance -- not how much -- that gives it staying power. Apply your fragrance to your pulse points, and the warmth of your body will help distribute the scent: on your wrists and on your neck. A little moisture also helps your fragrance last throughout the day, so apply it behind your knees and to your inner elbows. Whichever spot you apply your fragrance to, make sure you don't rub it -- that breaks down the molecules faster.
Who creates perfumes and fragrances?
The people who create fragrances are called perfumers or "noses." Their names are almost never the names that are on the perfume bottle. Instead, these are the people behind the scenes creating the fragrance mixtures, often for many different perfume houses, design houses and cosmetic companies, although their final creations are approved by the people whose names will appear on the bottle.
What is a flanker?
When a fragrance is successful, the company that created it makes a flanker -- a fragrance that may be a slight variation on the original or may just have a similar name. Flankers are often limited edition releases, so if you like a flanker, be sure to buy it before it's gone!
The beginning of your beauty routine
Wearing fragrances may be something you reserve for special occasions, or it may be a regular part of your health and beauty routine. Either way, you'll want to shop for fragrances and other beauty products here on Overstock.com, where our brand-name men's and women's fragrances and other beauty products are always priced well below retail.
The gift of luxury
If you're giving fragrances as gifts, why not make the most of it with a luxurious gift basket. Start with the fragrance you've chosen, and then fill the basket with gourmet treats like chocolates. Make gift-giving easy by shopping for a gift basket on Overstock.com and adding in the bottle of fragrance that you've chosen. With Overstock.com as your online outlet for gifts, you can give the gift of luxury for less.
