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Perfume - expresses personality

Perfume may not be the sole influencing factor but it definitely contributes towards creating a favourable (enticing) first impression

MAKE YOUR CHOICE A girl choosing a perfume at the counter of a department store Photo C.V. Subrahmanyam

Ages ago, it is said that when Mark Anthony summoned Queen Cleopatra, as she traversed the river Nile, clouds of sweet fragrance from her billowing perfume-doused sails announced her arrival before her ships even came into view. Talk about creating a grand first impression; Mark Anthony was so mesmerised by her charms that he eventually married her! While the perfume was not the sole influencing factor, it definitely contributed towards creating a favourable (enticing) first impression.

Consciously or not, our sense of smell is a potent factor in many of our daily decisions - right from who to sit next to when you board the bus. Though smelling foul was never acceptable, perfumes and deodorants were till some time ago not necessarily a `must-buy' or daily used accessory and invariably used sparingly for select occasions. Smelling good is the in-thing today, the hottest trend. A good fragrance worn well can make or break a special moment. But be on guard, nicking your room-mate or sibling's classy perfume might not do the trick, the same perfume does not necessarily smell just as good on everybody - ... individual body chemistry plays a key role in carrying the right tone of the fragrance.

To pick out `your' scent, hit the stores that allow you to sample their wares. Spray two different perfumes on the vein of each wrist, wait for a minute (NEVER rub it in) and sniff. You''ve just checked out the top-note of the scent. Smile at the sales girl and walk away. Half an hour later, sniff each wrist again, that is the middle or heart note, the smell that stays most of the time, say about 2-7 hours depending on the quality of the perfume. (After which you get the base note.) Still like one of them? Then consider buying it. Else, come back the next day and try two different bottles. Take your time and enjoy your search, till you find the right scent (provided the sales girl does not hit you on the head with one). To make things a bit easier (and maybe safer if the sales rep is bugged by your visits), you can narrow your search by eliminating some categories.

Perfumes can be broadly grouped into four basic categories. Floral (jasmine, rose, bergamot, based on single or groups of flowers), Fresh (oceanic or marine notes, greens and citrus essences), Orientals (spice scents, heavy exotic scents, vanilla, musk, opulent heavily scented flowers, patchouli), and Woody (warm woods, moss, honey, tobacco) or Aromatic (woody notes intermingled with herbs). Orientals are intense and are best worn for occasions or eveningwear. Fresh fragrances are light and refreshing, suited for summers while heavier musky or wood-based notes suit winter climates. Keep track of your old-time favourites; it can help the sales person confine your search to an assortment of a similar themed range.

For effectiveness, the perfumes should be dabbed or sprayed on the skin (not clothes) primarily on warmth generating body points like the wrists, inside of the elbows, sides of the neck, cleavage, on the heart, and back of the knees. Keep in mind though; less is more. Do not let the perfume wear you, it should compliment and spark your personality and not overpower it. Avoid using a plethora of perfumed products on yourself; the fragrances might clash, repelling instead of attracting anyone. Soaps, shampoos, conditioners, face powders, aftershave lotions, creams and such personal products... all should either be unscented, mildly perfumed or the fragrances should blend pleasantly with the perfume or deodorant you wear.

Your perfume expresses your personality, adding a finishing touch to your attire. Pick out the right perfume and be an olfactory treat!

UMA CHODAVARAPU

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