What You Don’t Know About Fragrances

If you are anything like me, you too would be baffled by the sheer number and choices of scents available in stores today. After the fourth spritz, one is often too confused to know what one is looking for.

To make selection a little easier, it is important to know the scent categories perfumes are placed under. So for the clueless shopper, here’s an easy breakdown of the different fragrance types.

Floral perfumes dominate the market. It has the most varieties and is the most popular so most of the scents you sniff out there are floral. This category, as its name suggests, is created mainly from flowers, such as roses, orange blossoms, gardenias, jasmine and carnations. Indeed the first perfume ever to be invented was created with roses. A choice variety of flowers are blended together to produce a distinctive floral bouquet. Floral fragrances are feminine and easy on the nose, perfect for anyone. Estee Lauder’s Beautiful, Gucci’s Rush, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely and Versace’s Bright Crystal are great examples of floral scents.

Spices, amber, balsams and resins go to make the distinctive Oriental perfumes. These scents exude warmth, mystery and exotic sensuality. The rich, musky traits of these luxurious scents make the best, and boldest, statement in the winter. This is because while the drop in temperature diffuses lesser scents, Oriental fragrances linger on, leaving a lasting impression with every whiff. Calvin Klein’s Obsession, Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium, Guerlain’s Shalimar and Christian Dior’s Dune are popular oriental fragrances.

The refreshing scent of Citrus perfumes comes from citrus fruits such as lime, lemon, tangerine and mandarin. They are often blended with lightly scented plants and herbs such as lemon grass. Though light, this fragrance type projects a sharp, tangy aroma that is naturally refreshing and uplifting. Zesty citrus scents are most suitable for the summer heat. It is best for someone who shuns overpowering fragrances but loves smelling shower fresh. Donna Karan’s Be Delicious, Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue, Ralph Lauren’s Safari and Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle (EDT) are fresh citrus scents to check out.

Woody fragrances are more earthy and masculine. The ingredients found in the fragrances are dominated typically by agarwood, pine, sandalwood and cedarwood. They range from smoky to mossy. The herb patchouli is commonly added too. Woody fragrances are often an acquired taste. Some people think the world of woody scents but others hate it in equal measure. Woody fragrances are sophisticated, versatile scents that are more suitable for a matured personality. Thierry Mugler’s Angel, Aramis’ signature scent Aramis, David Beckham’s Intimately for Men and Lacoste’s Elegance are just a few of the woody fragrances available in stores.