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Origin of Perfume
The word Perfume, derived from the Latin per fume, meaning "through smoke," describes the origin of this aromatic substance. Thousands of years ago, people burned fragrant plants and woods during religious ceremonies to enjoy the aroma from the burning incense. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to use fragrant resins and woods in the embalming process as a ritual to prepare the dead for their journey in the after life. For several centuries, perfume making was primarily an Oriental from of art. Since the crusaders brought perfumes to the Western World during the middle ages, perfume has been used in daily life of people from all over the world. Today, perfumes are not simply meant to give off a pleasant odor, but are carefully selected and used as an important expression of one's personality, taste and individuality.
Types of Perfumes
All liquids used for scenting, including colognes and toilet waters are considered 'perfume.' However, authentic perfume (parfum), called extracts or essences, contains a greater amount of essential perfume oils and is more expensive than colognes and toilet waters. Eau de Parfum is ranked second in terms of perfume oil concentration, with Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Cologne ranked second and third. Lotions such as After Shave, contain the least amount of essential oils. Pomade or Ointment-based scents tend to longer lasting, while natural perfumes with essential oils are lighter and well suited for sensitive individuals.
Selecting a Fragrance
Choosing the right fragrance is, in part, an emotional process. The lure of a scent and elegant packaging create an instant visual and olfactory impression. Of course, price and brand name recognition are also important rational factors, which play into selecting a perfume. However, there may be other considerations in deciding whether a particular fragrance best represents you. Diet, PH balance, and age may determine how the fragrance interacts with a person's skin. Each fragrance is composed of essential oils, which also affects the way a fragrance smells on an individual. The higher the concentration of essential oils, the longer your fragrance will last, and the less you need to apply. People with dry skin tend to find their fragrance lasting shorter than people with oily skin, which has more natural moisture to hold in the fragrance.
For best results, we advise you to test the desired perfume by applying the fragrance in moderate quantities to one of your pulse points (wrist, behind the ear) and waiting 15 minutes for the perfume to settle in your skin. Observe the aroma and determine if the scent appeals to you. To help your fragrance last longer use a matching body lotion or unscented body lotion to apply to pulse points before applying your fragrance.
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