Ever since I started using Love’s Baby Soft cologne when I was a young teen, I’ve loved fragrance. When I was in college, a boy I liked knew I was in the library because he said one of the study corners smelled like me. He asked me out that day (good thing too because that was just about the only time I stepped in the library during college!).

I love having a signature scent. Whenever I spritz it on, it lifts my spirits. And, I associate it with many good memories because I use it for special occasions. Actually, I use fragrance every single day.

They stopped making Ombre Rose (my college fragrance), and I became a bit of a fragrance whore (bet you’ve never heard that expression before!) after that. I jumped from one to another, switching because one didn’t last very long or not liking one anymore once I wore it for a few days. I even tried jumping from one fragrance family to another (more on fragrance families later), but I had to switch back to my fresh fragrances. I finally found an eau de toilette that I love. I wanted to share it with you in case you’re looking for a new signature scent. And, I thought I’d share some fragrance dos and don’ts with you.

Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Eau de Toilette. This French fragrance is fresh and flowery all at the same time, and I find that it lasts a long time on me (I also carry it around with me in my Travalo atomizer). Free shipping and free returns. $39 for 1.6 oz.

Here are my fragrance dos and don’ts

DO layer the fragrance to make it last longer by using the same scented shower gel, body lotion and fragrance.

DO buy perfume based on how strong you want the fragrance to be. Cologne is the least strong, eau de toilette is middle of the road and perfume is the most expensive but is the strongest and will last longest.

DO apply fragrance after the shower before you get dressed. Fragrance lasts longest when it interacts with your skin.

DO spray a bit of fragrance on before you go to bed to relax you and help you to fall asleep (and your significant other won’t mind either!).

DO pay attention to the seasons when wearing perfume. Use a lighter fragrance during the spring/summer and a heavier one during the fall/winter.

DO apply fragrance on pulse points where it will amplify: behind the ears, knees and wrists.

DO understand the family of fragrances you prefer. Knowing that your favorite fragrance is floral, woodsy, oriental or fresh will make it easier to find a new fragrance when you want to change things up.

DON’T buy cheap fragrances. Even though they are more expensive, branded fragrances have better quality ingredients and will last longer.

DON’T spray fragrance onto clothes or jewelry. It can stain clothes and can ruin delicate jewelry, especially pearls.

DON’T be afraid to wear a men’s fragrance. Just try it first to see if it works with your body chemistry.

DON’T buy a fragrance just because you like the way it smells on a friend or coworker. Everyone has different body chemistry so what smells great on your friend might not work for you when you try it.

DON’T try more than one fragrance on your body at a time when shopping for perfume or they will blend and smell differently than each will alone.  DO let a perfume adjust to your body chemistry for at least a half hour before you determine whether you like it or not.

If you want some more tips, read the article Experts Talk Perfume Etiquette that you can find on my In The Media page

Thanks so much for reading!!

xoxo

Illysia