There is something about a sexy female fragrance that can get a guy's imagination working overtime.
There is something about a sexy female fragrance that can get a guy's imagination working overtime.
Studies have shown that, in the animal kingdom, pheromones play a huge role in controlling all aspects of social behaviour, including mating. Recent studies have now shown that pheromones play a similar role in human attraction as well.
Generations' star Connie Ferguson, who recently launched a perfume brand, True Self, says a good perfume adds the finishing touch to what a woman is wearing.
"A perfume enhances a woman's presence and is the fastest and simplest way to let a personality speak - without saying a word."
She says that perfumes are meant to match personality, season, occasion, mood, age and time of day.
"When choosing a perfume make sure that it complements your personality. You must also take into account the climate of the particular place. A fragrance that suits summer may not really suit winter.
"The right fragrance of a perfume should also suit the occasions you are going to use it for. For example, a strong fragrance might not really suit that important board meeting."
Ferguson adds that perfume mixes with your own personal scent and smells different on different people, "so never assume that a perfume that smells great on a friend will smell good on you. Body chemistry plays a huge role in how the perfume smells on you".
"If your perfume seems to fade quickly, don't compensate by putting more on. If the scent works with your body it should smell nice through all its stages and stay on without much application."
How to choose a perfume
Businesswoman and TV personality Uyanda Mbuli, who recently launched a clothing line and whose own perfume brand, Fabulous, will be launched upon completion, advises people to always try a perfume out on their skin before buying it.
How to test a perfume
"When testing a perfume, spray it on the vein of your wrist where the skin is warm, as this will diffuse the scent. Do not spray on more than two perfumes as your nose will start to get confused and you will end up smelling like a perfume factory. Don't sniff the perfume immediately after you spray it. If it has alcohol in it this will assault your senses."
According to Mbuli, there are three stages to putting on perfume:
Step 1: Begin in the bath by using your favourite bath bar or bath shower gel/body wash.
Step 2: After you have finished bathing and drying off - rub on the body lotion or body moisturiser of the same fragrance.
Step 3: Finally you add your perfume, perfume spray, or eau de toilette spray.
Putting on perfume
Perfume specialist Rodney Devinish says when spraying a perfume put it on your pulse points, which include your wrists, crook of your arm, nape of the neck, the hairline, ankle, or décolletage.
"Spray from at least 20cm away and be careful to protect light coloured clothing as well as gold and pearl jewellery since it may stain them."
Devinish warns people not to put on too much perfume or put on a hybrid of clashing fragrances or to "bathe" in perfume .
"This can be nauseating and strong enough to give other people a headache especially on public transport in the morning.
"Also, stay away from heavy perfumes during the day. On the other hand, it is fine to wear heavier colognes for night-time events but not if you're going to the movies."
Here are your choices:
Perfume
The strongest, longest-lasting fragrance form. Apply at all the pulse points; wherever you feel the beat of the heart, behind your ears, the nape of your neck, at the base of your throat, at the bosom, the inside bend of your elbows, at the inside of your wrists and behind your knees.
It usually comes in a dab-on bottle. This form will last on the skin for 8-12 hours.
Eau de parfum
One of the most common forms of fragrances to be found in many of the fine fragrance collections. It should be smoothed or sprayed on just before dressing. This usually is a spray bottle and it lasts on the skin 6-8 hours.
Eau de toilette
Usually less concentrated than eau de parfum, it should be applied in exactly the same way as eau de parfum. Always in a spray bottle and will last on the skin 4-6 hours.
Cologne
The lightest form of fragrance.
Perfect for splashing liberally all over the body. It is the perfect refresher.
It does not last very long on the skin.
Secrets of the right perfume
There is something about a sexy female fragrance that can get a guy's imagination working overtime.
There is something about a sexy female fragrance that can get a guy's imagination working overtime.
Studies have shown that, in the animal kingdom, pheromones play a huge role in controlling all aspects of social behaviour, including mating. Recent studies have now shown that pheromones play a similar role in human attraction as well.
Generations' star Connie Ferguson, who recently launched a perfume brand, True Self, says a good perfume adds the finishing touch to what a woman is wearing.
"A perfume enhances a woman's presence and is the fastest and simplest way to let a personality speak - without saying a word."
She says that perfumes are meant to match personality, season, occasion, mood, age and time of day.
"When choosing a perfume make sure that it complements your personality. You must also take into account the climate of the particular place. A fragrance that suits summer may not really suit winter.
"The right fragrance of a perfume should also suit the occasions you are going to use it for. For example, a strong fragrance might not really suit that important board meeting."
Ferguson adds that perfume mixes with your own personal scent and smells different on different people, "so never assume that a perfume that smells great on a friend will smell good on you. Body chemistry plays a huge role in how the perfume smells on you".
"If your perfume seems to fade quickly, don't compensate by putting more on. If the scent works with your body it should smell nice through all its stages and stay on without much application."
How to choose a perfume
Businesswoman and TV personality Uyanda Mbuli, who recently launched a clothing line and whose own perfume brand, Fabulous, will be launched upon completion, advises people to always try a perfume out on their skin before buying it.
How to test a perfume
"When testing a perfume, spray it on the vein of your wrist where the skin is warm, as this will diffuse the scent. Do not spray on more than two perfumes as your nose will start to get confused and you will end up smelling like a perfume factory. Don't sniff the perfume immediately after you spray it. If it has alcohol in it this will assault your senses."
According to Mbuli, there are three stages to putting on perfume:
Step 1: Begin in the bath by using your favourite bath bar or bath shower gel/body wash.
Step 2: After you have finished bathing and drying off - rub on the body lotion or body moisturiser of the same fragrance.
Step 3: Finally you add your perfume, perfume spray, or eau de toilette spray.
Putting on perfume
Perfume specialist Rodney Devinish says when spraying a perfume put it on your pulse points, which include your wrists, crook of your arm, nape of the neck, the hairline, ankle, or décolletage.
"Spray from at least 20cm away and be careful to protect light coloured clothing as well as gold and pearl jewellery since it may stain them."
Devinish warns people not to put on too much perfume or put on a hybrid of clashing fragrances or to "bathe" in perfume .
"This can be nauseating and strong enough to give other people a headache especially on public transport in the morning.
"Also, stay away from heavy perfumes during the day. On the other hand, it is fine to wear heavier colognes for night-time events but not if you're going to the movies."
Here are your choices:
Perfume
The strongest, longest-lasting fragrance form. Apply at all the pulse points; wherever you feel the beat of the heart, behind your ears, the nape of your neck, at the base of your throat, at the bosom, the inside bend of your elbows, at the inside of your wrists and behind your knees.
It usually comes in a dab-on bottle. This form will last on the skin for 8-12 hours.
Eau de parfum
One of the most common forms of fragrances to be found in many of the fine fragrance collections. It should be smoothed or sprayed on just before dressing. This usually is a spray bottle and it lasts on the skin 6-8 hours.
Eau de toilette
Usually less concentrated than eau de parfum, it should be applied in exactly the same way as eau de parfum. Always in a spray bottle and will last on the skin 4-6 hours.
Cologne
The lightest form of fragrance.
Perfect for splashing liberally all over the body. It is the perfect refresher.
It does not last very long on the skin.
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