Whether you’re a proud fashionista or someone who takes pride in their presentation, you know that the right fragrance completes your look. When you’re wearing a great perfume or cologne, it creates a wonderful aura of sensuality, sophistication, and intrigue that impacts others graced by your presence. Getting the most out of top-tier fragrances such as Paco Rabanne, Christian Dior, and Chanel means understanding fragrance performance.
Performing Up to the Task
In the United States, women buy fragrance as much as once a month while men make purchases once or twice a year. Imagine buying scents without consideration for the most important metric of a fragrance: how long it lasts. Sometimes referred to as performance, a fragrance’s longevity is how long it emits scent on your skin. Ideally, you want a perfume or cologne that smells great for several hours. Various factors influence longevity, including skin type, points of application, and scent concentration. Eau de parfum products usually last longer than eau de toilette products.
Projecting a Vibe
A scent’s projection is based on the strength and distance at which others can perceive what you’re wearing. If longevity is the length of your favorite song, you can think of projection as a volume knob. A high-performance fragrance announces your presence before you enter a space. A cologne or perfume with low projection can only be perceived by those standing close. Choosing a high- or low-projection scent will depend on the occasion and your personal preference.
Leaving a Trail
As you move around, your fragrance will leave a trail of scent in your wake. This is what is known as the sillage, which comes from the French word for “wake.” A product with an enormous sillage will linger in a space after you’ve moved, which is great for turning heads and making others miss you when you’re gone. Whereas projection is based on you being stationary, sillage is a function of your movement. A lighter product can have a higher sillage, so be careful where and when you wear such fragrances.
Maximizing Scent Performance
Consider these tips to get the most out of your perfume or cologne:
- Check for pulses: Areas with strong blood flow such as the wrists and neck are optimal for scent diffusion and longevity.
- Hydrate first: Moisturized skin retains scent longer, so start with an unscented lotion or cream before spraying your fragrance.
- Consider hair or fabric: A light spray on hair or fabric is often appropriate for the occasion or location. Watch out for perfume oils that can cause permanent discoloration.
- Don’t rub: Rubbing fragrances into your skin bruises the scent components, causing them to fade much sooner.
- Be patient: The true quality of a scent comes after it has been on your skin for a while where its base notes are revealed. These notes are what will be perceived by others as the scent dries down.
Mastering the Art of Scent
Showing up as your best self means mastering the art of scent, whether you’re going to work, lounging at home, or painting the town red. Get the most out of top brands like Paco Rabanne and more by maximizing performance, projection, and sillage with careful application and consideration. Embrace your scent journey and create an aura that you (and others) will love.
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