As summer fast approaches the Southern hemisphere and as we all return to work, we are going to sweat.
There is no question about it.
Some of us will smell more than others. That’s a normal function of the sweat glands (called ecrine glands, which are not active in babies).
Today’s blog is a guide on how to ensure you smell like a fragrant bouquet of lilies throughout the day.
I am obsessed with fragrance, so this very much is something I have experimented with, honed and developed over many years.
Don’ts
I have 3 “dont’s” that I swear by
Do not layer synthetic fragrance over synthetic fragrance. It just doesn’t work
For example, I would never dream of layering this Burberry with Guerlain or any other brand, because its one of the most synthetic smelling parfums out there.
The result is positively disgusting. Why? Purely synthetic fragrances are designed to smell the same throughout the day. The result is a strong smell throughout the day that doesn’t mellow down.
Now, if you are travelling in a metro, I get why you want to smell the same all the time. But the resulting sickly smell is too much for me.
Note that these are separately considered to be quite light floral fragrances – and layering doesn’t work here.
Do not ignore your diet.
Some things contribute to your “sweat” absolutely stinking. These are without condition excessive amounts of:
- spicy food
- fried food
- alcohol and strictly not diet related but
- smoking
None of you are going to write in and say that I eat spicy prawn curry and I smell just fine. You don’t. Period
Don’t waste your money on fragranced soaps
I have unhealthy obsession with Forest Essential’s soaps. But soap is essential to remove poor odour, it won’t prevent or is strong enough to counter bad odour.
Dos
I am going to tell you my very simple secret to smelling good all day.
Step One: choose a fragrance family that you love
There are different fragrance families as demonstrated by this wheel. From the top going clockwise you have
Floral Oriental, Soft Oriental, Oriental, Woody Oriental, Woody, Mossy Woods, Dry Woody, Aromatic, Citrus, Water, Green, Fruity, Floral, Soft Floral and Floral Oriental
For me, the ideal fragrance family is FLORAL and borderline FRUITY, which includes:
- tuberose
- peach
- white lillies
- jasmine
- peony
Note that not all of these are flowers – tuberose is a root, its the just impact is floral
Step Two: select fragranced products that contain the notes you want to emphasise.
The fragranced products you can use are soap, lotion, parfum and a hair mist and this is what traditional layering looks like.
See this blog, for why you DON’T want to go down this route
Instead, you should consider combining fragranced body oils, with synthetic perfumes.
I find that the oil traps the fragrance notes better than a body lotion (because the oil essentially sits on top of your skin).
For example, this is what I do:
The parijat (jasmine) elevates the tuberose note in Gucci and makes it more floral (but not sickly or powdery). Don forget your hair… I apply a hair serum and then apply Sunhere Din.
Through out the day, I will spray more parfum at myself – but that’s my short & sweet guide.