PERFUMISTA, that is so me!

Perfumista – ‘to build a wardrobe of fragrance’, that is so me!

I absolutely adore fine fragrance, and my dressing table is living proof of this love. So far my collection is at 23, and I was so delighted to add a new one, with Issey Mijake’s “A Scent, Florale” taking pride of place for this spring, with it’s beautiful florals of Jasmine, Hyacinth and French Verbena just to name a few, its is so fresh and beautiful.

I have a few favourites that I can’t live without including Angel (Thierry Mugler), Chanel No. 5 (Chanel) and Absolutely Irresistable (Givenchy). I have shed tears and spent many hours on ebay searching for refills of my now deleated addiction – Tuscany Per Donna. How could they do that to me?????

No matter which perfumes are on your favourites list, a really fun way to spend an hour or two is too head down to your closest department store and start sampling the huge array of delights on offer. Don’t apply them too your skin, use the little paper strips they have and when you find one that seems devine, then try it on your inner wrist and see if it still smells that good on your after a few minutes. Little dishes of coffee beans are usually scattered around the department, make sure you put them too good use as this helps to clear the frangrances from the nasal passage. This is one outing you really should indulge in on your own, as fragrance is such a personal thing, what you might love, your friends might not and you could miss out on getting the one you really adore.

With Chrismas just around the corner, if you go and do your ‘homework’ now, when you get asked “what would you like for Christmas”, you will be able to tell them exactly what you would like to add to your collection.

When using perfume, don’t drown yourself in it, more than likely some people you encounter during they day, might not want to be knocked over by it. Three sprays, one on your neck, one on your wrist and one in your hair will do just nicely, this way people admire not get drowned in your perfume. Please don’t ‘rub’ the fragrance in as you can actually bruise it and change it’s scent, just apply and leave it alone.

To make sure your fine fragrance lasts as long as possible without breaking down, do not store it in the bathroom, as the heat and light speed up deterioration. If you want your beautiful collection on display, it is best to keep them in the original boxes that they came in. If you live in a really hot climate, you really should keep them in the fridge for maximum life, just like you treat a good bottle of wine, perfume needs the same loving care, to keep them at their best.

Sometimes bottle size and price can be a little confusing. Perfume is sold in three different strengths and the price is greatly affected, as the concentration of actual perfume to alcohol differs. Eau de toilette has the lowest actual perfume concentration (around 10%)  so is therefore the cheapest option, Eau de parfum is next (around 20%) and the purest form is Parfum (up to 50%) actual fragrance, so these little bottles pack the biggest punch and have a price tag to match.

Make a date with yourself now to go and discover a beautiful new perfume that is perfect for you, and when you find one you love a little on-line shopping could save you some big dollars, I use www.strawberrynet.com for all those purchases, as they offer great prices and great delivery service.

So what is your favourite fragrance and how long have you been wearing it, maybe it is time for a change???