Perfume is always about reminiscing, about meeting. Each of us can relate to these distinctive fragrances. They bring back an emotion, a desire, a dream, a fascination, which reminds us of pleasant and scary moments in our lives. French culture has embraced perfume and ensured its place in our modern day society.

Perfume has played a major role throughout the history of mankind. The art of perfumery was apparently known to the ancient Carthaginians, Arabs, Chinese, Greeks, Israelites, Hindus, Egyptians, and Romans. References to the use of perfume can even be found in the Bible. Additionally, containers were created to hold this precious element. The ancient Egyptians used scents lavishly, particularly in their religious rites. Once the Egyptians invented glass, they primarily used their glass containers to store perfume. Perfume use spread to Greece. The Greek glass containers were fashioned in the shape of birds, animals, sandaled feet, and human heads.

In Rome, perfume was extensively used as an aphrodisiac. With the beginnings of Christianity, the use of perfume declined along with the art of glassmaking. In the 12th Century, Phillipe-Augustine of France, passed a law establishing the first guild of perfumeurs. With this law, perfume regained its importance in the lives of rich throughout France. The 1800s saw the birth of modern perfumery in the village of Grasse, France. Growth in the perfume industry continued and by the 1900s, the time was right for a young man from Ajaccio, Corsica, to expand perfume usage beyond the elite classes of French society.

François Coty, first cousin to Napoleon Bonaparte, established a factory outside of Paris in 1905. He created a small collection of floral fragrances, which were very popular at the turn of the century and greatly helped France secure it’s position on the world’s perfume market. After the 1920s, other countries began to create their own fragrances. This, however, has not diminished France’s influence and people from around the world continue to buy and treasure a bottle of French perfume.

What are the necessary skills to formulate a powerful and lasting fragrance and how are these fragrances produced?

To create such a powerful element, one must be an artist, as well as, a scientist. It is mastered by the perfumer who has at their disposal an “organ” with a palette of 5000 to 6000 different scents. There are three basic processes of making perfume:

• distillation – A process which goes back to the Byzantine civilization.
• enfleurage – A technique developed in Grasse, France (birthplace of modern perfumery).
• extraction – A method discovered in the late 1800′s and is still used today.

French perfume factories continue to produce some of the finest fragrances in the world. Fragonard, Galimard, Mane, and Molinard are just four of the premier perfumeries in France. That special quality of fresh scent is still appreciated by the greatest perfumers of the world.

Perfume is a natural part our daily activities. From after-shave lotions to bath oils, we apply these scents to our bodies. Industrial perfumes are used to cover up undesirable odors (i.e. paints and cleaning materials) or to release a distinctive odor (i.e.the addition of bread odors to wrapping papers used for bread). So, the next time you use deodorant soap, apply some cologne, or open a fresh loaf of bread, pause and enjoy the moment. These odors are creating life-time memories. May they always be pleasant ones!

Samet Bilir writes about antiques and collectibles, book reviews, holiday shopping and a lot of other things. To read more articles from him visit his website at designaculture.com.

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Every woman should have a “go-to” fragrance that defines her! Your basic scent is determined by natural body chemistry, hormone levels, pH and the medicines or supplements that you take on a daily basis. Adding a beautiful perfume to the mix completes the fabulousness of the designer dress experience. The hard part is choosing the right fragrance for you.

Have you ever loved the way a particular perfume smells on your best friend (or, for that matter, a complete stranger)? Chances are, your first impulse is to rush out and buy the same fragrance. But wait! First ask for a sample that will allow at least 3-4 applications, which will give you the benefit of trying out the perfume in a variety of settings. Don’t be confused if a perfume that is amazing on another woman tends to sour on your skin. Your body chemistry is at play, and what works for you may not work for another woman, and vice versa.

So, just as you spent time shopping for a designer dress, so too must you shop for the perfect fragrance. Here are some tips and things to look for as you shop for your signature scent:

• Perfumes have 3 layers (also called “notes”). The true scent is only exposed after the 1st and 2nd (top and middle) notes evaporate. Choosing a fragrance with sheer top notes means that the true scent will be more readily apparent.
•  What is your favorite smell? Begin your search by determining your own favorite smells — cut grass, fresh rain, the first time the air conditioner is turned on — there is no wrong answer here!
• Definitely pick the salesperson’s brain! A knowledgeable salesperson will be able to steer you to the right fragrance group for you (woodsy, fruity, floral, etc.).
• Limit how many fragrances you test at a time. If you sample more than two perfumes at a time, your judgment will be clouded as your olfactory senses begin to overload.
• Apply the sample and wait! If there are no take-home samples available, apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist. Do not rub the perfume! Rubbing will only spoil the base note. If possible, wait at least 15-20 minutes before making a purchase. Ideally, apply the perfume you think you love and wear it for 24 hours, making the purchase the next day. This will allow time for any perfume to reveal itself fully, and give you the best sense of how the perfume will work for you.
• Climate affects perfume. It’s best to choose a lighter fragrance for hot, humid climates to avoid being “over-scented.” Keep in mind, however, that heat will hasten evaporation, so you’ll need to re-apply a lighter scent more often.
• Switch it up! While it’s nice to have a signature fragrance, it’s also nice to have a variety of scents. After all, your wardrobe changes with the seasons — why not your perfume? It is, after all a definitive part of your style!
• You don’t always get what you pay for. If you find a scent that is perfect for you at the corner drugstore, go for it! A scent is valued not by its price, but rather the pleasure that it offers you.
• Refrain from pregnant perfume shopping. The intense hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect your olfactory senses, so it’ best to not test out new perfumes while in a family way.
• Finally, always be certain you’re purchasing an unopened package. Scams and rip-offs come in many flavors and scents. An opened package of perfume may mean that the original scent has been watered-down or replaced. When you’re paying plenty of money for a top-notch scent, make sure you’re getting what you’re entitled to, and insist on a new, unopened package.

About the author: Helllo, my name is Fiona and I enjoy writing about women’s fashion, including evening dresses and special occasion gowns.

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. for more please see the disclosure page.

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This would be one cool gift, or buy it for yourself! The Sephora Favorites Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler For Her contains nine fragrance samples, plus it  includes a voucher for a full-size version of your favorite item.

The set contains a nice selection of popular perfumes and fragrances:

• Dior Addict 2
• Versace Bright Crystal
• Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline
• Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy
• Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One
• DKNY Be Delicious
• Philosophy Amazing Grace
• Prada Infusion d’Iris
• Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy

The collection comes it at a $145 value for $79.

Interested inn Men’s fragrance? Sephora also has a sample for him:  Sephora Favorites Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler For Him ($165 Value) Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler For Him

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Disclosure: this is an advertorial post.

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Marc Jacob releases a few splash fragrances every year. Often they have are fruit based themes. Not being a huge perfume lover, I tend to look forward to them because they usually are light fresh scents. This year the new  Marc Jacobs Splash scents are: Pomegranate, Apple, and Biscotti.

Biscotti???? That is an odd one! I haven’t smelled it yet so I can’t say much about it. I’ll try to find it next week to see if it really smells like Italian cookies. Since Biscotti are traditionally almond flavored, I imagine that will be a focus of the scent. Have you tried it? If so let us know!

If you are looking for various splashes, including the increasingly hard to find Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash, check below.

Note: This post contains an affilaite link(s), for more please see my disclosures page.

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Update: I have added shopping boxes for sources of this sometimes hard to find fragrance that I will do my best to keep updated.  Also, Ultra Fragrances sometimes has it here:
Marc Jacobs Cucumber by Marc Jacobs Perfume for Women

Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash is back! I adore this fragrance. You see, I am not much of a perfume person. I don’t care for most of them, unless they have a very natural and clean smell.

Marc Jacobs cucumber splash is one of those that I really like. This fragrance is light (it is labeled as a “splash”) and while I don’t know that it really smells like cucumber, it has a fresh, clean fragrance that seems natural to me.  This is a great scent for everyday wear and for outdoor casual activities.

I also must add that I have had more compliments wearing Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash than I have had with any other fragrance. Actually, I don’t think I have gotten many compliments at all on other perfumes, but cucumber splash has drawn good remarks on multiple occasions.

Another one I really like is Marc Jacobs Grapefruit Splash , which also has a fresh and light citrus oriented fragrance, although it seems slightly more perfumed to me.

These tend to be limited edition (the first cucumber splash was out two years ago for only a short time). So if you want one, procrastination isn’t a good idea!

Below are shopping links to the currently available splash fragrances Cucumber and Grapefruit are getting hard to find!

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Calvin Klein has a new fragrance out that I rather like: Calvin Klein Secret Obsession.

I wish I was good at describing fragrances, but I am not. So here is the company description, which seems accurate to me:

The fragrance has top notes of exotic plum, mace and rose de damas; a heart of Egyptian jasmine, French orange flower and tuberose, and base notes of cashmere woods, burnt amber, Madagascan vanilla and Australian sandalwood.

It is a nice scent for fall for me. It isn’t too summery floral or beachy. Instead it has a cooler, more mature feel to it.  Eva Mendes is the official representative for the scent. Learn more and request a sample at the Calvin Klein Secret Obsession website.

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Looking for some all natural, organic, and paraben free fragrances? You might want to take a look at Starring…! Fragrances. The company, created by celebrity sisters Ashley and Courtney Peldon, creates nature conscious perfumes, body products, and scented candles.

The scent The Diva was rather unique. This rather sweet scent is described as dark chocolate, raspberry truffles, fresh strawberries, and a hint of rosewater, piled atop a bed of light musk. The chocolate and berries are definitely noticeable in the scent, but are changed a bit and toned down by the rosewater and musk. I have to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed by the sweetness at first, but after wearing it for a few hours, I began to rather like it. Another hour more, and I was pretty hooked on it. It has a more natural smell to my untrained nose than does most perfumes. I suppose that is because of the natural dessert scents.

I also tried The Supermodel, which is described as a sensual blend of Egyptian musk, sweetened with neroli and orange blossoms. I found it to be just as described, with a nice basic musky scent.

The company has many more fragrances available. Starring…! perfumes are $20 for a 10 ml roll-on bottle and $40 for 30 ml. So the price is nice too.

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Previously, when I thought of Kenzo I thought of perfume, fashion, or handbags because that is the context I knew them in. But Kenzo also makes an interesting skin care line, Kenzoki and I recently had the opportunity to try a few of the products.

Kenzoki labels their line as “skincare that makes you feel good,” and it definitely succeeds. The products are based around plant water and fragrances that focus both on skin care needs and on a specific mood. There are four categories of products: Bamboo Leaf: Energizing; Ginger Flower: Euphoric; White Lotus: Relaxing; and Rice Steam: Sensual. I tried a night cream from the White Lotus line and two interesting products from the Ginger Flower line; a day cream and an eye cream that are meant to be chilled.

Kenzoki Moisturizer

From the White Lotus line, I tried the Cosmic Cosmetic Cream, gentle night repair treatment. Not surprisingly, since Kenzo is a company that produces fragrances, this lightweight cream smells fabulous. The focus of the product is on soothing and moisturizing agents with a relaxing scent based on the fragrance of the white lotus flower. The cream absorbs quickly and is not at all heavy. It is listed as suitable for all skin types. The product felt nice and I liked the light fragrance, which was also boyfriend approved. The directions state to put it on for ten minutes and then remove using fingertips in a facial massage movement. So this is really more of a treatment product than a full overnight cream.

While I liked the Cosmic Cosmetic Cream just fine, I really loved the other two products that I tried from the Ginger Flower line, which have the unique attribute of being designed for use after being chilled.

The Vital-Ice Cream is a day cream that is a bit thicker and more luxurious than the night treatment that I tried. Because my skin is a bit dry, a thicker cream tends to be my preference, especially when it will be left on my face. This product is listed as best for normal to combination skin, but was also just about right for my slightly dry skin. Focusing on ginger plant water, the product has a nice invigorating scent, with a hint of floral and citrus. Recommended to be used chilled, I liked how it felt on the skin. I tried it later at room temperature and liked it fine that way as well, but I imagine that I will be using this in summer, especially after coming in from outside. The combination of chilled cream and invigorating scent was wonderful.

My favorite of the three is the Ice-Cold Eye Cream, also from the Ginger Flower line. I just love this stuff chilled. The product is a rich cream with the same light scent as the day cream. This a product that definitely makes sense to use cold. With a focus on moisturizers and depuffing/firming agents, the chilling of the product both adds extra punch to the process and feels really good. I’m a sucker for cool (temperature wise) products for the eyes, such a gels, and I really liked how this item felt when put on straight from the fridge. I also tried it at room temperature and it was fine, but I prefer it used cold . If you don’t mind keeping a product in your fridge, I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Shop For Kenzo Products

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