The Art of
Wearing Perfume
By Jane Marie
People have been wearing perfume for
thousands of years. Perhaps they got the idea from the smoke of
fumes or burnt religious offerings.
Technically, the first distilled
essence or modern perfume was made in the 10th century when the Persian
philosopher Avicenna [Abu Ali Sina or Ibn Sina] distilled rose petal oil
for use as a medicine. Everything was natural until 1868 when the
first artificial scent was created. Today, the perfume industry is
worth billions.
Traditionally, perfume
should only be applied strongly enough to be smelled 12 inches away. But no
matter how delicate the application, some people with sensitive
allergies would prefer that you forgo the use of scent completely when
you will be traveling in a closed container such as an airplane.
As with most things, moderation is best.
Application
Apply your perfume
after showering or bathing, but if you have time, wait a few minutes
since you've washed away the body oil that helps hold the scent on your
skin.
Don't rub perfume into
your skin because it breaks down the scent. Let it air dry by waving your
arms. You'll be getting very mild exercise to boot!
Let perfume dry
completely so the alcohol in it won't stain your clothes.
Wait until your perfume
is dry before applying jewelry,
including pearls or beads, so it won't discolor them.
Layering scented lotion
with perfume on top will make the scent last much long.
More tricks and tips
Holding the perfume
bottle over your hair, spritz a few times and let the scent waft down
upon your locks.
For an instant
expensive air freshener, you can spray a few spritzes just above the floor.
As heat rises, so will the scent.
Don't mix scents.
Keep your perfume away
from window sills and sunlight, which may degrade it.
Don't buy large bottles of perfume.
You might tire of the scent. Instead, purchase several different smaller
sized perfumes to go with different moods you may be feeling.
Above all, if you have
expensive perfume, wear it today. Who better to enjoy it than you?
|
The
Magic of Scent
By Nancy Kamp
I
used to have a signature perfume, a scent so wonderful
it made me feel gorgeous. Naturally, it was discontinued,
and I've moved on to other fragrances. But I still
have some dusting powder in a box at the back of a drawer.
And sometimes, not very often, but sometimes, I dig out
the box and remember the old Nancy.
The
other day we heard an even better version of this story
from our own contributing editor, Bonnie
Shively.
Bonnie wrote -
My mom used to wear Evening In Paris many years ago
when she and Dad were young. Dad tells how she
sent him a small empty vial of the perfume to carry
with him while he was stationed overseas in World War
II. He kept it in his pocket, and on those
long lonely nights he would pop the cork and breathe
deeply, remembering home and the wife who was waiting
for him to return.
The perfume bottle helped him get through it all and
come back safely. He still has that empty vial
after all these years, and still treasures it as part
of the reason he is alive today.
Dad and
Mom are in their 80s now, and Mom has been semi-comatose
for several years due to many strokes. Most of the
time we don't really know how much she hears or understands.
And although Mom is still with him in their home, Dad
really misses his wife and best friend of more than 60
years.
When I saw an for Evening In Paris on GraciousJaneMarie.com, I ordered a bottle immediately.
It brought
teary-eyed pleasure to Dad, and we like to think that
somehow, as she wears it, the familiar scent is bringing
Mom some very sweet memories.
|
|
