The Different Kinds Of Fragrances
Fragrances have been used for a very long time to make someone smell good or better. It has also been used as an aromatherapy for those who may suffer from some sickness or ailment. Through the years, fragrance has developed into several types that include perfumes, eau de parfums, eau de toilette and eau de cologne. The difference among these types of fragrance is in the concentration levels of essential oils that are mixed into them.
Perfumes have the highest concentration of perfume oils (around 20 - 40 percent), followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette and lastly eau de cologne, which have around 2 - 5 percent perfume or essential oils. Perfume oils are usually derived from plants and other organic or natural sources such as animals or lichens. Synthetic scents are also readily available. Perfumes last longer and are stronger than all the other fragrances. Eau de cologne on the other hand needs to be applied several times a day if you wish to maintain the scent because they do not last long and the fragrance can be fleeting.
The Fragrance Wheel
The fragrance wheel is a method of classifying the different scents available in the industry today. In this particular wheel there are five main or standard classifications namely, floral, oriental, fresh, woody and fougere. As their name imply, the main fragrance in a scent falls in one of the classifications. Fougere is a combination of two or more of the other standard scents in the wheel.
In the said wheel, floral, soft floral and floral oriental fall under the floral classification while soft oriental, oriental and woody oriental are under the oriental classification. Wood, mossy woods and dry woods fall under the woody classification of fragrances and citrus, green and water are under the fresh classification.
Uses of Fragrance
We use scents to basically improve the smell of an area or enhance a person. Fragrance is also used to improve a person's well being in the form of aromatherapy. A person's sense of smell can affect the overall attitude and personality of an individual. Aromatherapy ha long been used to promote a relaxed atmosphere or to induce energy and spirit in a person.
Fragrance has also been used to mask a particularly bad smell. In cases like these, you would need a stronger scent or perfume to be able to fully mask an odor that is undesirable. Many people have aromatherapy candles in their homes and also scented potpourri to add to the ambience of their homes.
