I’d like to think that it’s the fragrance that chooses you, having said that, your signature scent perhaps might not translate from the hot, steamy weather, to the chilly months. So, how do you choose the right one? Perfumer and fragrance expert Erica Moore of Fragrances of the World chats to Rescu. about suiting your fragrance to your personality, making it last longer and the best notes for the winter season.
by Bahar Etminan, Rescu. Editor and Founder
RESCU: What are your top tips on finding your fragrance personality?
Erica Moore: It’s important to really tune into the fragrances you already surround yourself with. Look at things like the types of candles you burn, room sprays and hand soap you choose, as well as the fragrances you’ve worn in the past. You should also look at the way certain fragrances make you feel – warm woody and spicy notes for example could indicate a more sensual type of scent personality, whereas fruity and citrus notes will often suggest fun, light-hearted, vivacious personality types.
RESCU: How can we make our favourite fragrance last longer?
Erica Moore: The best way to make a fragrance last longer is to layer it. Starting with shower gels and body lotions in the same or similar scent, and finishing off with a spritz of fragrance. I also like to wear a fragrance on a few different places – at the nape of my neck on the hairline, the small of my back and my wrists. It gives an overall sillage effect (the technical term for the trail of scent someone leaves behind them) but also means that if one area develops and lifts off quicker, other areas may maintain the scent a little longer.
RESCU: We’re just about to go into winter, what kind of fragrances do you recommend to suit the cooler months?
Erica Moore: Coming into winter I definitely ramp up the spicy and vanilla notes in everything I use. I switch to vanilla and spice dominated shower gels, and have even found a warm spicy laundry powder. We seem drawn to the sweeter and warmer notes because they connote comfort (think of baking, open fires etc), but they are also easier to use in the cooler months. Too much sweetness in warm weather can be overpowering and cloying.
After speaking to Erica, I was inspired to change my fragrances with the season, these are my picks:
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. Bourbon vanilla and white musk leave a decadent and mysterious linger to the wintry-fresh blossoms of Coco Mademoiselle. The innately elegant and enigmatic fragrance combines delicate jasmine absolute and may rose absolute to create a scent that contrasts and compliments, keeping your admirers guessing in your wake.
Guerlain Myrrh & Delires is the ideal fragrance for understated glamour this winter. Combining spicy and soft myrrh and licorice notes with heady jasmine and patchouli finishing with creamy vanilla makes this Oriental fragrance glamorous and comforting, like a warm second skin.
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne Woody Oriental, Crisp – Citrus Fruity Inspired by Parisian chic and a red silk dress, Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne combines sweet, fruity notes of raspberry, plum, pink pepper and pomegranate with patchouli, frankincense and spicy woods.
RRP: $90 https://www.jomalone.com.au
Olfactory obsessed? Imagine if you could spend the day with the perfume expert’s expert and godfather of modern perfumery, Michael Edwards… well you can! He will be in Australia for a limited time to share his passion and invaluable insights from the annual Fragrances of the World guidebook – the ‘Fragrance Bible’ of modern perfumery.
He will be:
In Melbourne on Tuesday 9th July 2013
In Perth on Tuesday 16th July 2013
In Sydney on Tuesday 23rd July 2013
Register at www.fragrancesoftheworld.com
