Monday, January 18, 2010

Fragrance - For Men and Women

By Trisha Martill

The Ancient Greeks and Romans understood the use of fragrance to cover up body odor and to make them smell more attractive. In Greece, the vital oils from eucalyptus, lavender and musk were added in scented baths and body scrubs. The Roman patricians used aromatic cloths or leather bags worn around their neck to distance the smell of body odor and rotting food from disturbing them in densely populated areas. In the Coliseum, there were mechanisms used to channel floral and citrus scents into the stands.

For women, oriental spice, floral and earthy scents are the most fashionable on the market today. Men prefer their fragrance to fuse musk, almond oil and spice. There is fierce rivalry in the perfume industry. Most major clothing designers and cosmetics manufacturers produce a new scent every few years. They develop, create and market the fragrance with a specific target audience in mind. For the younger customers, they generally focus on fruity or sweet scents with a soft powdery base.

Women prefer floral aromas that settle into something warm, with amber, bergamot or patchouli at the base. Men's fragrance often uses mandarin, grapefruit or other citrus scents as top notes. They settle in to lavender, sage or nutmeg and finish with a musky or woody undertone. Master perfumers are hired to create scents for various couture houses and cosmetics companies using a variety of aromatics. They use scents as well as the chemical structure of individual components to create the product.

Aromatherapy uses the fragrance of aromatic plant extracts, essential oils and flower petals such as orchids, lavender and lily of the valley in bath salts and massage oils to calm the senses and help the body unwind. Shower gels and scrubs generally contain mint, eucalyptus and citrus to awaken the senses and revitalize the body. Essential oils are the liquid extracts from different types of trees, grass and plants. These oils vanish quickly when exposed to the air.

Most perfumes have a food equivalent. These are called notes. Scents that contain fruit notes are usually some type of berry such as strawberry, cranberry and black current. Almond, hazelnut and coffee are considered nutty notes. If you are considering giving the gift of fragrance, take into consideration the person's favorite foods. Do they like citrus or vanilla? Perhaps they are crazy about mocha. With the hundreds of scents available you are certain to find one that is perfect for them.

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