10 facts about perfumes that every woman should know

Are you fickle or faithful to perfume? At age 50, we hate, hate and love all the fashionable flavors, from Giorgio Beverly Hills to Thierry Mugler Angel and the Kai fragrance oil. We agree with the line of Coco Chanel: "There is no elegance without perfume, it is the definitive accessory, unprecedented and unforgettable.Our number one priority is the smell of joy, but some our perfume problems persist Matthew Milèo, founder of Miléo New York, an expert in perfumery and aromatherapy, shared some surprising facts.

1. The fragrance has a shelf life. Use it or lose it.

Do not be too nostalgic. The accumulated perfume is a bad idea, so throw away this sealed YSL Paris bottle bought years ago at Paris airport. "Five years is the maximum that a fragrance can last and that it can be used safely," says Milèo. "The shelf life may vary depending on the chemical composition and quality of the product, but keep in mind that duty-free items have been around for much longer than department stores. Collectors are the favorites with lower prices for less luxurious labels, the latter being cooler in department stores, and no, what you buy is no different from what you buy here.

2. Is the bottle beautiful? Keep it out of sight.

It's tempting to show a nice bottle, even if it's just for you. But its scent belongs to a closed cabinet or drawer and is not displayed in your vanity or sink. "Even if the expiration window is not active and you use it daily, its aroma will always be exposed to harmful heat and light," said Milèo. "The perfume is like mascara, once opened, the expiration clock flashes and does not stop when not in use Check for color and odor changes, but do not store perfume for more than five years, whatever happens Chemicals start to break down and lead to the formation of other chemicals that can be harmful to the skin or lungs Why take this opportunity? smaller sizes and not larger, and keep a round ball of your favorite aroma in your daily bag.

3. It is best to keep the fragrance on a warm, moist base.

Perfume retailers try to attract us to everything from bubble bath to body lotions, claiming that their perfume will last longer. Well, it happens! But it gets expensive, especially if you like the scent of the brand. Of course, you can use a low-cost body moisturizer as a base, but here's the real secret: "Warm, moisturized skin has the best perfume, so apply it immediately after bathing or showering," explains Milèo. . "If you are already standing, apply the lipstick on the ends of your wrist (wrists, neck, elbows) and apply the scent on these points.The waxy consistency of the balm will melt as the skin warms up to preserve the scent and help it last longer. "

4. Two women do not feel the same when they use the same fragrance.

If you think that a certain perfume has an extraordinary scent for your best friend and is not so fabulous for you, there is a good reason. "There are many variables related to body chemistry, such as pH and hormone levels, diet and drugs," explains Miléo. "The body temperature affects the aroma because a warm body intensifies the average notes of a perfume.Your skin type also influences your perfume.The oily skin retains the high notes for longer and softens the aromas, while the dryness makes opposite. "

5. Do not try more than two scents at once for a realistic assessment.

When shopping in a store, avoid thin strips of paper aromas. They are excellent for hiding a delicious aroma in your bag every time you dive into something, but your skin is the best test surface. "Just try two scents at once, one for each arm," says Milèo. "Spray the outside of your arm if you want the real scent, spray the inside of the forearm to see its smell, depending on the chemical composition of your body."

6. Eau de toilette (EDT) and Eau de Parfum (EDP) of the same fragrance, similar smell, not identical.

The price and the size of the bottle affect what you buy, but also the concentration. "A lot of TED has increased classifications that are different in the EDP version," says Milèo. "For example, Chanel's Eau de Toilette No. 5 has a woody smell due to an intense note of sandalwood, while Chanel's Eau de Toilette No. 5 has a softer vanilla smell." So, try the "Juice" shop, you will also use it to avoid disappointments.

7. Layered perfume is easier than you think.

You've probably wondered if you spray one perfume on another or mix it up a bit here and a little, that's fine. "I like mixing perfumes, but you play with a joker: you never know what the result will be until you have tried it," explains Milèo. "Try to plunge a sweet scent with something spicy or earthy, it will add complexity and balance, but it really depends on your personality.If you like sweet floral notes, stack them! What makes things easier is that many of the popular flavors are fruity flower variants now, so you can not miss them because the ingredients are like a salad.

8. The notes of lavender, rose and grapefruit are mood modifiers.

If one wonders if the affirmations of certain calming or energizing scents are true, Milèo answers that yes, but "the sign is that the perfume must be biological or botanical, and not synthetic". According to the Natural Medicine Journal, lavender is used to relieve anxiety and depression, but the best assessment is to find what works for you. Grapefruit, for example, contains a bright, effervescent note that blows from the nose to the brain to produce a "I'm awake and ready" sensation. Pink floral aromas can do the same, because citronellol is the main ingredient of rose oil, which has a regenerating effect that can make you happy. So keep melatonin and coffee: try Happy Clinic for a touch of grapefruit, notes and scents from Estée Lauder's Sarah Jessica Parker for a lavender-laden bouquet.

9. Trust your nose, not social networks, questionnaires or perfume prices.

The choice of a perfume is very personal and deserves to be tried in person. After all, once lit, no one knows what it is or how much it costs, let alone whether it's a floral floral or a floral floral. "Nothing touches you when it comes to something you will love," says Milèo. "I've always been disappointed with the computerized recommendations, mainly because most fragrances have a lot more ingredients than the ones listed, and there are always some that do not please you, even though the general fragrance is The real difference for (non-specialist) consumers between a $ 40- $ 100 fragrance is in the ingredients - natural ingredients are simply more expensive than synthetics - the use of lush flowers and exotic woods is too much expensive for less expensive perfumes Take two similar essences: the $ 100 will give a richer, more intensely floral and woody fragrance than the $ 40 perfume, which usually has a greener, sweeter perfume. Jean Patou ($ 190, nordstrom.com) and Coty Sand & Sable for women ($ 27, walmart.com) are a good example: they are both jasmine and rose essences, but the scents are different.

10. Too much perfume? Shower

It's easy to overdo it when you love a scent, especially for a party, dinner, meeting or special event. Milan has a quick fix that really works. "Remove the hand sanitizer to remove some of the skin.The disinfectant alcohol quickly evaporates any excess perfume.A disposable cleaning works the same way if you have these things useful.But if you do not have one, look for a fan, vent or windy area outside and let it out.This may be why Marilyn Monroe stood at the crossroads of the metro in The Seven Year Itch: Too Chanel # 5 .