You love those oriental and floral scents that make you feel as if you're floating on air. Or maybe the romantic scent of lavender and gardenias fills your inner soul with sensual calm. If you love the outdoors, you will probably be drawn to the aroma of pine trees in springtime. Or you could be seduced by a fresh citrus blend. One thing's for sure: You'll want your scent to carry you through every hug and handshake until your very last dance. Here's our "two scents worth" on wedding day fragrance.
CHOICES
If you've ever tried to make it through a department store without being sprayed, you know there are a million fragrances out there. And after a while they all seem to smell alike. Because your skin is special (you knew that!) each fragrance takes on a different scent with each wearer. To make the most of your shopping trip, decide in advance what kind of fragrance you like (floral, fruity, woodsy or oriental). Ask for samples in that category only, and limit your sampling to four or five scents per visit.
If you hardly ever wear fragrance, and you don't know a pheromone from a xylophone, sample a fragrance from each of the categories listed below.
What will your wedding be?
- Timelessly traditional? Floral scents are a great choice.
- Small and intimate? Go for romantic, oriental scents.
- A raucous party? Try bold oriental or fruity scents.
- An outdoor affair? Floral or woodsy will blend well.
Floral Scents
Vera Wang by Vera Wang (available in parfum, eau de parfum, body creme, body lotion, body powder and bath and shower creme).
Anna Sui by Anna Sui (available in parfum, eau de toilette, body lotion and shower gel).
Eau de Dolce Vita by Christian Dior (available in eau de toilette and shower gel).
En Fleurs by Escada (available in eau de toilette).
Versace's Essence -- Ethereal by Gianni Versace (available in eau de toilette).
Champs-Elysees by Guerlain (available in perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, body lotion, shower gel, soap, talc and deodorant).
Fruity Scents
Burberry of London for Women by Burberry (available in eau de parfum).
By Dolce and Gabbana Woman by Dolce and Gabbana (available in eau de toilette and body milk).
Nahema by Guerlain (available in perfume and parfum de toilette).
Tropical Punch by Escada (available in eau de toilette, body lotion and shower gel).
Hot Coutureby Givenchy (available in perfume and eau de parfum).
Woodsy Scents
Black by Bulgari (available in eau de toilette, body lotion and hydrating fluid).
Odeur 53 by Commes des Garcons (available in eau de toilette).
Spirit by Zents (available in body spray, body lotion, bath salts, body wash and elixir [similar to perfume]).
Mitsouko by Guerlain (available in perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, body lotion, shower gel, deodorant and soap).
Cabochard by Gres (available in eau de toilette).
Oriental Scents
Burberry Touch for Women by Burberry (available in eau de parfum).
Obsession by Calvin Klein (available in eau de parfum).
Organza Indecence by Givenchy (available in eau de parfum).
Shalimar by Guerlain (available in perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, body lotion, shower gel, deodorant, soap and talc).
Kenzo Jungle, The Elephant by Kenzo (available in eau de parfum and body lotion).
If you're still not satisfied, try thinking outside your sweet-smelling box. Just about any scent you can imagine has been turned into a fragrance, from lilies to licorice. We know one daring bride-to-be who atomized herself with a cappuccino-scented formula to drive her java-loving fiancé to distraction!
Perfume or Cologne?
Fragrance is all about concentration -- not yours, the fragrance's. More concentrated formulas should be applied lightly to pulse points. Lighter blends can be applied all over without offending your reception line.
- Perfume -- Very concentrated; use sparingly.
- Eau de Parfum -- Very concentrated, but weaker than perfume; pulse points only.
- Cologne -- Half as strong as perfume; pulse points or lightly spray.
- Eau de Toilette -- Generally weaker than cologne; spray.
- Body washes, splashes and mists -- Very weak; spray all over for a light scent.
A word about essential oils. While these wonderful scents are great for room fresheners and sachets, generally they must be heavily diluted before they are worn directly on the skin. Some are so potent they can cause a rash. If you love a particular essential oil, you're better off finding a skin fragrance that incorporates its scent.
Sweet Smelling Safety Tips
Try on your fragrance ahead of time to make sure you're not allergic.
Don't have your flowers and perfume compete. If you have an abundance of aromatic buds (stargazer lilies, gardenias, roses or jasmine), opt for a subtler, floral fragrance. Your man will still pick up the scent when you are alone together at the end of the aisle.
On The Big Day
- Keep it light! The higher your body temperature, the more potent the scent.
- Stick to body mists and lotions. They have lower perfume concentrations.
- Spray on your fragrance before you step into your dress.
- Apply heavier perfumes sparingly to your pulse points.
- Reapply fragrance to pulse points throughout the day but be sure to keep fragrance away from your dress!
- Steer clear of sprays that may stain fabric.
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