History
The history of spirits begins from time immemorial. People have long discovered the extraordinary properties of smells that can create the right mood. In ancient times, during rituals, the priests of pagan gods burned grasses, roots of plants and flowers in chickens. They believed that "delicious" smoke could place gods on them, and also create an atmosphere of mystery and improbability of what is happening. However, incense was also appreciated outside the temples.
The first people to make fragrances a part of their culture were the Egyptians. They rubbed their bodies with oils and ointments with the smell of cinnamon or honey. And this cosmetics was so expensive that it could only be known to her. The legendary queen Cleopatra ordered to moisten the sails of her ships with spirits, so that the divine smell would announce her arrival.
In Persia, among the rich, it was considered a good way to grow violets, jasmine, lilies and red roses in their gardens, in order to use them to make incense. It is to the Persians that we owe the invention of rose water. The ancient Greeks tried to make compositions from different smells and recorded their recipes, detailing which plants produce which flavors. And the Romans shaved their faces, after which they smeared ointment on the skin. In the Middle Ages, fragrant perfume was used to mask unpleasant odors that appeared due to poor hygiene. It was then that liquid spirits were invented on the basis of alcohol and essential oils, known to us so far and used in perfumery.
Time passed, but a different perfume continued to be just as popular. It is known that Napoleon Bonaparte was very fond of the smell of jasmine and violets. And he translated to his crowned person for a day up to 12 liters of perfume. And it was not a simple whim. The Emperor believed that a pleasant scent helps him to effectively manage the fighting. And, besides, in military campaigns he used perfumes for disinfection. By the way, in 1804 he founded the first perfume and cosmetics company and invented fragrant water, which he called a toilet.
The father of modern perfumery is Francois Coty. He was not only a brilliant "nose", but also a good entrepreneur. He owned the idea of selling perfume in beautiful vials, and not in simple apothecary vials. He also began to combine natural smells with artificial smells for the first time. So in 1917 the aroma "Chypre" was composed, which brought Koti world fame. Nowadays the technological process allows using the most incredible fragrant compositions. In the sale comes a huge number of spirits, and picking "their own" can be very difficult. But we will try to understand this diversity.
Choose perfume
When choosing a fragrance, one must first of all remember that each person has a unique "skin chemistry". This means that those spirits that you liked "on the girlfriend", can quite differently smell on your skin. Perfume should be selected individually. To give here some recommendations is rather difficult, but there are some general rules.
Experts do not recommend coming to the store and trying everything. It's unlikely that this way will help you make the right choice. You can test the contents of a maximum of three vials. Otherwise, you "sniff", get confused and get absolutely not what you wanted.
Having sprinkled yourself with spirits, be sure to walk with them for a while, so that the fragrance opens completely. Besides, on your skin, it can change a little. And you need to focus on the "train", because he will accompany you all day.
Perfume compositions are composed on the principle of a triad: an initial (or upper) note, a central note (or a note of the heart), and a base note (or "loop"). After applying these notes gradually replace each other, and the fragrance as it were "opens".
It is even better to stock up several flavors for a different mood and for different occasions. By the way, you can read descriptions in magazines, advertising booklets or catalogs. There are often given definitions of the nature of the perfume: romantic, sporty, refined and so on. Perhaps they will tell you which smell to prefer to create a certain image.
Also, it is not superfluous to pay attention to the packaging and name. Usually the design of perfume (especially color) corresponds to its character. Practice shows that it is quite difficult to meet air citrus perfume in a gloomy black box.
If you liked some perfume, remember the manufacturer. Perhaps you will also like its new flavors, as some things like one brand or designer may like.
We use it with advantage
Now a few words about using. Spirits put on the inside of the wrists and elbows, behind the ears, in the decollete and under the knees - then the fragrance "comes to life" with every movement you make. You can still choke your hair (especially good on the locks retained toilet water) or clothes (only neat - it may remain stains). It is very important to remember that the number of spirits depends on where you will be. It is not proper to be strongly scented in a small room. And in general a suffocating, beating in the nose, albeit pleasant in every respect, the smell is considered a bad form. And do not forget that sweat strengthens the fragrance. Therefore, if it is hot in the room or on the street, use spirits carefully, otherwise everyone will run away from you.
Using the same perfume, eventually you get used to it and stop noticing it. And then you can not determine whether you are strong or weak. Therefore, although sometimes the spirits must be changed in order to get a little out of the favorite smell. But then, of course, you can return to it.
Keep perfume is best in the package, preferably in a cool place. But it's okay if you put bottles on the dressing table in the room. The main thing - that there was not hot. After all, from heat and sunlight, spirits deteriorate very quickly - this is signaled by a changed smell and color. You can not also store bubbles in the bathroom. There too often the temperature changes, and this brings the contents of the beautiful bottles into disrepair. If you are not sure that you will often suffocate, do not buy large bottles. Fragrant water can not "live" forever, so it will be a pity if the aroma spoils, and not having been "in the wild."
And do not forget that nowadays perfume is a means of self-expression. It can greatly affect how you are perceived by others. Spirits can make you prettier in the eyes of others, or they can spoil the whole impression. Therefore, remember that in using fragrant water, as in everything that concerns your appearance, there should be taste, moderation and experience. It's not for nothing that they say that creating an image with the help of fragrance is a real art.
Types of Perfumes
There are many types of fragrances. However, it is customary to distinguish the following main groups.
Citrus. For their production, oils derived from lemon, mandarin, orange, grapefruit, bergamot and other similar fruits are used. Such flavors are usually light and fresh.
Floral. By name, you can guess that the basis is a floral scent: rose, carnation, lily, narcissus, violet, lily of the valley, jasmine and others. Such spirits are usually very feminine and therefore popular.
Wood. The main smells are sandalwood, rose bush, patchouli, cedar, vetiver. They are often blended with notes of blue iris, myrtle and musk. Spirits of this type are quite heavy.
Ferns (wine glasses) . It is noteworthy that the ancient plants have nothing to do with the spirits of this type, and they are named after the perfume Fougere Royale. It was based on the smell of freshly mown hay (so smells synthetic substance coumarin, used in the production process). Usually these spirits have a tart vegetative flavor. Kumarin is often mixed with notes of geranium, lavender, wood, bergamot and oak moss.
Shipry. The name of this group went from the perfume "Chypre" by François Coty, about which it was already spoken. It is based on the smell of oak moss, to which are added notes of incense-labdanum, patchouli, resin, sage, bergamot.
Ambreous (oriental, or oriental) . Spirits of this type are quite bright and strong, they are considered evening. They are fragrant with powder, vanilla, cinnamon, spices, and also include the so-called "animal notes".
Leather. This group is more of a man's perfume. The main smells: juniper, birch tar, smoke, burning wood, tobacco.
Each of the main varieties of flavors includes a huge number of subgroups. In addition, there are other types. For example, fruit, green, marine, spicy, aldehyde . The latter (aldehyde) are chemical, they are made up of artificial odors. The most striking example of aldehyde perfume is Chanel No. 5.
Also, flavors are divided into types depending on the concentration, which affects the persistence of the perfume. The higher the percentage, the more stable the flavor, the less it is required when used:
- Perfume (parfum, extrait) - concentration of 20-30%.
- Perfume water, water-perfume (eau de parfum, Parfum de Toilette, Esprit de parfum) - concentration of 15-25%.
- Toilet water (eau de Toilette) - concentration of 10-20%.
About perfume, perfume, history of spirits, quotations and statements about spirits is told and written a lot. But more vividly and concisely spoke about the spirits of Coco Chanel: "Perfume is an invisible, but unforgettable, unrivaled, fashionable accessory. He announces the appearance of a woman and continues to remind her of when she left. "