| Getting the most from pricey fragrances |
| By Susan Fenton
• Bankrate.com |
|
Fragrances are expensive enough as it is without wasting any. If you
were fortunate enough to receive a pricey concoction from your Valentine
-- or even if you paid for it yourself -- here are the top tips from
the Fragrance Foundation to help you get the most out of your favorite
scent.
Learn to layer: You can stretch your fragrance budget by
layering scent. If you enjoy a costly eau de parfum, for example,
purchase the more moderately priced body lotion to go with it. After
bathing, apply the lotion all over and use just a dab of scent on
warmest areas -- throat, neck, back of the knee and crook of the elbow.
Keep scent away from light and heat: The shelf life of most
fragrance is less than two years. To preserve quality, store out
of direct sunlight and high-moisture sites, like bathrooms. Better
yet, keep bottles used infrequently in the refrigerator.
Spray, don't splash: When purchasing scent, opt for sprays
rather than splash bottles. Fragrance stays truer and keeps longer
if it never makes contact with bacteria-carrying fingers. If you
prefer a dab of scent, make sure your hands are freshly washed.
Avoid scents when ill: If you're feeling under the weather,
avoid wearing fragrance. Illness affects the smells we find pleasant,
so you can suddenly find you dislike your new perfume -- and never
want to use it again!
Keep your scent personal: Never give your favorite perfume
as a gift. Your scent is like your signature, and you really don't
want someone else to have it. On top of that, fragrance makes a
personal statement about you.
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