Fragrances can be classified into several main categories, each defined by the dominant scent characteristics and notes used in their composition. These categories help you identify and select a fragrance that aligns with your personal preferences. Here are the main fragrance categories:

1. Floral Fragrances: Floral perfumes are the most popular category and feature scents inspired by flowers. Common floral notes include rose, jasmine, lily, and violet. These fragrances are often associated with elegance, romance, and femininity.

2. Citrus Fragrances: Citrus scents are characterized by their zesty, fresh, and invigorating notes. They often include ingredients like lemon, orange, grapefruit, and bergamot. Citrus fragrances are known for their uplifting and refreshing qualities, making them ideal for daytime and summer wear.

3. Oriental Fragrances: Oriental or spicy fragrances are warm and exotic, often containing ingredients like vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and exotic woods. They evoke a sense of sensuality, mystery, and luxury, making them suitable for evening or special occasions.

4. Woody Fragrances: Woody scents are earthy and grounded, featuring notes such as sandalwood, cedarwood, and patchouli. These fragrances convey a sense of sophistication and strength and are often favored by individuals who appreciate a more subtle and refined aroma.

5. Fruity Fragrances: Fruity fragrances are characterized by the inclusion of fruity notes like apple, pear, and berries. They are fresh, playful, and youthful, making them great choices for casual or summer use.

6. Green Fragrances: Green fragrances contain notes reminiscent of leaves, grass, and herbs. These scents are often fresh, crisp, and natural, evoking feelings of vitality and the outdoors.

7. Aquatic Fragrances: Aquatic or marine fragrances are inspired by the sea and water. They often feature notes like seaweed, salt, and marine air, creating a clean and refreshing scent reminiscent of the ocean.

8. Gourmand Fragrances: Gourmand scents are characterized by sweet and edible notes, such as vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. These fragrances offer a comforting and indulgent experience, making them a popular choice for winter or evening wear.

9. Chypre Fragrances: Chypre fragrances are a blend of earthy, woody, and mossy notes, often combined with citrus or floral elements. They are known for their complexity and sophistication.

10. Leather Fragrances: Leather fragrances feature notes like leather, tobacco, and spices, creating a robust and distinctive aroma that is often associated with a sense of intrigue and adventure.

These fragrance categories are not rigid, and many perfumes may fall into more than one category due to their complex compositions. Exploring these categories can help you discover the scents that resonate with your personality and the occasions for which you want to wear them.

Applying perfume properly is essential to ensure that it lasts longer and smells as intended. Here are some tips on how to apply perfume effectively:

1. Choose the Right Fragrance: Select a fragrance that suits your style and the occasion. Perfumes come in a variety of scents, from floral to woody, and you should choose one that matches your personality and the event you're attending.
2. Moisturize Your Skin: Perfume adheres better to well-hydrated skin. Apply an unscented moisturizer or lotion to your pulse points before spraying your perfume. This helps lock in the scent.
3. Know Your Pulse Points: Pulse points are areas where your blood vessels are closest to the surface of your skin. These spots emit heat and help diffuse the scent of the perfume. Common pulse points include your wrists, neck, behind the ears, inside the elbows, and behind the knees.
4. Spray from a Distance: Hold the perfume bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin when spraying. This allows the scent to disperse evenly and not become overpowering.
5. Apply Lightly: A little goes a long way. Don't overapply perfume; one or two spritzes should suffice. You want to leave a subtle scent trail rather than an overpowering cloud.
6. Don't Rub: After applying the perfume, avoid rubbing your wrists together. This can break down the fragrance molecules and alter the scent.
7. Avoid Clothing: Perfume can stain or damage some fabrics. It's best to apply it directly to your skin. If you want to add fragrance to your clothing, spray a very light mist from a distance.
8. Layering: Some people like to layer their scents by using matching shower gel, lotion, and perfume. This can help the scent last longer.
9. Time It Right: Apply your perfume 15-30 minutes before you leave. This allows the fragrance to settle into your skin and interact with your body's natural oils, resulting in a more unique and lasting scent.
10. Reapply Sparingly: If you find that your scent has faded and you want to reapply, do so sparingly. Too much perfume can be overwhelming. A single light spray on one pulse point is usually sufficient.
11. Storage: Store your perfume in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Proper storage can help preserve the fragrance's quality.

Remember that everyone's body chemistry is unique, so a fragrance may smell slightly different on different individuals. It's a good idea to sample a perfume on your skin before committing to a full bottle to ensure it suits you. Additionally, be considerate of others when wearing perfume in shared spaces, as some people may be sensitive to strong scents.

In the context of fragrances, "notes" refer to the individual scents or components that make up a perfume or cologne's overall aroma. Perfumes are often described in terms of a hierarchy of notes, which include top notes, middle notes (also known as heart notes), and base notes. These notes work together to create the overall fragrance profile:

1. Top Notes: These are the initial scents that you smell when you first apply a fragrance. They are often light, fresh, and fleeting. Top notes are meant to grab your attention and are the first impression of the perfume. Examples of top notes include citrus, fruit, and herbal scents.
2. Middle Notes (Heart Notes): After the top notes have evaporated, the middle notes become more prominent. They are considered the heart of the fragrance and provide the core character of the perfume. Middle notes are often floral or spicier scents, which serve to balance the initial freshness of the top notes.
3. Base Notes: The base notes are the scents that emerge after the fragrance has dried down, typically around 30 minutes or more after application. These notes are rich and long-lasting, helping to anchor and stabilize the fragrance. Base notes are often woody, musky, or resinous, and they provide depth and complexity to the perfume.

The purpose of categorizing fragrances into these note categories is to help describe their evolving scent over time. A well-crafted perfume will transition smoothly from top notes to middle notes and finally to base notes, creating a dynamic and layered olfactory experience.

It's important to note that individual perceptions of these notes can vary due to differences in skin chemistry and personal preferences. This is why it's recommended to sample and wear a fragrance for a while to fully experience its development on your skin. Perfume descriptions often include a list of the specific notes used in a fragrance, providing consumers with an idea of what to expect when they wear it.

We at Scentational, want to ensure that you enjoy your fragrance purchases to the fullest while using them safely and responsibly. Please read the following disclaimer regarding the application of perfumes:

1. Skin Sensitivity: Perfumes contain various ingredients that may cause skin sensitivity or allergic reactions in some individuals. We recommend conducting a patch test before applying any new fragrance directly to your skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.
2. Avoid Contact with Eyes and Mucous Membranes: Perfume is not intended for use in or around the eyes or other mucous membranes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if necessary.
3. External Use Only: Perfumes are for external use only. Do not ingest or apply them internally. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical assistance immediately.
4. Keep Out of Reach of Children: Perfumes should be stored securely out of the reach of children. The attractive packaging and scents may appeal to young individuals, so exercise caution in their presence.
5. Flammable: Perfumes are flammable due to their alcohol content. Keep them away from open flames, heat sources, and direct sunlight. Do not spray near an open flame or while smoking.
6. Not Suitable for Pets: Some fragrance ingredients can be harmful to pets. Keep your perfumes away from pets and store them in a location that is inaccessible to them.
7. Allergies and Sensitivities: Be aware of any allergies or sensitivities you may have to specific fragrance ingredients. Check the ingredient list for potential allergens or irritants before purchasing or applying a perfume.
8. Sun Exposure: Certain fragrance ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn. Be cautious when using scented products on sun-exposed skin, and consider using sunscreen.
9. Variations in Scents: The scent of a perfume can change when it interacts with your skin chemistry. The same fragrance may smell different on different individuals.

Although at Scentational, we only work with reputed fragrance brands / manufacturers of the World, however we recommend the above guidlines as important in applying fragrances responsibly.

By ordering products from Scentational, you acknowledge and accept these guidelines at the time of purchasing the products.

Perfumes, when stored and cared for properly, can last a long time and maintain their quality. However, they can undergo changes over time, and it's essential to understand how to store them for longevity. Here's what you need to know:

Do Perfumes Expire?
Perfumes typically do not have a strict expiration date like food products, but they can change in scent and potency over time. Factors that affect a perfume's shelf life include its ingredients, the quality of the formulation, and storage conditions.

How to Extend the Longevity of Your Perfumes:

1. Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Perfumes are sensitive to heat and light. To preserve their quality, store them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. A cupboard or drawer is an ideal location.
2. Seal the Bottle Tightly: Ensure the perfume bottle is tightly sealed when not in use. Exposure to air can cause the fragrance to deteriorate more quickly.
3. Keep Away from Humidity: Avoid storing perfumes in humid areas, such as bathrooms. Humidity can degrade the scent and composition of the fragrance.
4. Use the Original Bottle: It's best to keep your perfume in its original bottle. Transferring it to a different container can expose it to air, potentially causing changes in the fragrance.
5. Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes: Extreme temperature variations can affect the perfume's stability. Try to maintain a consistent storage temperature.
6. Minimize Exposure to Oxygen: Over time, exposure to oxygen can alter the fragrance. Spray the perfume gently to minimize the amount of air entering the bottle.
7. Check for Changes in Scent: If you notice a significant change in the scent, such as a rancid or off-putting odor, it's an indication that the perfume may have deteriorated.
8. Shake Gently Before Use: If your perfume contains natural oils or heavier ingredients that may separate over time, gently shake the bottle before applying to recombine the components.

While perfumes may maintain their quality for several years, it's essential to be mindful of changes in their scent and appearance. In general, properly stored perfumes can last three to five years or even longer.

By following these storage guidelines and being attentive to any changes in your fragrance, you can extend the longevity of your perfumes and enjoy them for years to come.