How to choose the perfect perfume for you?

Perfumes have the ability to tell stories and create memories through their aromas – and what’s more: in a unique way, since the same product evolves differently in each person.

“Every person has a unique scent. The way a perfume reacts depends on the condition of the skin, lifestyle, diet, hormonal context, skin microbiota, among other factors. This means that a perfume may highlight certain nuances in one person, and not necessarily in others, since the components of the fragrance will interact in some way with the area where it is applied,” explains Joana Miranda, director of fragrance development at Natura.

This is because fragrance formulations are composed of hundreds of volatile aromatic compounds that combine harmoniously. “Just like in a symphony, each element plays a crucial role in the performance and pleasantness of the composition, contributing to the creation of striking and unique olfactory experiences,” explains Cesar Veiga, perfumer at Grupo Boticário. When these fragrances come into contact with the molecules that make up the skin's natural scent, they can alter their behavior and characteristics.

So how do you choose the perfect perfume for you?

According to perfumers, the process involves tests that must consider the desired level of fixation, personal taste and the message that one wants to convey. After all, perfumes play a very good role in materializing the personality of the person who uses them. Therefore, it is essential to understand some aspects about these products. Check them out:

On the packaging you can find terms such as “Parfum”, “Eau de Parfum” and others similar. They indicate the concentration of the fragrance in the formula: the higher the concentration, the longer the aroma will remain on the skin.

“Parfum” is the one that offers the greatest durability, followed by “Eau de Parfum” (EDP), “Eau de Toilette” (EDT) or Deodorant Cologne, and “Eau de Cologne” (EDC) and body splashes, which have a lower concentration.

“Cologne deodorants are more suitable for everyday use or when you are looking for an ideal fragrance in the right measure, while Eau de Parfum, for example, due to the concentration of molecules of the olfactory notes arranged in each type of formula, are the most suitable when you are looking for a more intense and striking fragrance”, explains Cesar.

You probably already have a perfume that you like, so you can find out its scent family to find similar combinations.

Olfactory families are classifications that group fragrances with similar aromatic characteristics. Among them are: citruswith fresh and vibrant notes of fruits such as orange and lemon; floralwhich exudes delicacy and romanticism with aromas of flowers such as rose and jasmine; Easternknown for its intensity and warmth, combining spices, vanilla and resins; and the woodywhich brings the solidity and comfort of wood notes, such as sandalwood and cedar.

After choosing the olfactory family, it is important to explore the perfume's notes to better understand how it will behave on your skin.

According to Cesar Veiga, first come the ingredients that will make up the top noteswhich are the initial and most volatile aromas perceived immediately after application to the skin. They can include fresh elements that evaporate easily, such as citrus and herbal notes, for example, which will give the first impression of that particular fragrance.

Then, the following arise: body noteswhich form the core of the fragrance and will become more evident after the top notes dissipate. They tend to be more complex and long-lasting, usually encompassing flowers, spices and fruity notes.

Finally, the base notesdenser and more striking that provide intensity, depth and longevity, with ingredients such as woods, vanilla, resins and sweet amber notes, which remain on the skin for longer.

With all this in mind, it's time to test to understand how fragrances behave when in contact with your skin.. According to experts, each skin combines fragrance in a unique way due to its individual chemistry, pH and humidity. “Don’t just test the perfume on the olfactory strip, but on your skin. Furthermore, it’s best to test the perfume for a few hours, so you can be sure that you like it as it evolves,” explains Joana.

According to experts, the warmest areas of the body are ideal for applying fragrances, such as the neck, nape of the neck, chest, wrists, the crook of the elbows and behind the ears. They help to enhance the evaporation of aromatic molecules, allowing the aroma to spread more effectively.

Additionally, there are some ways to optimize the application, ensuring a long-lasting experience. Using an unscented body moisturizer beforehand, or one that matches the chosen fragrance, will help the molecules adhere to the skin.

“Another important tip is to avoid rubbing the area where the product was applied, because this act of friction generates heat and accelerates the evaporation of the top notes of the composition, in addition to potentially generating an imbalance in the natural evolution of the fragrance, making it unstable,” explains Cesar.

When it comes to storage, it is important to remember that direct sunlight can accelerate oxidation and alter the aroma of the perfume's fragrance. Therefore, it is best to store it in cool, dark places. “The ideal conditions are away from light, at room temperature and away from humidity. The ideal is not to store it in the bathroom and preferably inside the wardrobe,” says Joana.