Everyone’s trying to save time these days, and one way of doing that is to use acronyms. And that’s what those are. They’re all terms describing the various forms of perfume. We’ll look at them one at a time:

• EDC: Eau de Cologne – EDC is usually referred to as just cologne, and it’s the most diluted of fragrances, with a 3-5% concentration. It’ll usually last about 2 hours. 
• EDT: Eau de Toilette – EDT is a slightly stronger perfume, with a 4-8% concentration, and usually lasts about 2-4 hours. This is the most common type for everyday use. 
• EDP: Eau de Parfum – EDP is stronger still, with a concentration of 8-15%, usually lasting about 3-5 hours. 
• Perfume - Perfume is the purest and most concentrated essence – 15-30% - which means it usually lasts 6-8 hours. And you don’t need to use much either, which is good, because it’s quite expensive.

There are a couple of things you can do to make your fragrance last longer. One suggestion is to use the same fragrance as the perfume in your bathing and cosmetic products, like your body wash and your body lotion or cream.

Another thing you can do is apply your perfume to strategic points on your body – those places that preserve the fragrance. Those places are in the cracks of your joints, like inside your elbows and behind your knees. Another good place is on your wrists. And of course, there’s always that intimate place behind your ears.

If you don’t store your perfume in the proper place, it’ll go off, or deteriorate and lose its scent, no matter how expensive it is. All perfumes are affected by light, heat, and air, so you need to find a place that’s not affected by any of these elements.

It’s very tempting, with all the beautiful and fancy new perfume bottles the designers are coming out with these days, to display them in a prominent place. After all, you paid good money for them, and you want to show them off. But don’t! In fact, the original box is a good place to keep your perfume. And that’s how to make it last as long as possible.

There are so many different notes in fragrances these days, so you need to try your perfumes on one at a time. If you try more than one, the fragrances will mix. Your poor nose will become confused and you won’t know which one is which.

And when you’re trying on a perfume, remember that the scent is designed to release over a period of time – what they call the top, middle and bottom notes of the fragrance. That’s another reason to try one on at a time – so you can give the fragrance time to release all it’s wonderful layers of scents. And that’s the only way you’ll get a real sense of what the perfume smells like on you.

Perfumes are made with many essential oils, some natural, some synthetic. But they’re all based in varying strengths of alcohol, and alcohol isn’t something you want to be putting on your clothes. It’ll very likely leave a stain.

Perfumes are designed to mix with your natural body scent, and they can’t do that if they’re on your clothes. You need to apply your perfume on your pulse points, like the wrists, elbows, knees, and throat. And remember that fragrances rise, so start at the lower parts and work your way up.

Fixatives, in perfumery, are a form of preservative. They have a dual purpose in perfumes – they help to make the fragrance last longer on your skin, and they also help to make them last longer in the bottle.

Fixatives used to be made from animals, such as sperm whales, musk deer and civet cats, but since these animals are at risk of extinction, the perfume industry has developed synthetics. There are also some fixatives made from plant resins.

Men’s after-shave is a very light version of cologne, or eau de cologne. It has a fragrance concentration of 3-5%, but has no alcohol, which is why it actually lasts longer than eau de cologne, even though eau de cologne has a higher fragrance concentration (4-8%).

The reason perfume doesn’t last very long is that the fragrance is mixed with alcohol, and since it’s the alcohol that holds the fragrance, they both evaporate at the same time. With no alcohol to promote evaporation, the after-shave lingers longer. Some of the best known aftershave lotion are Ferrari Passion, Azzaro Pour Homme, Lanvin pour Homme etc.

Have you ever been passed by a man wearing an expensive fragrance? Catchy, isn’t it? And that’s why the men’s fragrance industry is steadily growing. It’s interesting here to note that the word fragrance actually refers to the scent of perfume. However, for marketing purposes, the perfume industry has protected the man’s ego by avoiding calling their products men’s perfumes. There are several lines of very good men’s fragrances, including Azzaro, Jean Paul Gautier, Ferrari, Paco Rabanne and Lanvin. And when you come in close contact with a man wearing one of these fine fragrances, you’ll know it!

There are many ways to “wear” perfume if your skin is sensitive. One of the handiest things to have around is cotton balls, and here’s a great use for them. Dab your perfume on some cotton balls, and leave them in your closet and drawers. Be careful not to let them touch your clothing because the perfume can leave stains.

Another method of applying perfume without putting it directly on your skin, is to spray it in the air above your head and let it settle in your hair, preferably when it’s wet. It’s probably the strong alcohol and chemicals in the perfume that irritate your skin, so perhaps an all-natural perfume will be ok. There are also some oil-based perfumes out there that might be more gentle. Experiment a little – you’re sure to find the right one.

You`ve been watching too many `consumer` programmes that go out of their way to discredit the fragrance industry. The fact is that fragrance is an art and a science, and the retail price reflects the flair and innovation as well as the emotional and technical creativity involved in producing a hit scent. You would hardly dismiss Gandhiji’s – My Experiments with Truth  as a stack of paper, or M.F.Hussein’s paintings as just paint-spattered canvas.

Unfortunately, some people are simply sensitive to fragrance. Look for alcohol-free scents, as they tend to cause fewer problems. If that doesn`t work, or your favourite scent is not available in an alcohol-free formula, apply fragrances to your clothes instead of your skin.

Many fine fragrance ranges are now producing matching deodorants to combat deo-clash. If there is not one available in your favourite fragrance, opt for an unperfumed or fragrance-free deodorant while you`re wearing it.

Yes. Each of us has our own unique odour identity which is the sum total of our heredity (genes), skin type (dry/oily/light/dark), hair colour, diet, whether or not we take medications, are under stress, the environment in which we live

Yes, but much of it learned. On a day-to-day basis women in our society are encouraged to use their noses more often than men through their interest in cooking, flower arrangements, creating interior environments, and the early use of fragrance products. In addition, according to scientific research, the fluctuation in a woman`s sense of smell, during a 24-hour period, is systematically greater than a man`s.

These changes appear to be influenced by the secretion of female hormones-scientists are testing to determine if estrogen increases smell acuity in the first half of the month and progesterone decreases acuity in the last half. It also appears that odour awareness changes when a woman is pregnant and often her perception of scent changes. She may be more conscious of some odours and unable to experience others.

No, our sense of smell is not as sharp in the morning as it is later in the day. More upbeat, "bright" scents can be appreciated at the beginning of the day to sharpen the senses. Once you`ve awakened your sense of smell, choose fragrances that correspond with your mood, fashion or the occasion.

Constant, creative use of all our senses can help to keep them at peak performance well into old age. It may be the time in a person`s life to change fragrance type, i.e., one that gives a fast and stronger odour impression.

Many men and women over 50 begin to lose their ability to fully appreciate smell sensations. Though current research reveals that women are less apt to lose their sense of smell as quickly as men at the same age, older people often prefer stronger scents. They must be careful not to overdo their fragrance applications, particularly in warm weather or if they know they are going to be in stressful situations.

Yes, particularly if one has a cold, the flu or if you have suffered a head injury. If the condition persists, see a physician.

Yes, fragrance rises. If a woman applies her fragrance just behind her ears, or a man his aftershave just on his face, the scent will slowly rise and disappear. That is why it is advisable to apply it on all the pulse points.

No. No fragrance is not formulated to last all day. It should be refreshed periodically. Approximately every three to four hours.

Yes, dry skin does not hold fragrances as long as oily skin and it should be reapplied more often throughout the day.

Yes, heat increases the impact of odour. In the summer there are so many fascinating "smell" signals around us, and we are more conscious of our sense of smell and certainly enjoy it to the fullest. In hot weather, each fragrance application goes a long way-so lighter fragrances should be worn.

Yes. The wearer may think a fragrance formula has been changed when instead it is a change in diet, medication or lifestyle that has caused the new perception of scent. What one eats on a regular basis can affect the way a fragrance smells and lasts on a person`s skin. If one is on a high fat, spicy diet, for example, fragrance will be more intense. If you have recently changed your diet dramatically, skin chemistry may change, causing fragrance to smell differently on you. 

Recent research indicates medication can change one`s chemistry, too. Therefore, if a person is on medication it can influence the way a favourite fragrance smells on the skin. Smoking can dull the sense of smell and make us less aware of odours, good or bad. You should make a smell test of a favourite fragrance on the inside of your wrists and then sniff test to see if any of the lifestyle changes described above have influenced the fragrance.

Yes.

Fair skins -- with a fair skin will be happiest with long-lasting multi-floral creations. Their skin is often dry causing fragrances that are too subtle to evaporate rapidly.
Medium  2 dark skins -- usually have medium-to-dark skin that contains natural oils, allowing scents to last longer. Dramatic Orientals are often favourites.
Fair & Delicate skins -- which may be incompatible with fragrances that have predominant green notes.

Yes, body heat builds up, fragrance intensifies.

Once a bottle of perfume is opened it is meant to be used. Otherwise it will begin to fade with time. Long exposure to strong sunlight or extremes in temperature can disturb the delicate balance of the perfume and change its scent. Perfume, to last, should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

Yes, but only colognes and toilet waters. Perfumes should not be exposed to extreme cold or heat because either may upset its delicate balance.

No, fragrances have been formulated to be applied to the skin. If applied to fabric, the fibres could change the character of the fragrance. The scent might also stain the fabric.

Only if the hair is freshly-shampooed. Oils and dirt which accumulate on the hair and scalp intensify fragrance and can distort it. Also, don`t spray fragrance on extremely dry or brittle hair.

The sense of smell quickly develops odour fatigue if it is exposed to too many sensations in a short period of time.