THE HAZARDS OF TOO MUCH PERFUME!
Vexy here, your Friday Fragrance fiend, saying "I'm back"! Yes, ladies (and gents!) I know I've been away for a while because of medical stuff, but I can assure you that I am back for the long haul, but first I have to share with you something that occurred to me over my medical leave.
TOO MANY PEOPLE WEAR WAY TOO MUCH FRAGRANCE!
I had a period where I had intense migraines daily, and yet I still had to go to doctors' appointments and such. Inevitably, there was always one or two ladies wearing about five or six spritzes of a very strong eau d'parfum- or, alternately, a guy who splashed on ten liters of cologne. Now, I'm lucky in that scents do not give me migraines- however, they do make them worse. I can't tell you how many times in those doctors' lobbies I had to step outside just to deal with the nausea too much scent was causing!
Now, I'm not going to say I've never made that mistake! My freshman year in college, I got my first bottle of strong, strong perfume. Thinking it was like any other mild body splash, I spritzed quite a few times in quite a few places. I think my tip-off was when my roommate nearly had an asthma attack when I walked out of the room! I immediately washed off the scent and went back to just one spray.
So here, I've compiled a few little tips I've picked up over the past year or so on wearing perfume:
1. KNOW WHAT TYPE IT IS: This applies not only to the scent family, but to the concentration of perfume oils. They go in this order, typically: parfum, cologne, eau d'parfum, eau d'cologne, eau d'toilette. Know the scent family, as well- fresh or watery scents tend to pack less of a punch than florals or orientals.
2. APPLY CORRECTLY: Parfums and colognes are usually very concentrated. All you need is one drop on your wrist and then dab- don't rub, this crushes the fragrance- the spot on you wrist on your pulse points. Eau d'parfums and eau d'colognes, for the most part, you can spritz once in the air in front of you and then walk into the mist for a nice wash of scent. Eau d'toilettes and "body splash sprays" you can usually spritz once or twice, directly onto yourself- but use common sense!
3. WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK A FRIEND: My boyfriend knows I am not ashamed of asking about how I smell. Even I have a tendency to go overboard now and then with a scent I really, really like (Pink Sugar, I'm looking at you!), so when in doubt, ask someone! It's really a lot less embarrassing to ask one person and have them say your eau is bordering on stink than to walk around town with a trail of stench behind you!
4. IF YOU'VE USED TOO MUCH, REACH FOR THE RUBBING ALCOHOL: This is a recent thing I've discovered! I never knew why they stocked rubbing alcohol in Sephora until one of the nice SA's explained that it helps to take off any excess fragrance! Obviously, this is not going to work if you've spritzed all over your clothes, but if you've got too much going on on your skin, rubbing alcohol is a quick fix to take it off WITHOUT having to jump in the shower!
It's good to be back, ladies! I've missed you all! Have any of you had scent mishaps? Perhaps some sweet-smelling tips? I want to know about them!
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Reviews
Thank you so much for this little overview! I'm fairly new to the world of perfume, and while I want to smell delicious I certainly don't want to be walking around in a cloud of scent without even realizing it. Its too bad more males my age wouldn't read these tips...I'm crazy for the smell of cologne but I hate feeling choked by it!
THANK YOU! This has happened to me because my fav. perfume wears off fast so I put a little extra on, this is fine providing I do such 1/2 hour before leaving. One day I did this and walked out the door, it was awful!
This article was a god-send! I want to print it and then send it to my sister who happens to be a chronic perfume over-user! When ever we go on a trip I dread the car ride for the simple reason that she uses too dam much perfume!!
Vexy, these are great tips! I admit that I sometimes overdo it. And yet I hate when other people do the same. I have allergy and asthma trouble that sometimes gets aggravated by overpowering scents. I am going to make sure that I always have a light hand with the bottle from now on.
Welcome back Vexy! I agree with all the points you made and personally think every person, male or female, should read your article and check their fragrance level now and then. I have the following bit of information printed and taped to my closet wall for a constant reminder. I always make copies for my nieces when they get their first bottle of fragrance from me so they will hopefully learn how to use it correctly. I don't know who to give credit for writing this, however here it is:Perfume is a fragrance accent and not an aroma mask. The scent of woman's perfume should be subtle and pleasing. Perfume is a very personal statement. Catching a whiff of a woman's perfume should turn heads and bring smiles to faces. Perfume should be applied in just the right places for proper effect.
Step1 Apply perfume to the pulse points of the wrists and throat. A couple of spritzes from about 6 inches away should moisten the skin slightly. Do not over-apply thinking that the scent should stay strong all day long. Subtly is the key to proper application.
Step2 Restrain from spraying more perfume periodically throughout the day. The nose becomes desensitized to fragrances and an individual will not be able to smell their own scent while others still can.
Step3 Spray some cologne on the nape of the neck and shoulder for intimate moments. A woman's partner will be pleasantly surprised by a hint of perfume along the collar bone or on the lower back. The scent should only be as strong as a single flower and not overpowering.
Step4 Select a perfume to augment the outside world. For example, chose a flowery fragrance for those days when the sun is hidden by clouds and the weather is gloomy. Pick an exotic woody fragrance for cold snowy days. A perfume with a suggestion of spice is a good choice for a quiet time at home.
Step5 Add just a hint of another fragrance to a different area of the body, such as the back or lower legs. This nearly imperceptible interchange of fragrances will register subconsciously with others and cause them to take notice.To add to this bit of wisdom are the words of my Grandmother. "Your perfume should be just light enough so when your beau leans over to whisper to you he is hypnotised by your scent knowing that you are wearing it for him and him alone. Grandma would have been 118 this year and she was one wise lady.
Beste Hilsin
Thank you guys, it's good to be back, and I love knowing that I helped! Sharon, your grandma was indeed a wise lady. That's sort of my philosophy for perfume- your scent something personal that you share with select people, not for everyone. I like your tips, too- especially the ones about augmenting the outside world!
I am an on the job instructor for new hires this year. 1 of them wears a heavy scent and wears so much I want to GAG. When she wears it light it has a good smell, when she showers in it, I get a head ache from it. When I went to medical assistant school one of the very 1st things we were taught is people can have medical complications from heavy perfumes and scents. My school of thought is simple: wear perfume for someone that is going to be close to you. When your man hugs U, thats when he should notice how good you smell, not when you're 3 blocks from his house. Scent can be intimate and beautful. Too much smell is as offensive as smelling bad, or, being dirty and unshowered.. You wouldn't light up a smoke in a oxygen tent or in the presence of a person with bronchitis or asthma, right? too much strong smell has that same effect on a person with a breathing problem, asthma, or migraines. I appreciate this article from the lovely Vexy. It couldn't come at a better time. (Now if I could get the strong perfume lady to quitwearing her strong odor and get her and about 5 others to stop smacking their damn gum, I'd like my job a lot better!!)
Great Post! I'm one of those who is VERY sensitive to smell. So bad that one time someone give me a hug and her perfume stayed on me and made me sick for the rest of the evening. So many different times were people wore their bottles of perfume (seem like it) and I get instant migraine and nausea. Everytime we go visit my husbands family his step-mom dauther always sprays herself with her Nanny's perfume before a family dinner and I always end up in the backseat of the car with her and always feel like trowing up. UGH! It very hard to tell a 11 year old that she is using way to much and it stinks. She gets very sensitive about it. AWWW... I should sent her these GREAT TIPS. LOL... Welcome back Vexy!
SO glad you're back and this is a great and informative reminder that everything "we do" should enhance and not distract!I love audacious scents but truly try to use restraint or simply use a "lesser form" for best effect opting for a lotion over say a spray if the scent is intense.Something else I have done as I am totally into hancrafted and unique scents is to use a carrier oil...jojoba or even Neutrogena Rainbath body oil in a pinch and add the scent to that...dilutes and softens it and you can also treat dry skin or use in the bath that way!Looking forward to smelling good with you in the future girl!
Hello Vexy! I have always really enjoyed your reviews so it's great to get new information out of that beautiful mind of yours. I used to always wear my perfume in the traditional pulse points. Now, I place it on top of each shoulder (with a light hand) and a tiny bit under my hair at the nape of my neck, and no where else. This provides just the right amount of scent for those delicious intimate moments (stylepapa LOVES the way I wear my perfume!) and isn't too strong for daytime either. I get compliments on my scent only when hugged, so I assume it isn't overpowering. I love the idea of asking someone if your perfume is too strong. One time my most hilarious and awesome Mother decided to use self tanner the day of a Disneyland trip. She wore shorts and wanted to look her best, I get that. BUT, my poor, perfume-phobic brother had to sit in the back seat with her for the entire 2 hour car ride. Knowing our Mom so well, he specifically requested that she not wear too much perfume. As soon as he climbed in the car, his face said it all. She took one look him and incredulously replied, "What?!? I don't even have any perfume on!" (Apparently, she had lost the ability to smell.) It was so much worse than any perfume could have ever been. We laughed about it for the entire road trip and teased them both mercilessly. Maybe not that funny in the telling, but hilarious in person.As far as migraines go, for me it isn't the different scents that get to me as much as it is loud noise. Why is everyone so damn loud in public?
Good to have you back and thank you soooo much for this post! I too am a migraine sufferer. A little over two years ago I began getting them almost everyday, which was horrible. I don't get them as often now, but I have to really work at it. I have started to narrow down my list of triggers, and so far I have: light (I wear sunglasses when its cloudy and try to avoid fluorescent lights at all costs), noise, cigarette smoke, chinese food (INSTANT migraine after eating), when my sleep schedule gets screwed up, when my neck gets too tense, when I get angry,blah blah blah, and SMELL. I can not EVEN tell you guys how much I hate being around people that bathe in their perfumes and colognes! I know they don't notice it, but I will get a migraine within 10-15 of being suffocated by their aroma.My boyfriend's mom is the perfect example, she smokes like a chimney, uses (what I swear is a whole bottle) of Charlie Red, AND can make me instantly angry. I'm around her for 5 minutes and VOILA! instant migraine!
I totally aggree with miraye a lot of guys go mental with the aftershave,you know there gone for 10 mins and theres still a visible cloud of aftershave in the air ,not nice.
PotionPrincess♥
This was a fabulous topic! I wish that every perfume/cologne/spray purchase would come with some of these wonderful instructions/directions/suggestions I read about here today! The absolute worst is when you are near someone who has done over-kill with the scent they have chosen and you find yourself holding your breath till you can move away from them! Absolutely smells cause headaches and asthma attacks! Wouldn’t it be great if you found yourself in a situation where the person near you has gone off the deep end and is swimming in a toxic scent if it were permissible to whip out a gas mask like you see in army movies and just put that thing on and then have some good eye contact with the stinky person through the mask! LOL!!! I wonder if the person would get the hint! I’d love to do that on my bus some days! I love the commentary about your scent being just enough to catch a gentle nose glimpse when you go in for a hug or something! It’s nice when somebody thinks about you and says something like “Oh she always smells SO fresh and nice!” Another point about fragrances – after a point they get OLD and where they might have been light and soft when you purchased the scent 5 years ago…they reach a state of ewwwwwwwwwwwness where you need to let that shit go and the heavier the scent the more dreadful it gets over the years! Men need guidance too! When you spray something on it shouldn't still be in the room an hour after you leave the room! Of if you hug somebody their scent shouldn't be all over your clothes! It was great to hear from Vexy again – you always have such great tips! You have been missed!
Jeanasina!
Way too many people do wear way too much fragrance. It is good to wear fragrance, walk into a room, and have people notice you because you smell really good. But there is a fine line you can cross. You don't want to overwhelm people with your smell. I'm really good at mixing scents. My mom and I have been making our own perfumes for years. So I really have a nose for what smells good together or not. One of my biggest scent tips is to mix! You have to be really careful doing this. When you mix different fragrances together you can end up smelling really good....or really baddd fast. I smell a perfume and then smell another perfume, then I will put both bottles under my nose and smell them both at the same time. I do this to see if the fragrances will smell good and compliment each other. If they don't, then I just try again with another couple of fragrances. When I find fragrances that work together, I will spray on a little of each, or more of one and a little of the other. It creates a scent that is uniquely your own. I always get compliments on how good I smell when I do this. The key is to make sure the fragrances compliment each other.
Thanks for the fabulous tips, especially the one about the rubbing alcohol! I don't usually wear fragrances since I work w/kids and they tend to be sensitive to that sort of thing. My brother sprays cologne like crazy and we can smell it all over the whole house. Maybe I should send him a link...
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I agree, too many people go overboard. I always try to remember less is more, put on less than I think I should and it turns out great. I like to be able to add a little later in the day as a refreshing moment. But,I don't want to trigger any asthmatics. I would love to print your post and copy it, and place it in every ladies room I go into.
this is awesome! i had just gotten home from work when i read it and i think that some of the customers that i helped today should read this! i work in a hot dog place where alot of those only-god-knows-who and the only-god-knows-where-from people come in crowds. most of those people dont use enough fragrance or WAY TOO MUCH! i had one lady come in today that was wearing a leopard spotted shirt and really really tight pants and really really really high high-heels. as soon as she walked in i smelt her perfume and started sneezing nonstop. i think she thought i was faking it but i really couldnt help myself, her perfume was SO STRONG it was unbearable. i really hope she reads this!
<3 Samantha
Great tips!!! I can't stand it when people wear too much fragrance and leave a scented trail behind them.
I get so nauseous from people who "bathe" in their cologne/perfume. I always tell people that are interviewing for jobs to not wear any fragrance. Over the years, I have interviewed some people that absolutely reeked of cologne. It is such a turn-off for me!
haha again with funny tales of parkers hot dogs! this man came into my work today dressed in a cowboy hat and some crazy alligator boots and walked up to the register wearing a brute of a cologne that my nose just couldnt handle! again i started sneezing and dropping things. i couldnt see with him standing in front of me. it was like his cologne was reaching across the counter and socking me in the eyeballs! hehe
<3 Samantha
I actually never knew that about parfums and colognes - not that I've ever owned them! Thanks for the information, in any case! And thanks as well for the rubbing alcohol trick. Unfortunately I usually spritz my perfume and then walk through it, or spray it an arms length frrom me at my chest, and I think that'd be an awkward rubbing all over with the rubbing alcohol LOL.
And yes, I have to confess that I was one of those girls too. The scent seems to fade for me (I guess I get used to it?) way soon so I used to respritz several times... And by the end of the day my friends would be like WHOA so much! Or I'd walk into a car and they'd be like WHOA why're you so smelly? Whilst I would be like ... no it smells the same as it did when I first left! But that obviously wasn't true. haha!
xoxo
Oh this blog makes me think of high school freshman girls on their first day of high school! It reeked of horrible perfumes!
Never knew that trick of the rubbing alcohol, cool. Sometimes i accidentally over do it too, but mostly i find my perfume fades too fast and it is gone within a few hours. I like using those little vials to take with you as well then you can add a little later on as it fade.
makeup makeup makeup!!!!!!!
Great review , thanks
Yet again with another tale of Parkers Hot Dogs... Today I came across a teen that I wish would have overdone the cologne to cover up the horrid stench of his breath. eek! It was so gross, as we all know, I am a little weakling when it comes to smells (good or bad) that when he came to the register, I slightly pushed to basket of mints (slyly, I didn't want to hurt his feelings) more in his direction... being very unlucky, he didn't catch a hint and continued to talk to me over the counter for about 10 minutes... worst smell of my life, i swear!
<3 Samantha
Oh m goodness for sure, I have always been one of those "wrist dab" or "1 spritz walk in" gal...Too much cologne/perfume is just obnoxious, I get severe headaches for aproximately 2-3 weeks of the month so I totally feel you! Also, a little thought out tip: You're Paying alot of money for this stuff: so if you use 5 spritz- its going to run out faster!! The 1 spriz walk in evenly distributes your perfume and it will last a heck of alot longer! This is a rough economy, you dont need to be throwing your money away and annoying everyone around you in the process :PhehehAnyhow: That is my 2 cents!
Thanks so much for these tips! I always worry about wearing to much perfume, since I know how annoying it is when others do it. Though I wish some people at my school would read this. The guys often smell like they take baths in their cologne and some girls I know give me headaches if we're stuck in a room together. I love it when people wear subtle scents you only catch a whiff of, though!
I immediately thought of this post when reading this article.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32211539/?GT1=4300134 people from a Texas call center were sent to the hospital after a co-worker sprayed perfume. No there's a hazard of spraying too much perfume!!! Yikes.
Great tips! I never knew the difference with the scent families. I thought they were all the same. I do get headaches and sometimes I feel nauseous from really strong perfumes and now I know what to do and what not to do. THANKS!
haha I put on a lot of perfume
Definately a good tip to ask someone elses opinion before stepping outside. I find it difficult to tell the "strength" of perfume on myself especially after it has been on for a few hours. But i certainly don't want to be walking around stinking to high heaven! not attractive! x
Gosh, I remember last year when I was in school, there were these two girls who spritzed perfume at least 4 times on themselves. Needless to say, the whole bathroom smelled of it. One spritz will do.
wow, thank you SO much for listing out the types of perfumes! just a minute ago i was asking my friend what eau d'toilette meant. now i know! :)
xoxo
I just got some new stuff from some store. i don't remember the name of it. It's called Sweet Pea. I love it! Althoughevery time i spray it i make the mistake of breathing in. So i end up coughing and weezing.
thanks for the tips :) i got my first eau de parfum as a gift and im glad its a roll on thing (from anthropologie). knowing me id probably use WAY too much :D
There are a lot of people that go scent over board these days! I have a perfume that I like but haven't worn it much because my mother is very scent and chemical sensitive. I don't want to send her into an asthmatic fit just so I get smell like vanilla and flowers!
thank you for the tips! i to go overboard sometimes with my favorite scents and i work at an elementary school. fortunately kids have no sensors so they will tell me if its to strong or if it smells "yucky" haha
Shardond what a great comment you made. I enjoyed reading that!
http://ediblelove.wordpress.com/
lol its real ... Sometimes i take the metro and lot of womens smell too much perfume its heady when you are sick !!!
That alcohol trick is nice.
Great tips! I hardly ever wear perfume, but I'll keep this in mind when I do!
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
I used to work with a lady who smelled like she'd showered in perfume, I could smell her perfume even after she'd left the room. Too much perfume is never a good thing.
http://www.beautifullyglossy.blogspot.com
I have asthma and it gets so irritating when people douse themselves with perfume! What are they trying to do, become even more flammable?? The rubbing alcohol trick sounds like a very good idea.
I get migrains all the time. Special pills i have for them, but anyways, i can not stand it when people bassicly drown themselves with strong perfume or mix perfumes to try to make the scent last longer :|
Julie Dee <3
great tips, thanks.
Love Jadeee :D
Thank you for the great tips. I love purfume but don't wear it as much as I use to. When I start wearing it again I will keep your tips in mind! Thanks again!!!
Cool never knew about the alcohol, got this in the house so great to remove excess perfume, thanks for the great tip! I never smelly my perfume after a few hours, just hope people still smell it.
One of my former coworkers used tons of perfume. When other people said her perfume is very strong, she said she liked to feel it all the time - you can imagine how much she used if she could still feel it after many hours.
Thanks for all the info!I know that too, a few classmates always overdo it. Too bad it always gives me headache :S
I love your tips! Thanks for sharing.