Month: November 2023

Fashion is a phenomenon that is linked with beauty, style and glamour. It is a means of self-expression and an important form of socialization. It also promotes economic growth and fosters cultural celebration. It is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of fashion so that we can harness its power for good. Fashion can be described as a set of clothing styles, trends and practices that are followed by a group of people over a certain period of time. These trends can be influenced by several factors, such as age, social class, generation and occupation. They can also vary in different geographic regions. In some cases, trends can even reappear at a later date. This is known as ‘trickle down’ fashion. The fashion industry is a huge business. It employs millions of people worldwide. Many of them design, sew, glue, dye and transport garments to stores for sale. The clothing we wear can influence our behaviour, both consciously and subconsciously. For example, we may imitate the clothing of celebrities or our friends in order to be fashionable. It is not just about dressing up for the sake of it, but about finding a look that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. A great way to do this is to mix and match styles, colours and fabrics. For instance, wearing a white shirt with dark jeans, or a black blazer with a light pink skirt. This allows you to try out new looks without going too far out of your comfort zone. Stylish clothes can be a great confidence boost. They can also help you stand out from the crowd and attract attention. This is especially true if you follow the latest trends. It is also a great way to express your personality and creativity. If you are not afraid to take risks, you can experiment with bold colors and patterns. But it is best to keep a balance between trendy and classic styles, as it can be easy to lose track of your personal style in the process. Fashion is an ever-changing and evolving concept. It is important to understand the benefits and disadvantages of fashion so that we can make wise decisions about what to buy and how to wear it. For example, a new dress might be a great idea for a dinner with friends, but if you’re going on an interview the next day then it might not be the best choice. In the same way, a new pair of shoes can make a real difference to your outfit and add a touch of fun or excitement, but be careful not to go overboard. Neutral colours are a great way to incorporate the latest trend into your wardrobe and can be worn for work or play. Pair them with a brightly coloured scarf or belt for an added pop of colour.

Perfume is an aromatherapy spray that uses a combination of natural oils and synthetic chemicals to emit a distinctive scent. It can be worn as a way to enhance one’s personal style, boost confidence and self-esteem or simply to create a memorable mood. It has been shown that certain fragrances can trigger a variety of memories and emotions. For example, the smell of a rose can bring back memories of happy childhood moments and the scent of orange can make one feel energised. People have used perfume for thousands of years. The Romans, and later the Arabs, refined the art of making and wearing perfume. Catherine de Medici, the Italian wife of the French king, is credited with popularising the use of perfume among European royalty. Her signature scent was a combination of orange blossom and bergamot. The first step in perfume-making is the extraction of fragrant essential oils from plants. The most common method of obtaining these oils is through steam distillation. This involves placing plant material in boiling water and the fragrant compounds will evaporate along with the steam. The oil will remain behind, and can then be collected and diluted with alcohol to produce a perfume. It takes a large amount of plant material to obtain just a small quantity of oil, which is why perfumes are so expensive. Perfumes are generally composed of three distinct parts: top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top note is the initial scent released when the perfume is sprayed on. This smell is typically fleeting and disappears quickly as it mixes with your unique skin chemistry. The middle note is the heart of the perfume and begins to develop as the top notes evaporate. Finally, the base note is what remains for hours after the perfume has been sprayed on. The most commonly used plant aromatics for perfumes are flowers, fruits and herbs. Some of these include the oils extracted from the leaves and fruit of citrus trees; the oils of lavender, sage, and thyme; and the extracts from the flowers of several species of rose, jasmine, and orchid. Other botanicals that are often used as perfumes are lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, tuberose, and mimosa. The buds of narcissus, and scented geranium and chamomile are also commonly used in perfumes. Besides the natural plant-derived aromatics, many perfumes today also contain synthetic fragrances, which are made in laboratories using a wide variety of odourants. These odourants are also known as fragrance molecules, and may be derived from a wide variety of sources depending on the synthesis method used. For example, coumarin and linalool can be obtained from naturally occurring terpenes; whilst musk can be extracted from the glands of a musk deer or hyraceum, a compound derived from petrified hyrax dung or ambergris, which is an oily substance resulting from the breakdown of whale vomit. Despite the wide availability of natural fragrances, there is still a large market for perfumes that are manufactured using synthetic ingredients. These synthetic perfumes tend to be cheaper than those using natural materials and can offer a wider range of scents.

Lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret is known for its yearly fashion shows, broadcast to millions and featuring Angels like Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Gisele Bundchen. But that image, which once made the brand a rite of passage for teen girls picking out their first push-up bras, began to dim as more women demanded inclusion and autonomy from brands. The company has since reshaped itself as a vehicle for inclusive, invincible self-love and revamped its products, including expanding into mastectomy bras, comfy sports bras and maternity bras. It’s also highlighting fuller-figured models in ads and on store mannequins, and adding size-inclusive lingerie start-ups like Adore Me and Frankies Bikinis to its portfolio. The company is taking a risk by embracing body positivity—which may not be an easy sell to the public—but the investment has been paying off. Shares have surged nearly 60% this year, a better return than the S&P 500. In the early days, the company was a niche player in undergarment sales, a result of founder Roy Raymond’s dissatisfaction with department stores’ frumpy undergarments and his desire to create a line that would empower women. His first catalogue was an instant hit, and he soon hired a team of women to help run the operation. A few years later, the company went public and started a retail expansion that continued for decades. It expanded its store footprint and became the largest lingerie retailer in the world. In the 1990s, it added its famous annual fashion show to the mix, which attracted a host of celebrity fans and became an international sensation. The televised events also turned Victoria’s Secret models into household names, as era-defining bombshells like Banks, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner wore the label’s sexy lingerie on the runway with billowing silver capes and wings. But the shine came off when a three-part documentary series on Hulu, called Angels and Demons, detailed how company founder Les Wexner’s business dealings linked him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The film also showed how the company had turned a blind eye to sexual misconduct and assault by its employees, particularly under former chief executive Ed Razek. In 2020, Razek left the company, which was then called L Brands, and Wexner stepped down as chairman. The coronavirus pandemic also contributed to the decline of the flagship brand, and investors were spooked by the company’s deteriorating stock price. Its new management worked quickly to execute a pivot. The fashion show was canceled, the Angels retired and the company introduced “the collective”: a group of diverse models representing its new values. It was led by plus-size model Paloma Elsesser, lesbian soccer star Megan Rapinoe and trans activist Valentina Sampaio, among others. The company’s teen brand, Pink, also got a makeover. In the meantime, the company has trimmed its expenses, cut its debt and improved its financial health. And its CEO, Martin Waters, is now overseeing both Victoria’s Secret and PINK, giving him a stronger grip on the company’s key brand while it continues to evolve.

A perfume is a powerful and personal accessory that makes a statement about your mood and style. It can transport you back to your favorite memories—whether it’s the smell of your favorite meal as a kid or the perfume your mom used to wear. It can even be an olfactory reminder of a special event like your wedding day or giving a loved one a hug. That’s why it’s important to find a fragrance that speaks to your personality—and that you can keep with you all the time. Luckily, perfumes are available in a myriad of options, from floral to fruity to woody, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. To help you choose, we compiled a list of the best perfumes for women that will embody your unique style. 1. Gucci Bloom If you’re looking for a feminine scent that exudes radiance and joy, this perfume is the right choice for you. The floral symphony of tuberose, jasmine, and Rangoon creeper will bring a smile to the faces of everyone who encounters you. Plus, it’s long-lasting and doesn’t overpower, so you can easily reapply throughout the day. 2. La Vie Est Belle Lancome’s bestselling perfume for women is as pretty as it is sophisticated. Its enchanting blend of floral and fruity notes, including jasmine sambac and orange blossom, is balanced with earthy patchouli to create an intoxicating fragrance that leaves behind a radiant aura. 3. Fleur Narcotique One of the most popular perfumes for women from the brand is this spritz that’s equal parts sensual and refreshing. It’s no wonder why it’s a top pick for many—the blend of green apple, rose, and peony is complemented by transparent wood, moss, and musk for an invigorating scent that exudes confidence and allure. 4. Aventus For Her The bright, fruity scent of Creed’s infamous Aventus perfume made it a hit among the unisex fragrance community, so it was only natural to create a version for women. Aventus For Her is just as bold and uplifting as its predecessor, but it features notes of pineapple, cassis, Bulgarian rose, and ylang-ylang for an intense floral bouquet. This perfume for women radiates femininity and is inspired by a woman who’s always in charge. 5. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede As the name suggests, this perfume for women from British label Jo Malone London is invigorating and romantic. Its blend of peony and blush suede evokes powdery elixirs that were popular decades ago, but the aroma is still fresh, modern, and oh-so-feminine.

Fragrance is a pleasant smell, and it’s often associated with flowers. The scent of something fragrant is also called a perfume or cologne. The word fragrance can be used in a positive context, such as “These flowers have a very nice fragrance.” It’s also sometimes used in a more ironic or humorous way, as in “That’s a strong fragrance coming from your leftovers in the refrigerator.” The earliest known reference to perfume dates back to the Etruscans who were devotees of adornment. They would rub scented oils on their bodies and dress with fragrant materials. Even today, the French are renowned for their perfume fashion and culture. Perfume was a popular craze in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as well when women doused themselves with fragrant substances and sprayed their robes with an array of perfumes each day. The odor of a person’s body is a significant part of their personal appeal and has been shown to affect sexual attraction. Two recent studies found that men’s natural body odor and their use of perfume can have a powerful effect on whether they are considered attractive by females. Moreover, the study found that women rate a man’s body odor and fragrance more highly than other characteristics including social status, age, height, weight, and education. A person’s personal fragrance is often determined by their mood. For example, women in a positive mood will select a floral or fruity perfume. A woman in a sad or angry mood will choose a more masculine scent such as musk or woody. Mood isn’t the only factor that influences a person’s perfume choice; personality and situation also play a role. In one study, women were asked to select a perfume to wear in a job interview and were then assessed for their suitability for the position. The results showed that women who selected a perfume with a more masculine scent, such as musk, were rated more favorably than women who chose a more feminine perfume such as rose or lily. The researchers speculated that the men in the study perceived women who wore a more masculine fragrance as being tougher and more assertive, while the women who chose more feminine perfumes were judged to be more nurturing. Many of the chemicals that make up a perfume are dangerous to our health and may cause disease. Inhaling these chemical vapors can cause hormone disruption and harm the reproductive system, for instance. The word fragrance covers dozens or hundreds of individual chemicals that are typically listed on the product labels of beauty, cleaning, and personal care products. Moreover, the majority of raw fragrance materials have little available safety information. Fragrance chemicals are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are emitted into indoor environments where they can form air pollution in the form of volatile organic compounds. The International Fragrance Association claims that there are more than 3,500 fragrance chemicals in common use, and exposure to some of these can lead to a variety of health problems.

Fashion is an important aspect of culture and society. People use fashion to communicate their beliefs and values. It is an ever-changing medium, reflecting the world around us and the changes that happen in it. Fashion is a form of non-verbal communication that sends out possible cues about the individual’s social status, values and lifestyle. It also serves as a way for individuals to express themselves and connect with other members of their community. Fashion changes along with the current social and cultural moments throughout history. What appears on the runways and in celebrity media is a reflection of the wider cultural landscape, so trends may not always be universally adopted by the masses. However, the fashion industry can still be a powerful force for good. For example, it can be a platform to promote gender equality and raise awareness of issues like mental health, sexuality and climate change. Fashion has a lot of influence on our daily lives. It is a big business and it involves many people around the globe: designers, producers, suppliers, retailers and consumers. It also influences our moods, emotions and even behaviour. It can be a source of pleasure or anxiety, depending on how much time we spend on our looks. There are a lot of different factors that influence our sense of style: media, celebrities, friends and family. We all want to look our best and feel good about ourselves. It is a kind of addiction, so the fashion industry needs to keep offering new fashionable products to its consumers. The fast-fashion trend in the 1990s and 2000s made it easy for people to shop cheaply for new clothes, shoes and body make-up. These were copies of high-end designer fashions, but with cheaper production and distribution costs. This led to a huge increase in consumer choice and the rapid creation of new styles. Moreover, fashion is a cultural phenomenon that can be seen in all aspects of everyday life: from the bare mid-riffs of 90210 to the baggy pants of hip hop. Popular culture, which is a combination of music, art, film and television, often has a strong influence on fashion trends. The clothing we wear reflects our culture and identity, but it can also serve as a symbol of power or wealth. For example, judges wear robes, people in the military wear uniforms, and brides wear white dresses. These are ways that we show the world our respect and loyalty to specific social groups or institutions. In the past, fashion was a way for upper classes to display their wealth and power. However, in modern times, the fashion industry has become more democratic and accessible to all people. This is partly due to the growing popularity of sustainable fashion, which aims to reduce environmental impact and support fair trade. It is also due to the rise of women’s rights and gender equality. This movement has caused the fashion industry to rethink its designs and production processes, leading to more inclusive, gender-neutral styles that are less restrictive and more versatile.

Perfume is a spritz of scent that fills your clothing, hair and skin with a sweet and pleasant smell. It is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents used to give people, animals, objects and living spaces an agreeable fragrance. Today, perfumes contain tens to hundreds of ingredients including natural and synthetic ones. They range in price from quite inexpensive to expensive and are sold in many different concentrations. They come in a wide variety of bottle types and packaging and are available in classic perfumes, celebrity fragrances and unisex scents. The earliest perfumes were used to emulate nature’s pleasant aromas and were aromatic resins and oil distilled from flowers and plants. They were first mentioned on a Mesopotamian cuneiform tablet and later developed by the Romans and Arabs who refined their manufacture with perfumery techniques brought to Europe by their ambassadors. By the 16th century, the personal perfumer to Catherine de’ Medici in Florence, Italy had perfected his skills and refined them to a point where he could mix the scents of rose, jasmine, orange flower, violet, lily-of-the-valley, and musk into one blend. The resulting product was so finely balanced that it lasted all day and gave off a delicate, long-lasting, complex scent. In the modern world, perfumes may be formulated with ingredients from all over the world. Many botanicals, such as flowers, grasses, herbs, spices, fruits, woods, roots, barks, resins, balsams, and leaves are commonly used. Additionally, animal secretions like musk and ambergris are also commonly included. In addition to these natural products, there are also a number of synthetic materials which can be used to create scents that cannot be made naturally and to replicate natural ones more precisely. All perfumes include top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top notes are the smallest molecules that evaporate first and form the initial impression of the perfume. The middle notes are more concentrated and form the heart of the perfume. Finally, the base notes are the longest-lasting molecules and provide a smooth, lasting, enduring smell. While there are numerous reasons for wearing perfume, it is undoubtedly a confidence booster and can make people feel more desirable. It is also said to alter moods and evoke memories. It is no wonder that people love to wear it and want to smell good! Although there are some health concerns associated with perfumes, especially from the chemicals and additives found in some perfumes, most people can safely use them in moderation. However, some individuals are sensitive to specific chemicals and can have an allergic reaction. These people should avoid perfumes containing eucalyptus, linalool and limonene which are known to cause irritation. In addition, perfumes that are spritzed close to the nose can irritate the eyes and ears. Perfumes that are sprayed on the body will evaporate more slowly and will be less irritating to those with sensitivities. Those with sensitive skin should avoid any perfumes that contain phthalates, which can cause contact dermatitis.

Victoria’s Secret, the pink empire of bras and lingerie that once made its name with a televised fashion show featuring sexy, tanned models, is trying to change its image to attract a younger, more diverse audience. The company is now the largest underwear retailer in North America, and it is trying to make a comeback after a rocky couple of years that saw same-store sales decline and a loss of market share to upstart competitors. The company was founded in 1977 by entrepreneur Ron Raymond, who opened the first store in San Francisco and began to publish catalogs that featured models wearing the brand’s designs. It became a national brand in the 1980s, and by the 1990s it was selling over $2 billion worth of merchandise a year. During this time, Victoria’s Secret became famous for its annual fashion shows, which turned supermodels like Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, and Gisele Bundchen into household names. The company was also known for its risqué, sexually suggestive marketing, as well as for its body-positive message. But in recent years, Victoria’s Secret has struggled to adapt to shifting cultural attitudes. The #MeToo movement emboldened women to look for brands that celebrated a more positive message about the bodies they had, and the emergence of upstart competitors that prioritized diversity helped Victoria’s Secret lose ground. In 2019, the company’s long-time marketing chief Edward Razek resigned and founder Leslie Wexner apologized for his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was indicted on sex trafficking charges. The same year, the company announced it would rethink its annual fashion show. In 2021, the company rebranded itself as an independent public company and separated from its parent company L Brands. It has since revamped its stores and its lingerie collections, and it has reworked its branding and marketing to appeal to a new generation of consumers. It has introduced its first plus-size model in over a decade, and it has started to feature more black, Latinx, and Asian models. In its new campaign, Victoria’s Secret is promising to be “infinite and unconquerable” and to celebrate women of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The VS Collective, which features women such as MMA fighter Rose Namajunas, refugee model Adut Akech, and trans activist and soccer player Megan Rapinoe, represents an important shift in the company’s approach to inclusivity. The brand’s new advertising is a sharp departure from the bombshell images that dominated its marketing in the past, and it’s an attempt to reclaim its reputation for being body-positive. The campaign is a huge gamble, but it could pay off big if the company can win over its core audience of young, wealthy women. If you are interested in purchasing Victoria’s Secret merchandise, it is best to go through a global eCommerce company called eShopWorld. This company handles everything from checkout to payment processing to delivery for Victoria’s Secret international orders. eShopWorld will show you the total cost, including any applicable duties and taxes, before you place your order. You can choose to pay the duties upfront or have them billed to your credit card later.

Fragrance is an important part of any woman’s wardrobe. It not only enhances the olfactory experience of every moment, but also expresses all facets of a fulfilled and radiant femininity. The collection of women perfume at Maison Francis Kurkdjian is like a wardrobe, offering you fragrances to wear in any occasion: elegant, natural or sophisticated, spontaneous or sultry. Choosing the right perfume for a woman is like finding the key to a closed box filled with emotions. A perfect scent describes her dignity and character to the outside world while creating a memory that will remain with her throughout life. Perfume was first created around the 2nd millennium B.C, and the art of selecting the best perfumes for women has never been more diverse. The most recent development in this category of cosmetics is the arrival of clean perfumes, with their more natural ingredients that are more suitable for sensitive skin. In addition, the perfume industry has evolved with new techniques to better capture the essence of flowers and natural elements for an intoxicating aroma that lasts longer. The bestselling perfumes for women offer an array of irresistible scents that can be worn in any situation and are adapted to different age groups. For example, there are eau de toilette and eaux de parfum perfumes for teens that are lighter than the classic scents and have a more delicate and youthful profile that reflects their personality. There are even eau de parfum perfumes for babies and young children that contain less volatile substances that are safe to be used on the youngest members of your family. With a few tweaks in the formula, many of these perfumes can be used for men as well. Nevertheless, the fragrance industry has not completely embraced this trend as the gender-specific categories are still the dominant ones for women’s perfumes and men’s fragrances. This is especially visible in the names and bottle designs, where women’s perfumes usually feature curved bottles and more feminine names such as Belle or Daisy, while men’s perfumes have dark colors and masculine scents with titles that conjure images of Bear Grylls type survivalists such as Sauvage or Le Male. Regardless of the category, there are some universal fragrance notes that have been shown to be most popular. The perfume shopping website, OnBuy, analyzed the top 10 women’s perfumes and men’s fragrances to determine which scents are most commonly used in each. The results are listed below. If you want a perfume that is both fresh and sweet, try one of the best perfumes for women such as Ralph Lauren’s Roses Vanille. This floral gourmand combines realistic rose and vanilla notes with bergamot, spring mimosa and Hawaiian wedding flower for an optimistic fragrance that is long-lasting and sure to turn heads. Or, opt for YSL’s Ck One, a fresh and fruity scent with a mix of tropical fruits such as lemon, papaya and pineapple combined with green tea and cardamom for a unique blend of fragrances that is both refreshing and invigorating.

Fragrance is a mixture of chemicals that give a product a distinctive smell. It can come from natural sources like flowers, pine trees and food or from synthetically manufactured fragrances commonly found in scented household products. Regardless of origin, over 5000 different fragrance chemicals are used in a wide variety of products. Fragrance is a common ingredient in perfume, cologne, aftershave and deodorant. In fact, a single bottle of perfume may contain tens to hundreds of individual fragrance ingredients that are simply listed by the generic term “fragrance.” Many of these fragrance chemicals are known to be skin allergens that can cause rashes and other unpleasant reactions. Perfume is the most commonly used form of fragrance and is applied to the skin for a pleasant odour. Perfume can be classified into 5 main groups loosely based on their concentration of aromatic compounds. Parfum, or extrait, has the highest concentration of fragrance and is the most expensive. Other scents such as eau de toilette or cologne, eau de parfum, and eau de concentree have lower concentrations of perfume oils. The lower concentrations of oil in the perfumes are often referred to by terms such as extreme, intense, or concentrated, however, the perfume oils that make up these different scents are not necessarily the same. For example, the perfume oil that makes up Chanel No. 5 in its parfum, EdP, and the discontinued EdC concentrations are actually different perfume oil mixtures. The top notes are the light, short-lasting scents that come from citruses and other fruit, spices, herbs, or florals. Middle notes have a deeper, more complex and rounded aroma. They include the heart of a perfume and provide the lasting impression of the scent. These are typically made from more potent natural fragrance materials such as rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, lily of the valley and geranium. The base notes add richness, depth, and balance to the perfume and are comprised of large molecules that last 2-4 hours after application. They can include woody notes such as patchouli and oakmoss or aquatic or marine notes, such as calone or muguet. Traditionally, some of the odour ingredients in perfume were obtained from animals such as whales and the civet cat. These are now replaced with plant extracts and synthetic ingredients that duplicate the scent of these natural animal odours. While some perfumes are made only from natural essential oils or tinctures, most modern fragrances contain a mix of both. The difference between natural and synthetic ingredients is that synthetics can be more readily available and can be formulated to achieve certain desired scents more economically than the rarer natural ingredients. For example, the ozonous marine notes of linalool and coumarin can be synthesized inexpensively from terpenes, while the fresh odour of orchids requires the expensive molecule called hexyl cinnamal. The fragrance industry has maintained a rigorous system of safety assurance for more than 30 years. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials maintain a systematic testing program that includes hazard identification, exposure assessment, skin sensitization, group health, respiratory, and environmental testing.

Fashion is the way people express themselves through clothes. It is an ever-changing art form that reflects our culture and society’s values. Fashion is also a reflection of a person’s mood and personality. It can be seen in one’s hair, clothing, makeup, and body language. There are many different ways to define fashion, but it is often interpreted as the current style and trends that are popular in a particular period. Whether we like it or not, we are all impacted by fashion in some way. Millions of people work in the fashion industry designing, sourcing, sewing, and producing garments for our everyday wear. Fashion has become so ubiquitous that it is almost impossible to escape. In our daily lives, we see the latest styles on television, in magazines, and in movies. We can see the influence of fashion in our hairstyles, clothes, and even in the length of our skirts. It is widely assumed that changes in fashion reflect societal change or the financial interests of manufacturers and designers. However, recent research suggests that there are internal taste mechanisms at play as well. This research explores these theories and offers valuable insights into the complex nature of the fashion industry. Fashion can be a powerful tool for social change and activism, but it can also have a negative impact on mental health. The pressure to keep up with the latest trends can lead to an unhealthy obsession with appearances and a lack of self-confidence. This is especially true for young girls who are influenced by the media and their peers to look a certain way. Embracing sustainable, ethical, and local fashion practices can help alleviate these issues. The latest trends are influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural and political influences, the popularity of celebrity culture, and the availability of new fabrics and materials. In addition, consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impacts of the fashion industry. As a result, they are increasingly seeking out brands that produce their clothes using eco-friendly and sustainable practices. As the world’s largest industry, fashion is a major driver of global economic growth and has the power to transform societies. But it also has a significant impact on the environment, with millions of workers involved in the design, production, and distribution of garments. This research explores the ways in which fashion can be used to promote sustainability, foster social inclusion, and enhance personal wellbeing. Fashion is a cultural phenomenon that reflects our beliefs and attitudes about beauty, body image, and identity. It can be a powerful tool for social change, but it must be managed responsibly to avoid exploiting and dehumanising vulnerable people. This is why it’s so important to support artisanal and sustainable fashion, choose organic cotton, and reject the idea that “fast fashion” is a good thing. Ultimately, we must strive to be authentic and find our own style, rather than trying to imitate the trends of others.

A perfume is a combination of fragrances, such as essential oils or aroma compounds dissolved in a solvent and then sprayed on the skin to give off a pleasant scent. It is used to enhance the wearer’s sense of smell, and may also be ingested as a food flavoring or applied to clothing to emit an attractive aroma. Perfumes are typically classified into five groups loosely based on their concentration of aromatic compounds. The highest concentration is called parfum, or extrait, and contains a very high amount of the compound. Perfumes have also been developed to achieve specific physiological and psychological effects, such as boosting positive mood or lowering heart rate. The story of perfume begins with the discovery of the chemical components of fragrant oils and the development of distillation techniques that make it feasible to extract a single ingredient from large quantities of raw materials. It was during the seventeenth century that perfume became popular in Europe. It was especially prevalent in France, where hygiene practices were fairly primitive at the time and odors could be a major issue. Perfume was often used to mask unpleasant body odor and to amplify the scent of a person’s clothes. Perfume is a very complex mixture, and it can contain tens to hundreds of ingredients. Generally, the compounds are a blend of natural or synthetic oils or aromas and fixatives that are diluted in a solvent to make them more pleasant to the sense of smell. Natural scents can vary greatly depending on the time of year and the locale in which they are grown or harvested, as well as the method of extraction. Because of this, a perfumer will have a favorite or preferred supplier for particular flowers (Indian jasmine vs. Grasse jasmine) and may alter a perfume’s composition by adding different amounts of one scent or another to maximize profit margins. The same is true of many other raw materials and ingredients, and unscrupulous suppliers will even adulterate the scent by substituting the actual material (adding Indian jasmine to Grasse rosewood, for example) to increase their profits. The main point of Suskind’s story is that, as with a musical composition, when a person applies a perfume the top notes open with a crescendo of aroma and then mellow out into the middle note. After the middle note, the base note comes into play and is blended into the individual’s unique skin chemistry, giving off a harmonious overall impression. A perfume’s harmony is what makes it memorable, and it is the reason why some scents are recognizable even after a short period of time. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a fascinating exploration of the magical power of perfume and how it can affect our behavior and emotions. I highly recommend it.

Victoria’s Secret is the world’s largest intimates specialty retailer, offering a full assortment of modern, fashion-inspired collections including signature bras, panties, lingerie, sleepwear, swim and athleisure. The brand also offers prestige fragrances and body care products. The company was founded in 1977 by entrepreneur Ron Raymond. It started with a single store and a catalog, but now has grown into a global retail powerhouse. The lingerie brand’s most recent fashion show, titled Undefinable, is a complete 180 from the blonde bombshells and all-pink era it was known for. It features a diverse cast of models, including MMA fighter Rose Namajunas, paralympic athlete Femita Ayanbeku and country singer-songwriter Brittany Spencer. The new marketing campaign shatters all stereotypes of what a Victoria’s Secret angel looks like and promotes female empowerment. However, this attempt to take itself more seriously is not well-received by viewers. The rom-com-style voice overs used to transition between the mini-shows and the glaring pink lighting seem to be the most obvious missteps. And the sexy, over-sexualized images of the VS Angels are not in step with a culture that has begun to reject objectification and reclaim girlhood. Despite the company’s attempts to flip its narrative and make it more inclusive, it is still struggling to connect with younger consumers. For Sierra Mariela, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, the lingerie is not the problem; it’s the messaging that’s off-putting. She hasn’t stepped foot in a Victoria’s Secret store in over five years, and instead buys her lingerie at Target or on Depop, a privately-held marketplace for used clothing. When a major scandal shook the company in 2020, Victoria’s Secret had to cancel its Super Bowl halftime show and faced criticism over its association with child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and its punishing size standards. In the aftermath, a crop of more body-positive underwear brands such as Aerie and ThirdLove began to take market share from Victoria’s Secret, and sales slipped. The company was forced to address its image issues head-on, hiring its first plus-size model and revamping the way it marketed its products. In addition, the brand expanded its offerings to include mastectomy bras and comfy sports bras. And its stores are being redesigned to be brighter and more feminine, with blush pink walls and pink lights. But the company is still trying to grapple with what it means to be a brand that celebrates women, and a new documentary on Hulu, titled Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons, helps connect the dots between the underworld of high fashion and the billionaire class, child sex trafficking, and pedophilia. The harrowing exposé suggests that, even in the age of the MeToo movement, the sexual misconduct is far from over and that there’s much work to do to create an industry where people are treated fairly.

The fragrances you wear are an extension of yourself. They communicate your mood, emotions, and personality while also evoking memories of past experiences. That’s why deciding what to wear is such an important decision, whether you’re looking for a scent to make you feel confident or to remind you of that special someone. When it comes to women perfume, there are so many options — from floral to woody to fruity to sweet. And while some scents are marketed as feminine or masculine, it’s all about what feels right on your skin. Gender-specific fragrance stereotypes date back to 19th century Europe, when men and women were firmly cemented into distinct roles—with men working outside the home and women remaining at home, caring for the children, cooking, and arranging flowers. These societal expectations mirrored the aromas people chose to wear, with floral scents associated with femininity and woody, earthy fragrances linked to masculinity. With the recent rise in awareness around gender equality, some of these scent stereotypes have started to fall apart and brands are rethinking how they market their perfumes. Gender-specific perfumes are still available, but they’re no longer the norm. In fact, blindfolded participants in a fragrance study revealed that there are no true olfactory hints of sex—it’s all about what each person perceives as the smell of a particular scent. If you’re in the market for a new signature fragrance, here are some of our favorites to try. The bestselling perfume for women, Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle is a bright floral fragrance with a rich woody base. It’s fresh and fruity with a hint of spice and is a perfect pick for a day when you want to feel energized and confident. Chanel No. 5 is a timeless scent that’s beloved for a reason, with notes of jasmine sambac and sandalwood that are both feminine and sensual. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a classic yet modern scent that works well with any wardrobe. A cult-favorite, the olfactory nuances of neroli and petitgrain are delicate and refreshing in this clean perfume. It’s a perfect everyday scent that also contains the benefits of Herkimer diamond crystal energized by Louisa Mita to bolster positivity and wellbeing. One of Dior’s most recognizable scents was sung to the heavens by Charlize Theron in their iconic J’adore commercials, and it still remains the French house’s bestselling perfume today. It’s a rich, luxurious fragrance with a blend of black cherry, bitter liqueur, Turkish rose, and Arabian jasmine that’s opulent and sultry. A sexy, sophisticated scent that’s both feminine and sultry, this is the ideal fragrance for women who want to feel strong and powerful. It’s a woody floral with hints of patchouli and frankincense that exudes confidence.

Fragrance is the term used to describe a combination of various natural and/or synthetic aromatic materials that creates a definite odor effect. It can be combined to form a perfume, cologne or body spray. In the case of a fragrance, the word “fragrance” is often used to refer to all of the individual raw materials and compounds that go into the product and are not necessarily listed on the ingredient list. Fragrance includes essential oils, extracts and chemicals as well as many other raw materials. It is possible for a single fragrance to have several hundred components. The raw material that gives the fragrance its initial impression on the wearer. It may be natural (such as citrus peels or herbs) or artificial (methyl acetate or propionic aldehydes to emphasize the first “fruity” impression of a cologne). A perfumer’s ability to combine different raw materials and create a balanced complex that develops an accord. Accord is achieved when the components of the fragrance blend into a unified impression that can be described and classified as one whole – an analogous process to music composition. The concept of accord is a central part of perfumery and the art of creating fragrance. An aromatic extract of a natural plant material that has been processed by enfleurage, alcohol extraction or steam distillation. An important raw material for perfume because it provides a fresh and crisp impression, it is used as a top note in colognes and can act as an olfactory bridge in complex perfumes. A family of scents that are often perceived as feminine and delicate. They contain ingredients such as jasmine, rose and lily of the valley and include a wide variety of subfamilies. A very common and widely used group of notes. The olfactory impression of earth, grass and roots, especially those of the iris family (i.e., orris oil). The olfactory impression of green leaves, bark, wood and other plant materials. This is a very broad and diverse group of scents that also contains a number of key natural and synthetic ingredients, such as pine and cedar oils. A group of fragrance notes that is generally seen as warm and woody. They usually feature spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and bay and may include woods like sandalwood and patchouli. Two studies in the 1980’s reported that male job applicants exhibited negative bias against female candidates who wore perfume. This was most pronounced when the perfumes were very strong. Other research has shown that women can be biased against men who wear excessive amounts of fragrance, even if it is subtle, because the smell can mask a natural body odor that indicates genetic compatibility. The International Fragrance Association and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials set voluntary standards for chemicals in a fragrance. These are known as the IFRA and RIFM regulations.

Fashion is a general term that refers to the clothing and other style trends that become popular in society. It is a highly influential industry and it varies by time, place, age group, social class and gender. Fashion is also influenced by cultural events and media. It is often compared to art and music. The fashion industry is a fast-moving and ever-changing one, which requires constant attention from the public in order to stay ahead of the competition. People often try to keep up with the latest fashion trends in order to be considered fashionable and attractive. This can be achieved by reading magazines, newspapers, or by following social media channels. The fashion industry is a global business that influences culture, politics and economics in both the developed and developing world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that consists of the design, manufacture and retailing of garments and accessories. The most famous fashion brands are Chanel, Gucci and Armani. The fashion industry is a powerful form of cultural expression that can be used to communicate messages about identity and community. It can also be used to challenge and subvert societal norms and values. Throughout history, there have been many different styles of clothing and accessories that have gone in and out of fashion. For example, in the 1960s, the miniskirt became a symbol of feminism and freedom. While the cassocks worn by nuns and monks were seen as a sign of renunciation of vanity. Fashion is also a way of conveying one’s personal style and individuality. It can be seen in the way a person dresses, with the use of jewelry, shoes or the way they cut their hair. It can also be seen in the way a person speaks, with their accent, vocabulary or tone of voice. A person’s style can change with their age, location, job and even their attitude towards life. Some people are able to adapt quickly to changes in fashion while others are slower to do so. In recent decades, print and electronic media have been a big influence on fashion trends. People look to celebrities, politicians, and even their favourite models for inspiration on how they should dress. Moreover, the emergence of fast fashion has allowed people to easily access the latest styles at affordable prices. While fashion is a way to express oneself, it can also have negative effects on individuals. It can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle where a person becomes obsessed with creating their own style statement and is unable to concentrate on other aspects of life. It can also make them a victim of the cult of celebrity where they follow a specific personality or character without thinking about their own values and beliefs. Moreover, it can be a burden on the young generation as they are spending most of their time trying to create their own unique style rather than learning other skills. This is also damaging to their mental health and can cause depression.

Whether you are trying to impress someone at work, get the attention of a potential love interest or simply want to smell good throughout the day, perfume can help. It is a combination of oils and chemicals that are sprayed on the skin to create a distinct fragrance. Its scent lasts much longer than body odor and helps to define your personal brand. Perfume can also function as a natural aphrodisiaci. Some ingredients in perfume, such as jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang, contain pheromones that are thought to stimulate the sense of smell (1). Perfumes are available in a wide variety of scents, from light floral to woody and musky. They typically consist of a three-part smell: top notes (the first smells your nose detects), middle notes (the scent that lasts about an hour after application) and base notes (the smells that remain the longest). Some perfumes also have additional components such as spices, herbs, woods, fruits, or even animal pheromones. The most common ingredient in perfume is florals, including rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang and tuberose. These are usually combined with other florals and other fragrant materials to give the perfume its signature scent. Other popular perfume ingredients include bergamot, blackcurrants and vanilla. The perfume industry uses a variety of techniques to extract these smells, from pressing or distilling plants to chemically synthesizing them. (2) Fragrances made from animals are becoming increasingly common as the perfume industry looks to lessen its dependency on chemical compounds. Some animal pheromones are extremely potent, and they can provide a unique scent that is both fresh and invigorating. However, there is a certain amount of controversy surrounding the ethical use of animal pheromones in perfume. It is also possible to find perfumes that do not use any animal products at all. For example, some companies produce perfumes with synthetic aromas such as linalool and coumarin. These smell similar to the terpenes found in many natural flowers. Many of the synthetic aromas are created to replace natural ingredients that are becoming scarcer or harder to obtain. Aside from the natural benefits of perfume, many people wear it to express their mood or personality. In a study by Herz, women reported that the perfume they chose to wear was related to their current emotional state and was consistent with how they wanted others to perceive them. In addition, the fragrance they picked was based on the occasion for which they were planning to wear it. For instance, a woman who wished to appear romantic would choose a floral scent while one who was looking for a job interview might opt for a more musky and masculine fragrance. In the early nineteenth century, a change in public perception of germ theory led to a decline in perfume wearing and a gender-specific definition of fragrance types. Sweet floral blends and floral scents were viewed as feminine, while sharper pine, moss, cedar, and juniper perfumes were seen as masculine. The trend eventually reversed in the mid-nineteenth century.

The brand’s former vibe (thin, tanned models thrilled to wink at an audience of men cheering nearby) was no longer welcome to shoppers demanding inclusivity and autonomy. That’s why victoria secret is trying to reshape its image as the palace of pink dreams, a place for all women to buy clothes that reflect their invincible self-love. The company’s early days In the 1980s, entrepreneur Roy Raymond was fed up with frumpy undergarments from department stores and saw a niche for what would become Victoria’s Secret. He meticulously researched the lingerie market for 8 years and developed his line of bras, introducing the infamous Miracle Bra in 1993. The lingerie was an immediate success, and within a few years the company had grown to 350 Victoria’s Secret stores and a massive catalog business. By the mid-2000s, the brand had expanded into a one-stop shop for everything a woman might need: undergarments, sleep wear, beauty products, clothing, shoes and swimwear, plus a sexy, tween-appropriate line called PINK. And its annual fashion show was a sexy spectacle of glitzy, feathered wings and sexy lingerie worn by Angels (models) like Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Gisele Bundchen. The company’s growth accelerated until the early 2010s, when the #MeToo movement and increasing calls for greater representational inclusivity—particularly around body size, race and gender—began to chip away at sales. The scandals that rocked the brand in 2020 and 2022 (the firing of exec Ed Razek over alleged inappropriate contact with an underage student, and an accusation from the former model Bridget Malcolm that he sexually assaulted her) signalled the need for change. While VS has taken steps toward inclusion, it hasn’t been enough to reverse the brand’s declining fortunes. Upstart competitors like ThirdLove and Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty have begun to take a big chunk out of the company’s share, while its own attempts to shift the brand’s narrative from sexiness to empowerment have seemed like too little too late. As a result, the brand has seen its profits decline for two straight years. The company’s latest move to embrace a more inclusive image, however, might be the first sign that the company has finally gotten it right. This year, victoria secret announced that it would be casting more diverse models—including lesbian soccer champ Megan Rapinoe and plus-size model Paloma Elsesser—for its annual runway show and its new collection of lingerie to be released afterward. This is the most overt change to the brand’s imagery in its history, but it may be just a small part of a bigger plan for a much-needed overhaul. It’s too soon to say whether this will work, but it’s an encouraging start. It’s clear that the company is finally listening to what its consumers are saying. It’s a bold move that could just save the empire from fading into irrelevance. For now, Sierra Mariela, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, is sticking with Target and Depop (a private marketplace for used lingerie) for her sexy needs.

The scent of your perfume says a lot about you, from the moment it hits the skin. It can stir up a nostalgic memory, like the smell of your mom’s perfume from when you were young, or it could represent a new chapter in your life. But with so many scents out there, it can be tricky to find the one that’s right for you. From timeless aromas that speak for themselves, like Chanel No. 5 or a reinterpretation of Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady, to clean options with an upscale aesthetic that’ll look great on your vanity, the best perfumes for women feature irresistible fragrances that last all day without getting overpowering. Whether you’re looking for something fresh and fruity, woodsy and musky or sweet and floral, there is a perfume out there for everyone. The best perfumes for women also boast unique notes that add a special touch and set them apart from the crowd. To narrow down your options, professional perfumer Kalliope Amorphous recommends starting by assessing what notes you’re drawn to most. “Look at the top notes, which are the initial scents that hit your nose when you spritz, and see what kind of vibe they’re giving off,” she tells InStyle. “Once you know what you’re into, it will be easier to test out other fragrances.” A spritz of the perfect perfume can instantly elevate an outfit and boost your confidence. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best perfumes for women with different notes, price points and bottle sizes. If you’re in the mood for something bright and fresh, Calvin Klein’s Ck One is a top pick. With a blend of green tea and hints of cardamom, this light perfume opens with citrus and tropical notes. It’s an ideal scent for summer. This is a perfume for the bold, free-spirited woman who’s not afraid to be her true self. Lolita Lempicka’s first perfume is reminiscent of her non-conformist princess persona, and the red-orange notes speak to passion and romance. It’s impossible to forget the gilded J’adore commercials featuring Charlize Theron dripping in gold, and the fragrance itself is just as memorable. The black plum and patchouli-heavy notes of this unisex perfume are hypnotic and sensual. A floral gourmand that’s as soft and luscious as a freshly picked bouquet, this heavenly fragrance features hints of orange blossom absolute, Hawaiian wedding flower, jasmine and rose. The uplifting top notes are balanced by the warm and rich base of musk, vanilla, amber and sandalwood. It’s the kind of fragrance that can take you from a day in the office to dinner with your S.O.. And its sleek black-and-gold packaging will look just as chic on your vanity as it does in your bag.

Fragrance is a combination of chemicals that give perfume and cologne its distinctive aroma. A single perfume can contain up to 200 different chemical ingredients. Perfumery has been a revered art since ancient times; Etruscan women carried scented oils as they walked and Roman gladiators used scented powder to prepare for combat. Despite the importance of fragrance, it has been a subject of little scientific research. In fact, there has been only one empirical study of the reward value of perfume – that conducted by the personal perfumer to Catherine de’ Medici in Renaissance Italy. The author concluded that perfume is an intrinsically rewarding stimulus. However, a more important question is whether it also acts as a reinforcer in the same way that other extrinsic rewards (such as money, power and status) do. Most people who wear perfume do so because they enjoy the pleasant smell of it on their skin. But there is much more to the perfume experience than a simple pleasure in the aroma. For example, some studies suggest that perfume may act as a social signal of attractiveness, and can be a powerful sexual seduction tool for both men and women. Perfume contains a wide range of chemicals, from natural raw materials to synthetic aroma compounds. Manufacturers of perfumes and colognes purchase the necessary mixtures of fragrance chemicals from companies that specialize in creating fragrance compositions. These chemical ingredients, which are known collectively as the fragrance compound, are then combined with other additives such as solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers and preservatives to produce a final product that is marketed as a perfume or cologne. Currently, the FDA does not require that manufacturers disclose the individual fragrance ingredients on their product labels. Instead, the industry has developed and maintains a system of “trade secrets” that protects the proprietary blends of fragrance chemicals that make up perfume. The FDA should require disclosure of fragrance ingredients in order to ensure public safety and promote innovation in perfume neuroscience and reward. It is well known that the olfactory cortex (OFC) and amygdala are involved in sensory and reward processing, and that hedonically positive odors such as perfumes activate these brain regions. It is less well appreciated that the OFC and the amygdala are innervated by dopaminergic neurons, and that the activation of these neurons correlates with the sensation of pleasure. Although perfume is a highly reinforcing stimuli, to date there has been no empirical research assessing its behavioral role as a reinforcer in humans. The anecdotal evidence of the reward value of perfume is tantalizing and a rich source of material for future innovative research in perfume neuroscience and reward. In particular, it would be interesting to test whether the hedonically positive scent of perfume can also act as an unconditioned stimulus that increases the motivation for other stimuli (such as food) to which it is paired through classical conditioning. If this is the case, it will have profound implications for perfume design and use.