Month: February 2024

Fragrance is a combination of oils that can be used to give a product or a room a pleasant aroma. These oils can be natural or synthetic. Fragrance is often used in perfumes, colognes, and other products to give them a distinctive smell. Fragrance is used for a variety of reasons, such as promoting health or increasing attractiveness. Fragrance can also help create a specific mood or emotion. For example, a perfume with strong notes of jasmine can be used to promote relaxation. Perfumes have been created and worn for thousands of years. Archaeological excavations and ancient texts show that perfume was used in some of the earliest human civilizations. The Romans were particularly fond of perfumes, and gladiators used scented creams to enhance their appearance before battle. Later, as Christianity emerged with its severe and simple attitudes toward adornment, the use of perfume fell out of favor. Nevertheless, in the 20th century, perfumes returned to popularity, and the art of perfumery became an international industry. Modern perfumes are classified according to their concentration level, the scent family they belong to, and the individual fragrance notes within them. The highest concentration level is parfum, which contains up to 30% of the aromatic compounds found in a perfume; eau de parfum consists of 8-15% of these compounds; eau de toilette has 4% to 8%, and eau de cologne has 2% or less. The scents of a perfume can be described in terms of top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scents that appear right after a perfume is applied to the skin. These include citrus, fruity, and herbal scents. Middle notes are the scents that emerge after the top notes fade, and they can consist of floral, woody, or spicy smells. These are the main scents in a perfume, and they provide its structure. Base notes are the final scents that appear when the middle notes disappear, and they usually add depth to the perfume. These can include tobacco, amber, and musk. Fragrance manufacturers use complex chemical compositions to produce the fragrances in their products, and these compounds can be natural or synthetic. They must pass rigorous testing to be approved for use in perfumes. These tests, which are carried out by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and Research Institute of Fragrance Materials (RIFM), include hazard identification, dosing and exposure assessment, and skin sensitivity. Historically, many perfumes have been praised for their sexual and anal odors. The great French perfumer Jacques Guerlain once claimed that a perfume should smell like “the underside of my mistress,” and his Jicky and Shalimar fragrances are renowned for their indolic qualities. Christian Dior’s perfume called Eternity was allegedly formulated to smell like a woman’s anal region, and some of the more raunchy perfumes of the 1980s were laden with synthetic fecal notes. While anecdotal accounts of perfume as a chemosignal for attraction and reward are abundant, little empirical research has been done on perfume from a neurobiological or behavioral perspective.

Fashion is the way people dress and can be considered a type of style or a set of rules about how to wear clothes. It can also refer to the trends in art, music and culture. The concept of fashion changes over time as different eras and social movements come and go. The way people dress can influence how they are perceived by others and can be a reflection of their lifestyle or personality. There are many things that can influence fashion, including celebrities, magazines, newspapers, television shows, websites, and other forms of media. The most common influencers are musicians and other cultural icons, like actors and athletes. People tend to follow the fashion of these individuals because they admire them or want to be like them. People may also follow the fashion of their friends or family members. This trend is known as peer pressure. Clothing brands and designers are another important factor that can affect fashion. They often create lines of clothes that reflect popular styles and colors. Then they sell those clothes to stores or online. Some popular clothing brands and designers include Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Vans, Nike, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Kate Spade, and Vera Wang. Some designers even have their own line of fast-fashion stores, where they can produce clothes quickly and cheaply to appeal to a wide audience. The media plays a role in fashion by providing information about new trends and styles. For example, news about a celebrity wearing a certain item of clothing can cause a sudden spike in sales for that particular item. Other forms of media that can influence fashion include magazines, television shows, and fashion blogs. Fashion blogs and social media have become especially influential because they can spread trends and ideas quickly. It is commonly believed that fashions change as a result of societal changes or because of the financial interests of fashion designers and manufacturers. However, recent research suggests that there are other factors at play. For example, some researchers have found that children’s first names can be influenced by the fashions of their parents’ generation. People can also create their own styles and trends by wearing different types of clothes. They can do this by choosing the styles that they like or by copying the styles of celebrities or other people. Some fashions also have a historical basis, with designers revisiting or recreating styles from the past. For example, in the 1940s, some people began to wear long skirts and sweaters, which resembled the robe-like garments worn by the Chinese women of the Qipao. The style later became popular again as designers adapted the fabric to make body-hugging dresses. This adaptation allowed them to be worn over leggings and pants. In some cases, these reworkings of previous fashions can help to keep the industry growing and moving forward instead of stagnating. This is why some fashion experts believe that it is a good thing that some fashions are copied and reused.

Fragrance is one of the most personal beauty products out there—and it can also make a fantastic gift. Last year during the holiday season, perfumes were purchased at a rate double that of any other beauty product. And there are plenty of reasons to invest in a new bottle of fragrance, not least of which is that the right scent can elevate an outfit, boost your mood and even improve your skin. But before you buy, make sure to take a moment to consider your skin type. Fragrance molecules tend to bind with well-hydrated skin, which is why it’s important to moisturize regularly. Plus, rubbing a perfume on your skin can actually degrade its molecules—it’s best to spray on the inside of your wrists and behind your ears (or the back of your neck and decolletage) and rub them in, rather than directly onto your clothes. As far as perfumes go, you’re likely to find yourself leaning toward floral and woody scents this year. Traditionally, these are the most popular perfumes for women. And they are also the most versatile and universal. “They’re great for both everyday wear and special occasions because they can be worn with any style,” says Eduardo Valadez, a self-described perfume junkie with more than 20 years under his belt working at French fragrance house Diptque. “And you can even layer them with other perfumes to create a completely new fragrance.” When it comes to floral perfumes, Chanel No. 5 sent a shockwave when it debuted in 1921. Its combination of fresh, green lily and delicate rose is instantly recognizable. Another of our favorites is Guerlain’s Les Exclusifs, which is a modern interpretation of a classic, feminine perfume. This scent is rich and decadent, with notes of orange blossom and jasmine paired with warm nuances of musk and sandalwood. A perfume’s middle and base notes usually carry a heavier weight and add more complexity to the overall smell. For example, a woody scent could include cedarwood or labdanum. These can also be a good option for people with sensitive skin, which tends to be less reactive to fragrances. Lastly, you should also keep in mind the time and place of your perfume purchase. You’ll want to choose a lighter scent for daytime and something more intense for nighttime. A perfume infused with tonka bean and vanilla is a great option for nighttime, as is Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille, which has just the slightest hint of tobacco. Then there’s a fragrance inspired by the American West, which would work well for a day hike or evening drinks with friends. And a perfume that captures the spirit of a city, like Paris for Women by Cartier, is a fitting pick for date night. This perfume has a sultry smokiness that’s balanced by sweet citrus notes and musk. And its gilded glass vessel looks chic on your vanity.

When Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977, founder Roy Raymond envisioned it as a refined lingerie brand with stores that evoked Victorian boudoirs. But by the 1990s, he had lost his way, and the retailer’s image became increasingly raunchy as it tried to meet the appetite for a new generation of women who wanted to reclaim their sexuality. The result was a tumultuous decade of decline that left Victoria’s Secret struggling to hold on to its core customers as it lost market share to upstart competitors like Aerie and La Perla. It’s been a long road back to profitability for the company. But the company is on the right track, boosted by its successful launch of the inaugural Victoria’s Secret World Tour in 2022 and efforts to change its marketing strategy from the supercharged sexy model that drew the attention of only the most fervent fans in years past. That includes highlighting fuller-figure models in ads and store mannequins, as well as expanding into more comfortable sports bras and mastectomy bras. It also revamped its fashion show, ditching the supermodel “Angels” in favor of a diverse group of ambassadors like actresses Priyanka Chopra and Emily Ratajkowski and US soccer star Megan Rapinoe. And the company’s newfound commitment to body positivity has proved especially resonant with the youngest female shoppers. Gen Zers — most of whom are teens or young adults — are known to vote with their wallets, supporting brands that reflect their social values and boycotting those that don’t. As a result, they’re flocking to brands that promote diversity and inclusivity, including the lingerie maker’s more feminine and empowering offerings. But if Victoria’s Secret’s attempt to embrace the new normal is going to work, it will need to address some serious legacy issues. In addition to a sexy ’90s-era reputation that hasn’t aged well, the company has a history of misogyny and abuse, from its founding father’s ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to claims that it routinely exploited its models for nude photos that were published in limited-edition books. In 2022, a Matt Tyrnauer documentary and a book by Business of Fashion reporters laid out the company’s dark past in stark detail. Adding to that list of challenges is the fact that a challenged retail sector is driving consumers away from brick-and-mortar stores and into off-price options, where Victoria’s Secret has struggled to compete. As a result, the company has had to close some of its 250 Victoria’s Secret and Pink locations, and its same-store sales have been declining in recent years. Nonetheless, investors are optimistic about the brand’s turnaround efforts and the success of its new product lines. And if all goes according to plan, it may soon be time for the Angels to come out of hiding.

Perfume is one of the most powerful and bold ways to express yourself. It can set the mood, evoke memories, or make an unforgettable impression. Fragrance is also a universal language that can communicate personality, mood, and intentions. Whether you’re feeling bold and sophisticated or sweet and lovely, there’s a fragrance for everyone. As women, we’re often judged by the scents we choose to wear and have been taught that certain scents are considered to be feminine or masculine. However, as women’s roles and responsibilities have changed over the years so has our understanding of perfume and how it can be used to communicate different qualities and emotions. This has made perfume more accessible to women and men who want to feel confident, unique, and empowered through their scent. The best perfumes for women are those that complement their personal style and bring out the best in them. Our collection of perfume for women is a curated wardrobe that elevates the beauty and radiance in every woman. From classic to contemporary, our eau de parfum and eau de toilette fragrances reveal the olfactory facets of a fulfilled and radiant femininity: natural or sophisticated, spontaneous or refined, sunny or sultry. Whether you’re looking for a signature scent or a versatile everyday women’s perfume, these are the 10 best options according to experts and beauty editors. A fragrance icon: This timeless scent combines white flower notes and musks for an intoxicating symphony of aromas that embodies elegance and luxury. The iconic bottle, designed by Raymond Guerlain and crafted with a rare pink crystal that reflects the light, is a work of art in its own right. One of the most popular perfumes ever, this scent sold one bottle every five minutes in 2021. It’s a classic for a reason—its rich composition of vanilla and iris will have you feeling like royalty, no matter what your day holds. The perfect balance of sweet and bold, this floral-oriental fragrance will never go out of style. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to stand out in a crowd and is a great match for those with darker skin tones. Getting compliments: This perfume for women’s delicate and romantic blend of tuberose, jasmine, Rangoon creeper, and other precious florals is a true olfactory explosion that will leave you smelling fresh and alluring. This fragrance is a surefire way to receive the love and admiration you deserve. While there are general guidelines when choosing the best perfume, you should always let your instincts guide you and be open to trying new combinations that may surprise you. Perfume interacts with the individual chemistry of your body to create an entirely unique and intimate scent, and it’s a beautiful thing. Let Michel Germain’s womens perfume be your secret weapon, partner in passion, and key to unlocking a world of indelible experiences.

Fragrance is a combination of chemicals that gives perfume and cologne its distinct scent. Companies that manufacture perfume or cologne buy fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses, which specialize in developing fragrance chemicals. A small number of these chemicals are natural, while the majority are synthetic. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists 3,059 ingredients in a wide variety of combinations. These chemicals may cause allergies and sensitivities. They can also be associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity, cancer, and other health problems. While federal laws require perfume manufacturers to list the ingredients on their products, they do not disclose individual fragrance chemicals in order to protect perfume trade secrets and to maintain confidentiality agreements with their suppliers. As a result, the public is unaware of most fragrance chemicals and their potential effects on health. Historically, perfumers used raw materials from roots, bark, flowers and other parts of plants that came from many regions of the world. They also used animal products, such as whale and civet cat oil. Today, the majority of perfumes and cologne contain chemical ingredients derived from petroleum, with some having as few as one or as many as 20 ingredients. Perfumes are classified by concentration level, scent family, and note composition. Perfume concentration levels include parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. The higher the concentration of a perfume, the stronger its scent and the longer it lasts on the skin. A fragrance composition consists of three components that unfold over time: the top note, which is the first smell to emerge; the heart note, which is perceived just after the top note evaporates; and the base note, which is emitted for several hours after application. Notes are arranged in categories by scent families and subtypes, with traditional classification terms that have been in use since 1900. The most common scent families are Floral, Chypre, Fougere, Marine/Ozonic, Oriental, and Citrus [1,2]. Research on the psychological impact of fragrance has been limited to anecdotal evidence and experiments that examine hedonic perceptions of perfume and its relation to mood and personality. Studies of the reward system of the limbic brain, however, suggest that hedonically positive odors like perfume activate dopamine neurotransmitter transmission at the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. In addition to the euphoric effect of perfume, some people perceive it as a form of self-expression and social status symbol. For example, some women feel that a specific fragrance indicates an elegant personality, while others believe that it is a way to attract romantic partners. Other reasons for perfume usage are based on religious, cultural, and social beliefs. Perfume is a multibillion-dollar industry and its sales are increasing. It has become a part of the fashion culture, where it is worn as an accessory. In fact, the word “perfume” derives from the Persian term for flower (“ras al-bini”). The earliest references to perfume date back to 5000 BC. By the eighteenth century, a perfumed person was considered fashionable and refined. It was believed that the higher one’s class, the more expensive and sophisticated his or her perfume. Jacques Guerlain, for example, designed perfumes for the upper classes that were scented with fecal and anal smells.

A summer garden, tropical breeze, a steaming apple pie, the smell of rain — these and many other aromas are imbued in our lives with memories and associations. A well-chosen perfume can add to the impression of the person wearing it, and can also create a distinctive brand identity for a product or service. Perfume has a rich, colorful and fragrant history dating back to ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures. The word perfume is derived from the Latin word, perfumare, meaning: to smoke through. It is a combination of aromatic essential oils or compounds, fixatives and solvents that are used to give humans, animals, objects, foods and living spaces an agreeable scent. The earliest perfumes were made from natural substances, such as spices and flowers. Plant materials were painstakingly extracted, with the most common method being distillation. Thousands of kilos of flowers or plants may be needed to produce a kilo of essential oil, which is then diluted for use in perfumes. Modern perfumes are often synthesized and produced from chemicals, as they can be formulated much more quickly and economically. Fragrance is used in perfumes, soaps, talcum powders, cosmetics and deodorants and can be found in household cleaning products as well. However, some perfume ingredients can be harmful to health and the environment. Several perfume ingredients are known to cause contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction in the skin that can result in itching, swelling and redness. Some synthetic fragrances are also carcinogenic. For this reason, manufacturers have developed a variety of fragrances that are safer for human use. These are called “green” fragrances. These are composed of a lower concentration of chemicals and fewer natural substances. The majority of fragrances, whether natural or synthetic, contain allergens that can trigger a sensitization response in some people. Affinity Groupings In order to distinguish between different types of fragrances, they are grouped into five categories: Floral, Oriental, Woody, Chypre and Fresh. The classifications are somewhat fluid, and a perfume can be assigned to more than one category. Perfumes are also classified according to their top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top note is the initial smell that the perfume gives off, the middle note is deeper and more complex, and the base notes are the longest-lasting of all the scents. There are a number of components that are used as blending and fixative agents in perfumes, which help to smooth out the transitions between the different notes. These include a variety of oils and extracts, such as ylang-ylang, linalool and hydroxycitronellal. Perfumes may also contain animal components such as musk, ambergris (lumps of oxidized fatty compounds secreted by the gland of the sperm whale) and narcissus oil.

Despite a rebrand that includes adding size-inclusive models and introducing a line of mastectomy bras, Victoria’s Secret has been struggling to attract new consumers. It faces a retail sector that has struggled with inflation, and a consumer base that is increasingly choosing off-price alternatives and focusing on budget items like workout clothes and underwear. But a few months ago, Victoria’s Secret announced that it was turning the page on its sexy image and would instead focus on “advocacy for women.” The company has also been updating its stores with brighter lighting and blush pink walls. It has also shifted its fashion show to feature plus-size models, disabled models, and transgender women. And it has been taking steps to promote its products through social media posts by female activists, entrepreneurs, and athletes. Ron Raymond opened the first Victoria’s Secret store in 1977 and soon launched a 42-page catalog that promised a “little bit of fantasy.” The lingerie brand became a cultural force in the ’80s and ’90s as malls transformed into proto-Instagrams. The Victoria’s Secret shows were a mix of runway and pole dance that appealed to men’s fantasies of prim Victorian ladies getting naughty in their boudoirs. The name was inspired by the Queen Victoria’s boudoir, which evoked both propriety and sex. The shows featured top model models like Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks strutting in G-strings and stilettos. But even as Victoria’s Secret expanded to become a household name, it was criticized for sexualizing young girls and encouraging women to feel pressured to buy more of their products. In one notorious case, a photographer who worked for the brand asked models to pose nude for him in additional shots and then compiled them into limited-edition books that he sold for thousands of dollars. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Victoria’s Secret sales began to plummet and the company faced allegations of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Its founder Leslie Wexner apologized in 2019 for his relationship with registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex trafficking. Wexner stepped down as CEO in 2020, and the company split into two companies a year later. In 2021, Victoria’s Secret was spun off from L Brands as a standalone public company. In that same year, a Hulu documentary series called “Angels and Demons” shook the company’s reputation further with its detailed account of Wexner’s ties to Epstein and questions about the nature of their relationship. It also delved into the sex-themed underwear the brand was selling to underage girls. The company has worked hard to recover in the years since, but reversing the damage won’t be easy.

A perfume is a defining part of one’s personal style and can serve as an olfactory imprint of oneself for those who encounter it. As such, it’s important to select a fragrance that is uniquely feminine and elevates your mood and confidence when worn. It can also be an investment, as you will likely wear your scent often and may wish to find a signature aroma that will remain with you for years. The way a perfume is crafted and brewed often determines whether it leans toward masculine or feminine tones, with those that are heavier with more musky or woody tones usually being considered as more masculine perfumes while those that are lighter and more floral or fruity tending to be taken as more feminine scents. However, because of the complexity and nuance of perfumery, it is not uncommon for a fragrance that is labeled as masculine to smell incredibly feminine when worn by the right woman, or vice versa. In the 1930s, perfumery underwent a significant shift: the rise of women’s rights meant that young girls no longer wanted to smell like their grandmothers, and perfumers responded by creating more complex and daring compositions that were connected to the glamour and sophistication of Hollywood. This was embodied in the scent Chanel No. 5, with its sultry blend of rose and jasmine, topped with sandalwood. This is a fragrance that was made for the bold and beautiful, and whose iconic bottle, designed by Elsa Peretti, is regarded as an icon of modern perfumery. The 1980s ushered in the era of power dressing and successful career women, and as such, perfumes became more sophisticated with darker scents that reflected the strength and confidence of these new role models. This is an era embodied by Halston’s Femme, with its blend of patchouli and musk, and the innovative use of a chemical called dihydromyrcenol to create the fragrance’s unique sillage. This is a perfume that could be worn by the most accomplished of businesswomen and still not feel overbearing or heavy, but still manages to be intoxicating and irresistible. Today, perfumes continue to evolve and expand in complexity and variety. These 46 perfumes for women offer a range of price points, bottle sizes and fragrance concentrations to suit every personality, with varying tones, florals and musky scents to choose from. This is a sultry and evocative blend of white flowers, lily, orchid, and tiare, combined with patchouli and sandalwood for a rich, sensuous aroma that will last all day. The bottle is beautifully adorned with gold and crystals, making it a luxe addition to any beauty routine. Inspired by the healing properties of herbal medicine, Yasmin Sewell created a collection of perfumes that are not only fragrant and uplifting, but contain Herkimer diamonds energized by healer Louisa Mita for added benefits. This is a fresh and floral scent that is great for daytime, and can easily be layered with other fragrances for night time.