Perfumes are fragrance compounds that may be derived from plants, animals or synthetics. In perfumery, these are often combined in a variety of ways to produce a distinctive fragrance.
Natural Scents (essential oils): These aromatic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by certain plants to protect against herbivores, insects and disease as well as to attract pollinators. Usually they are obtained from flowers and blossoms, although some of these may also be extracted from other parts of the plant such as leaves, stems and seeds.
Typically, the essential oils are concentrated and mixed with alcohol or other solvents to create a fragrant liquid that can be further refined and distilled into an absolute or ethyl acetate. This liquid, called eau de parfum (EdP), is the most commonly used perfume ingredient.
A Perfume consists of a combination of several different aroma compounds and is designed to evoke an emotional response in the wearer. It can be applied to the body or as a room spray.
In the cosmetic world, perfume is the most common ingredient in a range of products including creams, lotions, shampoos and shower gels. They are formulated to make the user feel good or to mask unwanted body odours.
They are also found in some household products such as soaps, detergents and laundry detergents. The purpose of these functional products is not to perfume the skin, but to deliver a pleasant odour that helps consumers judge the performance of these types of products.
Functional products include soaps, laundry detergents and some cleaning agents such as oven cleaners and scouring powders. They have elaborated chemically-reactive matrix that requires a very complex set of raw fragrances, many of which are not available commercially in small quantities.
Some of the most popular perfumes on the market have a distinct smell that is redolent of fecal notes or bodily scents. These scents have a long tradition in the art of perfumery and have been incorporated into some of the most famous fragrances.
The perfumery industry has grown from a tiny craft in the 18th century to a major industrial and social force in Europe. The Grasse region of France, Sicily and Calabria in Italy are the main centers of perfume production and trade.
Besides a broad selection of traditional floral and woody fragrances, the perfumery industry is also developing niche and non-traditional scents for a wide range of audiences. Among the more unusual options are: Holy Water, Dust and Playdoh from Demeter Fragrances*.
Male & Female Attractiveness: There is anecdotal evidence that the use of perfumes by men can enhance their attractiveness to women, especially if it is paired with other non-verbal signals such as good posture and grooming. However, this is a controversial topic. There are some biological issues involved with using perfumes, particularly in males, as it is likely to have negative effects on their reproductive success and their mates’ fertility.
The most enduring and powerful perfumes have a deep, rich scent that lasts for hours. They are made from a blend of hundreds of individual ingredients that combine to give them their unique scent.