Perfume is a highly complex chemical mixture of aromatic, volatile oil extracts mixed with alcohol and other ingredients. It is sprayed or dabbed on the skin to leave a lasting scent. Modern perfumes are typically made in the laboratory, and they use a wide variety of synthetic chemicals to recreate the smells of natural ingredients like flowers, spices, herbs, woods, and fruits.
Most high-quality perfumes owe their distinctive fragrances to highly aromatic, volatile plant substances called essential oils. These substances are extracted from the petals, leaves, stalks, roots, bark, or fruit of certain plants and trees. There are hundreds of different essential oils, and they range from the gentle aroma of lavender to the earthy scent of patchouli. Perfumes also contain fixatives, which are used to slow down or even stop the quick evaporation of the aromatic substances and to give the fragrances more consistency. These fixatives are often derived from mosses, resins, or animal products such as ambergris (whale vomit), hyraceum (petrified musk deer glands), or civet (cat urine).
The first part of a perfume is the top note. These are the light, fresh smells that evaporate the fastest and are usually noticeable within 5-30 minutes of application. They can include citrus scents, light fruits, and herbs. The middle notes are the heart of the perfume, and they last for about 30-60 minutes after the top notes. They can include floral scents, such as rose and jasmine, as well as spicy scents, like iris and ylang-ylang. The base notes are the heaviest and most lasting scents, and they can be made from woods, musks, or amber.
The choice of a particular perfume is important and can affect the way other people perceive you. For this reason, it is generally best to avoid mixing different perfumes or wearing several at the same time. When choosing a perfume, it is also important to consider the time of day that you plan to wear it and the occasion for which it is intended. A fresh and clean perfume may be more appropriate for work or an outing with friends, while a bolder or heavier scent may be more suitable for evening or formal events. Additionally, it is important to remember that the scent of a perfume can change over time and can also be affected by humidity, sunlight, and variations in temperature. This is why it is best to store perfumes upright, away from direct sunlight, and in a location that will not be impacted by changes in weather conditions. Perfumes can be formulated in various concentrations including splash/eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and extrait de parfum. This varies the amount of perfume oil that is in the bottle and can affect how long the scent will last after being sprayed on the skin.