*Sniff* *Sniff*
When it comes to fragrances, I love my soft colognes. The ones that make you feel like a man but don’t have you stinkin’ up the place. Pleasant scents that’ll draw anyone to your presence. There are actually 6 categories of fragrances that colognes fall into. After you’ve figured out which one you click with, it’s easier to decide which cologne is right for you. There is:
Floral — The largest, and most popular, category is created mainly from flowers, such as roses, orange blossoms, gardenias, jasmine and carnations. These are often blended together to produce a distinctive floral bouquet.
Oriental — A heady mix of spices, amber, balsams and resins marks this type, suggestive of warmth and exotic sensuality. Because of the group’s rich, musky traits, these luxurious scents make the best statement in the winter, says Rochelle Bloom, president of the Fragrance Foundation.
Citrus — Derived from citrus fruits such as lime, lemon, tangerine and mandarin, this fragrance type projects a sharp, tangy aroma. Naturally refreshing and uplifting, citrus blends work well for women who don’t want to wear overpowering fragrance.
Chypre — A notably woodsy-mossy mix, this type was given its name by French perfumer Francois Coty, who created a scent based on his impression of the island of Cyprus. “Chypre” simply is French for Cyprus and is pronounced “SHIP-ruh.” Hints of bergamot, oak moss, citrus and patchouli enrich the sweet, earthy aromas.
Green — Sharp, grassy notes blend with pine, juniper, leaves and herbs to create memorable perfumes. Sporty and brisk, green scents make good buys for the outdoorsy man or woman.
Fougere — French for fern and pronounced “foo-JHAIR,” it’s a combination of fresh herbs and mossy ferns that come together in a sophisticated urban style. While men typically wear fougere fragrances, fougere fragrances still capture women’s olfactory attention. One fougere scent, Jean Nate by Revlon, has been a best-selling scent for women since its launch in 1935.
Every fragrance I have purchased since my first cologne has fallen into the Oriental category. YSL ‘La Nuit’, the new Chanel Bleu and my fragrance for this summer, Dolce & Gabbana ‘The One’. The first two have never failed me and I’ve always gotten a decent amount of compliments by wearing which ever one. I caught a whiff of the new one off of my uncle’s coat and went on a hunt for it until there it was at Macy’s, two bottles for the price of one. You can’t beat that! Just remember, always know what category of scent you fall into, and know what works with your body.
Which type are you?
Smell ya later.
