Perfume is an elixir which is meant to provide a pleasant smell to human bodies. There are perfumes which are available to provide a fragrance to object and other living spaces as well. Perfumes are mostly made of fragrant oils and other aromatic compounds, stabilizers and solvents.

The word perfume is said to have derived from “per fumum” which in Latin means through smoke. Evidence suggests that ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt had developed the art of making perfumes. This art was further refined by the Romans and the Persians. Perfumes arrived to Europe sometime in the 14th century. The Hungarians then took the lead and they are considered to be the pioneers of modern perfume. Hungary Water was the perfume which was released in 1370 and was made from scented oils. Slowly perfumes made their way into France and it quickly became the leader of perfumes in Europe which it maintains till date.

The formula for commercial perfume is a great secret. Further, even if the names of the ingredients were disclosed, the process of making the perfume is also of great importance and it is this procession of complex chemicals that gives each perfume its own character. However, experts of perfumes are highly skilled in identification of the origin of particular scents and can pinpoint the component which is giving that smell.

Perfume, like music, also has notes which give the overall impression of the perfume, from the initial application to the lingering effects which a perfume has. The fragrance notes unfold over a period of time. The first impression is given by the top note which then leads on to the deeper middle note and finally the base note which appears last. These notes create a very fine and elegant lingering effect for any scent. The top notes consist of small and volatile molecules which evaporate very fast. Since the top note is the first impression, top notes determine how much the sale of the perfume will be. Citrus and ginger are popular top notes. Once the top note starts dissipating, the middle note scent takes over. The scent of middle notes are often more mellow and are often used to cover the initial unpleasant smell of the base note. Rose and lavender are very popular middle notes. After the departure of the middle notes, the base note scent becomes very dominant. Base notes give the depth to the perfume and are meant to last for longer periods of time. The base note is made of molecules which are large and thus do not evaporate easily.

The perfume fragrances are also categorized in many ways from floral to oceanic, from green to gourmand etc. Knowledge of the fragrances can help you know which of them suits you and helps you be specific when you go to buy a perfume.

Recommended Reading:

1. Perfume Cologne Samples - Designer perfume cologne can be very expensive. In fact most quality perfumes are expensive. That is why it feels so...
2. How To Make Perfume - In modern days we get perfumes in well bottled and well packaged form. There is lot of advertising involved in...
3. Perfume Reviews - Perfumes are one of the most intimate items worn by people today. It is very personal and it in many...
4. Designer Perfume - Women always want to be their best where ever they go, be it to a sophisticated dinner party or a...
5. Versace Perfume - Versace is one of the biggest names in the fashion world today. It is a fashion house which was started...