Selecting the right fragrance

Choosing the right perfume can be an intimidating task with so many options on the market. However, according to Shellesa Steele, the promotions coordinator at T. Geddes Grant Cosmetics, selecting the right scent is simplified once you realise it ultimately boils down to just going with whatever you really like.

Steele was speaking with Living during a Touch of France put on by the French embassy and its partners, hosted at the AC Hotel Kingston last weekend. Amid the testing of fragrances carried by T. Geddes Grant and raving reviews of how good the products smell, she explained that the first thing to consider is the notes of the perfume. These notes are divided into three layers, referred to as a base; top or head; and middle or heart notes, and they all work together to produce a particular scent. Some fragrances with distinct scent notes, like rose, gardenia, or geranium, would be categorised as flowery. Others could be a little fruitier, with hints of apple or citrus. Spicy notes like star anise or even cinnamon may be found in exotic perfumes.

“When choosing your favourite fragrance, you need to think about yourself; it is all about you. So, if it is a case where you are a bit moody and you need something to bring out your mood, you need a strong, fruity fragrance. You also have to consider if you are someone who wants a very strong scent or a very mild scent or something with a bit of spice to it, or maybe even vanilla,” she shared.

Once you have considered this, then you can begin to think about concentration. Fragrances usually come in four different levels of concentration, and, the higher they get, so does the price. Higher concentrations have a longer-lasting effect.

The highest concentration is called perfume or parfum. It will typically last all day with just one application. The level below is eau de parfum, which gives about six hours of wear after application. Then there is the third level, called eau de toilette, which lasts about four hours and may require a lot more sprays. The fourth and lowest fragrance concentration is eau de cologne, which generally lasts around two hours.

Currently, T. Geddes and Grant Cosmetics is promoting their SPPC 100 per cent French fragrances and Colour Me line.

“Our SPPC line is 100 per cent French fragrances, oil-based, and Colour Me is based on your favourite colour and personality. My favourite is from the female line of SPPC French rfagrances and is called the Only Me Passion. It is very fruity and strong. It doesn’t matter the time of day or your mood. Once you spray that on, it changes everything for you,” she said.

“We have the Thallium Two, it is the best from the male line, and it is very strong, and it can change the mood of the room. Females can also wear the scent, and, when they do, they will definitely have the male eyes turning,” Steele continued.

For the Colour Me Line, the selection is far less complicated.

“When you are choosing [a scent from the line], you just think about your personality and your favourite colour. My favourite colour is neon pink, so it is very nice, very strong and it brings out my personality. If, let’s say, your favourite colour is blue but you are not necessarily a bold person, we have light blue for you. Everything is based on your mood and personality,” she said.

Their fragrances range from $2,200 to $3,200 and upwards for female and male scents, respectively.