Fragrance is so much more than Eau de Parfums, Eau de Toilettes, Colognes and Extraits, and there are many ways one can wear a fragrance than splashing or spaying it on as we usually do. Perfume houses are pretty good at creating a vast array of products that allow the wearer to rock a fragrance, whether it be as a subtle base of a body lotion, or in the hair to create intense waves of scent. There are so many products out there and they can be used to layer with one’s favourite fragrances or simply as wonderfully fragrant treats to enjoy in the shower, in the bath, on the body or in the hair.
Here are some of my favourite ways to wear fragrance in a different way…
In the Shower…
I’m a big fan of showers especially when they involve a decent shower gel. To me, a good shower gel consists of three key elements; a reasonably thick texture that goes a long way; a suitable amount of bubbles; and finally, a distinct yet not overwhelming fragrance that leaves a delicate trail of scent on the skin. A shower gel is the starting point for your fragrance – it can be used as a primer to lay the foundation for the fragrance you choose to wear or alternatively, you can just opt for something that smells fabulous on its own. After all, is there anything more pleasant than showering in a foam of delicately scented bubbles?!
As far as I’m concerned you cannot go wrong with a Roger & Gallet shower gel for both quality and value. Fleur de Figuier is my prime pick from the range because it smells absolutely wonderful, with a milky and vibrant fruity signature, but it also foams up into a velvety soft texture that is as moisturising as it is delightful to smell.
In the Bath…
Baths are epic. Think about it; on the coldest of days, when you feel awful and the world is conspiring against you, nothing can be quite as soothing and restorative as a hot bubble bath. I’m convinced that baths have magical powers because they just leave you feeling better and can turn a bad day into something much better. When you need to de-stress or you’d like to spend some time pampering, then you really cannot treat yourself to anything nicer than a piping hot bath filled with gorgeous scented bubbles.
Now, if you’re going to have a luxury bath then you need to look no further than Guerlain, after all they create some of the most luxurious fragrances in the world. May I suggest the La Petite Robe Noire ‘A Bath of Satin or Nothing’. This decadent, bubbly affair will allow you to sink into a bath of cherry, liqourice, rose and black tea where the bubbles are pure couture. Also, seeing as La Petite Robe Noire is a bit of a cheeky scent, I reckon it may be just the thing to dunk in the bath when you plan on having company, if you catch my drift. It’s the kind of stuff you would want when taking a glass of champagne and some rose petals to the bath with you. Why not treat yourself?
On the Body…
Now we’re into the serious business of perfume layering: the body lotions and body creams. These potions are the key product to have if you want to moisturise and intensify the strength, volume and lasting power of your favourite fragrance. Or in some cases, if you find most perfumes too heavy, the body lotion or cream can work as a good alternative to provide you with a lighter version of a scent you like.
Thierry Mugler’s Alien Les Rituels D’Or – Radiant Body Cream for their iconic scent Alien is about as good as you can get when it comes to body lotions and creams. This is a thick and densely scented cream that leaves the skin both smooth and redolent of Alien’s blindingly bright jasmine tones. If you’re an Alien wearer then it’s a no brainer, but if you’re not, it could be a good gateway for the fragrance, if you want to wear it without the full force of the Eau de Parfum. For something to wear with any fragrance, I’d pick out Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto di Calabria Exhilarating Body Lotion because it has a subtle citrus fragrance that smells gorgeous (smelling it you can almost smell the groves of bergamots growing in the wild), but will lend itself to many other fragrances more so than the distinct scent of the Alien cream.
In the Hair…
Wearing perfume in your hair can be a great way to create a long lasting fragrance experience, one that provides the wearer with constant whiffs and wafts of a favourite scent, as the hair moves around throughout the day. This is largely thanks to the fact that perfume is perfectly happy chilling out and clinging on to the strands of your hair. The more you whip your hair back and forth the more fragrant you will smell – fact. The downside however, is that actual perfume can dry out hair due to its alcohol content, so it’s not really advisable to chuck it amongst your follicle . Of course, the ever-nifty fragrance industry has a handy workaround for this problem and that solution is ‘hair perfume’, sometimes referred to as ‘hair mist’.
My personal hair perfume pick would be Thierry Mugler’s Angel Perfuming Hair Mist because; a) Angel is amazing and it would make a perfect accompaniment to the Eau de Parfum if you’re a fan; and b) because it wears in a lighter, more ethereal and less jarring way that may be a good fit for those who have never seemed to gel with the fragrance before. Alternatively, there’s also the musky, floral and green-apple tones of Sachajuan Protective Hair Perfume to consider, especially if you want something to contrast your perfume rather than compliment it, whilst providing all the necessary benefits for your hair. Now you have no excuse not to have amazing smelling hair!
Join the Discussion!
What are your favourite ancillary products? Tell me in the comment box below!
