Perfumes, the word is meant to describe woman’s fancy. Mens too indulge in perfumes and fragrances as much as woman, so a stronger word to describe the ruggedness of man evolved was Mens cologne. Colognes are also known as EDT (Eau De Toilette). They are much stronger than womens perfume. They just not conceal body odor but also keep you fresh and attractive whole time. They are the most concentrated and longest-lasting form of mens fragrance.

Nowadays cologne manufacturers are working relentlessly for producing distinguishable products. Various signature brands of colognes are created from nine scents which are citrus, spice, musk, herbal, wood, powder, fruit, floral and leather.

Depending upon these scents, mens cologne fragrance is composed of three layers namely head notes, heart notes and base notes. Top notes are responsible for the initial impression due to light spicy and minty scent that vanishes soon. It is followed by heart notes that comprise of heavier citrus and stronger spices scents that lasts an hour. Finally the base notes come in action. These are the mature fragrances responsible for the sweet lingering impression composed of long lasting leathers.

Citrus are the common head notes described as fresh, assertive and sharp. Slightly sour, citrus notes smell similar to the smell of fresh oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bergamot and pomello. Eg calvin klein perfume truth has citrus as domination fragrance. They form the main constituent of men’s cologne. Woodsy is the fragrances that are dominated by woody scents, typically of sandalwood, cedar and patchouli resulting in camphoraceous smell whereas leather is a family of fragrances which features the scents of honey, tobacco, wood and wood tars in its middle or base notes.

The composition of these elements certifies the hallmark of scents and duration of their stay. So people should have perceiveness regarding ingredients because colognes mingle up with the skin to release their fragrance and skin sensitive person can face problems if caution is not taken. One should never go for the impression offered by bottles.

Mens cologne is manufactured by process of alcohol and fragrance oil dilution. Jasmine, lavender and orchid extracts are the base of fragrance oil in colognes. Because of the too much efforts involved, colognes prices are quite high. It’s not an easy going task to avail all these expensive products. That’s why discount mens cologne has become a popular alternative. They are the most affordable fragrance that lends you with right aura and image to attract every heart and eye.

Various other popular colognes for men can be found under the brand names like giorgio armani cologne, Creed cologne, hugo boss cologne for man, fendi cologne whose exotic essence can provide you everlasting freshness and coolness. So enjoy the combination of rich and aromatic scents to impress your beautiful lady.

To discover more about mens cologne just click at http://www.perfumedistributor.com

The site will surely quench your thirst regarding various branded mens cologne like alfred sung cologne, burberry cologne london perfume, bvlgari cologne for men, carolina herrera cologne etc.

Historically, culture has considered the senses of sight and hearing as “higher” senses, delighting them to the arts: dance, poetry and music among other forms. The senses of smell, taste and touch have been considered the “lower” senses for their connection to primal instincts: survival, nutrition and mating. However, the sense of smell has been underestimated, as well as the desire for mankind to cater to his/her vanity.

The history of perfume dates back to the ancient world. The Egyptians employed fragrances as part of their religious ceremonials, believing that they could communicate with the gods by raising scented smoke; thus, the word perfume -per fumum, Latin for through smoke. Incense was used for religious purposes, while balms and ointments were used for cosmetic and/or medicinal purposes. Myrrh, frankincense, peppermint and rose were common ingredients in early perfumes. The Egyptians invented glass and utilized glass perfume bottles to store their perfumes. They also used gold, hard stones and other materials to make their “perfume containers”.

The Persians perfected the art of preserving scents; while the Greeks categorized perfumes according to the part of the plant they came from and kept records of their compositions. Alexander the Great brought perfume to Greece after invading Egypt, and the Romans took on the Greek’s perfume culture when they invaded Greece. In the mean time, Islamic, Chinese and Indian cultures had been using perfume as part of their religious and social rituals as well.

As Christianity spread, the use of perfume diminished. All that lasted until the 12th century, when Europe started to see the perfume thanks to the international trade. Routes between the East and West were open and new scents and spices made it to Europe. Perfume use revived, as it was a great addition to personal grooming. In those early days of fragrances, people often developed their own fragrances by mixing flowers, herbs, spices and oils in their own home.

The 18th century brought the Eau de Cologne - “water from Cologne”. A young Italian, Jean-Marie Farina invented it in Cologne, Germany, which was a big success in France and subsequently in Europe. The eau de cologne was originally intended for both internal and external use, having both medicinal and cosmetic applications. Napoleon created a legal distinction between pharmacy and perfumery.

Hygiene had become a symbol of soul purity as the 19th century arrived. Modern chemistry and advanced technology made it possible to create new extraction techniques. The biggest of all technological advances was the ability to create synthetic ingredients to substitute natural perfume ingredients that were hard to find or very expensive, bringing the perfume prices down and making it accessible to the masses. Perfume was no longer a luxury for the wealthy. However, there were still only a few brand names available until the 20th century when mass production of perfumes began.

Human beings are vain by nature and have perpetuated the use of perfume as an intricate part of culture. We are in a global society, where technology has made perfumes accessible. Liticias Treasures.com has the classic perfumes as well as the newest fragrances at discount prices

After many hours of research on the history of perfumes, I thought I would share the information with you for your enjoyment.

Dried flowers and half a Cinnamon stick wrapped up in mesh cloth and tied with a thin ribbon make an instant potpourri. Cinnamon or flower scented oil is a convenient way to keep the scent strong. You can even hang a couple of sachets from the Christmas tree.

Pine cones are perfect for creating pleasant scents. Gently baste a pine cone with pine oil and it will retain the seasonal fragrance for some time.

Before adding the Christmas lights, spray the tree with the cologne of your choice (men’s cologne works best). You can usually catch the scent for a good while when standing next to it.

If you do not like conventional air fresheners, apply some rose oil or a scented oil of your choice generously onto cotton balls and place them discreetly in different corners of the house. Places they can be hidden are; corners of window sills, under furniture, behind mirrors or pictures, under a chair or couch and so on. You’ll be amazed at how quickly food and stale odors disappear and the house does not have that “Supermarket Air Freshener Scent”.

Scented candles are always nice and so are fresh flowers. Two popular winter flowers are: Winter Jasmine and Honeysuckle. Place some in an attractive vase and you have a party instantly under way.

To wind it all up, have wonderful smelling and tasting food. The smell of fine coffee is always a winner and don’t forget the aroma of a warm piece of chocolate cake!

Article written by Kim Barbera. Her selection of gourmet foods and desserts can be found at: http://www.delightfulbiteful.com She has worked in the food service industry for twenty years including her own Craft Service/Catering company.

Tip 1 – Starting with base notes.

The most sustainable part of the perfume, base notes are the richer, longer lasting scent sources. These bottom notes are the core of the perfume and are usually the heavier types of oils.

Tip 2 - Base note oils.

For a solid foundation, oils used as base notes need to be intense, concentrated sources. Woody fragrances such as cedarwood and sandalwood are often the starter for perfumes, or the resins – myrrh and frankincense.

Tip 3 - Center stage.

Next in the art of how to make perfume comes middle notes. These give the finished product its stability, and work with the notes on either side to provide a balanced aroma.

Tip 4 - The heart of the matter.

Middle notes – sometimes referred to as heart notes – can be blended from oils in the softer category. Rose, chamomile and geranium are typical examples of middle notes.

Tip 5 – Top of the shop.

The lightest, most delicate scents in perfume are the top notes. These are less durable than the other two categories, with the fragrance evaporating in a much shorter time.

Tip 6 - The essence of top notes.

Giving the initial aroma, top note sources tend to be obtained from the citrus or floral types. Lemon and lime might be the choice, or perhaps bergamot or peppermint.

Tip 7 – Joining the medley.

To bind everything together, the ingredients in the notes get a helping hand from bridge notes. Lavender oil is a good choice, and vanilla proves very popular too.

Tip 8 – Cross breeds.

Sometimes the oils can vary between the note categories, since it can be difficult to classify each source. Orange blossom, for instance, fits in to top and middle note sections, while cinnamon could count as either middle or bottom notes.

Tip 9 – Beautiful blends.

Blending together all of these oils to get a beautiful finished fragrance takes a bit of know how. To make perfume notes compliment each other, the oils need to be carefully balanced to avoid either an overpowering aroma, or a quickly evaporating smell.

Tip 10 – Natural notes.

Essential oils are the product of extracted natural sources, such as plants, flowers, trees, fruit and animals. Natural oils can be expensive, and sometimes hard to obtain.

Tip 11 – Synthetic notes.

Fragrance oils contain chemically re-created aromas, and can be good substitutes for natural oils that are no longer available. Musk is one of these, as it’s an animal-based product no longer considered acceptable for cosmetic production. Finding resources for how to make perfume with synthetic oils however, can lead to inferior oil products that have little resemblance to the original!

For more tips, articles and resources on “How to Make Perfume” visit: http://www.squidoo.com/howtomakeperfume/

So how do you know which fragrances will make you feel beautiful, sexy, powerful or however you want to feel? It helps to understand the different types of perfumes and colognes available, what their fragrance family, fragrance notes and fragrance concentrations levels are.

There are a few simple facts that will prove useful in your understanding of and shopping for perfumes.

Where Do Perfumes Fragrances Come From?

Perfumes are a blend of essential oils and aroma components, and solvents made to give people an enjoyable smell. The most concrete way to describe a scent is based on 3 things. The fragrance family it belongs to, the fragrance notes of the scent and how concentrated it is. All three factors affect the overall impression of a perfume from when you first put it on to the last lingering hint of a fragrance long after you have left.

The Fragrance Families of Perfumes.

The type of scent of its basic ingredient can be used to classify a perfume. A fragrance can be created from a few different scent families. Some of these scent families may not work for you. These fragrance families have been defined and labeled. By knowing where different fragrances are from, you can more easily find the types of perfumes which fit perfectly with your body chemistry to create a great aroma.

The Scent Families are:

1. Floral - Made from a variety of flowers, these are quite feminine and romantic.

2. Orientals - Based in camphorous oils they include spices, balsams, resins and amber. They smell of musk, vanilla and spices and are intense, sexy exotic. They are considered best for evening events and special events

3. Woody- From the bark and oils of natural woods and other fragrances you might find in a forest

4. Fresh or citrus- Based on the scent of citrus fruits they are energetic and fresh

5. Fougère - based on lavender & coumarin scents. It is very common in men’s perfumes. Smells like wood mixed with herbs.

6. Leather: Based on the scents of leather, wood, honey & tobacco. Very masculine.

Detecting Fragrance Notes Like A Musician Detects Musical Notes.

Perfumes are composed of three notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are scents that can be detected as soon as you smell the perfume, they make that critical first impression. They are followed by the middle notes and then gradually replaced by the lingering base notes.

Differences in Perfume Strengths

The most basic strength type of a perfume is a true perfume. (A pure perfume.). If you wear a true perfume even if discounted, you will have a small but expensive bottle of the highest concentration of the fragrance. The type and quantity of solvent mixed in with the fragrance oil dictates whether a perfume is considered a true perfume, a perfume extract, eau de parfum, Eau de Cologne, or eau de toilette. True perfume is more stable than cologne as cologne has more alcohol in it.

Learning More about Perfumes Families and Notes

If you want to know more about perfumes, taking the time to explore these different fragrance families, notes and the concentrations will be very useful. By looking at the most popular name brand fragrances and figuring out what groups they fall into, you can quickly determine what the scent will be like.

Edem Kumah runs a website providing perfume videos, tips on how to buy cheap discount designer perfumes for women and what the top selling men perfumes are at http://www.discountperfumetips.com/perfume/top-men-perfumes.php so please stop

What, after all, is a perfume? Essential oils that are extracted from various plants form the base for a perfume. Remember the famous gold, frankincense and myrrh that the Three Wise Men carried to the baby Jesus? Frankincense was a fragrant resin of a tree that grew in East Africa that ancient people would burn for its scent like we burn candles for aromatherapy. Myrrh was also a gum resin that was obtained from the bark of a different tree from East Africa. One of the uses of myrrh in ancient days was to make perfume and an early form of toothpaste.

Since a true perfume consists of a secret recipe of essential oils and various ingredients that permit the liquid to be poured into an atomizer or other types of containers, a parfum or pure perfume will have the highest concentration of oils. Due to this greater amount of scented essential oils, the perfume’s scent will be longer lasting and stronger. A little bit of parfum is all it takes to maintain its alluring aroma for hours. The high price of true perfume is the result of the high concentration of oils.

To make up for the high cost, many perfume makers water down their signature parfum versions and sell at a much lower price to a broader market of customers. However, the watered-down cheaper brands aren’t nearly as long lasting as the true version.

There are several standard categories of perfume derivatives that are generally sold. The product closest to a perfume is called Eau de Parfum. “Eau” is the French word for water so this product is simply a true perfume mixed with extra water. Now a perfume company executive would cringe at this crude explanation but basically this is the translation of the name from the French. The next product down the list is an Eau de Toilette followed by an Eau de Cologne, known simply as “cologne”. If the brand name of perfume is sold in all these categories, the perfume is the most expensive and the cologne should be the least expensive.

Since everyone’s body chemistry is different, fragrances smell differently on different people. Scents don’t have the same aroma since people’s skin types are different. For example, dry skin doesn’t hold scents as long. However, natural body oil will hold a fragrance longer since the perfume can blend with it easier. Before purchasing a perfume, it is always best to test it to determine how it blends with your body chemistry for a desired fragrance.

Copyright 2006 Maggie Duntston. All rights reserved.

Maggie Duntston runs My Perfume - now a popular site for perfume information. See her archive of articles here: http://www.mperfume.com/newsletters/

Soy candles are made from the soybean plant, which is grown by the American farmer. Once the soybean is harvested in September, the beans are crushed separating the meat from the oil. The meat of the soybean is often referred to as soy meal and is further processed into various products for both animal and human food. The oil then goes through a partial hydrogenation process which transforms the oil into a soft wax. This wax is what candles are made of. It has been estimated that it would take 60 million pounds of soybeans each year to meet the demands of the annual consumption of candles.

The soybean wax is very soft so it works very well with containers. However, freestanding candles such as pillar candles and taper candles can not be made purely of soy wax because it is so soft. Any freestanding candle that is marketed as soy must have some other ingredient in it (paraffin wax is very common) so the candle will not become a complete blob of molten wax the first time it is burned. Another possible wax used to “firm” the soy wax is palm wax; a natural renewable resource. Other vegetable waxes, such as bayberry, candelilla, carnauba, castor, jojoba oil, ouricury wax (from the Brazillian Feather Palm) or rice bran may also be used to firm the soy wax to form the freestanding candles.

Soy wax candles are non-toxic so they are safe for humans as well as pets. Soy candles are extremely clean burning, producing at least 90-95% less soot than paraffin wax candles. The soot which is produced by burning a soy candle is black like it is with paraffin wax candles, but mostly a white color which may not be noticeable to the naked eye. There is very little black soot produced with a pure unscented soy candle. Adding fragrance and other additives to preserve color or to form freestanding candles can create more of the black soot. Soy candles also burn at a cooler temperature than paraffin wax candles which results in 20-30% longer burn time.

Scented soy candles hold a larger amount of fragrance than paraffin wax candles and can release the scent very easily. In fact, most of the time, a scented soy candle can fill the entire room with fragrance without being lit! Scented soy candles will carry the scent all the way through the candle and release it from the beginning to the end of the candle.

Soy candles are not just a healthy alternative to paraffin wax candles, but are also a natural alternative to them as well. Soy candles start as soybean plants grown by the American farmer, processed into wax by American manufacturers and sold to candle makers, many of whom are American. Buying a soy candle from an American company ensures that the profits stay in the United States, helping our economy and providing American jobs.

Nancy Rivers is a candle connoisseur who owns Joyous Candle. Get free shipping on orders over $85 and a huge selection of soy candles, including scented soy candles.

Depending on the fashion of the moment, people have applied perfume, oils and salves on their bodies for the last thousands of years. The early Egyptians used perfumes as pre love making preparations, and of course in their religious rituals as well. Most popular then were myrrh, frankincense, rose, and peppermint. These were placed in hot oil until a perfumed salve was formed. The salve was then massaged into the skin. We have actually come full circle, because today, many of us are seeking high quality aromatherapy products that were in popular use in bygone eras.

In the 17th century, Paris turned into the most important center of perfume making. This was the time that Louis XV demanded distinct fragrances each day for his apartments. Because of this, the court of Louise XV was named “the perfumed court”. He loved perfumes so much that he and his entire court applied them not only to their skin, but to their clothing, and even furniture.

Altering tastes and the progress of modern chemistry laid the groundwork for the perfumes we have today. Where before, scents were composed of just a single fragrance such as rose, lilac, peppermint, soon, “bouquet” scents were introduced where more than one scent was involved. Soon, some scents did not even resemble flowers. This development transformed the perfume industry.

Paris became the center of the world of designer perfume. There was Guerlain, Lubin, Roger and Gallet, and in 1921, Chanel launched their own perfume, named Chanel No. 5, and soon, other perfume houses cropped up such as Nina Ricci, Christian Dior, and Jacques Faith. Lately, even major brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Lacoste have started sporting their own perfumes with celebrity endorsers to match.

Up till this time, it was believed that you would need major financing to have a perfume custom made for you, or to develop your own line. The essential oils cost millions to produce and no suppliers would even talk to you if you were a “mom and pop” sort of vendor. The Internet has changed all that. With the emergence of the online world came online vendors, many of who would buy these materials in bulk, repackage them, and resell them to buyers who would need just a small amount for craft purposes. Need lavender essential oil? You don’t need a supplier in France. A quick search and click will give you a host of choices for vendors, many of them willing to deliver right to your doorstep. Don’t know what a fixative is? Just type it in your search engine and chances are, aside from suppliers, you’ll also come across a how-to article on perfume making at home.

This online phenomena has changed the way many people do business, especially home perfume making, which was virtually unheard of before. Now, perfume making at home has steadily risen as an industry, and at this rate, it seems that the boom is likely to progress well into the future.

Sheila Hensen and Scott Ford, hobbyists and freelance writers for the perfume industry, have combined to bring together the best tips on making your own perfumes at home for fun and profit:

Check it out at: makeperfumes.com/tips.html

People often discount migraines without any true understanding of the suffering a migraine can inflict. They treat migraine sufferers like hypochondriacs or drama queens. This is simply not so.

There are any number of painkillers and pills available to help curb the pain. The issue here is that many of these painkillers require repeat prescriptions and involve an ongoing cost.

The other side effect of many of the prescribed medicines is that they can help with the pain of the migraine headache itself but tend to have a “knockout” effect on the sufferer.

Most migraine sufferers will be familiar with the “where did the day go?” effect of many of the stronger painkillers.

There are natural remedies to the migraine plague. They’re simple and cheap (if not free).

None of these are to replace prescribed medication but can be used in conjunction with your medication to bring relief about faster.

They also complement each other.

Dark Room

If you suffer from migraine headaches and an attack begins then find the quietest, darkest spot in your home and lay down there. The area or should also be relatively warm to allow you to relax faster. Your eyes should remain covered but open. This usually means using some sort of blindfold but a scarf, long handkerchief or other material works just fine. Keep your eyes open as much as possible because experience has shown that shutting your eyes to try and cope with the pain uses extra facial and jaw muscles that can just increase the problem and not cure it.

If an attack has already begun then follow the same routine and take whatever prescribed medication you have.

Relaxed Breathing

A migraine attack generally brings on a sort of anxiety attack in the sufferer. They know how much it’s going to hurt so their heart rate increases. This increase in blood flow makes the problem worse.

Once you’ve retreated to the quiet, dark area and covered your eyes from any possible stimuli then breathing is the next area to focus on. You must let your breathing relax. Panicked breathing will increase the pain you’re already experiencing.

To allow your breathing to relax follow these steps:

1. Take a long slow deep breath and exhale equally slowly.

2. Again take a long, slow deep breath. As you’re slowly inhaling focus on the sensation of the air filling your lungs. Feel the air filling your body. Once you’ve inhaled as much as is comfortable again exhale slowly. As you’re exhaling focus on the sensation of the air leaving your lungs and escaping through your mouth. Breathe out completely.

3. Repeat the process of inhaling slowly, focusing on the sensation of the air filling your lungs and exhaling slowly 4 or 5 more times.

4. By the fourth repetition you should notice that your breathing is far more relaxed and calm. Your heart rate should now also have lowered back to a resting rate and you may even feel slighly sleepy. If so embrace that feeling and allow yourself to fall asleep.

Lavender Oil

This is the final step in the process. Lavender oil is renowned for its medicinal properties and this is doubly so for migraine headaches. Lavender oil is cheap and completely safe to use. Only use pure Lavender oil for treating migraines - lavender scented fragrances or scented oils are useless. It must be the purest lavender oil you can find.

If you feel a migraine attack coming then grab your lavender oil. Place a single drop of pure, undiluted lavender oil on each temple or behind each ear. Also place 2 or 3 drops of undiluted lavender oil on the pillow you’re going to rest on.

Combined with a quiet, dark room and the deep breathing technique the lavender oil provides that final “punch” in the natural treatments. The scent of the oil will relax you and simply inhaling lavender infused air helps to ease the pain of a migraine almost immediately.

This article was provided by MirgraineHelper where you can find lots more information on natural remedies for migraines and the cause for migraine headaches

Paloma Picasso

I must say that I completely agree with Paloma Picasso. Growing up the above quote rang true in my house because, according to my mom, a woman wasn’t completely dressed unless she had splashed, sprayed, dabbed or, rubbed on her fragrance. I suspect that my early introduction to personal care is why I entered into the world of fashion and beauty.

Choosing a fragrance is fun, personal, and, can be overwhelming. The first rule is to remember is it really comes down to pure chemistry. For example, while you may love the smell of perfume in the bottle or on the blotter card, it may not agree with your body chemistry. The rules below will assist you with picking out your Sensual Scent!

Head the store fragrance free early in the day.

Smell only a maximum of 5 fragrances (The coffee bean theory is…questionable.)

Spray the fragrance directly on your skin. (Blotter cards are made of paper and the perfume will smell very different on your skin.)

Apply only two fragrances on your skin in one day.

Spritz in the fold of your elbow not your wrist or forearm. Wear all day if possible and a minimum of 4 hours before making a decision to purchase. (This will allow all of the notes to marry your skin and the bottom note to unfold properly.)

Choose a perfume that fits not only your personality but the time of day you’re planning to wear it.

There is a perfume for everyone but it takes patience to find your signature smell. Keep in mind when choosing a scent that an eau de toilet (EDT) has less actual fragrant oil and more alcohol than parfum (EDP). This will also reflect in the price. However, it’s best to purchase the EDP as it will have a higher fragrant content and, it will last longer on your skin.

Happy scent shopping!

Sensually yours,

Lisa

And now I invite you to find out more about Sensual Bloom Living, and to sign up for your free tips and event notification by visiting http://sensualbloomliving.typepad.com

Also, when you register with Sensual Bloom, your e-mail will be entered to win the Sensual Bloom Living Anthem CD.

Lisa A. Pittman, is The Sensual Living Expert and shows women how to live a luscious life that encompasses maximum self-care, optimum health and ultimate pleasure