Choosing the Perfect Fragrance for Work

Nothing completes a woman’s ensemble for the workday quite like a fragrance that captures her personality. Some women match their fragrances to their moods; others choose to coordinate with the color of their outfit or wear a signature fragrance daily. Whatever way a woman selects her fragrance, the fragrance should reflect her spirit, not announce her arrival.

Know the Basics

Women’s fragrances fall into four main categories, called families, based upon their characteristics: Floral, Fruity, Oriental and Chypre. If you enjoy one fragrance in a family, there is a good chance you will also appreciate other scents from the same category. A woman should own at least one fragrance from each though, so she has the perfect fragrance for every occasion. Every fragrance is composed of top, middle and base notes; therefore, you will want to wear a fragrance all day to decide if you like the scent on you. Since body chemistry also affects the way a scent changes on your skin, you could be unpleasantly surprised when the fragrance you loved in the bottle begins to smell like vinegar on you. Within these main categories lie many sub-catergories with some overlaps, but some basic knowledge will guide you when you hit the department store fragrance counter in search of something scent-sational.

Florals are the most common ingredient in women’s fragrances and capture the sweet essence of femininity. Many women have a favorite flower, so fragrances with that particular scent are a wonderful place to start your perfume hunt. Inquire at the fragrance counter as to which fragrances have the rose, lily, jasmine or violets that you enjoy. You’ll feel powerfully feminine when you wear a floral.

The Fruity/Citrus category tends to be light, fresh and appealing to a wide audience of women desiring a fragrance that enters the room with them, not ahead of them. The crisp balance of a fresh, fruity fragrance feels clean and inspiring. These make a great fragance for most work environments because their scent won’t overpower those around you.

Chypres are the woody scents reminiscent of the outdoors, fields, and streams. Chypres blend patchouli, bergamot, oak moss, and labdanum with subtle florals for a rich fragrance of class and sophistication. Dab on a chypre when you’re getting ready for an evening event or when you want them to remember you.

Orientals are the mysterious cousin we all have, you know, the one who is a world traveler with raven tresses and a gypsy spirit. The Orientals’ warm mix of amber, vanilla, musk and spices calls to mind strong, spirited, exotic women.

A Few Things to Consider…

The Occasion. Are you selecting a fragrance for a sexy, sultry evening on the town in New York or for a board meeting in the August heat of Tuscon? Heady fragrances might overwhelm the senses in the close quarters of the boardroom but induce just the right interest snuggled up or dancing at the club.

Your Body Chemistry. Even if you adore the fragrance that your best friend wears because it smells so delicious on her does not mean that it will be the perfect scent for you. Your body’s individual scent might not mix well with that fragrance, causing it to smell different on you than it does on your friend.

Your Preferences. You are the one wearing the fragrance. If the top note of roses assails you, and you dislike the scent of roses, the perfume probably won’t grow on you. If you love fruity florals, wear them and be happy. You can also compromise a bit. If your husband likes the smell of vanilla, but you don’t want to smell like a bakery, choose a scent with just a hint of vanilla that suits you both.

If You Are Inspired by…

A Summer’s Day try a fruity floral like Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs with notes of blackberry, grapefruit, pear, jasmine, lychee, blue wisteria, white woods, musks, and coconut water or Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana with a mix of white flowers including neroli, white amaryllis, narcissus and white water lily and musk, tempered by fruitiness.

Art Museums and the combination of beauty and strength to stand the test of time try something a little daring like Reveal by Calvin Klein with flowers and warm woods or Modern Muse by Estee Lauder that combines sparkling florals and sensual woods.

A Hike in the Woods try Signorina Eleganza by Salvatore Ferragamo. You’ll adore its true chypre blend of oak moss, patchouli and bergamot. Another great option is the sheer, classic Chanel No. 19 with its galbanum, peach and the zest of lemon.

A Blooming Flower sample Lucky Darling by Lucky Brand with its subtle mix of peony and ginger that makes it feminine and office appropriate or Thierry Mugler’s Lex Exceptions Supra Floral composed of hyacinth, amber and incense.

Finally, think about the seasons when selecting your fragrances. Intense notes of spices such as cinnamon add warmth during the cooler winter months, but they may be too strong for mid-July. That said, if you long for the beach when you have to trudge through the snow to catch the train for work, by all means, dab on a fragrance to transport you there mentally, even if you can’t lay on the beach today.