The 10 Best Women's Perfumes
Editor's Notes
March 05, 2019:
It's important that a perfume communicate certain things about a woman. The best fragrances instantly create a feeling and mood. We selected scents that can do all of those things, and will make people take notice of you. Jimmy Choo Signature is ideal for the woman who wants to leave everyone wondering, "Who is that?" when she enters a room. Donna Karan Cashmere is timeless, elegant, and great for woman of all ages, making it ideal for someone seeking a scent they'll turn to over and over again. When casting a love spell isn't an option, Calvin Klein Obsession should come pretty close for the woman hoping to intoxicate a suitor. If you want something enrapturing that will leave everyone wanting more, consider the bold Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium. Women who have a bit of punk within them, but still like to show off their femininity should look to Vera Wang Rock Princess. Whatever your personality, you should feel represented by our list.
Why You Should Wear Perfume
Perfume also allows you to communicate some of your personality and mood to the outside world.
Between makeup, accessories, hair styling products, and appliances, women have a lot to keep up with in their beauty regimen. That could be why wearing a fragrance is one habit that often falls by the wayside for many. That's a shame, however, because covering oneself in a beloved fragrance can do a lot for the body and mind — it even affects the way others perceive you. Research has found that women's faces appear prettier to others when they are emitting a pleasant odor. Scientists suspect that the same parts of our brains that process smell also analyze sight, and even evaluate attractiveness. If you don't have time to do your lip liner and mascara one day, a quick puff of perfume might enhance your look just as much, if not more.
Perfume also allows you to communicate some of your personality and mood to the outside world. Some fragrances smell playful, others seductive, many smell sporty, and there are even varieties that come off as dramatic. Depending on how you're feeling one day, you can select the appropriate fragrance to help you emanate that sensation to those around you. The right perfume can also help enhance your current mood, or even help change it to a better one.
When you have an important day ahead of you — perhaps containing a big meeting or a first date — wearing perfume is a must. Fragrance boosts confidence. Think about it: nobody can feel entirely secure when they're worried about a bad odor coming from their body. A lovely scent eradicates that concern. Depending on the fragrance you choose, it may even help to elevate the mood of those around you, meaning that when people are near you while you're wearing certain scents, they may become happier, making it more likely for the date or meeting to go well. Since the person wearing the perfume also feels their spirits lifted by the scent, there will be a generally good atmosphere in the room.
These Scents Boost Your Well-Being
Scientists have long studied the complex connection between scent and human psychology. They know that a smell can do a variety of things, from relieving stress to enhancing productivity. If you plan on wearing a fragrance, you may as well double its perks by selecting one that is good for your overall well-being. Some scents are particularly effective at that. On the day of an important exam, or perhaps during a trip to a foreign country where customs and rules are all brand new to you, consider a spritz of cinnamon. Studies have found that this ingredient sharpens the mind, so it's a good one for times you must stay on your toes.
The smell of citrus has been found to be very energizing, so spray a little clementine or grapefruit scent on at the start of your day.
When stress levels are high, seek out a fragrance boasting pine — it's shown to have remarkable calming effects. You've likely experienced that in another way, by taking a walk through a forest. One of the reasons you felt better after that walk, in addition to the connection with nature, was the scent of the trees. Another surprising smell that is good for us is that of fresh cut grass. If you've ever stepped out in the morning after a neighbor has mowed their lawn, you may have experienced a pep in your step. That's because this smell releases a chemical that increases feelings of joy. If you, or someone you know, is feeling blue, grab them a perfume infused with the essence of grass.
You can even make your perfume a part of your energizing morning routine, along with coffee and a cold shower. The smell of citrus has been found to be very energizing, so spray a little clementine or grapefruit scent on at the start of your day. As for the evening, when it's time to wind down and perhaps spend time with your significant other, you can switch to a pumpkin fragrance, as this squash has an aphrodisiac effect. If headaches are interfering with your relaxing evening (or any part of your day), you can use an apple-infused fragrance since the smell of this fruit can reduce migraine symptoms.
How To Wear Perfume The Right Way
Once you've picked out the perfect fragrance for you or a friend — though women are more likely to buy one for a boyfriend — it's important to go over the do's and don'ts of wearing fragrances. Improper use and care of the stuff can cause the opposite effect of what you wanted, and make you the reason people cover their noses.
You likely grew up watching your mother spray a little bit of her perfume on her wrists, rubbing them together, and then dabbing those around her neck.
First thing's first: proper storage. Perfumes do not respond well to drastic temperature changes. Extreme hot or cold can alter their composition and, therefore, the way that they smell. So, while displaying your pretty bottle in front of your vanity may look nice, you must make sure it isn't in direct sunlight or sitting beneath hot bulbs for hours. It's best to store this product at room temperature. Also, keep in mind that perfume doesn't stay perfect forever, so you may not want to buy a massive bottle and allow it to sit around for a year — oxygen exposure eventually ruins the smell. It's best to purchase fragrances in small portions.
You likely grew up watching your mother spray a little bit of her perfume on her wrists, rubbing them together, and then dabbing those around her neck. This, unfortunately, is not a good idea. Pressing skin together like that causes friction that heats up the perfume, and changes the way it smells. Just hold the bottle about six inches from the desired location and spray — but never rub. Finally, don't forget to put a little on your clothes and hair.