FAQ - Fragrance General Frequently Asked Questions, Version 2.0

FAQ - Fragrance General Frequently Asked Questions, Version 3.0

For definitions of common fragrance words and terms, see the Glossary: pastebin.com/mQrCr2zZ

>How do I ask for a recommendation in /frag/?
Provide your age range.

Provide the season or climate you intend to wear the fragrance in.

Provide your ideal price range for buying a recommended frag.

Provide some details on what type of scent you are looking for (favorite notes and accords, hated notes and accords, etc.)

Provide some details on your intended aesthetic and setting for wearing a scent (frag for school, the office, dates, casual daily wear, etc.)

Generally ignore any posts about fragrances that seem to intentionally evade your provided criteria, they are likely made by trolls and/or shills.

>How do I apply a scent?
Apply (spray or dab) directly onto your skin. Don't rub your skin, the friction heats up the skin and changes the course of the scent. The top and middle notes will fade and evaporate because you're drying out a lot of the scent. Don't do the old "spray into the air and walk into it" trick. You'll be wasting your fragrances and getting less performance out of them. Apply after showering on clean, dry skin. Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches away from your skin when spraying.

>Where do I apply a scent?
You want to apply on your pulse points, places where your skin is the naturally warm and moist. The inside of your elbows, the back of the knees (mostly for the femanons), the chest and upper belly, the shoulders and the sides and nape of your neck. Don't apply to sensitive areas that can cause irritation, especially on your genitals or armpits. You will get mixed answers when it comes to applying a frag on your hair, and while you can do it without too many issues just remember that fragrances contain various oils and chemicals that can dry out your hair.

>What types of fragrance strengths are there?
Before you choose a fragrance you need to know the difference between the types that are available for you to pick from. In general, it comes down to the various concentrations of each fragrance; but bear in mind that due to the different ingredients in each frag it also means that an EDP in one brand may not be as strong as an EDT in another brand. In the end, testing out frags is the best way to find out their sillage and longevity when they are applied to your skin.

The Fragrance Concentrations, listed from lightest to heaviest:
>Eau de Fraiche (EDF): Around 1-2% concentration
>Eau de Cologne (EDC): Around 2-5% concentration
>Eau de Toilette (EDT): Around 5-15% concentration
>Eau de Parfum (EDP): Around 15-20% concentration
>Parfum: Around 20-40% concentration

These variations in concentration are why the higher concentrated versions are more expensive, because they contain a higher amount of the ingredients that give a particular fragrance its unique scent. Different concentrations also effect the sillage and longevity of a scent. However, a higher concentration doesn't necessarily mean it's better in each category. An EDP may have better longevity than the EDT version of the same fragrance, but the EDT may have better sillage. This is why you should test fragrances before choosing which is best for you.

>How much should I spray?
Now that you know the difference between the various concentrations, it goes without saying that the stronger the frag, the less you need to apply. However, because of the variation between brands, your personal predisposition to nose blindness and the particular season and weather in which you use your frag, you may need to adjust the amount you use accordingly. Warm weather frags may take more sprays than cold weather frags, EDTs more than EDPs. The only way to know for certain is trial and error, but always err on the side of using too little instead of too much. You can always spray more if you need to but trying to wash off a nuclear powered scent is a pain. With most frags between 2 and 5 sprays should be enough, but adjust accordingly as needed.

>What does sillage mean?
The degree to which a fragrance's scent lingers in the air when worn. (see the Glossary)

>Should I spray my clothing?
This is another question in which you will get mixed answers. Fragrances tend to last longer on clothing but have weaker performance without the body heat of your skin to bring out all the notes. You also run the risk of staining your clothes due to the chemical and oil ingredients in the frags. If you have sensitive skin or allergies to fragrance ingredients, spraying on your clothes will be the next best option. So, yes you can spray on your clothing. Whether or not you want to risk staining your clothes is up to you.

>My fragrance has poor performance, what can I do about it?
One of the most frustrating aspects of using fragrances is finding one that you love only to discover that it lasts an hour and it disappears. For the most part there's little you can do about it, but there's a few things that can improve your frags performance. First, properly store your frags to keep them fresh. A stale frag gets weak and loses its original scent profile. Apply your frag after a shower on clean, dry skin. You can also apply a non-scented body lotion or petroleum jelly to moisturize your skin before applying your frag. Fragrances will work best on warm, naturally moist skin. The most obvious trick is to use more sprays of your frag to get the most out of it, but remember that doing this won't really give you better performance. It'll just take a little longer for it to evaporate off your skin. Finally, you can try to get a higher concentrated version of your frag (going from a EDT to EDP) but be warned that not all frags in a brand's line will smell similar. Many EDPs are very different from their EDT counterpart, so try them before buying them.

>How should I store my fragrances?
How you store your fragrances will impact their sillage, their scent profile and how long they can last. That's why it's important to properly store your frags to get the most out of them. Leaving them in any place that is exposed to direct sunlight or rapid changes in humidity and temperature will negatively affect their performance and shelf life. Think of your frags as you would a bottle of fine wine. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place. A bedroom closet, wardrobe or cabinet works best. Window sills and bathrooms are the worst due to the sunlight and changes in temperature. How you store and how often you use your frags will ultimately determine their rate of maceration and their overall shelf life.

>How long can I keep my fragrances before they go bad?
That depends on the fragrance; a minority of them seem to go bad within a few years, but the majority don't have an expiration date. If you want your frags to have a long shelf life then keep them away from light. If you aren't going to use up your fragrance quickly then it's best to store it in the box it came in.

>What is Maceration?
Maceration is the effect that aging will have on a fragrance as chemical changes take place. Most of the change happens in the first few days after the formula is mixed. Most fragrances are allowed to settle down before going onto store shelves but you may notice a subtle change after you purchase your bottle. It may also be due to a reformulation, which happens quite often in perfumery. Maceration is also one of the most controversial debates among fragrance collectors and enthusiasts, many will say it's nonsense while others will say that aging a fragrance will improve its overall scent. The truth is that maceration is real, frags do chemically change over exposure to temperatures and with aging, but whether this improves their scent is in the eye of the beholder. Or nose of the beholder, I guess.

>What is the difference between seasonal fragrances?
How our skin reacts with a scent is based on how the frag mixes with the oils our bodies produce and the temperature of our skin. And those variables change with the different seasons. As the weather changes, so do we. So when choosing a scent you want something that will compliment the mood of a particular season but also one that reacts well in that season's weather conditions.

>Spring: Often associated with fresh scents. (e.g., Light scents, Citrus, Green and Floral scent profiles.)
>Summer: Often associated with Blue scents. (e.g., Powdery scents, Airy, Citrus, Aquatic, Floral scent profiles.)
>Autumn: Often associated with Earthy scents. (e.g., Oakmoss scents, Smokey, Woody, Boozy scent profiles.)
>Winter: Often associated with Warm scents. (e.g., Gourmet scents, Spice, Tobacco, Amber scent profiles.)

These notes may vary from frag to frag, but overall your heavier and bolder frags are cold weather scents and your lighter, fresher frags are warm weather scents. A spring/summer frag may get overwhelmed in a cold environment and be hardly noticeable at all, a autumn/winter frag way too cloying and overpowering in a hot environment.

>Do I have to change my fragrance for the seasons?
No. In the end you can wear whatever you want, although you may or may not regret it.

>Can I wear a fragrance made for the opposite sex?
Gendering of fragrances has more to do with marketing than anything else. Ultimately you can wear whatever you like.

>Can I layer two or more frags together?
You can, but in the sage advice of /ourguy/ Luca Turin, "Just don't."

>What is the difference between Designer and Niche fragrances? (see the Glossary)
Designer fragrances are just what they sound like, they are created by designer brands and mass produced for mass consumption. Many of them are on the generic, safe side and are made to be (wait for it) mass appealing. They're usually made with more common ingredients to keep the cost of production down. That's not to say that there aren't great designer frags to be owned, and many designers are very enjoyable and great entry level frags for the person starting out in collecting fragrances. They're also much more affordable.

Niche fragrances are for the more experienced fragrance enthusiast who wants a richer and more complex scent profile. They are made by fragrance houses that exclusively produce perfumes and use higher quality ingredients. And of course with higher quality and exclusivity comes a much higher price tag than the designer fragrance lines. But be warned, Niche fragrances are not designed with mass appeal in mind, they are made for someone who wants an experience out of their fragrance's scent profile, which means they are much more likely to use scents that have a limited appeal to many people. Always test Niche frags before buying. Avoid blind buys of Niche frags if at all possible.

>How many fragrances do I need in my rotation?
How many fragrances you own is ultimately up to your personal tastes. However, for most people the basics are usually the following:

>Warm Weather Frag: At least one light citrus or blue scent to wear in the spring and summertime.
>Cold Weather Frag: At least one heavier, warmer scent to wear in the autumn and wintertime.
>Office/School Frag: At least one non-offensive, mass appealing (not monster projection) scent for professional settings.
>Date Night Frag: At least one intimate and attractive scent for dates.
>Formal Setting Frag (optional): At least one high quality scent for weddings and high brow formal occasions.

These are just examples, in the end what you have in your collection/rotation should fit your needs. You aren't duty bound to have a different frag for every occasion.

>When do I not need a fragrance?
It's generally considered to be bad manners to wear a scent to a funeral, but there are occasions when it might be necessary such as spending extended periods outside in the sunshine. If you absolutely must wear something, keep it very light and generic with as little sillage as possible. However, the best advice is to not use one at all.

It's also considered to be unnecessary to wear a fragrance while at the gym working out. Either save it for the post-workout shower or later when you return home, but it's poor form to have a miasma around you as you work out near other people and begin to sweat all over the place. Don't be that guy.

Finally, this should be common sense but if you're getting headaches or allergic reactions from your fragrance then STOP USING IT.
Smelling nice is good and all but it isn't worth risking your health.

>Is my fragrance a fake?
There are many disreputable retailers and crooks out there who will rip you off with fake fragrances. It's infuriating when it happens to you but just remember that eventually it happens to all of us at one time or another. The best thing you can do is educate yourself before you buy and lessen the odds that you will get scammed. Here are some tips to help you out.

>Know the seller.
Always use reputable sellers. Check them out before buying, read reviews and seller ratings. Avoid flea markets, swap meets, and never buy online from Eastern Europe or Russian sellers.

>If it seems too good to be true it probably is.
Always check the prices against other sellers. If they seem shady or disreputable and have cheap prices then they're probably trying to scam you. Do your homework first.

>Familiarize yourself with the fragrance before you buy.
Know what the proper packaging should look like beforehand. Learn where the barcode should be and what the batch number should look like. Also find out what the bottle should look like, the labeling, even what the proper font and cellophane wrapping should look like. Is it improperly boxed or wrapped? Are there spelling or grammar mistakes? Excess tape or glue on the package? Does the bottle feel smooth and properly made or is it rough and misshaped? Does it smell the same as the tester or sample you tried before buying? Does it quickly lose its potency or change its scent profile?

>Finally, check the batch code to determine its authenticity.
(checkfresh.com)
(checkcosmetic.net)

>If I like this fragrance then what are some others I might like?
There are many great fragrance communities where you can find information on the scents you already own and one you might like to try.

These are some of the best but find the one that suits you.
(fragrantica.com)
(basenotes.net)
(parfumo.net)
(nstperfume.com)
(boisdejasmin.com)

You can also use Fragrantica's Perfume Finder to gets suggestions based on frags you like.
(fragrantica.com/perfume-finder)

Or use their search by notes function to choose a scent based on your favorites notes.
(fragrantica.com/ingredients-search)

>Is Gif Anon full of shit?
The information in the Fragrance General OP and in the posted charts was a collaborative effort by many different anons to be helpful to everyone who posts in /frag/, not to shape opinions or control the discussion. Hopefully this humble FAQ guide adds to the great work that other anons have contributed over the years.
This is just a brief guide sourced from various places on basic info, mostly from Luca Turin's Guides and fragrance community websites. It is by no means definitive and doesn't cover everything, and you will likely encounter many varied opinions that differ from it. The best advice is to always do your own research and draw your own conclusions. Test out what interests you, buy what you like and enjoy it.
And yes, I am definitely full of shit.

For more information on Fragrance Groups and basic general info, check out the chart and info provided in the Fragrance General OP.
-Gif Anon :-D