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Time for a Fragrance Audit?

Time for a fragrance audit?

Time for a fragrance audit?
Time for a fragrance audit?

It’s spring cleaning season and Canadians coast-to-coast are giving their homes a thorough cleaning before the hot summer weather arrives. Should you include your fragrance collection in your plans? Is it time to take a quick fragrance audit?

When it comes to your perfume collection, experts recommend that you examine them once a year to ensure they are in prime condition. Like food products, a fragrance’s quality can slowly deteriorate over time due to oxidation and UV damage. The more air that is in the bottle, the greater the chance that oxidation will occur. Now, a fragrance won’t turn bad overnight. What you’ll notice is that is slowly changes over time. I just won’t smell like it did when you bought it. Here are some key questions to ask yourself regarding the scents in your collection.

Have you noticed a change in how your fragrance smells?

This is the most important question. Perfumers say that a scent will remain in peak condition for a full year after you open it. Then it can deteriorate over time. If you notice a change in how your fragrance smells, it is time to replace it.

Has the colour changed?

A change in colour is an indication that the botanical ingredients in the fragrance such as floral and green notes have started to spoil. UV rays can impact the botanical notes which is why perfumers recommend you store your fragrances in a cool, dark place. If the colour has changed, it is time to replace the bottle.

Time for a fragrance audit?
Time for a fragrance audit?

Does the scent smell different on your skin now?

Skin chemistry plays a crucial role in how a fragrance smells on you. This is the reason why a popular eau de parfum can smell one way on you and completely different on your best friend. What you might not know is that skin chemistry can change over time due to hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle and even climate. So you want to make sure the fragrance still smells good on yoru skin.

Is your perfume older than two years?

It’s a great idea to write the date you open your fragrance on the bottom of the bottle or box. That way, you know its lifespan. Some concentrated eau de parfums can have a longer lifespan depending on the quality of the ingredients. But most experts agree that two years is length most modern-day scents will last.

Do you still love the fragrance?

This is a really important question to ask yourself. Do you still love it? Scent is closely associated with our memories. And a perfume can remind you of a certain place and person. If you’ve recently had a break up or change in your life, a scent can bring back those olfactory memories. It’s a good idea to check that your scents remind you of good times and still bring you joy.

Do you get compliments when you wear it?

Yes, we should always buy fragrances to please ourselves. But it is nice to have one or two that always elicit compliments. If your coworkers and friends compliment you on a particular perfume, that is a ‘signature scent’ for you. It’s a good one to keep in your collection.

Have your tastes changed over time?

And finally, our tastes change over time. Just like tastes in fashion and home décor, our sense of smell can evolve and change over time. You may go through a total vanilla or rose phase for a year or two. And then you can suddenly find you love spicy notes. Ask yourself if your fragrances appeal to you tastes now.

The art of perfumery is such a joy to fragrance enthusiasts. Taking a quick audit of your collection will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of every single bottle.

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  • Rhonda Stefani
    June 6, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    Really enjoyed this article, thank you! Great idea to write the date on the box bottom, I’ll be doing that from now on.

  • Michelle Conn
    May 15, 2022 at 8:56 am

    ♥️ I loved this article, the reason I opt for smaller bottles so I can use them up before they (or I) change.

    Miniatures are especially great for experimenting with before investing in bigger bottles of favourites!

  • Louisa Santoro
    May 15, 2022 at 7:26 am

    Oh Dave mine never have a chance to change color. I wear my different fragrances every single day😊❤️