Freshly baked cookies ... a crisp fall day ... the ocean ... all wonderful smells. Overwhelming cologne? Waaay too much perfume? Not so enjoyable.
If you spend eight hours working in a close environment with others, you may choose to avoid scented products completely, knowing that you are basically sharing the same air for the duration. If your schedule has you out and about, and you choose to "scent up", here are some suggestions to keep in mind before you spray, dab or splash. 1. Ideally, your fragrance should only be "smellable" when someone is in close proximity, ie. within arms' length, or two feet, of your body. If your scent arrives before you do, or causes people to open a window after you leave the room, you are wearing too much. 2. We become used to our fragrance, so we tend to over-spray. A small amount will go a long way and there is no need to re-apply more than once a day. If you are unsure about your intensity, ask someone if you are over-doing it. 3. Consider where you are, what you are doing and who you are with. Just as you dress differently for various occasions, so should your scent change. While a heavier cologne may suit an evening out, it is not what you would want to wear for an office meeting; a lighter fragrance would be a much better choice.
4. There are certain circumstances where fragrance should be avoided completely: hospitals, funerals (too many competing smells), when around babies and young children with developing lungs, as well as anyone with breathing concerns. 5. When attending an event where the sense of smell plays an important role in the activity, such as a wine tasting or elaborate, gourmet meal, avoid making the aromas of the activity compete with your scent; it can have a negative effect on the event itself. Next week: What to do when scents are unwelcome. |
