Perfumery study part 1.
Perfumery is an art that has been practiced for centuries, involving the creation of unique scents using a combination of different ingredients. In ancient times, perfumers were perceived as alchemists, essentially early chemists. It's an art form like music, painting, or dance, aimed at finding balance for our noses and evoking deep emotions, ultimately telling a story.
Expensive perfumes do not necessarily have more notes or better quality. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of certain notes does not necessarily indicate the quality of a perfume. The quality of a fragrance depends on various factors, including the skill of the perfumer, the concentration of ingredients, and the overall composition. While certain notes may be associated with luxury or high-end perfumes, it is important to remember that personal preference plays a significant role in determining the quality of a fragrance.
Price does not necessarily correlate with the number of notes in a perfume. While the expensive ones may(or may not) contain a wide range of expansive ingredients, there are also many affordable perfumes that offer a rich and complex scent profile. The value of a perfume lies in its ability to evoke emotions, create a memorable experience, and fulfill some technical terms like longevity and diffusion, rather than the number of ingredients it contains.
Perfumes typically have top, heart, and base notes. Some are linear, meaning the notes don't change over time. However, most classic perfumes are dynamic and evolve over time, which means that the notes you initially smell may not be the same as the ones you perceive hours later. Top notes are the first scents that are detected and tend to be more volatile, while heart notes and base notes emerge as the fragrance settles on the skin.
So take your time and try out no more than four different scents at a time, so your olfactory system doesn't get overwhelmed. By doing that, you'll be able to savor the entire spectrum of each perfume. Let your heart and senses be the ultimate judge. After all, it's not just a scent; it's a story waiting to be told.
