Placeholder Content Image

Scented products may be making us sick

<p>From body wash, air fresheners and hand soap to our household cleaners, scented products may be making us sick, according to new research.</p> <p>The University of Melbourne study found that one in three Australians reported adverse health effects – including breathing problems, migraine headaches, skin irritation and asthma attacks – from fragranced products.</p> <p>"There's a belief that fragrance products in some way improve air quality but the opposite is actually true: fragrance products impair rather than improve indoor air quality and they pose a range of health and economic risks," says lead author Professor Anne Steinemann, a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects.</p> <p>"Some people have immediate, severe and disabling health effects. But the effects can be very subtle and insidious and people may not realise they're being affected until it's too late."</p> <p>Steinemann says the findings confirm her previous research on the subjects, including an <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/wellbeing/a-problem-of-hidden-hazards-common-fragrances-a-public-health-problem-20161026-gsax8k.html">American study she published in 2016</a> and a yet-to-be published British study.</p> <p>"There's something about these fragrance chemicals. It doesn't matter whether the product is called 'green', 'organic', 'natural' or with 'essential oils', basically if it has a fragrance it can cause health problems," she said. "When I've analysed these fragranced products called 'green', 'organic', 'all-natural', there's little difference in the hazardous chemicals they emit compared to regular versions."</p> <p>There is currently no law in Australia that requires the disclosure of all the chemicals in a fragrance or a consumer product. </p> <p>"We have very little information on the toxicity of these mixtures – there's a focus on individual chemicals. Also very little information on the toxicity of a natural versus synthetic version of a chemical,” says Steinemann.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

Perfect perfume or eau de cat’s bum? Why scents smell different and 4 fragrance tips

<p>Mother’s Day is coming up in Australia and that means a surge in perfume sales. Of course, scents are purchased year-round and not just for mothers. Fragrance sales in Australia will amount to <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/fragrances/australia%5D">over A$1 billion</a> this year.</p> <p>The word “perfume” is derived from the Latin per fumus, meaning “through smoke”. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mendeleyevs-Dream-Elements-Paul-Strathern/dp/0312262043">very first account</a> of using perfumes dates back to 1200 BC when a <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Women_of_Science.html?id=S7DaAAAAMAAJ&amp;redir_esc=y">woman called Tapputi</a> mixed flowers, oils and various plants with water or solvents, then extracted their fragrance. The basis of this technique for making perfume is still used today.</p> <p>But how do we smell? What makes perfume appealing? And why does it smell differently on different people?</p> <h2>The science of smell</h2> <p>A sense of smell is vital to all species on Earth. One <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/elephants-may-have-best-noses-earth">study</a> identified African elephants as having the “best noses” in the animal kingdom, not to mention the longest ones. It can help animals sniff out danger, food and mates.</p> <p>For humans, too, being able to smell is not just for the enjoyment of pleasant odours. It can also protect us from toxic chemicals with noxious smells, such as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750038.html#:%7E:text=Hydrogen%20cyanide%20(AC)%20gas%20has,as%20a%20solution%20in%20water.">hydrogen cyanide</a>.</p> <p>When something has an odour, it means it is chemically volatile – vaporising from a liquid to a gas. When we smell a scent, gas molecules enter our nose and stimulate specialised nerve cells called <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-do-we-smell-104772">olfactory sensory neurons</a>. When these neurons are triggered, they send a signal to the brain to identify the chemicals.</p> <p>Humans have around 10 million of those neurons and around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1905909/">400 scent receptors</a>. The human nose can distinguish at least <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/human-nose-can-detect-trillion-smells#:%7E:text=These%20are%20only%20three%20of,never%20been%20explicitly%20tested%20before.">1 trillion different odours</a>, from freshly brewed coffee to wet dog to mouldy cheese.</p> <p>The more volatile a compound is the lower its boiling point and, from a chemical perspective, the weaker the forces holding the molecules together. When this is the case, more molecules enter the gaseous state and the smell is more intense.</p> <h2>What makes things smell good though?</h2> <p>Different classes of chemical compounds can have more pleasant or offensive scents.</p> <p>Fish and decaying animal cells, for example, release chemicals called <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/BridgeValley_Community_and_Technical_College/Fundamentals_of_Chemistry/11%3A_Organic_Chemistry/11.15%3A_Amines#:%7E:text=Amines%20generally%20have%20rather%20pungent,odor%20associated%20with%20dead%20fish.">amines</a>, which don’t smell appealing.</p> <p>Fruits, on the other hand, are composed of chemicals in a class of organic compounds called aldehydes, esters and ketones, which have sweeter and <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%3A_CHEM_330_-_Adventures_in_Chemistry_(Alviar-Agnew)/09%3A_Organic_Chemistry/9.08%3A_Carboxylic_Acids_and_Esters#:%7E:text=Esters%20occur%20widely%20in%20nature,fragrances%20of%20fruits%20and%20flowers.">more pleasant odours</a>.</p> <p>Chemists have been able to identify the <a href="https://jameskennedymonash.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/table-of-organic-compounds-and-their-smells-revised-edition/">specific chemical smells</a> released by substances we encounter in everyday life.</p> <h2>Smells different</h2> <p>So it makes sense that pleasant-smelling aldehydes, ketones and esters are used to create perfumes. However, some perfumes also contain unusual ingredients that don’t smell nice on their own.</p> <p>For example, Chanel No. 5 perfume – the iconic 100-year-old favourite – contains civet as one of its base chemical notes. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/a-boycott-of-chanel-no-5-urged-by-humane-groups.html">Civet</a> is used by perfumers for its <a href="https://theconversation.com/civet-musk-a-precious-perfume-ingredient-is-under-threat-steps-to-support-ethiopian-producers-and-protect-the-animals-193469">long-lasting, musky scent</a>. It is traditionally extracted from the anal glands of <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2012/07/chanel-no-5-a-brain-parasite-may-be-the-secret-to-the-famous-perfume.html">civet cats</a> but Chanel has used a synthetic form of civet <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/99a13235-cdb9-431b-b8f1-e52ce4a10486">since 1998</a>.</p> <h2>Tips for choosing and using perfumes</h2> <p>Our ability to smell a perfume will depend on two factors: how well our olfactory sensory neurons are performing (a virus or infection could affect function, for example) and the volatility of the chemicals in the perfume.</p> <p>1. Try before you buy</p> <p>You can’t really do much about your sensory neurons, but you can increase the intensity of perfumes, such as by warming up the perfume on your skin or applying to pulse points. This will help to give molecules more energy and increase the number of molecules entering the gaseous state.</p> <p>Specific perfumes will not smell the same on different people’s skin because the chemicals in them can be affected by the skin’s type and condition (dry or oily, acidic or base) and even their diet. Some foods we eat, such as garlic, are released from our bodies through our skin. Those chemicals can mask perfume chemicals.</p> <p>So, it is better to buy someone their tried and true favourite scent rather than risking a new one. And those department store sample sprays can be useful to try before you buy.</p> <p>2. Moisturise before use</p> <p>When you spray perfume on very dry skin, some of the perfume’s chemicals – the large organic ones that are similar to skin’s natural oils – are absorbed by the skin and then into the sebaceous glands. When some notes in a perfume are absorbed this way, it can take on a different smell. That’s also why it’s better to moisturise skin before spraying perfume, so perfume chemicals stay on the skin for longer.</p> <p>3. Experiment with spraying techniques</p> <p>To avoid changes in the scent of your favourite perfume and increase the time the perfume stays on you, you could spray your hair instead. Your hair is porous so perfume molecules might remain there longer. However, most perfumes contain alcohol, which dries out hair. Spraying perfume directly onto a hairbrush first, then brushing your hair, might prevent some of this drying effect.</p> <p><a href="https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-apply-perfume">Spraying then walking</a> through a mist of perfume so the chemicals settle on your hair, skin and clothes might work – but you risk losing a lot of precious perfume with that technique.</p> <p>4. Keep it cool</p> <p>Temperature will <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5674095_Effect_of_Temperature_on_the_Floral_Scent_Emission_and_Endogenous_Volatile_Profile_of_Petunia_axillaris">affect volatility</a>. To keep perfumes lasting longer in the bottle, keep them in the fridge or cool dark place and tightly sealed to prevent your expensive, heat-sensitive scent evaporating into thin air.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/perfect-perfume-or-eau-de-cats-bum-why-scents-smell-different-and-4-fragrance-tips-203905" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

The perfume mistake everyone is making

<p>Do you find despite spritzing perfume in the morning that by lunchtime there’s not a whiff of scent life on your body? It might be because you’ve been applying your perfume incorrectly.</p> <p>According to a fragrance expert from British perfume house, Penhaligon's, the biggest mistake most women make when applying perfume is to spray it on their wrists and rub them together.</p> <p>"Rubbing the fragrance starts the evaporation process, so the fragrance won't last as long if you do this," he said. "Instead spray twice onto the wrists, the chest and the back of the neck and leave to dry."</p> <p>Moisturising your skin before an application of perfume will also make it last for longer.</p> <p>"Dry skin absorbs the moisture in perfume, which evaporates the perfume off the skin," says Penhaligon's fragrance expert.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/questions-to-ask-before-you-change-your-hair/">5 questions to ask before you change your hair</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/11/ways-to-style-short-hair/">12 age defying ways to style short hair</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/10/age-defying-hair-tips/">6 tips for healthy hair that defy ageing</a></em></strong></span></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

Genius uses for essential oils in your home

<p><strong>Use as a natural fragrance</strong></p> <p>With all the talk about the dangers of phthalates, which are found in many commercial air fresheners and have been shown to decrease thyroid function over time, it’s nice to know that essential oils can be used as an all-natural scent booster. And you don’t even need to own a diffuser. Place sweet orange, lavender, or lime essential oil on a cotton ball and tape it to the back of a flower pot or the bottom of a chair, advises Erin Stewart, certified aromatherapist, herbalist, and founder of AromaCulture.</p> <p>“It will release the aroma of the essential oil into the air and leave your house smelling fresh,” she says. She also recommends placing a drop or two of essential oil into a bowl of clay diffuser beads or pebbles in the bathroom. “The clay will act as a diffuser, slowly releasing the aroma of the essential oil into the room and acting as a natural air freshener.”</p> <p><strong>Disinfect your bench tops</strong></p> <p>Since many essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, they are well-suited for use in simple homemade cleaning products. Plus, think of all the cash you’ll save on overpriced (and overly processed) commercial varieties. </p> <p>Stewart recommends adding 2 to 3 drops of lemon, lavender, sweet orange, or tea tree essential oil to some diluted liquid castile soap in a small spray bottle. “You can use this combination to wipe down your kitchen and bathroom counters and other non-porous surfaces,” she says.</p> <p><strong>Clean your toilet</strong></p> <p>You can even use the same essential oils as for countertop cleaners – lemon, lavender, sweet orange, or tea tree – to keep your toilet spick and span. Stewart recommends DIYing your own “toilet tabs” by stirring a couple of drops of one of these essential oils into a bowl of baking soda, spraying the mixture lightly with water and then pressing the baking soda mixture into a silicon mould (like for ice cubes or brownies). </p> <p>“Let it sit overnight to dry and, the next morning, remove the tabs from the mould and store them in an airtight jar,” she says. “Toss one into the toilet before you shower each day and flush when you get out of the shower to keep your toilet fresh between deep cleanings.”</p> <p><strong>Swap out grocery items</strong></p> <p>Instead of buying a heap of herbs that will go bad in a week, replace them with essential oils. “The rule is to use one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of herbs in your favourite recipe,” says Maat van Uitert, essential oil expert. Essential oils can also be used in desserts. </p> <p>“If you love chocolate mint patties, you can make a homemade version using one drop of peppermint – and, if you’re trying to lose weight and don’t like the taste of water, you can add one drop of orange essential oil to 250ml of water to make it more palatable.” You can also add 1 to 2 drops of lemon essential oil to your water bottle to give it some zing.</p> <p><strong>Wash fresh fruit and veggies</strong></p> <p>Just thinking about how many hands have touched the surfaces of the fruits and vegetables you buy at your local supermarket can give you a ballpark idea of the amount of germs that may be on them – and that’s not including any pesticides that may have been sprayed on them at the farm. </p> <p>As well as washing them with water, use essential oils. Sally Pansing Kravich, celebrity holistic nutritionist and author, recommends adding five drops of lemon essential oil to a large bowl of water to wash fruits and veggies.</p> <p><strong>Protect lawns and gardens</strong></p> <p>Most commercial products for pest control aren’t kid- or pet-safe and contain chemicals harmful to your local ecosystem, notes van Uitert. </p> <p>His advice: If insects are destroying your lawn or garden, combine 10 drops of essential oil with 250ml of water and castile soap for organic pest control. Use a spray attachment with your hose and spray the insects away.</p> <p><strong>Keep flying bugs away</strong></p> <p>One of the few downsides to summer weather is the influx of relentless outdoor pests. With so many dangerous chemical combinations being used in commercial insect repellents, why not make your own more affordable and less harmful spray? </p> <p>For a great natural alternative to chemical bug sprays with DEET in them, Ed Foy, co-founder of Clear Scents, suggests trying this recipe: In a small spray bottle, combine 60-120ml of distilled water, 45ml witch hazel or vodka, and 30 to 50 drops of your favourite essential oil. You can add more or less essential oil depending how strong you want the fragrance to be. Use the spray around your outdoor seating areas.</p> <p><strong>Deter crawling bugs</strong></p> <p>If ants are invading your home – or camping tent – cinnamon essential oil can help. “The cinnamon interacts with their nervous system and prevents them from communicating with other ants, forcing them to leave the area,” says van Uitert. </p> <p>“Even better, you won’t have to worry about your child or pet ingesting toxins.” Lemongrass is another great solution. Try diluting 10 to 20 drops of the stuff in 60-120ml of water. Shake it up and spray the area where you’re hoping to ward off bugs. One whiff of the stuff and they’ll head in another direction.</p> <p><strong>Boost the scent of laundry</strong></p> <p>If your detergent isn’t leaving your clothes smelling quite as fresh as you’d like, it’s not that you’re making these <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/14-laundry-myths-that-are-ruining-your-clothes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">common laundry mistakes</a>. It’s that you haven’t been taking advantage of non-toxic scenting power of essential oils. Try adding essential oils to laundering or drying clothes to give them a clean, natural smell. </p> <p>“Whether you’re using a homemade or store-bought detergent or fabric softener, just add several drops of your favourite essential oil such as lavender, lemongrass or peppermint, and launder as usual,” says Foy. “You can also condition your clothes in the dryer by adding essential oil to any wool dryer ball.” This hypoallergenic alternative is sure to leave your clothes feeling soft and smelling great every time.</p> <p><strong>Spray away sunburn</strong></p> <p>You probably already know that applying lemon essential oil to your hair while you’re out in the sun can create natural blonde highlights, but you might be surprised to know that essential oils can also take the sting away from a sunburn. </p> <p>“If you’ve been out in the sun too long, combine one-half cup witch hazel with 3 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel and five drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle,” suggests van Uitert. Shake to mix and apply to your body as needed. “The aloe vera and lavender are soothing!”</p> <p><strong>Sooth pain</strong></p> <p>Have a headache? Sure, you can pop an over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen, but another option, and an all-natural one at that, is to treat pain with essential oils. </p> <p>“Combine almond oil with four drops peppermint essential oil, two drops rosemary essential oil, one drop lavender essential oil, one drop chamomile essential oil, and one drop frankincense essential oil,” suggests Peggy O’Kelly, essential oil expert. “Shake up and apply to temples, pulse points, and back of neck.”</p> <p><strong>Relieve allergies</strong></p> <p>Seasonal allergies can be downright debilitating. And, while there are countless store-bought medications and products that promise to provide relief, there are plenty of all-natural solutions for stopping seasonal allergies in their tracks. One is through the use of an aromatherapy inhaler (they look like a lip balm tube with a cotton ‘wick’ inside). </p> <p>“On the cotton wick, add four drops of cedarwood, four drops of sweet orange and seven drops of eucalyptus,” suggests Butje. “Close the inhaler up and use it as needed to calm sniffling and sneezing. It will last two months.”</p> <p><strong>Clean carpets</strong></p> <p>Having a clean and fresh-smelling carpet can be a lot more affordable when you DIY your own cleanser. In fact, as long as you have baking soda and some divine essential oils, you’re good to go. “Baking soda is great for removing pet and food odors, and essential oils will leave your carpet and entire room smelling brand new,” says Kravich.</p> <p>She recommends vacuuming first to pick up any surface dirt or hair and then combining two cups of baking soda with one of the following combinations: 10 drops orange or lemon, five drops lemongrass and five drops tea tree, or 10 drops lavender essential oil, five drops clove and five drops cinnamon. “Sprinkle the mixture over the entire area of your carpet and use a sponge or dry brush to make sure it penetrates to the carpet bottom,” she adds. “Let stand for at least two hours or more and then vacuum thoroughly.”</p> <p><strong>Get grime off floors</strong></p> <p>People have been cleaning their homes with water and vinegar for decades (check out these 95 household uses for vinegar), and the all-natural solution still stands the test of time. But, let’s be honest, no one really enjoys the lingering smell of vinegar. And if you use it on your floors, the scent is sure to make its way into the entire room. </p> <p>Instead, Priti Robyn Ross E-RYT, advanced yoga instructor and wellness advocate for dōTERRA essential oils, recommends adding five drops each of orange and lemon essential oils into a mixture of one bucket of warm water and one cup white vinegar. It kills the smell of the vinegar, and citrus essential oils add antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.</p> <p><strong>Ease aching muscles</strong></p> <p>There’s a good reason just about every massage therapist incorporates essential oils into his or her practice: They have incredibly powerful soothing effects when applied topically to the skin. One study found essential oils to be beneficial not only for relaxation, sleep, and pain relief, but also for a reduction of depressive symptoms in dementia patients. </p> <p>Foy recommends trying this soothing recipe on aching muscles: In a small bottle, combine a ½ ounce grapeseed oil and 8 to 10 drops each of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil. Shake together and rub on areas for added comfort and relaxation.</p> <p><strong>Soften and grow your hair</strong></p> <p>Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, has been used for centuries to promote and maintain healthy, natural looking hair, according to Foy. “The strong antifungal and antiseptic properties of this oil make it extremely effective at combating common ailments such as dandruff, itchy scalp and head lice,” he says. </p> <p>One study published in the Archives of Dermatology even linked essential oil use to hair growth in patients with alopecia. Foy recommends adding several drops of your favourite essential oil to your regular hair conditioner and use as normal, or massage it directly into the scalp after a bath or shower.</p> <p><strong>Customise the scent of your lotion</strong></p> <p>Unscented lotion and essential oils are a match made in heaven. “There are endless options available for mixing your favourite scents with any unscented lotions,” says Foy.</p> <p>“Most lotions have already been formulated to restore moisture to your skin, but adding in your own essential oils will only bring additional benefits.” Lavender, lemongrass and tea tree are some of the more popular oils that have been dermatologically tested and proven to help restore and maintain the natural properties of your skin.</p> <p><strong>Give yourself a facial</strong></p> <p>One of the easiest ways to incorporate essential oils into your skin care routine is to treat yourself to a weekly facial steam – they’re surprisingly easy to do! Stewart recommends boiling a cup or two of water and pouring it into a heat safe bowl. “Place the bowl on the table where you’re going to sit for your facial steam, and add the hot water.” </p> <p>Next, add one drop of a skin-nourishing essential oil like lavender or rose to the water of the bowl. Close your eyes and hold your clean, makeup-free face 30cm above the bowl for 1 to 3 minutes. “Keep your eyes closed throughout the whole steam, and if it feels too hot or uncomfortable, give yourself a little more space between you and the bowl.”</p> <p><strong>Clean makeup brushes</strong></p> <p>Believe it or not, beauty experts recommend washing your makeup brushes once a week But store-bought cleaners can be pricey, and if you break out easily you might be concerned about the ingredient list on manufactured varieties. Instead, make your own brush cleanser using essential oils. </p> <p>O’Kelly recommends combining two tablespoons witch hazel, ½ teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, two teaspoons of castile soap, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil, which has antifungal properties. Shake it well and then pour it into a bowl. Gently swirl your brushes around in the mixture until clean. Rinse with water, squeeze out excess liquid, and set out to try.</p> <p><strong>Deodorise sports gear</strong></p> <p>If you have smelly athletes running around your home, essential oils can help get rid of that icky, sweaty smell. </p> <p>Ross recommends adding two drops each of tea tree and lemon essential oils in one quart of warm water along with four tablespoons of baking soda. Mix it together and use to clean everything from jerseys to cleats, sports accessories and running shoes.</p> <p><strong>Remove shower curtain scum</strong></p> <p>That dark, filmy, bacteria that builds up when water interacts with soap, dirt and other substances during your shower is undoubtedly disgusting – not to mention that mould and mildew can literally make you sick. </p> <p>Rather than apply harsh, commercial products that contain a laundry list of dangerous chemicals, try this solution that Ross recommends. “Fill a 475ml spray bottle with warm water and add in four drops eucalyptus oil and four drops tea tree oil. Spray onto your shower for natural mould-killing action!”</p> <p><strong>Freshen your garbage bin</strong></p> <p>Even if you’re careful not to let any waste touch the rim of your garbage bom, it’s inevitable that the bag will start to smell. Instead of spraying store-bought freshener, Ross recommends a combination of purifying and odour-eliminating essential oils. </p> <p>“Add several drops of wild orange, lemon and tea tree essential oils to a cotton ball,” she says. “You’ll be amazed at how well it detoxifies your whole bin!”</p> <p><strong>Ease digestive discomfort</strong></p> <p>Before you reach for that over-the-counter digestive remedy, try this all-natural, essential oil-infused solution. “Peppermint and ginger make an excellent digestive blend, so apply the oils all over your body, from your stomach to your feet,” suggests Ross. </p> <p>Studies have found both peppermint and ginger to be useful in soothing an upset stomach and aiding digestion, particularly in relieving irritable bowel syndrome.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/genius-uses-for-essential-oils-in-your-home?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Expert’s guide: How to wear perfume the right way

<p>Perfume is an essential for many women. With hair and makeup being a standard part of many people’s routines, perfume is the final step before you head out the door. But while it may seem like a simple task – I mean, how hard can a few spritzes be? – according to Calice Becker, the woman responsible for some of your favourite scents, there are many fragrance dos and don’ts.</p> <p>Speaking to <span><em><a href="https://www.vogue.com.au/beauty/howto/one-of-the-worlds-most-famous-noses-on-how-to-wear-perfume-properly/news-story/1acc0bf9efa1cb4c805bfc197ddf8967">Vogue Australia</a></em></span>, Becker revealed exactly what we should be doing when spraying and layering on scents, and also how to find a signature scent that will last the test of time.</p> <p>And according to the expert, we’re making some pretty crucial mistakes when wearing perfume.</p> <p>“I would definitely suggest trying on, to wear different scents and fragrances, and see how you feel about them,” she said.</p> <p>“The most important thing is to live the fragrance and take the time to ‘taste’ it, to follow its evolution with no hurry…”</p> <p>With most of us just spritzing our perfume in a rush before we head off to our destination, Becker says it’s important to spend time spraying on your perfume, because there’s a right way and a wrong way.</p> <p>“Of course, you can wear it on the pulse points, your wrists, the back of your knees, your elbows and why not your ankles,” she explained.</p> <p>“But as perfumes are emotions, I think you should wear a fragrance where it makes you feel well.”</p> <p>And when it comes to the wrong way of wearing perfume, the master perfumer says rubbing is a big no-no.</p> <p>“Rubbing the fragrance and putting the fragrance on clothes instead of wearing it on skin. The first may ruin it and the second does not allow the fragrance to interact with the skin which is what makes it so personal,” she said.</p> <p>“But again, you should be free to wear it where you prefer, also on clothes if you feel this makes them more ‘personal’.”</p> <p>Where do you wear your perfume? Tell us in the comments below.</p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

Strange body part to apply perfume to make it last longer

<p>It seems every day we’re being told something new that we’ve been doing wrong all these years, and this one has to be the strangest yet. Steven Claisse, senior perfumer at fragrance company Takasago, has revealed that to make your perfume last longer, you should apply a few drops to your belly button. Yes, you read that right!</p> <p>While most people opt for a spritz on the wrists and each side of the neck, Claisse claims the navel is the best place to apply fragrance. “Any area on your body that radiates heat will enhance a scent, and your belly button does just that,” he told <a href="http://www.self.com/story/how-to-apply-perfume" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SELF</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>In addition, Claisse says applying perfume to your hair, the top of your ears, inside the elbows, behind your knees, down your calves or on your ankles will make the fragrance last longer and help you leave a “trail of scent” wherever you go.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, would you ever consider applying perfume to your belly button? Have you tried it before?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/11/107-year-old-man-swears-this-drink-is-key-to-his-long-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>107-year-old man swears this drink is key to his long life</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/11/how-to-pronounce-scone/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The correct pronunciation of “scone” revealed</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/11/9-foods-that-lower-cholesterol/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>9 foods that lower cholesterol</strong></span></em></a></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

6 ways to make your perfume last longer

<p>It’s very disheartening when you feel that your favourite scent is lacking the oomph it had when your first fell in love with it in-store. The good news is it may not be the fragrance losing its touch after all, it could be how you’re using it.</p> <p>Have a gander at our six tips to make your perfume last longer than you thought it could.</p> <p><strong>1. Don’t store perfume in the bathroom (or other damp, warm places)</strong></p> <p>Heat, light, and humidity will break down the perfume and lessen the quality of the fragrance. Store them away from your vanity, windows or other damp and warm places and instead put them neatly on display.</p> <p><strong>2. Rub Vaseline on your pulse points</strong></p> <p>Where do you wear your perfume? It should be on your pulse points, and if you rub Vaseline in these spots first, it will hold the fragrance to your skin longer. Focus on not only the wrists and neck, but inside your elbows, behind your knees and on your calves and ankles.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t dab the fragrance on your wrists</strong></p> <p>If you rub your wrists together after spraying your scent, you'll force the top notes to disappear faster than intended and as a result, your fragrance will not last as long. </p> <p><strong>4. Spray your perfume right after taking a shower</strong></p> <p>The moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent. This will also prevent the fragrance from staining delicate clothes or jewellery. </p> <p><strong>5. Spray the fragrance onto your hairbrush</strong></p> <p>Spraying an alcohol-based fragrance directly onto your hair will dry it out, so instead spray the fragrance on your brush before running it through your hair. Your hair will be lightly scented, undamaged, and will hold the fragrance longer.</p> <p><strong>6. Pack top ops</strong></p> <p>Spray cotton swabs with your perfume and hide them in sandwich bags inside your handbag for quick touch-ups throughout the day. It's much easier to carry cotton swabs in your purse than an entire perfume bottle.</p> <p>Do you have a fragrance related tip to share with us? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/allergy-mistake-we-all-make-with-perfume/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The dangerous mistake we all make with our perfume</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/trick-to-make-your-perfume-last/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Genius trick to make your perfume last all day</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/uses-for-cotton-tips-in-beauty-routine/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 Uses for cotton tips in your beauty routine</span></em></strong></a></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

5 plants that will keep your home smelling lovely

<p>For some people, the scents that accompany store-bought air-fresheners, candles, and wax melts are overpowering and headache-inducing. And while simple fresh air is lovely to have in the house, sometimes you feel like doing more than just opening your windows right up. So we’ve got some plants you should consider keeping around your home if you want to keep the air fragrant without being overpowering.</p> <p>Top tip: Position any of these plants by a window that gets a breeze for delicious wafts of subtle scent.</p> <p><strong>Basil:</strong> While you’re probably used to using this in dishes, you might not have realised you can get many different scented varieties of this beautiful herb. Try lemon or lime scents for a fresh, clean aroma.</p> <p><strong>Lavender:</strong> Not just a pretty face, lavender is another gorgeous-smelling herb with a deep, sweet scent.</p> <p><strong>Geraniums:</strong> With members of the geranium family smelling like everything, including orange, nutmeg, and chocolate, these gorgeous flowers can add colour and fragrance to your home.</p> <p><strong>Mint:</strong> We all know that mint is a great way to freshen up one’s breath after a meal, but its potently clean, fresh cent makes it a great way to freshen up the air in your kitchen or bathroom.</p> <p><strong>Anise hyssop:</strong> This one’s just for the liquorice fans, because it has a distinct liquorice smell and taste. You can actually eat this plant – it’s great as an unusual flavour enhancer for salads.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/uses-for-hydrogen-peroxide-at-home/"><em>28 great uses for hydrogen peroxide at home</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/most-common-stains-on-furniture-revealed/"><em>Most common stains on furniture revealed</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/infographic-house-cleaning-schedule/"><em>The ultimate house cleaning schedule</em></a></strong></span></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

The most popular perfumes that defined a decade

<p>Coco Chanel once said “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future”.</p> <p>This may have been a dramatic overstatement, but it worked. Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular fragrances of all time with a bottle being sold every 30 seconds.</p> <p>Iconic fragrances are akin to clothing pieces in their persuasive role in colouring fashion traditions. As visually iconic as Marilyn Monroe’s white, blow up dress was in 1955, those close to her knew her well by her signature Chanel No 5 scent.</p> <p>The historic magazine pages are filled with fragrances that once upon a time gifted the experience of a new sensation and set the world alight. As Christian Dior says “What I remember the most about the women who were part of my childhood was their perfume – perfume lasts much more than the moment.”</p> <p>Here are eight of the world’s most classic and recognisable scents that captured and defined a decade.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/11/80s-and-90s-beauty-products/">Cult beauty products from the 80s and 90s</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/01/how-to-stop-lipstick-bleeding/"><strong>How to stop lipstick bleeding</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/01/favourite-looks-from-advance-style-blog/"><strong>The best looks from the Advance Style blog</strong></a></em></span></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style