Choosing the Perfect Perfume can be a Difficult Choice, Especially When Online: A Guide to Help You Choose the Best Fragrance for Men ad Women under 1,000 that are Making Everyone’s ‘Must-Have’ List for 2020.

Humans are charmed by fragrances and perfumes for ages and though it was a rare commodity in ancient times which was reserved only for the royal and rich people; now it has become a part of our everyday lives. Perfume is a combination of finely extracted essential oils from flowers, woods, seeds and other aroma compounds that provide a pleasant scent. The word Perfume is derived from Latin ‘perfumare’, which means ‘to smoke through’. Perfumery (the art of making perfumes) finds its origin in the Indus Valley Civilization, Egypt, Mesopotamia and ancient China. It also finds mention in Ayurveda of India and was used by the kings and their courtesans in ancient India.

Ancient civilizations also used water with aromatic flowers, body lotions and incense made from spices and oil extracted from plants. Modern perfume-making began in the 19th century by inducing cosmetic compounds with natural aromas to get aromas which were never discovered earlier and since then commercial perfumeries started. Men’s perfumes are often called Cologne and it slowly made its place in this female-dominated arena. The common natural ingredients used in making perfumes are rose petals, jasmine, sandalwood, oakmoss, vanilla and citron etc. and the synthetic ingredients include calone, aliphatic aldehydes, indole, hedione, ambergris, lily of the valley and musk.

It’s a proven fact that sense of smell is the strongest in humans, it induces intense emotions and people often remember others by the perfume they use. This says a lot about the importance of perfume for us and why should we carry one diligently, as others can get an impression about your taste and personality by the perfume used by you.

There are plethoras of perfumes available on the shelves and online, but it’s imperative to make the right choice for the right occasion. You may choose the notes of your choice, but the strength or mildness of the scent also makes the difference. If you are meeting someone on the first date, then depending upon the personality and likes of your date, you can choose sporty for a fitness freak, floral-fruity to impress creative souls and solid or woody notes if the date is middle-aged or older. Similarly, for a business meeting choose a woody, mild and long-lasting perfume. For job interviews, a floral woody perfume will give the impression of a sensible and responsible person and for a social event, you can carry a strong perfume to feel and smell confident. For a dinner date, you can choose a floral scent with a tinge of sweet aroma.

Raymond group, established in 1925 launched their home brand Park Avenue in 1986 which started as a fashion brand and later they also launched the Park Avenue Grooming range for men. The Park Avenue 9 To 5 Eau de Perfume for Men has high notes of floral lavender with scintillating rosemary and the low notes are strong Musky and Ambery scents. The 100 percent perfume liquid-based scent is available for Rs. 563 on flipkart.com.

Founded by Adolph "Adi" Dassler in 1948 and registered in 1949, Adidas is derived from the name of its founder and is a combination of "Adi" and “Dassler”. In 1985, Adidas partnered with Coty to launch its own line of fragrances and body care products for men and women. These products have sporty names and bottle designs to complement their brand image. A fresh scent of high tones of cedar, citrus and mint and low tones of fragrant woods, sweet fruits and tonka bean, the Adidas Dynamic Pulse Eau de Toilette for Men is a daytime wear perfume and 100 ml bottle is available for Rs. 430 on flipkart.com.

A homegrown brand Ustraa, founded in 2015 in Delhi has emerged as a well-known name in the men’s grooming segment in just a few years of its launch. Ustraa Eau de Parfum-Ammunition is an evening perfume and has top notes of sage, plum and violet, middle notes of vetiver, cedar and paprika and base notes spread the aroma of oak, spice and sandalwood. The company claims that it has 0% gas and 3 times more perfume than a deodorant. The suave fragrance which is meant for parties can be sprayed on clothes as well and a 100 ml spray bottle can be purchased from ustraa.com for Rs. 488.

Nike, a well-known perfume and cologne Spanish brand founded in 1929 (has nothing in common with the Nike Sports brand of USA), manufactures an impressive range of perfumes, deodorants and colognes for both men and women. Nike Up or Down Perf EDT For Men reflects the fresh energy of youth and adventure and is a balanced perfume with high and low notes scenting refreshing and cool throughout the day. The 75 ml bottle of this Eau de Toilette by Nike is listed on shoppersstop.com for Rs. 898.

Founded in 1953 in Chicago, Playboy is basically an American Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine for men. Playboy Lifestyle Ltd. is a Mumbai based company that has partnered with Playboy Company to use its name and logo for a certain time. The Playboy New King M EDT has top notes of black pepper, cardamom and lemon, medium notes of coffee and granny smith apple and low notes are vanilla, cedar and patchouli. You can order the 100 ml bottle for Rs. 849 on paytmmall.com.

Launched in 1993 with a Citrus fragrance, Ulric de Varens for Men Eau De Toilette has top notes of tangerine, mint, lemon, sage and artemisia; heart notes of vetiver, rosemary and galbanum and bottom notes are patchouli, jasmine, musk and oakmoss. 100 ml bottle of Ulric de Varens for Men Eau De Toilette is available for Rs. 995 on perfume24x7.com.

A charming and glittering perfume to enhance the beauty of women, Raindrops has a magnificent combination of refreshing fruity and floral scents. The appearance of Raindrops perfume is transparent which resembles the drizzle of monsoon and the fragrance has a mix of many aromatic compounds which include the top notes of fruity, floral and woody, the middle one is animalistic floral and the base note is floral ambery and woody. The 50 ml bottle of Raindrops EDP Chypre perfume for Women is listed on amazon.in for Rs. 909.

Titan, a well-known brand in mid-range watches and accessories launched its range of perfumes by the name Skinn in 2013 and since then they have added many nice scents into their collection. Celeste by Skinn is inspired by the beauty of a spring garden and has a playful scent with delightful naughtiness. A very feminine fragrance with the playful top notes of white flowers: jasmine sambac flower, citrus scent of orange flower waterlily and tuberose, heart notes contain the smell of juicy green pear, grapefruit, ginger and white peach while the base notes rise from the bottom to mesmerize with sandal, fruity apricot nectar, patchouli and white musks. The dermatologically tested Skinn by Titan Celeste 20 ML Perfume for Women EDP can be ordered from skinn.in for Rs. 595.

The nicely balanced perfume has aqua and floral notes which is neither too strong nor too mild and the fragrance can definitely be used as an everyday perfume as it’s long-lasting and refreshing. So if you are looking for a summer perfume that doesn’t have the typical floral or fruity scents, then you can order Nike Up Or Down Perf Edt Blue Eau De Toilette for Women from amazon.in for Rs. 735.

Jovan Inc., now part of Coty Inc. was founded in 1968 in Chicago and its first successful product was Jovan Musk Oil introduced in 1972. Since then, Jovan has been leading the fragrance market since then and has helped millions to strengthen their bond and enhance their persona. Jovan Black Musk Eau de Cologne for Women has floral and warm notes and the seductive scent is sensual and mysterious. You can purchase the 96 ml for Rs. 799 from netmeds.com.

Charlie is a well-known name for perfume lovers since 1973 due to its diverse range of exquisite fragrances. Revlon Charlie Red Eau Fraiche has a soothing combination of floral beans, vanilla and tonka and can be used as a daywear perfume. The top notes are formed by an irresistible mix of orange flower, black currant buds, nasturtium and violet leaf; middle notes have the scintillating smell of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, plum apricot and ylang-ylang while the base notes are a combination of vanilla heliotrope flower, ambery and tonka beans. The charming Revlon Charlie Red perfume bottle of 100 ml is listed on nykaa.com for Rs. 840.

Yardley needs no introduction when it comes to perfumes and is loved by millions of perfume users across the globe. Each fragrance is made of layers of rich notes, unfolding to reveal a sublime and delicate experience, with the perfect blend of strength and softness This classic Yardley London Autumn Bloom Perfume For Women you can own the beautiful 100 ml bottle for Rs. 419.

While applying perfume, you just can’t swoosh it everywhere or anywhere on your body or clothes. There are few misconceptions about how to apply perfume and there is a noticeable difference between the right and the incorrect method. Before you choose the perfume, look for both the high as well as low notes as the high notes may fade away after some time and you’ll be left smelling with the low notes, so ensure to choose a perfume that has high and low notes of your choice. To check the smell of high notes, spray some tester perfume on your wrist and this initial scent has the high notes. Wait for 20 minutes and now smell your wrist again to sense the low notes.

If you are going out during the day, then choose a ‘daytime’ perfume and for night outs, dinner parties and pubs etc, a ‘nighttime’ fragrance should be considered. Usually, the label would mention ‘daytime’ or nighttime’, but if it doesn’t then easy way to understand is that light colours like bright yellow and orange are daytime colours and dark colours like reds, dark blues and purple shades are night-time perfumes. Daytime fragrances are sprayed near the hips and knees so that the smell can rise with the day passing by and the smell lasts longer. Whereas, the nighttime fragrances don’t last much longer hence are sprayed near the neck area to give instant effect.

Take a hot shower before applying perfume as your pores would open up and the skin will absorb the perfume well. If you are using a body wash or soap with a strong smell, then apply the perfume at least half an hour after the bath. Applying a moisturizer before applying the perfume would help it to gel with the skin easily. Also, wash your hair and use conditioner to act as a good receptor of the perfume plus it’ll also save your hair from any strong artificial agents present in the perfume.

Apply the perfume before you wear your clothes as a direct spray on clothes sometimes leaves a watermark that looks unpleasant. Hold the perfume bottle 5 to 7 inches away from your skin before you start to spray and start from the pulse points like the neck, behind the ears, behind the knees and inside part of the elbow. Thereafter, you can apply to other body parts like wrist, forearms, hips and chest etc. Avoid applying too much as it may distract others near you and if someone is allergic to a particular smell, they may feel offended. If you are using a perfume that doesn’t have a spray system, then dab a little on your hand, rub and apply to the target areas.