SCENT OF A WOMAN........OH AND A MAN TOO.

You are standing at the train station and a stranger rushes past. Immediately you are mesmerised with their scent that lingers behind. Sounds like an Impulse (body spray) commercial doesn't it? But that smell, takes you back to your overseas trip to Hawaii. Notes of frangipanis and hibiscus excites your senses and reminds you of the hot balmy nights; overlooking the still ocean under the moonlight!

Ok, so I may not be a great writer when it comes to romance. But I do have a wild imagination and the memory I have talked about is in fact my honeymoon - 21 years ago. Let me assure you that each time I smell these tropical scents of the island, I am whisked away to another era. (That would be the one where I was ummmm 20 and a size 8).

It amazes me how the sense of smell is so powerful and reminds us of another time, place and even emotions. The smell of freshly cut grass takes me back to when I was 5 and I was playing in the garden (cause there was no Facebook), whilst my dad was cutting the grass. That smell reminds me of summer.

Wikipedia defines PERFUME as a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living spaces "a pleasant scent."^[1]              

If we could capture our sense of smell and bottle it forever, that would be cool. No need though. We have perfumeries that create these for us. The process of smelling the essential oils and botanicals in perfumes falls under the Olfactory System. We smell the contents and the message relayed to our brain (known as the limbic system - see I did listen in class when I studied Aromatherapy) takes us to the memories saved in our filing system - formed in our brain.

THE BRAIN
Pictures courtesy of Google Images. 

Perfume makes us smell great. It can make a woman feel sensual and sexy; not to mention when a man smells great - he becomes masculine and sexy. I love smelling good. I have so many perfumes and I still can't get enough. But there are cheap perfumes that can also make you smell rancid and 'OLD' - think of sweet pea and Taboo.

Do you know the difference between a cologne, perfume and eau de toilette? This can make a difference in winning over your loved one.

COLOGNE

Eau de Cologne or simply cologne (German: Kölnisch Wasser, “Water of Cologne”) is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany. Originally mixed by Italian-born Johann Maria Farina in 1709, it has since come to be a generic term for scented formulations in typical concentration of 2%–5% and also more depending upon its type essential oils or a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water. In a base of dilute ethanol (70%–90%), eau de cologne contains a mixture of citrus oils including oils of lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit and neroli. It can also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, petitgrain (orange leaf), jasmine, and tobacco.  as per Wikipedia definition.

PARFUME or PERFUME

PERFUME is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds, fixatives and solvents used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living spaces "a pleasant scent."^[1] 
as per Wikipedia definition.

EAU DE TOILETTE

Eau de toilette is also referred to as "aromatic waters" or "flower waters" and has a high alcohol content. It also has essential oils added to the mix. Usually in the form of 'after shave'.

So basically it depends on the chemical ingredients that determines the heading it falls under and of course the price you pay.

Some examples of amazing scents I love are:

All pictures are Courtesy of  Google Images.

Some awesome fragrances worn by my man.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images.    

TIP: When trying to pick a perfume for someone, try and smell the coffee beans they have available to neutralise the scents ~ or you will have perfume overload.

Enjoy and smell good peeps!

SK x

THE UGLY SIDE OF BEAUTY.

We've all heard the saying, "beauty is pain" ~ think of waxing; laser; piercings, tattooing, etc. But what about what we are putting onto our skin? Do you really know what's in your moisturiser; shampoo or even your cleanser? Smells good. Looks good. Should be good, right? WRONG!

Picture Courtesy of Goolge Images.

Unfortunately there are ingredients in some products that may be causing us health issues or even skin irritation.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about ALL beauty products on the market. Just those that contain harsh chemicals and parabens.

Next time you purchase a beauty item; check out the ingredients. Generally, the first 3 or 4 listed ingredients are the most active and make up most of the product.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images. 

For example, if your body wash states it's infused with "essential oils" ~ if it is listed towards the end of the ingredient list; then I can assure you there may only be 1% of an essential oil included. So much for "infusion".

You will find that WATER or AQUA is at the top of the list.  Water is essential to add to beauty products.  You may then find SLS's written. This stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate - it has been found to be a carcinogenic and is usually a culprit to cause skin irritation.

Manufacturers add SLS's to the item to create a "soap sud" effect. (Think of dishwashing liquid). Imagine what that would be doing to your skin. STRIPPING the natural oils in the skin is what it does.

Another ingredient you may come across is MINERAL OIL. This is derived from Petroleum. Without me going into too much of a chemistry lesson - just think of the word PETROLeum. Yes, petrol is made from this as well. AND you may be putting this onto your skin.

I think I have painted a brief enough picture, in order for you to understand that BEAUTY isn't always Beautiful!

Looking for more valuable information ~ get your hands on this great book!

SK x

THIS IS A COVER UP!

Do you have a birthmark, rosacea, dark pigmentation, vitiligo, dilated capillaries and / or a bruise that is stopping you from leaving the comfort of your own home?  Sick of explaining to people what it is? Does your current foundation and concealer not camouflage your condition completely?

If you answered yes to one of the above or to all of them, then read on as I’m sure you will find this information valuable.

The abovementioned skin conditions don’t necessarily go away, unless it’s a bruise – this will heal; but the others can perhaps be corrected with the use of aesthetics such as Laser and even surgery.

Unfortunately, not all of us can afford these medical corrections. But, there are products on the market that are targeted to cover these conditions. These cover ups are known as REMEDIAL CAMOUFLAGE MAKE UP or Corrective Cosmetics.  It almost sounds like it’s army related when we refer to it as CAMOUFLAGE.

There are various product lines available but I will only touch on one in particular, as it is the same product I use when I teach this subject at college.

Picture courtesy of Google Images.
DermaBlend covers/corrects Vitiligo, Acne/Blemishes,
Rosacea & Tattoos.

Introducing………. DermaBlend. This particular ‘cover up’ was the brainchild of an American Dermatologist back in 1981. Obviously, there was a need to bring confidence to clients who suffered a skin condition and perhaps a cheaper alternative to the more expensive solutions; a face and body make up was created. It is thicker than normal foundation and is waterproof – making it ideal for the Australian beach weather.

DermaBlend Range
Picture Courtesy of Google Images.

 

This particular product is matched to your skin colour and applied to blend in. Once it sets for about 10 to 15 minutes; a setting powder is applied. Best method of applying the DermaBlend is with a sponge/brush.  It is very thick so only minimal amounts are applied, therefore the tube or tub you purchased, should last quite some time. If stored correctly (away from heat and always closing the lid) it will last over a year.

DermaBlend can be purchased from most chemists where beauty products are sold, as well as some Priceline stores. I must warn you though, it isn’t cheap – but it is a lot cheaper than Laser or surgery and it will last you quite some time. More importantly, it will give you the confidence to continue with outdoor activities and to enjoy yourself.

SK x

For further information on this fab product, visit www.dermablend.com.au