How to layer a scent (to create a lasting impression)

You have bought the perfume of your choice and now you can't wait to use it. A few points on how to make your heavenly scent last longer on your body would not go amiss I think.

This is where the layering of fragrance comes in. Most people tend to keep on applying their perfume over and over again hoping it will remain fresh and fragrant on them for a long time. But this is not how it should be done. Layering means using other products that contains the same fragrance such as soaps, shower gels, body lotions and creams. Since perfumes come in different concentrations it's not difficult to find the fragrance with the right concentration for your personality. The most heady and strong fragrances are those that come as oils and perfumes while the eau de toilettes and colognes have much less concentration and as such, less overwhelming.

Although most people use a variety of body products such as gels, shampoo, conditioner, body lotions and creams, after shaves, sprays and deodorants, they are not aware that using everything together creates a negative affect by giving out a mix of smells that do not blend together. How can one particular smell stand out when so many are trying to vie for this honor? Therefore, in order to make your particular perfume or cologne stand out, you must layer it. Layering is better done when you use products from the same brand and with the same scent.

You can start pampering your body fragrant shower gel or bubble bath. If you are prone to dry skin you can add a few drops of body oil to the bath or if you prefer, apply it after your bath. While your skin is still damp, apply some body lotion to you skin in order to seal the moisture. Now you are ready for your favorite perfume and this should be applied to your pulse points such as your neck just below the throat, your wrists, cleavage, behind your ears and if you like, behind your knees as well.

Another tip for using fragrance is to use essence of oil of your favorite fragrance on all your beauty products which will complement the overall feel you hope to achieve. Always avoid clash of fragrances and which will be a distraction to the one you want to stand out.

Always remember that less is more. Be discreet when using perfume. You don't want people to be overwhelmed by you perfume, now do you? Your perfume should make people want to stay near you and not the other way around. A dab on your pulse points since the skin is warmer in these areas and your perfume will therefore last longer. If you are using a spray, squirt a little on the same areas as stated above, but make sure that you hold the bottle at least a foot away from you. You can also spray into the air in front of you and walk into a perfumed cloud of spray wrapping you in all its fragrant glory.

You are now ready to dazzle and enthrall everyone so go ahead and have the time of your life.

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Step by step:
1. Start with by showering with a shower gel that smells like your favorite scent. Or you can start by using bath bombs.

2. While your skin is still slightly damp, moisturize with lotion that also smells like your favorite fragrance. This not only spreads the fragrance evenly, but it will also help the scent to linger, long after you've left the room[1].

3. Applying cologne or perfume correctly is essential. The suggested areas of application are: wrists, back of the ears, and the back of the knees. These are pulse points and warm the oil in your fragrance so that it continues to emit a delicate scent.

4. When you're hair is completely styled, spray some of your perfume or cologne into the palms of your hands, then rub your hands through the ends of your hair.

Dress Sense: Wear clothes that fit you; not the other around

Fit is an issue I discuss time and again with regards to men’s clothing. Getting clothes with the perfect fit is a tough call. One of the most common mistakes men make is buying garments without considering size implications on their frame. To combat this problem I’m going to take you through the intricacies of finding clothing with the perfect dimensions, be it necklaces or neckties, socks or sleeves, coats or caps, and any combination therein.

Measure your body properly
 
Before considering clothing we need to assess our bodies. No, I don’t suggest you stand in front of a mirror and point out flaws. Instead, a far more productive approach is to take exacting measurements of every square inch of your body.
When you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you can begin to think about shopping for a better fit.


Neck / Collar
Standing with your head straight up, measure around the thickest part of the neck. Slacken the tape enough to allow two fingers into the loop for an accurate measurement for dress shirts.

Chest
You need to measure in a straight line over the chest at the widest and fullest point with the tape securely wrapped under the armpits and with your arms relaxed by your side – err on the side of generous where possible. 

Waist
Measure around the spot where your trousers normally hang. Do not pull tight for the sake of vanity as you’ll feel even more ridiculous when your new pants don’t fit!
If you end up with an awkward figure, always round up rather than down. For instance, if you’re 39 and three quarter inches it’s best to assume you’re a 40-inch waist.

Hips or Seat
Stand upright in your natural stance and measure around the widest and fullest part of your hips. If you’re husky don’t pull the tape too tight – you don’t want to tear at the seams.

Inseam
Ah, the dreaded inseam. Get a friend you trust to measure from your crotch to the ankle. If the idea of someone placing his or her hands near your privates is all too much you can alternatively take the measurement from a pair of good fitting trousers from the crotch’s seam to the bottom of the leg.

Outseam
The same as the inseam only taken from the top of the waistband to the bottom of where the trouser leg should end. This is said to be more reliable figure than the inseam, although few manufacturers provide fit information regarding the outseam.

Shoes
You should have your feet measured using a professional device such as a ‘Brannock’ or ‘Ritz Stick’. These are found at your local shoe store; just ask an assistant if he or she can measure your feet, or whether you can borrow their device briefly whilst you measure yourself.


Belts
Should always be one size up from your waist size. Therefore, if you’re a 35 inch waist, you should be buying 36 inch belts.

Height
Stand up straight against a wall. Use a pencil to mark out your height and measure the result. Those who are 5”5 – 5”8 are considered by clothing manufacturers to be short, 5”9 – 5”11 are regular whilst anything upto 6”2 is considered long.

Body Shapes
The next thing you need to understand is your body shape. Unlike size, your shape tends to fall into broader categories. Whilst slightly more subjective, it’s important to know what you’ll have to do in order to combat shape related issues.

Athletic

If you’re a muscular man with the classic inverted ‘V’ (created from wide shoulders, a robust chest but a thin waist) you’ll find items like t-shirts will billow around the lower stomach area.

Prevent this by selecting ‘fitted’ garments that taper at the waist and appear less ‘boxy’. Don’t over-layer and avoid puffy clothing

Slender

If you look more ‘malnourished supermodel’ than ‘superman’, you’ll find clothes slide off your frame and appear limp. Hunt out slim fits to avoid unnecessary bulk and avoid slatternly, feminine garments that deaden your masculine side.
Don’t go crazy with the vertical lines and look for clothes that offer visual breaks like zippers, pockets and noticeable seams. Remember that ‘skinny’ garments, like ties and jeans, will give off an anorexic vibe.

Stocky

If you’re squat guy with the traditional ‘ruby player’ bulk, combat the feeling of shapeless shirts by avoiding too much volume. Although you don’t have the plump heft of bigger men, you should take a page out of their fashion book by throwing away those chunky knits.

Pear-shaped

If you’re unfortunate enough to be born with ‘thunder thighs’ and/or ‘child-bearing hips’, you’ll find buying trousers to be a nightmare. Boot cut jeans and slouchier, ‘relaxed’ fits help with casual clothes, but when it comes to workwear and business suits you’ll find lycra-infused cottons and other ‘stretch’ weaves will give you a better fit around the seat area.

Big Guys

If you have a couple of pounds you could do with losing, you’ll need to avoid anything baggy that’ll only exacerbate the appearance of flab by adding imaginary pounds with wafting fabric. Throw out shapeless garments and avoid stripes, busy patterns and chunky knits.

How should garments fit?
Now we know our bodies more intimately than we’d probably like to, it’s time to consider how most clothing should look and feel on our body for the optimum fit. Here are some of the most common garments and problems men encounter day to day, and how to deal with them:

Overcoats
Your overcoat should be able to accommodate a suit underneath without issue. The simple rule of thumb is that any horizontal wrinkles mean the coat is too small and any vertical wrinkles mean the coat is too large.

Jackets
Be it suit jackets or casual coats, the idea behind most jackets is simple – a form fitting upper layer. It’s best to try on a jacket whilst wearing several layers as you would normally; the perfect size may become too small when switching from a white tee and jeans to dress pants and a long shirt.
The shoulders are everything with a jacket; the edge of your shoulder should hit square with the jacket. Excess billow around the waistline will add those extra pounds to your frame, so ensure you’re not going a size too big.

Finally, ensure the cuff hits the wrist correctly on your suit jackets and blazers; when wearing a dress shirt the sleeves should poke out the jacket half an inch on each side. 

Sweaters
Pullovers should skim your silhouette. In other words it should comfortably glide against your frame, hugging you gently in the process. You also need to ensure your sweater is sufficiently long so it won’t rise above your midriff when raising your arms above your head.

Dress Shirts
The sleeves should cover the wrist but not go too far down the hand; cuffs should feel comfortably tight, but still be able to glide far enough up the arm for checking a wristwatch.
As with a jacket, the shoulders are incredibly important; make sure the seams meet correctly and the fabric doesn’t ‘slope’ off.

Waistcoats
Like your sweaters, a waistcoat should skim your silhouette – by design, a waistcoat is a form-fitting garment, so there shouldn’t be any billowing. Always ensure you have plenty of room around the armholes to avoid shirts from riding up when raising your arms.

Trousers/Pants
When trying a pair on (without shoes) the pants should *just about* touch the floor. When wearing your shoes, your trousers should discretely cover your socks whilst walking – if you’re flashing too much ankle, the pants are too small.

Neckties
The knot should fit neatly under your collar; if it’s pushing up the shirt the knot is too swollen. Remember, the tie should hit the top of the belt buckle; it shouldn’t be tucked into your waistband or end at your stomach.

-- extracted from "The Ultimate Men’s Clothing Fit Guide", Guy Style Guide, September 4, 2011

Layering a scent. Creating lasting impression

Anyone who uses perfume finds it frustrating when the fragrance wears off after a couple of hours. On the one hand, if you spray a ton of your favorite fragrance on so it will last all day, the scent is too overwhelming. On the other hand, if you spray just enough, the fragrance wears off by lunch. The solution to this problem is layering your fragrance.

Fabulista is BACK!!

After more than a year's hiatus, The Fabulista is back to share ideas on fashion, beauty, health and grooming. In other words, the key to yourself - just add fabulosity!