Fragrance Guide

A scent of sentiments, to Be With You

A professional guide to selecting, wearing, and preserving your fragrances.

The Essence of Fragrance

Perfume is an invisible signature — your aura, mood, and message. This guide distills the essentials: families, notes, concentration, projection, layering, occasions, and care, aligned with BWY’s standard of elegance and strength.

Quick Start

Moisturize first; scent adheres longer on hydrated skin.
Spray from 10–15 cm on pulse points: neck, chest, wrists, inner elbows.
Do not rub wrists — it breaks down top notes.
Match weight to season: fresh in heat, rich in cold.
Reapply based on concentration and climate.

Tip: A light, distant fabric mist can enhance sillage — patch-test first.

Fragrance Families

Core families, intent, and common notes
Family	Mood & Character	Best For	Signature Notes
Fresh / Aquatic / Green	Clean, uplifting, energetic	Daytime, summer	Citrus, marine, herbs, green leaves
Floral	Elegant, expressive, romantic	Spring, events	Rose, jasmine, tuberose, peony
Woody	Grounded, confident, timeless	Evening, all seasons	Oud, cedar, vetiver, sandalwood
Amber / Oriental	Warm, enveloping, sensual	Winter, night	Amber, vanilla, resins, spice
Gourmand	Cozy, indulgent	Casual, cool weather	Tonka, cocoa, caramel, praline
Fougère	Classic, aromatic	Office, year-round	Lavender, coumarin, oakmoss-style accords

Fragrance Pyramid

Top → Heart → Base

Top (0–20 min): initial spark — citrus, aldehydes, herbs.
Heart (20–90 min): the soul — florals, spices, aromatics.
Base (2–8 hrs+): the memory — woods, musks, amber, resins.

Concentration & Longevity

Typical oil percentages and usage context
Type	Oil % (approx.)	Typical Wear	Use
Eau de Cologne	2–5%	1–3 hrs	Light refresh, summer
Eau de Toilette	5–12%	3–5 hrs	Daytime, office
Eau de Parfum	12–20%	5–8 hrs	All-day versatility
Extrait / Parfum	20–35%+	8–12 hrs	Evening luxury

Longevity varies with skin chemistry, materials, and weather — not just oil percentage.

Projection & Sillage

Projection measures how far scent radiates; Sillage is the lingering trail.

Heat enhances projection; cold suppresses it.
1–2 sprays for close scent; 3–5 for stronger aura.
Chest or back of neck = subtle diffusion.

How to Wear

Apply on pulse points — neck, wrists, chest. Avoid rubbing.
Layer over unscented moisturizer or matching body product.
Fabric: a single distant mist; never directly on silk.

Layering (Build Your Signature)

Anchor: warm base (amber, musk, oud).
Accent: fresh, floral, or citrus tones.
Use 1–2 shared notes for harmony; avoid clashing heavy bases.
Apply heavier first; lighter after a few minutes.

Example pairings and the effect they create
Base	Accent	Effect
Woody / Oud	Citrus / Green	Modern, confident
Amber	Vanilla / Floral	Elegant, evening warmth
Vetiver	Aquatic	Clean, everyday freshness

Occasion & Season

When to wear which profiles
Occasion	Season	Recommended Profiles
Office / Meetings	All seasons	Fresh, green, light woods
Evening / Events	Autumn–Winter	Amber, spice, oud, gourmand
Casual Day	Spring–Summer	Citrus, aquatic, floral

Care & Storage

Store bottles upright, away from sunlight and heat.
Keep tightly capped to limit oxidation.
Typical shelf life: 3–5 years; woods/ambers often age beautifully.
Use boxes for extra protection and travel.

Common Mistakes

Rubbing wrists together after spraying.
Over-spraying heavy notes in warm weather.
Leaving bottles in bathrooms or cars.
Focusing only on longevity instead of character.

FAQ

How can I make my perfume last longer?
Apply to moisturized skin, avoid rubbing, and re-spray lightly after several hours.

Can I layer any two scents?
Choose complementary or shared notes; always test on skin first.

What’s the best way to store perfumes?
Cool, dark, stable environment — away from light and temperature swings.