Summer fragrance frustration.

One thing I noticed about fragrance junkies (and I am one myself, of course) is that many of them are very strict about seasonal classifications. Certain perfumes are seen as taboos when worn during the wrong season (and ironically, Tabu is one of them when worn on hot summer days). Before I became a junkie myself, I had no clue that certain perfumes were supposed to be worn during different seasons. I thought summer versions were just fruity tropical flankers meant to entertain a prototypic image of the season (actually, at the time I didn't even know the word "flanker"). You know... the beach, coconuts, pineapples, sand, surfing and all that! I was so oblivious to the notion of seasonal classification that I wore Opium (and this was the strong pre-reformulation version of Opium) during 112 degree weather.

Then I learned more about fragrances and realized how severely misguided I was. So, in an attempt to fix my former ignorance, I started reading up on seasonal classifications and attempted to follow them religiously. However, I noticed something strange about my skin. Not all "summer" fragrances worked for me during the summer. In fact, even some winter fragrances would disappear within an hour on my skin! I stocked up on many nice, fresh, summer scents which seemed to linger for only minutes. And no, this wasn't just an anosmic experience, others couldn't smell my lovely summer scents on me either.

I was so ecstatic when I bought the limited edition Guerlain Terracotta le Parfum. Everyone had anticipated its release, and I jumped at the opportunity to obtain this fragrance practically the moment it was available in stores. The packaging was lovely, the notes were promising and I was so excited when I smelled the lovely creation oozing from the bottle. I adore white florals, especially orange blossom and jasmine. This perfume had exactly what I was looking for except for one very important factor: longevity. Terracotta projected well for about the first hour on my skin, and then dissipated into oblivion. The scent died and I disappointingly mourned its loss. So, of course whenever I wear this perfume nowadays I re-spray myself about every hour. I have a feeling this perfume will last longer on me during the winter, and perhaps smelling like a tropical beach on a cold winter day will seem very out of place to some people, but I'll be darned if I don't take the opportunity to attempt a wearing during the cooler months.

During the past few weeks, I have been defying the rules of hardcore perfumistas and wearing some of my winter scents in hot Arizona temperatures. My Queen by Queen Latifah has been smelling quite lovely and not overpowering at all. Today, I wore Tokyo Milk's Excess (which, due to its heavy patchouli note is usually classified as a winter scent) and it smells absolutely divine. Even my Amouage Opus Collection samples are smelling quite good on me, and thankfully many of my winter scents are lasting for hours!

Now, don't get me wrong. I am perfectly aware of the notion that there are winter scents which are best worn only during winter weather. I could never actually pull off wearing vintage Opium during such heat (although the newest formulation may work just fine in this weather, considering it is merely a ghost of what it used to be), and Tabu gives me a huge headache during the summer. But my point is, seasonal classifications do not always work perfectly for everyone's skin chemistry. Some people "sweat" off fragrances easier than others. Some experience body temperatures and hormones which affect the strength and longevity of certain fragrances. In my case, I need perfumes with a strong base in order to avoid reapplying them over the summer. I cannot stick to strict seasonal classifications, simply because they do not always work for me, and others may experience a similar dilemma. Still, it is so frustrating having to re-apply most of my "summer" scents every one or two hours!