Finding the right fragrance for you

SNIFF OUT 
THE RIGHT SCENT

If you’ve never worn perfume before or you’re just in the market for a new fragrance, choosing something that suits you can be tough. Do you go fruity and floral or opt for something muskier? Deciding on a signature scent comes down to personal preference, but it can still take time. Here are a few tips to help you determine the very best fragrance for you.

FRAGRANCES 101

Before you can choose a fragrance you need to know the basics. Perfumes fall under several categories of scent and it can be helpful to know what they are before making your next perfume purchase.

Floral:

Probably the most popular scent option, floral perfumes contain the scent of either one flower (rose, gardenia, lavender) or a bouquet of several varieties. Floral scents are feminine and romantic. If you like floral fragrances, try Daisy by Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren Romance.

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Oriental:

These scents tend to be muskier and small rich and slightly spicy with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. If you like Oriental fragrances, tryDior Addict by Dior or Flower by Kenzo.

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Chypre:

This family of perfumes are characterized by an earthy, woodsy scent, with hints of oak, moss and citrus. Try Gucci Rush 2 Perfume by Gucci.

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Green:

Think fresh cut grass, crushed leaves and other fresh, cool scents that bring to mind the outdoors and open spaces. If you like green fragrances try DKNY Be Delicious Green Apple.

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Fougere:

Meaning fern in French, this family of scents is stronger and often used in men's fragrances. They contain hints of oak, moss and fresh herbs. If you enjoy the fougere scents, try Havana Pour Elle by Aramis.

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Oceanic:

These scents are influenced by the sea and evoke being by the ocean (sandy beach, salty air). Oceanic scents are clean, almost-masculine with hints of spice and citrus. If you like oceanic fragrances trySunflowers by Elizabeth Arden or Cool Water Woman by Davidoff.

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Wood:

Step into a forest and these are the notes you will get with a woody scent. Think pine, cedar, sandalwood - scents that are earthy and musky. If you like woody scents, try Black by Bvlgari.

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UNDERSTANDING FRAGRANCE NOTES

Chances are the fragrance you choose will also have several "notes." Perfumes often contain layers of scents to create their unique bouquet. These layers are referred to as notes, and rather than noticing only one type of scent (rose or vanilla), you'll pick up on several notes that become more apparent over time. So what you smell at the beauty counter will change by the time you get home.

• Top notes: This is what you smell immediately upon applying your perfume. It's the scent that first hits your nose, but then evaporates quickly.
• Middle notes: The middle notes emerge as the top notes are dissipating and make up the majority of the scent.
• Base notes: These notes are richer and are not often detected until you've been wearing a scent for at least 20 to 30 minutes. These notes provide depth and back up the middle notes to create the overriding theme of the scent.

TIPS TO SELECT THE BEST PERFUME FOR YOU

Consider scents you enjoy.

Make a list of your favorite smells as a starting point. From clean laundry and freshly cut grass to campfires and lilacs, your faves might be all over the place. No matter: The point is to remember the scents that mean something to you so you can choose a perfume with similar notes.

Think about your personality.

If you usually wear little to no makeup and love the outdoors, opt for a fresh, clean scent versus something spicy or musky. If you love getting dressed up and can't help but think of yourself as glamorous, choose a scent that lingers and that matches your notice-me outlook on life. The idea is to choose a fragrance that best represents who you are.

Test perfumes before buying.

You can't tell much from the scent strips in magazines or fragrance testers at department stores; plus, perfume smells different after you've worn it for a few hours, as we mentioned. So before getting out your wallet for the first scent you spritz, ask for a larger sample and try your potential new fragrance for a few days before you commit.

Ask opinions.

Ask your friends and family what they think. Is it too strong? Does it linger too long? Do they like it? Ultimately, the choice of fragrance is yours, but a second (or third) opinion on whether it suits you is helpful.

(http://www.sheknows.com)

14 Tips to look better naked

Though we may not be too critical of our partner's flaws -- after all, our lover is only human -- most women excel at seeing even the most minute problems with our own bodies. And that perception can make it really difficult to share ourselves with one of the people we love the most.

LOOK SEXY NAKED

Whether you're annoyed by acne, shy about the chest you think is too flat or are holding onto five (or even 15) stubborn pounds, don't despair. We've got a few tricks to help you look better naked without ever having to hit the gym or resorting to plastic surgery or other painful procedures!

Below are 14 tips for looking sizzling in your birthday suit.

Get a tan

Colored sheets can give you the appearance of a warmer skin tone, even without a tan.

If you are self-consciousabout your curves, tanning is a great way to look thinner without actually having to diet. For a chiseled face, sweep bronzer across the apples of your cheeks, or for Bar Rafaeli-like legs, use a darker bronzer on the outside of the leg and blend with a lighter shade on the inside. A tan can also hide other imperfections like spider veins and stretch marks.

Exfoliate!

Exfoliate, exfoliate: especially in the wintertime, skin tends to be dry and flaky, so it's important to scrub off dead skin cells in order to look radiant in the buff. Make sure that what he touches is perfectly soft so that he'll want to do it more... and more! After exfoliating, try substituting your regular moisturizer for one with a sexy sheen or, better yet, for baby oil.

Touch up flaws

Make your eyes extra bright with some anti-redness eye drops!

Some Hollywood make-up artists swear by Preparation H to camouflage any bruises. (It's also been suggested that it can also minimize under-eye bags and fine wrinkles -- with the original formulation now found only in the Canadian version of Preparation H to be the most effective.)

Squeeze in a quick workout

Don't go all out with a full-body workout which can leave you fatigued, sweaty and in need of another shower, but a few wall push ups and squats will get the blood pumping in your muscles and leave them appearing more toned.

Limit your food & drink

While it might seem like a good idea to calm your nerves by having a nice large meal or downing a couple of glasses of wine for that extra "liquid" courage, eat and drink only lightly before stripping down to the nude. (Otherwise you will risk looking bloated... like you're pregnant with a food baby.)

Opt for a warm fragrance

Looking sweet is irrelevant if you don't also smell great. Draw attention to your décolletage and wrists by dabbing on a warm, spicy fragrance such as Coco by Coco Chanel.

Adjust the temperature

For an extra turn-on, rub some ice on your nipples so that they show just enough before you undress!

You will also want to make sure the temperature in the room isn't too hot or cold before ditching your clothes. Too warm will have you sweating, whereas icy temps will leave you shivering and spiky from your recent shave.

Grooming... down there

And don't forget to groom the hair down there! Accessorize your bikini line with crystals or have it waxed into a playful shape. Or, for those who prefer to go au naturel, just a quick trim with scissors can make all the difference.

Accessorize

Just because you are naked doesn't mean you can't accessorize! High heels are sexy and have the advantage of making your legs look especially lean -- plus, heels give your butt an extra lift. Or, for a more playful option, don a feather boa or a rocking piece of dangly jewelry that you can also use to tickle and tease him later.

Get pampered

Don't underestimate the power of a simple mani/pedi. When your hands and feet are in tip-top shape, you benefit from the self confidence boost, and it shows! Splurge on a manicure and pedicure, and don't be afraid to try out a little color. Go for something bold and red, or soft and warm like a peach or plum hue. The callus removal will leave your feet touchably soft, so he'll love it when you rub your feet against his... you may even luck out with a foot rub!

Find the right lighting

Looking good naked isn't just about your skin -- a soft lighting scheme can help flatter your figure. Avoid harsh fluorescents whenever possible, and instead try to incorporate mood lighting, such as candles, uplighting or floor lamps.

Get confident

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy yourself. Remember, if you feel sexy and fabulous, you will look it -- even in the buff... and confidence is, after all, the ultimate sexiness! Smile, practice good posture and have a positive attitude!

(www.sheknows.com)

10 Scents That Drive Men Wild

Men give us the lowdown on the women's perfumes and fragrances that turn them on.

We as women care deeply about what we look—and smell like. Most of us have a special beauty regime that includes lathering our bodies with delicious smelling body wash and spraying ourselves with our favorite perfumes. 

Luckily, men notice these little efforts and are drawn to specific scents in women. Are you curious as to what types of scents turn men on? Conveniently, we polled ten men and got the scoop on the perfumes and fragrances that make a woman absolutely irresistible. Keep reading to find out.

1. Coconut. "I love when a woman smells like coconut. It just reminds me of the sun, beach and vacation. What can be better than that?" -Mike, 41, Cocoa, Florida 

2. Tommy Girl Lotion and Coco by Coco Chanel. "If I had to pick an actual product, it's a tie between Tommy Girl lotion and Coco by Coco Chanel. The former smells fresh, while the latter smells sexy and a touch dangerous." -Tom, 33, Atlanta, Georgia 

3. Citrus. "I get really aroused when my girlfriend smells like oranges, lemons or grapefruits. It's sexy yet not overpowering." -Chad, 24, Chicago, Illinois

4. Vanilla. "I love when my lady wears her vanilla perfume. It reminds me of cooking and baking and there's nothing sexier to me than a woman who can do both." -Jim, 48, Merritt Island, Florida

5. Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. "When a woman wears Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana, I just can't keep my hands off of her. It's that clean, just-got-out-of-the-shower smell that drives me wild."-Nate, 29, Cleveland, Ohio 

6. Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes. "One whiff of my girlfriend's Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes perfume and I've got goosebumps. It's that telling combination of a mouthwatering scent and an irresistible woman. The scent is complex—it's an indescribable mix of woodsy and citrus flavors that instantly transports me to a foreign wilderness—and only makes me melt deeper into her arms." -Andrew, 24, New York, New York 

7. Burberry Brit by Burbery. "I like Burberry Brit by Burberry because it reminds me of my girlfriend. It's nice, light and exotic." -Matthew, 21, Staten Island, New York 

8. Lavender. "My girlfriend uses lavender oil occasionally and I love it! It just makes me feel so relaxed after a long day at work." -Ryan, 26, Chicago, Illinois

9. Chanel No. 5. "I'm attracted to women who wear Chanel No. 5. It's a sophisticated scent that turns me on." -Adam, 28, Brooklyn, New York

10. Cool Water by Davidoff. "I really like when women wear Cool Water by Davidoff. It smells really light and it's not too strong. It can be worn year round and one spray is enough to last a lady the whole day. -Josh, 30, Long Island, New York