If Dad doesn't usually wear cologne, Bendeth notes that many fragrance lines include hair-and-body shower gel, soap, deodorant and after-shave, all of which are good ways to introduce someone to a new scent. The fragrance in these is also generally more subtle and dissipates more quickly.
Key application tips
1. "Eau de parfums, colognes and toilettes are meant to be worn from the collarbone down," says Bendeth. "Don't put them on the face or neck because the concentration of oils in those fragrance formats can cause breakouts or infection." Aftershave lotions and gels, on the other hand, are designed for safe application to the face and neck.
2. Just one spritz of fragrance each on the insides of the arm and the inner wrists is enough, and hold the atomizer at least four to five inches away from the skin when applying.
3. Do not rub wrists together after applying the fragrance -- it can ruin the scent. Also, says Bendeth, "do not spray fragrance into palms then rub them together and touch your face." (See tip one.)
4. Spritz skin, not clothing. Cleaning-agent residue can turn the scent, and oils from the fragrance can stain the fabric.
Most of the above fragrances are available at Sears or The Bay across Canada. The Body Shop and Crabtree & Evelyn fragrances are available exclusively at their respective retail locations and online. Boucheron is exclusively at The Bay. Lacoste Essential is available at Holt Renfrew and Olgilvy.
Fragrance profiler Marian Bendeth cannot provide online consultations, but she can be reached at SixthSen@aol.com.
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