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Tag: Fragrance

  • Need Perfume Like Now? Then This New Launch on Deliveroo May be For You – POPSUGAR Australia

    Need Perfume Like Now? Then This New Launch on Deliveroo May be For You – POPSUGAR Australia

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    When it comes to fragrance I’m a firm believer in its power to boost your mood, give you confidence and help evoke memories. Whether it’s the familiar perfume of your favourite relative, wearing the latest fragrance trend or you choosing to scent your holiday there is so much more to perfume than a pretty bottle on your shelf. However, do I think I would cancel plans if I didn’t have my go-to perfume? Erm, I don’t think so. Yet, according to new research that is the case for 1 in 10 Brits who have cancelled their plans if they’ve left their fragrance at home.

    Even to a beauty addict like me this sounds pretty extreme, but considering how much more aware we are of our mental wellbeing maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise. According to the same research by The Perfume Shop and Deliveroo, nearly half (45%) of Gen Z believes being complimented on their fragrance is the best physical compliment they can receive, so I guess it is is the equivalent to forgetting your mascara – which I have to say depending on where I was going would definitely make me think twice.

    If you’re nodding your head then you’re not alone, according to Deliveroo searches on the app for perfume have increased over 300% year-on-year, showing a growing demand for fragrances delivered on demand and who wouldn’t want to give the public what they want? From this week The Perfume Shop will be available on Deliveroo and as someone who has been known to order everything from dinner to milk and even plasters (and has bought more last minute gifts on Amazon Prime than she cares to remember) this move makes a lot of sense to me. Especially if we really take into account just how much we are relying on our perfumes to give us confidence and feel good.

    Experts Featured in This Article

    Karen Harris is a fragrance expert and customer director at The Perfume Shop

    “People love perfume and see it as an essential part of daily life because it helps us express ourselves,” says Karen Harris, customer director at The Perfume Shop. “It shapes our identity, and adds a finishing touch that sets us up for the day.” she tells PS UK.

    “The simple act of complimenting someone’s fragrance choice can have far-reaching effects that go beyond a momentary boost to their self-esteem,” she tells PS UK. “As social creatures, we all yearn for acceptance, validation, and meaningful connections. For younger people, still working out who they are, discovering new things, building friendships and creating memories, perfume is a big part of someone’s identity. So when you’re complimented on your scent, it reinforces that sense of self and belonging.”

    Why Does Fragrance Impact Our Confidence?

    Fragrance has the power to evoke emotions, memories, and moods, which can ultimately impact our confidence. “From a psychological perspective, certain scents can trigger positive associations and feelings,” explains Harris. “We know that our sense of smell is linked to our brain, which is associated with emotions and memory.”

    This could be the reason we are cancelling plans too. “Wearing a fragrance that you associate with positive experiences or that makes you feel good can help to enhance your confidence and self-esteem,” Harris tells PS UK. “The right scent can be a personal signature, boosting your mood and creating a sense of empowerment.”

    Talking about the right scent, I wondered if Harris had any tips for what to pick for those occasions when going without just isn’t an option.

    What Perfume to Wear on a First Date

    According to research we are suckers for anything with amber notes, which include jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, so it’s ideal for a first date if you are hoping to win over your next beau and mark your scent (geddit). If you want to try one of these warm, musky scents, then according to Harris you should opt for Mugler Alien Eau De Parfum (£90) as this woody perfume has white amber, cashmeran wood and jasmine to make sure you leave a delectable trail wherever you go.

    Which Perfume is Recommended For a Job interview or Important Meeting?

    Smelling good for a job interview or important meeting will help lift your mood and help you feel more put-together. “A spritz of perfume may give you that extra confidence boost to calm those jitters and make you feel more like you when you walk into the room,” Harris tells PS UK. “However, my essential tip would be to opt for a light spritz of something fresh so your scent isn’t too overpowering in the room!”

    Which Perfume Would You Recommend For A Night Out With Friends?

    “I’d recommend having two distinct perfumes in your collection, one for daytime and one for special occasions,” says Harris. “Daytime fragrances should be lighter scents with floral or citrus notes, as these allow you to feel fresh for the workplace or any daytime activity without being overpowering. Occasion fragrances can be more distinctive and attention-grabbing. I would suggest a perfume with rich and spicy notes that help you feel lifted, such as Prada Paradoxe (£97) which is perfect for a night out with friends.”

    Deliveroo is offering a 20% discount (up to £10 off) with code SPRITZ20 when you spend £20 at The Perfume Shop until 31st October 2024. (One voucher per customer. Limited codes are available. Subject to availability. Geographical restrictions and service and delivery fees apply. See http://deliveroo.co.uk/terms.)

    Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism she began her career in 2008. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.

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    Lauren ezekiel

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  • Fragrant Snowbell: A Shrub with Scented Flowers that Make a Delicious Cordial

    Fragrant Snowbell: A Shrub with Scented Flowers that Make a Delicious Cordial

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    Above: Turbinado sugar gave this snowbell cordial ferment a darker hue.

    After the first fizzing of fermentation happens, you have the cordial, a concentrate that you strain and bottle and refrigerate to drink diluted. Or you return that fragrant, sweet liquid to the loosely covered jar to invite the acetobacter to do their work, with time. This stage of the ferment turns into a deeply fruity and complex vinegar, in anywhere from four to 12 weeks. It is deliciously versatile, from a restorative summer beverage sipped with ice and chilled water, to a comfort-food braise of duck legs or root vegetables in the middle of winter.

    Above: PH test strips are helpful for deciding when to bottle the vinegar.
    Above: Fragrant snowbell vinegar, pine cone jam, ice, and sparkling water.
    Above: Fragrant snowbell vinegar, bottled in July, from May’s flowers.

    Recipe: Fragrant Snowbell Cordial and Vinegar

    Makes 6 – 8 cups.

    A large jar is best for this type of ferment. I use 64 oz Ball Jars, organic granulated sugar, and Brooklyn tap water.

    4 packed cups fragrant snowbell flowers, stripped from their stalks (about 20 racemes, but it depends on their length)
    2 cups sugar
    6 cups water, or enough to reach the 6-cup mark on the jar

    Do not wash the flowers or you will lose their scent.

    Place the flowers in the clean jar. Add the sugar and the water. Either stir very well with a long-handled wooden spoon or screw a lid on and shake the jar to dissolve the sugar. Loosen the lid, if using, or cover the jar’s mouth with cheesecloth or a piece of paper towel secured with a rubber band or string. The ferment needs air, and the cloth or loose lid allows it in. Never keep a lid firmly screwed on, as fermentation will release gas that needs to escape. If it can’t escape, a sealed jar can explode.

    Leave the jar at room temperature in a place away from direct light, and stir the contents once a day.

    From around Day 2 to 6 (this varies a lot), you will notice small bubbles forming, and more when you stir. Your ferment is on its way. At this stage it will taste sweet and very appealing. When a lot of bubbles rise after stirring (usually another couple of days), allow another two days before straining this cordial into a large bowl through a fine-mesh sieve. Strain again (if you like, but it’s not essential) through doubled cheesecloth or linen. For a sweet cordial, you can now bottle it and keep it in the fridge for drinks or desserts (it makes wonderful ice cream).

    If you want to continue and make vinegar, return the strained liquid to the rinsed jar, cover loosely again, and keep at room temperature in a spot without bright light. Stir or swoosh daily, making sure that your hands and any implement that touches the vinegar is clean. After a couple of weeks I taste the cordial every few days, noticing how its flavor transforms. Sometimes a vinegar mother forms on the surface, although not always. When it tastes like vinegar, it is vinegar. I test it with pH strips, and bottle when it hovers around the 4-mark.

    Bottle, and keep at room temperature. Once a bottle is open, keep it cold in the fridge.

    See also:

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  • Best Viburnum Shrubs: Our List of 10 Flowering Bushes

    Best Viburnum Shrubs: Our List of 10 Flowering Bushes

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    If you want to start a horticultural fight, opine loudly at your next plant party about the best viburnums to grow. These flowering shrubs provoke strong opinions among the botanically inclined, and things could get ugly, fast. Dessert might be thrown. But consider our disciplined list of ten and hear us out. And bear in mind that there are almost 200 species to choose from, let alone cultivars and hybrids. Whether you want fruit, flowers, fall foliage (or all three), there is probably a viburnum for your gardening personality: extrovert, shy, down-to-earth, elegant, rambunctious, shape-shifting, or fragrantly alluring?

    Here they are.

    Photography by Marie Viljoen.

    Above: Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Summer Snowflake’.

    But first: Why plant viburnums at all?

    • A range of sizes means that viburnums can stand in for trees in small spaces.
    • Multiple seasons of interest, from spring flowers to fall foliage and fruit (except in sterile species).
    • Flowering times that range from late winter to early summer, so you can build a collection.
    • The shrubs have interesting foliage with texture that rewards the detail-oriented gardener.
    • Viburnums that bear fruit offer ornamental interest in fall and winter, as well as food for the birds (and humans).
    • Kaleidoscopic fall colors, depending on the species you choose, and how much sun it receives.
    • Persistent winter fruits that feed birds when there is little else available.

    1. Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’

    Above: Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’ blooming as winter lingers.

    At the end of winter, the exceptional fragrance of this tree-like hybrid viburnum is sweetly uplifting. It is a cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum, whose clusters of flowers start as deep rose-colored buds before paling in full bloom. The tubular flowers make you look twice, wondering whether a lilac has gone mad and erupted while there is snow on the ground. Flowering on bare branches, this earliest of viburnums is elegantly dramatic and more tolerant of frost than its grandiflorum parent. Usually sterile, few or no fruit will form, helping to ensure that this non-native viburnum does not spread. Viburnum × bodnantense is hardy from USDA zones 4 – 8.

    2. Korean spice viburnum, Viburnum carlesii

    Above: V. carlesii buds are pink, before opening into full-white bloom.

    Above: The perfumed pom-poms of V. carlesii.

    If scent is your thing, a must-have viburnum is the intensely fragrant Koreanspice. In mid spring its deep pink buds open into pale pink flowers that shift gradually into pure white. The flowers can be turned into an equally fragrant syrup, fermented wild soda, or perfumed honey (simply substitute the flowers in our Lilac Honey Recipe). Koreanspice is a slow-growing shrub that responds well to clipping (like a boxwood) and makes a showy ball of flowers when spring rolls round. Be sure to prune and shape it right after blooming, since all viburnums bloom on new wood (so, if you prune in fall, you will miss the next spring’s flowers). Extremely cold-hardy Viburnum carlesii is hardy from zones 2 – 8.

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  • Why Solar Scents Are Becoming the Must Have Fragrances for 2024 – POPSUGAR Australia

    Why Solar Scents Are Becoming the Must Have Fragrances for 2024 – POPSUGAR Australia

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    Close your eyes. Now imagine you’re sitting on a sun lounger, on a white sandy beach, with the sound of waves softly crashing in the distance. As you take a deep breathe what can you smell? If your imagination is not quite up to the task it may be time to invest in this summer’s new fragrance category known as solar scents. Designed to smell like sunshine and evoke memories of summer and happy times, it is no surprise the perfume world has seen an increase in popularity for fragrance which give you an uplifting holiday feeling – no passport required.

    As someone who believes in the power of scent, and always takes a new perfume on holiday so I can scent my memories, this is right up my street. I’m also not one for a signature scent, although there are benefits to finding “the one”, I believe perfumes should be free-flowing and you should be able to use as many as you like.

    The connection between scent and wellbeing could be the reason there has seen such an interest in solar scents according to Alex Oprey, Marketing and E-commerce Director at Miller Harris. “Solar scents often evoke positive and uplifting emotions,” he says tells PS UK. “It taps into the increasing focus we are seeing on well-being and mental health. These scents can offer a sensory escape, transporting you to sunnier shores and carefree vacations, which many people find comforting and rejuvenating.”

    But, what do solar scents actually smell like and do you need one? We asked two fragrance experts to explain and I selected some of my favourite perfumes to transport you to a beach bar, sipping your favourite cocktail at sunset in just one spritz.

    What Is a Solar Scent?

    A solar scent is quite a loose term that refers to fragrance with a “sunshine” feel to it. Whilst solar perfumes aren’t a fragrance family – like woody, floral, amber, and fresh – and it could be argued that these scents could fit into one or two of the traditional groups, these particular scents have an undeniable quality to them that sets them apart. “This isn’t a traditional fragrance family so the definition and notes found within this category can range,” Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street tells PS UK. “It can be a fragrance with a bright, sparkling, or luminous character or something that invigorates the senses and brings a sense of joy.”

    What Is a Solar Scent Perfume Note?

    According to Feeney there are a few different ways to interpret that sunny, exotic “solar” feeling. “Some sure-fire ‘solar’ fragrances include the warmth of jasmine or amber, whereas some lead more with citrusy notes like bergamot, lemon and mandarin. Ingredients like salted musks give a second skin feeling as if you are drying in the sun and a natural coconut gives a rich creamy smell reminiscent of the beach.”

    “The notes are often fresh and natural, which align with the broader trend towards a connection with nature and environmental consciousness,” says Oprey.”

    As far as I am concerned although these scents contain similar notes, everyone’s memories of holidays will smell different and this is reflected in many solar scents. Some will remind you of your childhood, where as others smell like how you think you should smell on holiday – luxurious and the best version of you. But ultimately they are all joyful scents which smell like sunshine. Which is why it has quickly become one of my favourites scent sets and I can’t imagine wearing anything else throughout the summer months.

    Read on to find out why I adore a £10 budget option, which keeps selling out it’s so good, and how one instantly transports me into my favourite memory ever.

    Related:

    Seven of the Best Solar Scents

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    Lauren ezekiel

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  • DIY Perfumery: Crafting Your Own Fragrances at Home – Aha!NOW

    DIY Perfumery: Crafting Your Own Fragrances at Home – Aha!NOW

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    A perfume can be a statement of your style, status symbol, mood freshener, or even works as an impression agent. Today, you can make your own perfume as per your likes and requirements in your home. Here are some basics of perfume making that may tempt you to try DIY perfumery and get creative. ~ Ed.

    The art of making perfumes originated in the ancient civilizations. They discovered that the mixture of essential oils and aromatic chemicals emit a pleasant and fragrant odour. In those ancient times, people even used flowers, herbs, dry fruits, and spices and continued perfecting the perfume-making equipment and techniques.

    Crafting your own fragrance at home not only offers a creative outlet but also enables you to tailor your perfumes to fit your mood, style, and preferences. This guide will walk you through the basics of homemade perfumery, from selecting ingredients to blending your first signature scent.

    The Basics of Fragrance Crafting

    When embarking on the journey of DIY perfumery, it’s essential to understand the balance of scents, especially when working with strong perfumes. These potent essences can be overpowering if not used judiciously. Start with a vision of what you want your fragrance to evoke — be it the freshness of a spring morning or the warmth of a cosy evening by the fire. Remember, the beauty of homemade perfume lies in its ability to be perfectly attuned to your personal scent profile.

    Choosing Your Ingredients

    The first step in DIY perfumery is selecting your base, middle, and top notes. Base notes are the foundation of your perfume, lasting the longest and giving depth. Common base notes include sandalwood, vanilla, and musk. Middle notes, or heart notes, form the core of your fragrance, making it pleasant and balanced. Floral scents like rose, jasmine, and lavender are popular choices. Top notes are the first impression of your perfume, light and evaporating quickly, such as citrus, bergamot, or peppermint.

    Creating Harmony

    The key to a successful DIY perfume is achieving harmony among the chosen notes. Begin with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil as your perfume base. Add your base notes first, followed by middle and then top notes. A general ratio to follow is 20% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 30% base notes, but feel free to adjust according to your preference.

    Testing and Refining

    Once blended, let your perfume sit for a few days to allow the scents to meld together. This resting period is crucial for the development of the fragrance. Afterward, test your perfume on your skin to see how it interacts with your body chemistry.

    The Joy of DIY Perfumery

    DIY perfumery offers an enriching and enjoyable experience, allowing you to delve into the art of fragrance creation. It’s a journey of discovery, experimentation, and ultimately, self-expression. As you explore different scents and combinations, you’ll not only create something unique, but you’ll also gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of fragrance.

    Over to you 

    Have you tried crafting your own perfume at home? What scents inspire you the most? Share your experiences and favourite blends!

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    Tamara

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  • Statement by Fragrance Creators Association on Funding to Support Implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act

    Statement by Fragrance Creators Association on Funding to Support Implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act

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    WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Fragrance Creators Association (FCA) and CEO Farah K. Ahmed issue the following statement on funding to support the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA):

    “We are pleased to note the allocation of $7 million for MoCRA implementation within the minibus package signed into law by President Biden last weekend. This allocation signifies a dedication to aiding the FDA in the transition towards a modernized cosmetics regulatory framework, a process extending beyond 2024.

    “In its fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget request, released on March 11, the FDA has requested $8 million for MoCRA implementation. Following the passage of the remaining fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, we urge Congress to prioritize sound science, safety, and innovation by appropriating at least $8 million for FY25.

    “Fragrance plays an important role in cosmetics and personal care products; products that nurture skin health and hygiene and empower self-expression. That is why FCA has consistently advocated for an adequately funded cosmetics program that will support responsible fragrance industry innovation that can improve the experience of our nation’s diverse consumer demographic, uphold safety, and advance environmental sustainability.” 

    ###

    Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance—www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org—for people, perfume, and the planet.

    Source: Fragrance Creators Association

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  • Sandy Mush Herb Nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

    Sandy Mush Herb Nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

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    When a former student at Great Dixter in East Sussex moves to North Carolina and recommends a remote nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we take note. “Fairman and Kate’s nursery has an amazing selection of plants: herbs, natives, pelargoniums, salvias, et cetera,” reports Ben Pick of nearby Saturnia Farm. “It reminds me a lot of some of the old nurseries in England.” It is called Sandy Mush Herbs, another reason to investigate. Established in 1977, the nursery produces collectible handbooks designed and embellished with calligraphy and line drawings. The catalog begins, “Dear Herb Friends, We continue to expand our collection of handmade plants…”.

    Let’s delve in.

    Photography by Christopher Jayne.

    Above: Sandy Mush Nursery, near Leicester, North Carolina, was established over four decades ago and is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    Talking to Kate Jayne and her son, Christopher, it quickly becomes apparent that here is a nursery that is focused on growing things properly, and offering advice on how to do that—in other words, real customer service rather than a chatty bot in a pop-up window. Christopher maintains that Kate, who is the person answering the phone, recognizes all of her older customers before they have a chance to identify themselves. Plants are sent out all over the country but mainly in the eastern half. Kate discourages people from ordering plants from Sandy Mush when they could be had closer to home.

    Above: Fairman Jayne, applying skills in propagating seeds learned at least 60 years ago when he studied in London at Kew’s famous horticulture school.

    Kate and her husband, Fairman Jayne, met at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he was assisting the director of the arboretum and she was a student. Fairman already had a degree in horticulture from Kew, having been one of the first overseas students admitted to the renowned school. Says Kate: “Fairman’s been working with plants his entire life, and I’ve been involved with plants ever since I went to college.” With a shared interest in hard-find-plants, they knew early on that they wanted to run a plant nursery together.

    Above: Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) growing around the Sandy Mush gardens in spring.

    The couple moved to Asheville, North Carolina, before heading further out to the surrounding mountains. With herbs and aromatic plants high on their list, the couple  realized that if they couldn’t find them locally, they should be supplying them. “We put an ad in Organic Gardening magazine and had a very enthusiastic response, and that generated publicity on a national scale,” Kate recalls. This was 1977, proving that Kate and Fairman’s interest in “handmade plants” struck a chord back then, and is today ever more relevant.

    Of their specialisms, Kate says: “Our collection reflects our interest in fragrant plants and herbs, then going on to trees and shrubs, and then moving on to more wildflowers and native plants as interest has grown in that field.”

    Above: Immaculately tended evergreen shrub cuttings.

    A note on the nursery’s name, as related by Christopher Jayne (who photographs the nursery for the website and social media): “Sandy Mush is the name of the community we are in. The oral history is that in the early days of European settlement, animal drovers would stop in the valley. When they went to get water for their mush (think oatmeal, cornmeal, or porridge) it would always have sand in the water. So it became Sandy Mush Valley. We have fast-moving streams coming off the mountains, and the sand never completely settles.” And the soil is well-drained.

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  • Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

    Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

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    If you’re a perfume wearer, can I be the one to tell you that it doesn’t smell good. I know you may love it. It may feel like your safety blanket, a second skin, part of your brand or identity or maybe makes you feel fancy. To anyone who doesn’t wear a conventional, chemical-based perfume, what you actually smell like is a chemical shit storm. It’s gross. I am not just saying that to stir the pot. If you are a perfume wearer, there is a good chance that I cringe at the thought of you coming over, or giving me or my kid a hug. I don’t ever want to hug you because I don’t want to have your fragrance on my clothes and in my hair all day. I don’t want you to hang your coat next to mine, as mine will pick up the smell.

    Those chemicals are potent and persistent.

    Perfumes and fragrances are extremely popular. I know there are many people who can’t even think about leaving the house without a little spritz. By 2025, the global fragrance market, which includes perfume, deodorant and antiperspirant, is predicted to be worth over USD$92 billion. Perfumes tend to draw on essential oils in their formulations, but also include a number of chemicals (many known and probable carcinogens) that are outright health hazards.

    Fragrance is referred to as the new second-hand smoke. And for very good reason. This isn’t just about you and your preferences. Your perfume habit affects everyone around you – including children who are at the highest risk health-wise.

    What is Perfume Made Of?

    You may have seen a number of names for products, including perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette (you know this means toilet water, right?) and eau de cologne. They get these names by the concentrations of essences or oils the product contains. Perfume has the highest concentration of oils/essences, while eau de cologne has the least. Cologne is also typically associated with men, and perfumes with women.

    It gets a little confusing when perfumes are also called fragrances. Fragrance, as a term, is used interchangeably with perfume to refer to the entire bottle or product, and fragrance is also an ingredient found in products. But it doesn’t quite end there – fragrance, in and of itself, is an umbrella ingredient that can include thousands of chemicals that are untested and potentially unsafe. Fragrance is listed instead of each individual ingredient so companies can protect their trade secrets or signature scents.

    A study of 17 popular name brand fragrances found, on average, 14 secret ingredients per product that were not listed on the label but found through testing. You can read an extensive report on the risks of fragrance, including assessments of popular products, right here. The Canadian version is here.

    Government Regulations for Perfume

    The laws around perfumes and fragrances depend on where you live. The United States has a very relaxed approach to cosmetics, while Canadian and EU laws are more strident.

    Hidden chemicals in perfumes

    I’ve included some highlights below, but in general, the perfume industry is self-regulating. Countries like Canada and Europe, as well as the US, consult The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) for advice on safety standards. RIFM uses experts that aren’t affiliated commercially with perfume companies and publishes in peer-reviewed journals.

    United States: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Cosmetic ingredients, except for colour additives, do not need FDA approval before going to market.
    • Fragrance, which can be a collection of natural and synthetic ingredients, is allowed to be listed only as ‘fragrance’ on the label in order to protect trade secrets.
    • The FDA prohibits misbranding (false labelling) or adulterating cosmetics, and will take companies to court if they violate this. You can read more about how the FDA defines misbranding and adulterating here.
    • According to the FDA: “Companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. Neither the law nor FDA regulations require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients. The law also does not require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with FDA.” (bolded emphasis mine)
    • The FDA doesn’t require allergen-friendly labelling for cosmetics. If citizens have a fragrance allergy or sensitivity, the government recommends choosing fragrance-free products, reading labels and calling companies for information. But if you have a fragrance allergy and the FDA doesn’t require all of the ingredients in fragrances to be listed to protect a company’s trade secrets, how can we know if a product is truly safe?

    Basically, what we have going on is an honour system. If the government doesn’t require companies to show their products are safe or share their data, where is the accountability? If I gave you a math test without asking you to show the steps you used to get to the final answers and didn’t even ask you to hand in the test for review at all, how would I know you actually knew the math? Except, in this case, there is more at stake than numbers.

    Canada: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Canada consults the IFRA and RIFM for safety data.
    • Cosmetic products sold in Canada must meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations. Ingredients must be disclosed and labelled.
    • Canada has a Cosmetics Ingredient Hotlist that lists all prohibited and restricted ingredients. Prohibited ingredients cannot be used at all, while restricted ingredients can only be used under certain conditions or concentrations.
    • If Health Canada finds a fragrance ingredient unsafe, it will prohibit use and put it on the hotlist. However, “components of a fragrance can be listed as individual ingredients or can be listed under the term ‘parfum’ “. You’ll still need to delve into labels and ask more questions if you see the word ‘parfum’, as parfum could be a compendium of more ingredients.
    • Health Canada regularly reviews ingredients and the scientific data around them to assess safety.

    Common Toxic Ingredients in Perfume

    Here are two charts shared in this report.

    Perfume chemicalsPerfume chemicals

    Common Perfume and Cosmetic Ingredients That Can Impact Our Health:

    I delve into the health risks of ingredients to avoid in personal care products in more detail here, and let’s talk about some fragrance/perfume specific risks below.

    Health Risks of Perfume

    Aside from the health risks of common ingredients in perfumes and other scented personal care products (fragrance, parabens, etc.), there is evidence that fragrances can cause or aggravate certain health conditions. Remember, this isn’t just about you but affects everyone who can smell you – your partner, children, co-workers, friends, that little old lady beside you on the bus.

    These include:

    • Headaches: A study of 200 migraine sufferers and 200 participants with tension headaches found that odours from perfume can trigger migraines within minutes.
    • Contact Dermatitis: Fragrances are one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and contact allergies. A number of studies that use patch tests show that physical exposure to perfumes and fragrance ingredients can cause contact dermatitis, exacerbate eczema, and cause rashes. 
    • Asthma: One study of perfume strips showed that inhaling perfume can exacerbate symptoms and cause airway obstruction in asthma patients, while another found that perfume can instigate asthma-like respiratory symptoms. In a 19-year surveillance of workplace asthma in California, researchers discovered that fragrance used at work was commonly associated with work-related asthma (WRA), and that 242 of the recorded cases of WRA were linked to perfume or cologne. Finally, in a self-reported national survey of just over 1,100 people, 46.2% of asthmatics reported adverse effects after being near someone wearing a fragrance product – and 35.4% said they missed out on work or lost jobs due to workplace fragrance exposure.
    • Respiratory Issues: In a study that compared healthy volunteers to people with perfume-induced respiratory issues, blood tests showed an increase in histamine production in the group with respiratory issues. Histamine is part of our immune response to pathogens in our bodies and can cause inflammation. People with respiratory and lung issues also report being affected by scents and perfumes.
    • Endocrine Disruption: Many of the chemicals used in perfumes can alter the endocrine system. A study that tested a range of 213 household and personal products found a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals including BPA, phthalates, parabens and fragrances. In an analysis of 5 different types of phthalates in 47 brands of perfumes, researchers said they found ‘considerable amounts’ of phthalates in all brands, and a few had phthalate amounts that were above threshold limits.
    • DNA Damage: In a follow-up study by the researchers who tested phthalates in 47 perfumes, they discovered that all the perfumes they tested induced DNA damage.

    Better Alternatives to Conventional Perfume

    What do you do if you love perfume, but not the health risks?

    • DIY Perfume. Make your own scents using high-quality essential oils. You can mix and match to suit your tastes and mood! Here is one to start off with.
    • Buy Non-Toxic Perfume. Read labels and source companies that use ingredients you trust. As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Living Libations*. Their perfumes and colognes use pure essential oils. They aren’t overpowering and don’t last forever after you apply them, and that’s OK.

    Why Are We Using Perfume?

    Interestingly, the FDA says, “If a product is intended to be applied to a person’s body to make the person more attractive, it’s a cosmetic under the law.” Fragrance falls under this category of products.

    And hey, I know that we want to feel good about ourselves and look great, and how we smell is a part of that. Yet painting over foul smells with perfumes and fragrances isn’t going to resolve the source of that smell – so what is the underlying issue here? Is there a bigger health problem that needs to be addressed? As I’ve written before when talking about hair, skin, and beauty products, much of our success relies on what we do internally from the inside out.

    Resolving body odor may be as simple as taking a shower, or the solution may involve a deeper dive into diet and lifestyle practices.

    Creating a Fragrance-Free Work Environment

    Depending on where you live there may or may not be policies in place restricting fragrances in the workplace. In recent years there has been an increased awareness about fragrance sensitivities, and you’ve probably seen signs posted in doctors’ offices, community centres, gyms, yoga studios, and schools requesting scent-free environments. If this is something you’d like to implement at your workplace, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has detailed tips about how to create a scent-free policy.

    Further Reading on Fragrance and Personal Care Products

    Adjusting our perfume habits can be challenging at first. Once you go unscented or use naturally scented options, it’s often hard to return to those conventional products! You’ll start to smell them for what they really are.

    *This post contains affiliate links

    perfumeperfume

    [ad_2]

    Meghan Telpner

    Source link

  • Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

    Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

    [ad_1]

    If you’re a perfume wearer, can I be the one to tell you that it doesn’t smell good. I know you may love it. It may feel like your safety blanket, a second skin, part of your brand or identity or maybe makes you feel fancy. To anyone who doesn’t wear a conventional, chemical-based perfume, what you actually smell like is a chemical shit storm. It’s gross. I am not just saying that to stir the pot. If you are a perfume wearer, there is a good chance that I cringe at the thought of you coming over, or giving me or my kid a hug. I don’t ever want to hug you because I don’t want to have your fragrance on my clothes and in my hair all day. I don’t want you to hang your coat next to mine, as mine will pick up the smell.

    Those chemicals are potent and persistent.

    Perfumes and fragrances are extremely popular. I know there are many people who can’t even think about leaving the house without a little spritz. By 2025, the global fragrance market, which includes perfume, deodorant and antiperspirant, is predicted to be worth over USD$92 billion. Perfumes tend to draw on essential oils in their formulations, but also include a number of chemicals (many known and probable carcinogens) that are outright health hazards.

    Fragrance is referred to as the new second-hand smoke. And for very good reason. This isn’t just about you and your preferences. Your perfume habit affects everyone around you – including children who are at the highest risk health-wise.

    What is Perfume Made Of?

    You may have seen a number of names for products, including perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette (you know this means toilet water, right?) and eau de cologne. They get these names by the concentrations of essences or oils the product contains. Perfume has the highest concentration of oils/essences, while eau de cologne has the least. Cologne is also typically associated with men, and perfumes with women.

    It gets a little confusing when perfumes are also called fragrances. Fragrance, as a term, is used interchangeably with perfume to refer to the entire bottle or product, and fragrance is also an ingredient found in products. But it doesn’t quite end there – fragrance, in and of itself, is an umbrella ingredient that can include thousands of chemicals that are untested and potentially unsafe. Fragrance is listed instead of each individual ingredient so companies can protect their trade secrets or signature scents.

    A study of 17 popular name brand fragrances found, on average, 14 secret ingredients per product that were not listed on the label but found through testing. You can read an extensive report on the risks of fragrance, including assessments of popular products, right here. The Canadian version is here.

    Government Regulations for Perfume

    The laws around perfumes and fragrances depend on where you live. The United States has a very relaxed approach to cosmetics, while Canadian and EU laws are more strident.

    Hidden chemicals in perfumes

    I’ve included some highlights below, but in general, the perfume industry is self-regulating. Countries like Canada and Europe, as well as the US, consult The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) for advice on safety standards. RIFM uses experts that aren’t affiliated commercially with perfume companies and publishes in peer-reviewed journals.

    United States: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Cosmetic ingredients, except for colour additives, do not need FDA approval before going to market.
    • Fragrance, which can be a collection of natural and synthetic ingredients, is allowed to be listed only as ‘fragrance’ on the label in order to protect trade secrets.
    • The FDA prohibits misbranding (false labelling) or adulterating cosmetics, and will take companies to court if they violate this. You can read more about how the FDA defines misbranding and adulterating here.
    • According to the FDA: “Companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. Neither the law nor FDA regulations require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients. The law also does not require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with FDA.” (bolded emphasis mine)
    • The FDA doesn’t require allergen-friendly labelling for cosmetics. If citizens have a fragrance allergy or sensitivity, the government recommends choosing fragrance-free products, reading labels and calling companies for information. But if you have a fragrance allergy and the FDA doesn’t require all of the ingredients in fragrances to be listed to protect a company’s trade secrets, how can we know if a product is truly safe?

    Basically, what we have going on is an honour system. If the government doesn’t require companies to show their products are safe or share their data, where is the accountability? If I gave you a math test without asking you to show the steps you used to get to the final answers and didn’t even ask you to hand in the test for review at all, how would I know you actually knew the math? Except, in this case, there is more at stake than numbers.

    Canada: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Canada consults the IFRA and RIFM for safety data.
    • Cosmetic products sold in Canada must meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations. Ingredients must be disclosed and labelled.
    • Canada has a Cosmetics Ingredient Hotlist that lists all prohibited and restricted ingredients. Prohibited ingredients cannot be used at all, while restricted ingredients can only be used under certain conditions or concentrations.
    • If Health Canada finds a fragrance ingredient unsafe, it will prohibit use and put it on the hotlist. However, “components of a fragrance can be listed as individual ingredients or can be listed under the term ‘parfum’ “. You’ll still need to delve into labels and ask more questions if you see the word ‘parfum’, as parfum could be a compendium of more ingredients.
    • Health Canada regularly reviews ingredients and the scientific data around them to assess safety.

    Common Toxic Ingredients in Perfume

    Here are two charts shared in this report.

    Perfume chemicalsPerfume chemicals

    Common Perfume and Cosmetic Ingredients That Can Impact Our Health:

    I delve into the health risks of ingredients to avoid in personal care products in more detail here, and let’s talk about some fragrance/perfume specific risks below.

    Health Risks of Perfume

    Aside from the health risks of common ingredients in perfumes and other scented personal care products (fragrance, parabens, etc.), there is evidence that fragrances can cause or aggravate certain health conditions. Remember, this isn’t just about you but affects everyone who can smell you – your partner, children, co-workers, friends, that little old lady beside you on the bus.

    These include:

    • Headaches: A study of 200 migraine sufferers and 200 participants with tension headaches found that odours from perfume can trigger migraines within minutes.
    • Contact Dermatitis: Fragrances are one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and contact allergies. A number of studies that use patch tests show that physical exposure to perfumes and fragrance ingredients can cause contact dermatitis, exacerbate eczema, and cause rashes. 
    • Asthma: One study of perfume strips showed that inhaling perfume can exacerbate symptoms and cause airway obstruction in asthma patients, while another found that perfume can instigate asthma-like respiratory symptoms. In a 19-year surveillance of workplace asthma in California, researchers discovered that fragrance used at work was commonly associated with work-related asthma (WRA), and that 242 of the recorded cases of WRA were linked to perfume or cologne. Finally, in a self-reported national survey of just over 1,100 people, 46.2% of asthmatics reported adverse effects after being near someone wearing a fragrance product – and 35.4% said they missed out on work or lost jobs due to workplace fragrance exposure.
    • Respiratory Issues: In a study that compared healthy volunteers to people with perfume-induced respiratory issues, blood tests showed an increase in histamine production in the group with respiratory issues. Histamine is part of our immune response to pathogens in our bodies and can cause inflammation. People with respiratory and lung issues also report being affected by scents and perfumes.
    • Endocrine Disruption: Many of the chemicals used in perfumes can alter the endocrine system. A study that tested a range of 213 household and personal products found a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals including BPA, phthalates, parabens and fragrances. In an analysis of 5 different types of phthalates in 47 brands of perfumes, researchers said they found ‘considerable amounts’ of phthalates in all brands, and a few had phthalate amounts that were above threshold limits.
    • DNA Damage: In a follow-up study by the researchers who tested phthalates in 47 perfumes, they discovered that all the perfumes they tested induced DNA damage.

    Better Alternatives to Conventional Perfume

    What do you do if you love perfume, but not the health risks?

    • DIY Perfume. Make your own scents using high-quality essential oils. You can mix and match to suit your tastes and mood! Here is one to start off with.
    • Buy Non-Toxic Perfume. Read labels and source companies that use ingredients you trust. As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Living Libations*. Their perfumes and colognes use pure essential oils. They aren’t overpowering and don’t last forever after you apply them, and that’s OK.

    Why Are We Using Perfume?

    Interestingly, the FDA says, “If a product is intended to be applied to a person’s body to make the person more attractive, it’s a cosmetic under the law.” Fragrance falls under this category of products.

    And hey, I know that we want to feel good about ourselves and look great, and how we smell is a part of that. Yet painting over foul smells with perfumes and fragrances isn’t going to resolve the source of that smell – so what is the underlying issue here? Is there a bigger health problem that needs to be addressed? As I’ve written before when talking about hair, skin, and beauty products, much of our success relies on what we do internally from the inside out.

    Resolving body odor may be as simple as taking a shower, or the solution may involve a deeper dive into diet and lifestyle practices.

    Creating a Fragrance-Free Work Environment

    Depending on where you live there may or may not be policies in place restricting fragrances in the workplace. In recent years there has been an increased awareness about fragrance sensitivities, and you’ve probably seen signs posted in doctors’ offices, community centres, gyms, yoga studios, and schools requesting scent-free environments. If this is something you’d like to implement at your workplace, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has detailed tips about how to create a scent-free policy.

    Further Reading on Fragrance and Personal Care Products

    Adjusting our perfume habits can be challenging at first. Once you go unscented or use naturally scented options, it’s often hard to return to those conventional products! You’ll start to smell them for what they really are.

    *This post contains affiliate links

    perfumeperfume

    [ad_2]

    Meghan Telpner

    Source link

  • Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

    Is Your Perfume Poisoning Your Family?

    [ad_1]

    If you’re a perfume wearer, can I be the one to tell you that it doesn’t smell good. I know you may love it. It may feel like your safety blanket, a second skin, part of your brand or identity or maybe makes you feel fancy. To anyone who doesn’t wear a conventional, chemical-based perfume, what you actually smell like is a chemical shit storm. It’s gross. I am not just saying that to stir the pot. If you are a perfume wearer, there is a good chance that I cringe at the thought of you coming over, or giving me or my kid a hug. I don’t ever want to hug you because I don’t want to have your fragrance on my clothes and in my hair all day. I don’t want you to hang your coat next to mine, as mine will pick up the smell.

    Those chemicals are potent and persistent.

    Perfumes and fragrances are extremely popular. I know there are many people who can’t even think about leaving the house without a little spritz. By 2025, the global fragrance market, which includes perfume, deodorant and antiperspirant, is predicted to be worth over USD$92 billion. Perfumes tend to draw on essential oils in their formulations, but also include a number of chemicals (many known and probable carcinogens) that are outright health hazards.

    Fragrance is referred to as the new second-hand smoke. And for very good reason. This isn’t just about you and your preferences. Your perfume habit affects everyone around you – including children who are at the highest risk health-wise.

    What is Perfume Made Of?

    You may have seen a number of names for products, including perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette (you know this means toilet water, right?) and eau de cologne. They get these names by the concentrations of essences or oils the product contains. Perfume has the highest concentration of oils/essences, while eau de cologne has the least. Cologne is also typically associated with men, and perfumes with women.

    It gets a little confusing when perfumes are also called fragrances. Fragrance, as a term, is used interchangeably with perfume to refer to the entire bottle or product, and fragrance is also an ingredient found in products. But it doesn’t quite end there – fragrance, in and of itself, is an umbrella ingredient that can include thousands of chemicals that are untested and potentially unsafe. Fragrance is listed instead of each individual ingredient so companies can protect their trade secrets or signature scents.

    A study of 17 popular name brand fragrances found, on average, 14 secret ingredients per product that were not listed on the label but found through testing. You can read an extensive report on the risks of fragrance, including assessments of popular products, right here. The Canadian version is here.

    Government Regulations for Perfume

    The laws around perfumes and fragrances depend on where you live. The United States has a very relaxed approach to cosmetics, while Canadian and EU laws are more strident.

    Hidden chemicals in perfumes

    I’ve included some highlights below, but in general, the perfume industry is self-regulating. Countries like Canada and Europe, as well as the US, consult The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) for advice on safety standards. RIFM uses experts that aren’t affiliated commercially with perfume companies and publishes in peer-reviewed journals.

    United States: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Cosmetic ingredients, except for colour additives, do not need FDA approval before going to market.
    • Fragrance, which can be a collection of natural and synthetic ingredients, is allowed to be listed only as ‘fragrance’ on the label in order to protect trade secrets.
    • The FDA prohibits misbranding (false labelling) or adulterating cosmetics, and will take companies to court if they violate this. You can read more about how the FDA defines misbranding and adulterating here.
    • According to the FDA: “Companies and individuals who manufacture or market cosmetics have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. Neither the law nor FDA regulations require specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual products or ingredients. The law also does not require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with FDA.” (bolded emphasis mine)
    • The FDA doesn’t require allergen-friendly labelling for cosmetics. If citizens have a fragrance allergy or sensitivity, the government recommends choosing fragrance-free products, reading labels and calling companies for information. But if you have a fragrance allergy and the FDA doesn’t require all of the ingredients in fragrances to be listed to protect a company’s trade secrets, how can we know if a product is truly safe?

    Basically, what we have going on is an honour system. If the government doesn’t require companies to show their products are safe or share their data, where is the accountability? If I gave you a math test without asking you to show the steps you used to get to the final answers and didn’t even ask you to hand in the test for review at all, how would I know you actually knew the math? Except, in this case, there is more at stake than numbers.

    Canada: Perfume Regulation Highlights

    • Canada consults the IFRA and RIFM for safety data.
    • Cosmetic products sold in Canada must meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations. Ingredients must be disclosed and labelled.
    • Canada has a Cosmetics Ingredient Hotlist that lists all prohibited and restricted ingredients. Prohibited ingredients cannot be used at all, while restricted ingredients can only be used under certain conditions or concentrations.
    • If Health Canada finds a fragrance ingredient unsafe, it will prohibit use and put it on the hotlist. However, “components of a fragrance can be listed as individual ingredients or can be listed under the term ‘parfum’ “. You’ll still need to delve into labels and ask more questions if you see the word ‘parfum’, as parfum could be a compendium of more ingredients.
    • Health Canada regularly reviews ingredients and the scientific data around them to assess safety.

    Common Toxic Ingredients in Perfume

    Here are two charts shared in this report.

    Perfume chemicalsPerfume chemicals

    Common Perfume and Cosmetic Ingredients That Can Impact Our Health:

    I delve into the health risks of ingredients to avoid in personal care products in more detail here, and let’s talk about some fragrance/perfume specific risks below.

    Health Risks of Perfume

    Aside from the health risks of common ingredients in perfumes and other scented personal care products (fragrance, parabens, etc.), there is evidence that fragrances can cause or aggravate certain health conditions. Remember, this isn’t just about you but affects everyone who can smell you – your partner, children, co-workers, friends, that little old lady beside you on the bus.

    These include:

    • Headaches: A study of 200 migraine sufferers and 200 participants with tension headaches found that odours from perfume can trigger migraines within minutes.
    • Contact Dermatitis: Fragrances are one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and contact allergies. A number of studies that use patch tests show that physical exposure to perfumes and fragrance ingredients can cause contact dermatitis, exacerbate eczema, and cause rashes. 
    • Asthma: One study of perfume strips showed that inhaling perfume can exacerbate symptoms and cause airway obstruction in asthma patients, while another found that perfume can instigate asthma-like respiratory symptoms. In a 19-year surveillance of workplace asthma in California, researchers discovered that fragrance used at work was commonly associated with work-related asthma (WRA), and that 242 of the recorded cases of WRA were linked to perfume or cologne. Finally, in a self-reported national survey of just over 1,100 people, 46.2% of asthmatics reported adverse effects after being near someone wearing a fragrance product – and 35.4% said they missed out on work or lost jobs due to workplace fragrance exposure.
    • Respiratory Issues: In a study that compared healthy volunteers to people with perfume-induced respiratory issues, blood tests showed an increase in histamine production in the group with respiratory issues. Histamine is part of our immune response to pathogens in our bodies and can cause inflammation. People with respiratory and lung issues also report being affected by scents and perfumes.
    • Endocrine Disruption: Many of the chemicals used in perfumes can alter the endocrine system. A study that tested a range of 213 household and personal products found a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals including BPA, phthalates, parabens and fragrances. In an analysis of 5 different types of phthalates in 47 brands of perfumes, researchers said they found ‘considerable amounts’ of phthalates in all brands, and a few had phthalate amounts that were above threshold limits.
    • DNA Damage: In a follow-up study by the researchers who tested phthalates in 47 perfumes, they discovered that all the perfumes they tested induced DNA damage.

    Better Alternatives to Conventional Perfume

    What do you do if you love perfume, but not the health risks?

    • DIY Perfume. Make your own scents using high-quality essential oils. You can mix and match to suit your tastes and mood! Here is one to start off with.
    • Buy Non-Toxic Perfume. Read labels and source companies that use ingredients you trust. As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Living Libations*. Their perfumes and colognes use pure essential oils. They aren’t overpowering and don’t last forever after you apply them, and that’s OK.

    Why Are We Using Perfume?

    Interestingly, the FDA says, “If a product is intended to be applied to a person’s body to make the person more attractive, it’s a cosmetic under the law.” Fragrance falls under this category of products.

    And hey, I know that we want to feel good about ourselves and look great, and how we smell is a part of that. Yet painting over foul smells with perfumes and fragrances isn’t going to resolve the source of that smell – so what is the underlying issue here? Is there a bigger health problem that needs to be addressed? As I’ve written before when talking about hair, skin, and beauty products, much of our success relies on what we do internally from the inside out.

    Resolving body odor may be as simple as taking a shower, or the solution may involve a deeper dive into diet and lifestyle practices.

    Creating a Fragrance-Free Work Environment

    Depending on where you live there may or may not be policies in place restricting fragrances in the workplace. In recent years there has been an increased awareness about fragrance sensitivities, and you’ve probably seen signs posted in doctors’ offices, community centres, gyms, yoga studios, and schools requesting scent-free environments. If this is something you’d like to implement at your workplace, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has detailed tips about how to create a scent-free policy.

    Further Reading on Fragrance and Personal Care Products

    Adjusting our perfume habits can be challenging at first. Once you go unscented or use naturally scented options, it’s often hard to return to those conventional products! You’ll start to smell them for what they really are.

    *This post contains affiliate links

    perfumeperfume

    [ad_2]

    Meghan Telpner

    Source link

  • I’m on a Self-Inflicted Shopping Ban, But I Can’t Pass Up These 15 Beauty Items

    I’m on a Self-Inflicted Shopping Ban, But I Can’t Pass Up These 15 Beauty Items

    [ad_1]

    This year, I committed to a self-inflicted shopping ban. It’s not like I’m irresponsible with my money or I lack self-control; I just noticed that I, like so many other people on the planet, possess more material items than I probably should. My drawers are stuffed with clothes I haven’t worn in years, and between you and me, my beauty collection could probably stock half of the shelves at any given Sephora. So even though it isn’t egregious, it’s not great. 

    So along with a lot of purging and donating, I committed to a shopping ban. That doesn’t mean I can’t buy anything. Instead, it means I can only buy essentials. Well, that’s the idea anyway. I may or may not have made an exception. Okay, fine, 15 exceptions. That might sound like a total fail, but hear me out: I’m only going to buy these products when the equivalents—that I already own—are all used up. For example, if it’s a body lotion I’m eyeing, I’ll wait to purchase it until I use up my existing body lotion. You get the idea. Ahead, check out all 15 items. 

    [ad_2]

    Kaitlyn McLintock

    Source link

  • Fragrance Creators’ Statement Calling on the Senate to Pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act

    Fragrance Creators’ Statement Calling on the Senate to Pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act

    [ad_1]


    WASHINGTON, February 2, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Today, Fragrance Creators Association (Fragrance Creators) issued the following statement after Farah K. Ahmed, Fragrance Creators’ President and CEO, wrote Senate leadership urging them to quickly pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act: 

    “The bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act will expand and enhance dollar-for-dollar expensing of research and development (R&D) and ensure that the American fragrance industry remains competitive. We were pleased to see the House overwhelmingly pass this bill and are hopeful the same spirit of bipartisanship will lead to swift passage of this essential legislation when it comes before the U.S. Senate. 

    “Our members have invested heavily in R&D to develop new products, design sustainable manufacturing processes, create jobs, and contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. Losing the ability to fully expense R&D costs in the year they are incurred has resulted in increased costs of investment and has discouraged innovation. 

    “That is why Fragrance Creators has urged Congress to retroactively restore full current year R&D expensing and has done so again today through a letter to Senate leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress as they pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which will help the fragrance industry remain globally competitive while sustainably investing to create the next generation of fragrance products.” 

    ###

    Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance—www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org—for people, perfume, and the planet. 

    Source: Fragrance Creators Association

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    Source link

  • It’s Official: These Coveted Perfumes Prove Rose Has Outgrown Its Grandma Label

    It’s Official: These Coveted Perfumes Prove Rose Has Outgrown Its Grandma Label

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    As recently as a year or so ago, the thought of rose perfume immediately made my nose wrinkle. Bags of potpourri, heady bouquets of red roses, and, sorry, my dear Grandma Evelyn’s powdery-pink cardigans came to mind. Of course, all of the above are lovely and nostalgic in their own special ways, but the sampling isn’t exactly what I’m going for when I’m searching for a new signature scent or when I’m reaching for a perfume pre-date. But then, something weird happened. Suddenly, almost every new fragrance launch I received featured rose as its MVP, and I found that I liked each new fragrance better than the last.

    So, long story short, I’m now infatuated with rose perfumes, and in addition to rediscovering the cult classics that definitely aren’t old-fashioned, plenty of the most coveted perfume houses have been debuting new iterations of the floral scent. Some are balanced with citrus or juicy stone fruits, while others veer warm and spicy thanks to musks, pepper, or vanilla. Regardless, some of the absolute best perfumes on the market right now put rose front and center as their compliment-inducing It factor. There are plenty more where this comes from, but below, I’m sharing 13 standout rose perfumes that absolutely disprove the notion that rose is old-fashioned or reserved for grandparents only. Keep scrolling! 

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    Erin Jahns

    Source link

  • Fragrance Creators Statement on EPA’s Testimony During Today’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

    Fragrance Creators Statement on EPA’s Testimony During Today’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

    [ad_1]


    WASHINGTON, January 24, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    In response to today’s Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Hearing, titled “Oversight of Toxic Substances Control Act Amendments Implementation,” Fragrance Creators Association (Fragrance Creators), shared the following:

    We are encouraged by the testimony of Dr. Michal Freedhoff, Ph.D., Assistant Administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, related to the agency’s commitment towards the approval of newer, greener fragrance chemistries.

    Fragrance Creators has represented the fragrance industry in advancing this effort, including providing EPA with access to current data, key industry experts, and solutions-oriented insights. Our key focus remains supporting the agency’s development of a fragrance sector-specific approach that supports a diverse array of innovative companies—small and large businesses alike—to bring more sustainable fragrances to market.

    We are pleased to see Congress working closely with the EPA to oversee implementation of TSCA amendments and look forward to continuing to work with all branches of government as we advocate for regulations that support sustainable innovation, high quality jobs, and more.

    ###

    Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance—www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org—for people, perfume, and the planet.

    Source: Fragrance Creators Association

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  • These Cool-Girl Fragrances Are the Chicer Versions of Body Mists I Loved in 2005

    These Cool-Girl Fragrances Are the Chicer Versions of Body Mists I Loved in 2005

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    The year is 2005. I’m getting ready to go to the mall with my friend (her mom is going to drop us off because neither of us is old enough to drive ourselves). We’re listening to Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, and The Black Eyed Peas, as I try to decide which body mist to use. I have such classics as Victoria’s Secret Love Spell, Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar, and a no-name bottle of blue raspberry-scented solution that I purchased at Claire’s. I choose the latter and douse myself in a dripping cloud of it. Life is good. 

    Fast forward to the modern day—almost a full 20 years later!—and I’m a beauty editor who fondly reminisces about her first foray into fragrance. My perfume collection has indeed changed. Now, it’s full of high-end and expensive glass bottles, but believe it or not, I still use body mists—albeit chic, grown-up ones. 

    I’m talking about Phlur’s latest launches. The cool-girl fragrance brand recently released three body/hair mists, and I can’t stop spritzing them. There’s a sultry amber, a classic vanilla, and a bright citrus scent. Each one is better than the next, and even though they give me some serious nostalgia, they feel elevated and mature. Keep scrolling to see all three!

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    Kaitlyn McLintock

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  • Everyone Will Be Wearing This Alluring Perfume Trend in 2024

    Everyone Will Be Wearing This Alluring Perfume Trend in 2024

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    Perfume is a highly personal product choice, so it doesn’t often follow the same trend cycles as other beauty products. If you prefer smoky or woodsy scents, there’s a minimal chance you’ll opt for a fruity or sweet perfume, even if it’s “on trend.” 

    That doesn’t mean that there aren’t still trends in the realm of fragrance, though. Last year, fruity perfumes took center stage, with the year’s best fragrances featuring hints of notes like cherries, grapes, tangerines, and figs. This year, the trending scent notes are warm and floral. 

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    Katie Berohn

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  • I'm a Perfume Collector—21 Fragrances That Are Set to Define 2024 for Me

    I'm a Perfume Collector—21 Fragrances That Are Set to Define 2024 for Me

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    Along with lesser-known fragrance brands (at least to me), there are also some popular brands that I’m still getting to know. Then there are the perfumes that I’ve sampled and loved so much I’m now set on getting a full-size bottle. Lastly, there are some bottles I haven’t yet had the pleasure of smelling. There is a lot to consider for this new fragrance journey! Ahead, you’ll find 21 of the perfumes on my sniff list for 2024. Keep scrolling!

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    Marie Lodi

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  • I Got the Scoop on the Beauty Products Nordstrom Has to Restock Constantly

    I Got the Scoop on the Beauty Products Nordstrom Has to Restock Constantly

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    I will always look back on 2023 as the year I was finally won over by Dior’s best-selling Lip Glow Oil, discovered a newfound adoration for the full-coverage and glowy combo offered by Armani’s Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation, and was converted into a Jo Malone fragrance enthusiast. So what’s in store for me in the New Year? I like to think that it’ll be spent in pursuit of a “that girl” beauty collection filled with only the highest-performing products that I can trust to carry me through 2024 without fail.

    With that energy in mind, I reached out to one of my favorite retailers for a better idea of which beauty products are worth having. As a Seattle native, Nordstrom has always been my go-to for all things beauty. It’s the place where I purchased my first eau de parfum and experienced a full-face beat at the hands of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ makeup counter. With their help, I’ve ID’d the top skincare, hair, makeup, and fragrance finds that have been absolutely flying off the shelves recently. I’ll be using this as my Nordstrom beauty shopping guide going forward, so don’t be surprised if I try to snag all of these for myself.

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    Maya Thomas

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  • 5 Beauty Editors, 5 Holiday Shopping Budgets—Here's How We'd Gift With Each

    5 Beauty Editors, 5 Holiday Shopping Budgets—Here's How We'd Gift With Each

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    Pro tip: The end of the holiday season is, by far, the best time to find beauty gifts at smart prices (and we know there’s a good chance you’ll still be giving presents well into the New Year). December comes and goes in a flurry, often resulting in a missed opportunity for a heartfelt gift or two, but who said holiday shopping should be stressful or challenging? Sometimes, the best finds come when you least expect them.

    With the help of my fellow beauty editors, I’ve compiled a list of the 25 best makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products to consider gifting a loved one with across a wide range of different price points. We’ve even provided customer reviews to ease your decision-making process. Keep scrolling for a look at the gift-able beauty finds, from luxurious L’Occitane bodycare to high-tech NuFace tools Who What Wear’s beauty editors can’t stop raving about to anyone who will listen.

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    Maya Thomas

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  • I'm Usually Underwhelmed by “PerfumeTok,” But This New Perfume Really Impressed

    I'm Usually Underwhelmed by “PerfumeTok,” But This New Perfume Really Impressed

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    This earthy and slighty fruity scent is rife with juicy notes like patchouli, blackberry, and clove stem. What initially drew me in were the notes of frankincense and guaiac wood—two powerful notes that I normally wouldn’t even think to pair together. Frankincense is usually reserved for my essential oil diffuser (it’s super relaxing and great for meditation), but adding it to this particular scent almost has the same soothing effect. Guaiac wood is both a smoky and slightly sweet wood. When blended with other notes like patchouli, pink pepper, and frankincense, it creates such a comforting scent that I want to have on me all the time. 

    It’s hard to really describe the unique quality of this fragrance, but it almost smells like a warm forest with fruit trees—trust me, it smells delicious and isn’t offensive or overpowering. It may not be for everyone since it is a bit of a sweeter woody perfume, but if you’re like me and have been looking for a scent that offers both lighter, fruitier notes and deeper woody notes, this is it and brings the best of both worlds. 

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    Shawna Hudson

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