4. Give up the alcohol
Alcohol in your fragrance isn't a problem in winter but in the summer, sun exposure plus alcohol can irritate the skin and make the scent smell funny. "Summer scents usually substitute water for the alcohol, so the fragrance will sit lightly on the skin," says Bendeth. "Because these formulas are so light, you can spritz on a little more -- in fact, you can spritz them all over your body."
5. Avoid extended sun exposure
Yes, this tip is about sun damage -- but not as related to SPF. "The sun can react with fragrance to discolour the skin and turn the scent bitter," Bendeth cautions. "As well, it can attract insects."
6. Try something a little headier for evening
Sexy and a little naughty certainly works for hot summer nights -- Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Summer Fragrance (100 mL, $70) or Ed Hardy Tattoo (50 mL, $57) would turn up the temperature on a dinner date.
Bendeth suggests Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Figue Iris (75 mL, $53) for an indoor rendevouz, and Givenchy Harvest 2007 Organza Jasmine (60 mL, $98) for an evening under the stars. "Just be careful if you're going to a night-time barbeque," says Bendeth. "You don't want to attract bees and mosquitoes!"
7. Um... are there year-round fragrances?
"Of course," says Bendeth. "Soft florals are always in season, and they're appropriate for most situations, including work.
Rose is another all-year-long scent, but those tend to be more romantic, more heady, so save those for non-work environments." If you like soft floral scents, try Celine Dion Sensational (100 mL, $69) or India Hicks Island Living Spider Lily (100 mL, $59.95). If you like rose fragrances, try Jo Malone Red Roses (30 mL, $70), Demeter Bulgarian Rose (30 mL, $19.99), Lacoste Dream of Pink (50 mL, $72) or Valentino Rock ‘n Rose Pret a Porter (50 mL, $67).
Whatever your "scentsibility" (sorry, couldn't resist), breezy summer scents round out your wardrobe of floaty frocks and kicking-back gear. More than that, they banish the last wretched threads of a most bitter winter -- and who doesn't love that?
Most fragrances are available at major drug and department stores as well as sephora.com. Fresh is available at Sephora. India Hicks Island Living at Crabtree and Evelyn and Jo Malone at Holt Renfrew.
Fragrance expert Marian Bendeth cannot provide online consultations, but can be reached via SixthSen@aol.com.
Discover what scents your favourite stars are selling in our celebrity fragrances trend watch.
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