You know that moment you meet someone and they compliment how you smell? That's when you've done something right. But how do you get that

Which is why you need a fragrance cheat sheet.

I'll recommend actual scents and show you how to combine fragrances in later posts but for now, we'll stick with the fundamental knowledge of perfuming:

Definitions in Simplest Terms

• Eau de Toilette (EDT): Toilet water. Less intense and less expensive
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): Fancy toilet water. More intense and more expensive.
• Parfum: The fanciest of waters. NOT from a toilet, how dare you think that.
• Sillage: how many people will smell you when you walk in the room
• Accord: a blend of complementary scents that will get you compliments

There are two Types of Perfumes

1. Oil Based: These scents are made from natural oils. Think: lavender essential oil, but a lot bougier. An oil based scent is usually stronger, allergy cooperative, and will last longer on the skin. 
2. Alcohol Based: as the name implies, alcohol is the base. These scents will typically not last as long and usually serve your mid-tier fragrance markets.

Scents change based on location, altitude, and temperature.

• Dry Climates: Fresh + sweet and floral fragrances
• Wet Climates: Musky, woody, sweet

The goal is to mimic the fragrances found in proximal nature.

I know this sounds ultra hippy-dippy, but imagine having a penguin in the Sahara Desert -  it might still live under the right conditions, but it ain't thriving.

Pheromones are important(ish).

How your body interacts with a fragrance is important. However, the way the surrounding environment interacts with your fragrance is what makes the biggest difference. Think about it. The room you're in is a lot bigger than you are. So yes, try the fragrance out at home. But also try the fragrance out in a park, office or restaurant if you really want to know how you'll smell with it on.

Congratulations!

You've completed the first level. Stay tuned for location-based perfume recommendations (level 2) and the perfume blending guide (level 3).

Not mad, just disappointed

When I was younger, my pediatrician told me that I would most likely grow out of my asthma when I reached adulthood. So far that hasn't been the case. Here's how I cope:

Know the air you breathe 

Monitoring air quality is exceptionally important. Resources like Air Now gives a detailed description of how healthy the air is to breathe throughout the day. This is a great travel resource as well because you can scope out a city's pollution before booking a trip. 

Monitoring Indoor Humidity

Winters are especially dry for me, which makes it difficult to breathe. Getting a humidifier guarantees me at least 8 hours of good air a day while I'm home after work or sleeping. It's important to get a humidifier that monitors the humidity level in the room. Too much humidity can cause mold and is dangerous. Your ideal relative humidity percentage is between 40% and 50%, according to Thermastor

See also: Guide to Warm vs. Cool Humidifiers (Mayo Clinic)

Inhalers & Backups

I always try to have a prescription inhaler on me, but sometimes I'm on the go and forget it at home. Recently, the FDA approved an over the counter inhaler, called Primatene. It doesn't replace a prescription inhaler, but it could help you get through a rough day without your main. 

See also: Asthma Medications: Know your Options (Mayo Clinic)

Asthma-Focused Yoga 

I've been exposed to an entire subset of Yoga dedicated to helping relieve respiratory problems. The positions often involve some intense stretches, but I've found that they help my breathing quite a bit. Here's a link below to a few yoga poses to help asthma: 

Fragrance Tips

I find that my asthma is a lot better when I use slightly less cologne and keep my fragrances as natural as possible. An Australian Study found that "33% of Australians report health problems, such as migraine headaches and asthma attacks, when exposed to fragranced products." I try to wear minimal scent or keep it as natural and oil-based as possible when it comes to fragrance.

What are some of your asthma tips?

With love, 

Richie