How to Choose the Perfect Fragrance

(NewsUSA) - From finding a scent, choosing between a perfume or an eau de toillete, to learning whether you should layer, there are many choices to consider when shopping for a fragrance.
But choosing a signature scent doesn't have to be difficult. Jan Moran, the creator of the Sephora Fragrance Finder by Scentsa, a touch-screen technology that helps shoppers find and learn about perfume, offers the following tips:

- Know your scents. Scents are typically grouped into five categories -- floral, fresh, spicy and warm, woody and earthy, and brisk aromatics. Different scent groups appeal to different personalities.  For example, fresh scents, which include citrus, aquatic and fruit aromas, speak to a sunny personality, while woody and earthy fragrances can seem soothing and calm. Sephora's Scentsa offers  a "Discover Your Signature Scent Style Quiz," which can help you determine what scents will best appeal to you.

"With more than 500 new fragrances launched each year, you really have to be educated to find a scent that works for you," says Moran. "Scentsa's touch-screen application features current information on more than 6,000 fragrances, so it helps customers find confidence when shopping."
- Try fragrance wardrobing. Once you know what scents you like, change your perfume for different occasions, moods and climates. Choose rich scents during the winter and lighter fragrances for summer. Relax with vanilla and lavender, energize with rose and tuberose.

- Choose a fragrance strength. Perfume is the most intense form of fragrance,  followed by eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne. Intensity, however, does not mean that the scent will be bold and strong, only that it will last longer on your skin.

- Apply fragrance at your pulse points. Your pulse points are behind your ears, at your throat and the nape of the neck, in the decolletage (collar), on your wrists, in the crook of your elbow, behind your knees and on your ankles. Spray fragrance for a more even application.

- Store your fragrance correctly. For maximum shelf life, store fragrances in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly secured. Keep fragrances away from direct sunlight.

Find out more about the Sephora Fragrance Finder by Scentsa by visiting your local Sephora store.

5 Tips for Getting Your Life Back On Track -- After Taking a Wrong Turn

We’ve all experienced moments in our life when we hear ourselves say “YES” to a job, person or situation we know deep in our heart isn’t right for us. And still we do it. As soon as “yes” leaves our lips somewhere in us we hear a voice that screams “NO! Don’t do it!” but somehow another part of us kicks in and our mind overrules the wisdom of our body and we find ourselves on a path we never intended.

Sometimes these wrong turns can be detrimental to our wellbeing. They cause stress and put us in danger of losing ourselves indefinitely. Other times we immediately realize our “yes” has led to an “o-oh” and we decide right then and there to go back to the beginning and start again.

Either way, when you find yourself in a sticky situation, only you have the power to declare you took a wrong turn and only you can decide when it’s time to get back on track. These tips may help.

Be honest with yourself. Admit, as quickly as possible, you made a choice that led you down the wrong path. Nothing will change until you personally acknowledge the decision you made isn’t working for you. The sooner, the better. Be willing to take 100% responsibility for the choices you make for your life.

Plan an exit strategy. Once you’ve admitted to yourself you’re on the wrong path, decide how you’re going to get back on track. In some situations it may be necessary for you to stop what you’re doing immediately. Most of the time, a fast exit may lead to even more stress and poor decision making. Take the time you need to get very clear on what it is you do want, and get back on track one step at a time.

Be gentle with yourself. Beating yourself up will only damage your self esteem. Realize everyone takes wrong turns – even the most successful individuals take several wrong turns before getting it right. Remember, life is ten percent how we make it and ninety percent how we take it.

Look for the lesson. There are no mistakes and there’s always a lesson to be learned – and even a blessing. What did taking a wrong turn teach you about yourself? Do you need to listen to your gut more and others less? Do you need to finally listen to your heart and follow its calling? Do you need to value yourself more? Do you need to redefine what success means to you?

Do better next time. Life is full of second chances. Be willing to take them! Let go of the past and commit to do whatever it takes to get back on the right track. The wisdom you’ve gained from taking a wrong turn will help you do better next time.

There’s only one way to live life on your right track. Listen to your heart. It holds the secret to your happiness and the key to your success.

Copyright 2006 Cari Vollmer

How to Promote and Develop Self-esteem

Self esteem is a key component of our basic human needs. The way we perceive ourselves has a profound effect on how we choose to live our lives. Your level of self esteem has a great effect on your thoughts, feelings and emotions. The development of our self-esteem is moulded by our experiences with other people. Our level of self esteem tends to constantly fluctuate.  

 What steps can you take to promote and develop your self esteem?   The first step is to learn to engage in strong and rewarding relationships. In this article, I will aim to break down the two key relationships that you must learn to develop in order to promote a high level of self worth.   

Key relationship one - your relationship with yourself.

• Nobody likes other people talking about them in a negative way. Why then, would you choose to say nasty things about yourself? It is vital to start thinking about the way you talk both to yourself and about yourself. Start to believe and talk to yourself in a positive way.  
• High self esteem can never be given to you by other people. You need to have the desire to improve your self esteem for yourself.  
• Learn to take credit for your achievements. Do not simply brush them off as chance or luck.  
• Try this simple exercise. It will only take a couple of minutes a day. I want you to stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. I want you to tell yourself that you are a beautiful and unique individual. You have thoughts and opinions that are just as valid as the next person. Do this every morning without fail. After just thirty days it will become a healthy and worthwhile habit!    

 Key relationship two - your relationships with others. 

·        It is vital for our well being to learn to nurture rewarding friendships.    Everybody likes to make friends and feel valued.

·        You can cultivate new friends at any age.   Try to join in a conversation with other people. You are an important member of any team. You have more of an effect on others than you realise. Do not be afraid to start the conversation.

·        Remember to smile :-) If you are friendly and chatty, people are more likely to gravitate towards you.  

·        Try to be open, friendly and kind towards other people. However, do not be afraid to say no. People with low levels of self-esteem are more likely to get talked into something that they do not really want to do.

·        Learn to take a compliment. Smile and say thank you. Start to pay compliments to other people. Words cost nothing. However, they have the power to make or break your day.  

·        Avoid situations or people that make you feel badly about yourself. 

   In order to change, we must first learn to take responsibility for our actions. It will take time to learn how to develop a higher level of self-esteem. Change is not easy but it is possible. By learning to communicate effectively with yourself, it will become easier to develop your self esteem. This will have the knock on effect of helping to improve the way you communicate with others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/how-to-promote-and-develop-self-esteem-1326861.html

About the Author: Heather Maceachern

For more information on how to promote and develop your self esteem, visit  www.discover-self-confidence.com

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