Natural perfume, also known as botanical perfume, is the name given to any perfume that contains only natural ingredients. This means that the product does not contain artificial ingredients of any kind. The idea behind this product is that it is kinder to the skin and to the environment.

Modern living and political outlooks have paved the way for the natural perfume to become increasingly popular. However, the idea of it has always been around, and until the 1800s when synthetic materials were created, natural perfume was the only option. The synthetics were a breakthrough in modern science, and offered a valuable commodity for perfume makers. It enabled the product to have a longer shelf life and could also create more effects and blends.

Synthetic perfume is still excellent quality, but there is a modern trend for trying to recapture the essence of all things natural; and this includes with perfume. Botanical perfume is created from raw organics and rare aromatics, with natural extraction processes used. The aromatics are obtained through tincturing, enfleurage, infusion and distillation, and then added to a combination of carrier oil and water or a natural alcohol base. These bases are less severe than their synthetic counterparts and so it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Allergies are a common reason why people are turning to botanical perfume. The high levels of pollution have made many people more sensitive and intolerant to many chemicals that would previously have produced no adverse affect. Natural perfume ingredients are in their purest form, and so the absence of chemicals creates less irritants and skin pollutants.

Another reason for the popularity of natural perfume is that it can be used to create a signature blend. In the modern world where mass production is the norm, many people are turning to the unique and rare to recapture a sense of identity. Natural perfume enables this. Firstly, synthetic perfumes are mass produced, and so it is down to the taste of the buyer as to whether they are purchased, whereas natural perfumes can be made bespoke.

These bespoke perfumes are created in relation to the tastes of the buyer, and are available for that buyer only. Many natural perfumeries are opening across the globe, where clients can go in for a whole experience which includes answering questions about tastes to determine a particular classification such as oriental, citrus, marine or floral. Then different base scents are tested, and those liked are then combined to create a signature fragrance, usually stored on a database for future purchases.

The ingredients are also a key factor. Natural perfumes often contain rare aromatics that would be too expensive to use in mass production. Therefore, it can offer a wider variety of fragrances. Another element to consider is the concentration of the blend. Synthetic perfumes have strict concentrations of perfume per alcohol and water base, which must be adhered to. Natural perfumes can step outside of these conventions, and create a strength that suits your requirements. Certain perfume may be based upon aromatherapy and aromacology theories also, to try and help assist with mood and health.

Of course, natural perfume does have its disadvantages also. For instance, the absence of any chemical fixative in the perfume, similar to the preservatives found in food produce, means that it is evanescent or short lasting. The ingredients in botanical perfume may separate also, as they contain no chemicals that bind, but this can be resolved with a gentle shake, so not too much of a problem but worth remembering. Natural perfumes are generally inexpensive and a pleasant change from the norm. Ultimately, however, they need to suit your requirements and needs; so weight the pros and cons and make an informed choice before purchasing.

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This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/perfume-fragrancia.php
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

Many consumers dont realize the hidden dangers lurking in product fragrances. This is because, in the U.S. as in many other countries, manufacturers dont have to specify on product labels exactly what ingredients a fragrance contains. With many fragrances now comprising complicated mixtures of hundreds of ingredients, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) not requiring safety tests of cosmetic products, this makes the exact composition of a fragrance a black box of many different, untested chemicals.In the worst cases, some of the chemical cocktails listed on product labels merely as a fragrance have been linked to allergies, skin reactions, hormone disruptions, birth defects and even cancer.This problem isnt confined to just a few products, since about 95% of 3,000 the different fragrance ingredients now used consist of low cost synthetic compounds derived from petroleum.Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are a top hazard in fragrance mixtures. These are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly added to plastics to increase their flexibility. Certain phthalate esters are also used in the manufacture of nail polishes, paint, adhesives and perfumes. In 2004, a joint Swedish-Danish research team found a strong link between allergies in children and the phthalates; this study was later published in The Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. Subsequent studies have also linked phthalates with birth defects, toxicity and damage to adult reproductive, adrenal, liver, and kidney organs. Although some manufacturers have removed these chemicals from their products, a recent study conducted by the Environmental Working Group found phthalates in nearly three-quarters of 72 name-brand products tested.Artificial musks can also cause unintended side effects. These chemicals remain popular, however, since the price of natural musk, which is derived mainly from a gland of the male musk deer, has become prohibitively expensive. Of the three primary types of synthetic musk (nitromusk, polycyclic musk and macrocyclic musk), nitromusk is particularly dangerous as it has been linked to reproductive and fertility problems in women at high levels of exposure. Because of this, the EU has banned the usage of some nitromusks in cosmetics and personal care products, but in the United States, musk chemicals remain unregulated, and safe levels of exposure have not yet been set. Many synthetic fragrance components are considered allergens and can both cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks. But when the Environmental Working Group conducted a survey in 2005 of U.S. cosmetic industry ingredient reviews, it found that for about one third of all ingredients, allergen and sensitizer determinations were made inadequately.In contrast, natural fragrance ingredients such as essential oils are obtained entirely from plants. When properly prepared, they have not been associated with significant adverse reactions. However, natural ingredients tend to be more expensive than synthetic chemicals, resulting in fewer skin care product manufacturers using them.

Paul Penders is the founder of Paul Penders organic skin and hair care, a unique line of organic, cold-blended products incorporating ingredients from the oldest rainforest in the world: http://www.paulpenders.com.

It is very difficult to decide which perfume to choose for someone else as a gift. With so many different varieties of perfumes on the market like Angel
Burberry London, Light Blue, Pink Sugar, Amor Amor for womens and 212, Acqua Di Gio, Cool Water, Dolce & Gabbana, Drakkar Noir for mens, just how are you supposed to select the right one? Below, you will find the answer.

First, if cost is a big consideration when you are purchasing perfume, then you may want to predetermine how much you are going to spend before you start shopping.

Next, If you are purchasing perfume for someone else, this task is difficult than if you are buying for yourself. For instance, if your friend likes wearing musk, then look for musk when you are purchasing perfume and if your friend or loved one likes earthy scents, then look for an earthy scent when you shop.

Next, there is actually a trick to smelling perfume. Have you ever noticed that when you smell perfume from the bottle and then you smell it on your wrist it does not ever smell the same? That's because perfumes react with your body chemicals. So, you will want to purchase a perfume that is not only pleasing to the nose when you open the bottle, but one that is pleasing when it reacts to skin contact. Also, once you have applied the perfume to your wrist, wait a few seconds as the strong odor will dissipate and will leave you with the scent that the perfume is meant to provide.

Finally, if you decide to purchase perfumes online you should email the company to send you a variety of samples before you make your purchases. There are some companies which provide you discount perfumes. Again, a website can tell you absolutely nothing about what a perfume smells like. Just because the advertisement says that the perfume has a lovely musk scent, it doesn't mean that you will think the scent is lovely when you receive your package. Therefore, unless you are familiar with a perfume product, refrain from shopping for perfumes online until you have had an opportunity to sample the product.

As a licensed cosmetologist, I would like to share how to develop the art of truly being a makeup artist on your own face.

First, please toss out old ideas you may have had, as well as the one size fits all beauty tips youve picked up along the way. You dont want any pre-conceived ideas that may cloud your judgment.

Get in front of a mirror, with natural light. Cleanse your face, moisturize, etc. to get it ready for makeup. Get all your brushes, makeup gathered and pull your hair back out of the way. Imagine yourself as your own artist, with your face as the canvas upon which you are about to create a look.

There are 2 very important principals to remember. Light colors bring out, gives the illusion of an area being forward or front. Dark colors set back, creates a look of depth. Now, really study for your face for a few minutes, dont focus for now on any particular area, look at shape overall. It might help to even write down notes about impressions you get. What areas seem to need brought out? What areas seem to need to be set back? An example would be a very round face would need an area in the cheeks set back (darker) to give the illusion of higher cheekbones, more slender face, at the same time using some lighter shades on the forehead area above the temples to also create a look of lengthening the face. A chin that is a bit undercut would need to be brought forth more to give the appearance of being more prominent than it is (lighter color).

When using lighter & darker colors for shading & highlighting, be sure to blend very well and use a light touch. Choose a foundation that is very close to your natural skin coloring. I personally have recently discovered mineral makeup (you can do an online search for several brands) or you can use any brand you want. I just have found these very easy to use for using light & dark colors where needed. Blend, blend and blend more, you dont want anything that looks obvious or any streaking appearance. Also if youre a light blonde, you wouldnt use something super dark for shading because you wouldnt be able to blend it in a way to look natural. Use a shade thats 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone, same with lighter shades, 1 or 2 shades lighter than your own skin tone.

Look at your eyes closely now. You want to create balance. Not every eye will look best with the typical medium color on the lid, darkest in the crease and highlighter on the brow. Again, look at your eye shape, what needs brought forth (light), and what needs to recede (dark). A person with deep-set eyes for example will do best with a light to medium shade on their lid, the lightest side in their crease, and a medium shade on their brow bone. The person with the deep-set eyes needs to avoid dark colors altogether, it will only accentuate the problem. Having the lightest color in the crease will help bring forth their eyes, making their eyes look bigger, wider and not set back. This is the opposite pattern of what is typically told. If a person has eyes that are close set together, you want light colors around the inside areas of the eyes (near the nose) to give the appearance of more space being there, making the eyes look wider apart, and darker colors on the outside edges.

Play with the different looks until you get the right one for your bone structure. It also helps to stand back away from a mirror, from across a room to look, as you get a better feel of overall balance than right up close. Dont be afraid to try new combos you hadnt thought of before, it might be the perfect fit for you!

By Valerie Garner. Discover beautifully scented, lovingly hand poured candles made from the pure wax of soybeans. Clean and long burning, with hundreds of gorgeous scents to choose from. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for a chance to win a free candle every month. http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com

In early 2007, a cancer-causing petrochemical was found in dozens of childrens bath
products and adults personal care products, in some cases at levels more than twice the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) recommended maximum.Laboratory tests revealed the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in products such as Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Huggies Baby Wash, Johnsons Baby Wash, Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Bubble Bath. The tests also found the carcinogen in Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many other products for adults.1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant considered a human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Toxicology Program. It is also on Californias Proposition 65 list of chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. But because it is produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels. Also, the agency has little authority or enforcement capacity over the cosmetics industry.
The FDA has been measuring 1,4-Dioxane levels since 1979 and is working with manufacturers to reduce levels on a voluntary basis. In 2000, the FDA recommended that cosmetic products not contain 1,4-Dioxane at concentrations greater than 10 parts per million; yet 15% of products tested exceeded these guidelines. This limit, however, also does not take into account that people exposed to 1,4-Dioxane from shampoo may be exposed at the same time to 1,4-Dioxane from bubble bath, body wash and other products.The tests were conducted by West Coast Analytical Service, an independent testing laboratory specializing in trace chemical analysis, and results were announced by the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics.

Paul Penders is the founder of Paul Penders organic skin and hair care, a unique line of organic, cold-blended products incorporating ingredients from the oldest rainforest in the world: http://www.paulpenders.com.

For over 5,000 years, the people of Africa, Middle East and India have practiced the beautiful and mysterious art of painting on the body with preparations using the henna plant. This artform is called henna art and sometimes referred to as Mehndi, in India.

The henna plant is thought to come from Egypt where it was called Egyptian Privet. Later henna was brought to India as a state gift from the Egyptians. Queen Mumtaz who ruled in the 1600's was the first Indian queen to be decorated with henna. Today, it is common to find artists practicing their henna crafts outside the Taj Mahal, which was built to honor Queen Mumtaz. Traces of henna have been found on mummies from 1200 BC. It is also known that Pharoahs hands and feet were first dipped in henna prior to mummification.

Traditionally, henna and the Mehndi artform is an important part of wedding ceremonies. The hands and feet of the bride are decorated by professional henna artists, called Hannayas or Naqashas in Morocco. The intricate and beautiful designs cover her hands and feet in a lacy manner.

It is common belief that henna brings good luck. Ornamenting the bride's hands and feet with henna is believed to bring love, health, prosperity, safety in childbirth, protection from harmful spirits and assure happiness in death as well.

Henna tattooing is the hottest trend to come from the East. Its popularity has exploded in the last couple of years in New York city, and is fast becoming the most sought after, fascinating beauty creations in North America.

Many celebrities have been proud to show their henna tattoos in public, on the big screen, and in music videos.

It is now being used to create stunning Tribal art tattoos, quite often in cases where people would like a permanent tattoo but aren't sure if it would suit. The beauty of a Henna Tattoo done with a Henna Pen is that it will be gone in 10 days if you decide it's not for you.

It can also be good for keeping kids quiet when they think they can have what mummy or daddy have got.

Phill Hopkins has witten more about Henna Tattoos and the art of Mehndi.

Everyone loves the sweet smell of a females perfume. It has the power to entice and soothe depending on the type of perfume being worn. Each perfume is different and this means that each one brings something different to the user which often times has very interesting results. To make the most of this, we shall highlight a set of useful tips as it relates to the application and use of perfume.

Many times you see women apply perfume to their wrists as this is a pulse or pressure point and these areas are extremely beneficial when it comes to perfume application. What many people dont know is by rubbing your wrists together after applying the perfume can

This tip should be one of the first things done as it makes sense. You should always ensure that your perfume bottle is tightly secured as this will make sure that you do not lose the precious perfume to evaporation. Like any water substance perfume will evaporate if it is exposed and the conditions are right. Sealing the perfume will ensure that your perfume will last and you wont lose it unnecessarily because of evaporation.

The point of perfume is to smell good. This is the main reason why so many women spend so much money on this product. The one bad thing about perfume is that it fades during the course of the day. This is because the perfume particles diffuse away eventually leaving nothing. One tip to ensure that you your perfume is strong is to reapply the fragrance during the course of the day. This can be done every four hours to maximize the smell potency of your perfume.

The joy that perfume brings to a woman is unmatched. It allows her to be desirable, sexy and mystical and this is all because of how she smells. Each generation of woman is introduced to the powerful item called the perfume. This perfume can do so much that it is often times referred to as a magic spray. To make sure that this spray use is maximized, there are couple of tips that will allow you to get the most out of the perfume. You should not rub your wrists together after applying perfume as this reduces the effectiveness of the fragrance. You should also ensure that the bottle is tightly sealed so that your perfume does not evaporate away. It is always good to reapply perfume to continue with a strong smell, as it fades during the course of the day. Follow these tips and it is guaranteed that you and your perfume will have good days ahead.

This article was inspired by information found at the website Laura Mercier . The author James Dalton purchased some of Laura Mercier Fragrances and liked the Laura Mercier Almond Coconut

Fragrances can often reflect our mood and personality. A certain scent on a good friend may smell quite differently on you as each fragrance reacts differently according to our own chemical makeup.

When testing a perfume in a store, be sure to wait about 10 minutes to allow the fragrance to react to your body chemistry before buying it. Smell it after the first application and then smell it again after waiting. This allow you to sample both the top and middle notes of the scent and give you a good sense of how the fragrance will linger throughout the day.

Be sure to limit how many fragrances you try at one time at the store - stick to just 3 or 4 at a time. Otherwise your olfactory senses may become overwhelmed and you may not be able to tell one perfume from the other!

If you are concerned about an allergic reaction, wait about an hour or so after sampling the perfume. If no reaction occurs by that time, it is probably safe to go ahead and splurge on that new perfume!

Always apply fragrances directly to your skin or hair, as some fragrances (especially parfums and eau de parfums which have a higher concentration of oils) may cause discoloration on certain fabrics. Never spray fragrances directly on silk - it will damage it!

If you like to spritz a bit on your clothing, be sure to test it first on hidden area such as an inner lining before spraying it all over yourself! This is especially true for delicate fabrics and "dry clean only" clothing.

I suggest changing your fragrance depending upon the season. In other words, go for lighter scents during the hotter weather and keep the stronger scents for the drier, cool weather. Heat intensifies the scent, so there is no need to douse yourself in a heavy scent during the summer. And if you are outdoors, be aware that bees, wasps, hornets, and other flying bugs are attracted to flowery fragrances (which is another good reason to stick to light, clean scents!)

Speaking of heat, if you want to keep that favorite cologne as fresh as the day you bought it, keep the bottle in a cool, dark place. Keep the bottle in it's original box, if possible. You may even want to keep it in the fridge, so you can have a refreshingly cool spritz of your perfume before heading out for the day!

Denise Hayes,

Owner of DRH Fine Gifts - Discount Perfumes & Colognes

Applying smoky eyes makeup can make you the most attractive and beautiful woman. It is a good choice for drawing attention, also. For a nice aspect, if the smokey eye look tone is kind of dramatic, you should keep your lips simple, without applying any lipstick. Smoky eyes are a good choice for all types of faces.

What smoky eye makeup does is to highlight the brow bones and darken the lids. This effect will make you look sexy and beautiful, even if the smokey makeup is using dark colors. A very important thing to take into account is the eye shadow color. Being very careful, smoky eyes are not so difficult to obtain. An advantage of this kind of makeup is that it fits any face type.

For a pleasant smoky eyes makeup, before starting the process, you have to make sure you have a grey eye shadow, loose powder, black mascara, eye primer, dark eye shadow and a magic lash. Now, start applying the smoky eyes makeup, following the next steps. First, apply a perfect eyeliner and the base eye shadow over the upper lid, blending with a base brush. The next step is to apply a clean color over the eye, from eyelid to brow. A dark brown eye shadow should be applied from the lid to crease, for a better effect. In the final, apply two layers of black mascara and work a little on your eyebrows for a strong smoky eyes makeup.

Now, for some simple eye makeup tips. Use eye shadows that fit your character or to express your mood. Working on it can make you apply makeup like a professional. Though, mind that dark colors recede features and light colors highlight! Apply the lightest shade you have over the entire eyelid and the medium shade on the lower eyelid. It's time to apply dark colors for creating depth. The best place for doing that is the outer corner. Next, apply a little eyeliner, from the center of the eye to the corners. Finally, apply mascara. For dark eyes, black or dark brown is recommended. You can use dark eye shadow instead of eyeliner, applying it with a flat wet brush.

Alien writes for blackheads treatment. He also writes for beauty advice and punk hairstyles

Getting a new cell phone these days often comes with a commitment of at least two-year cell phone contracts with the cell phone company. That is a long time to be tied to one if you arent happy with the service. While you do have the option of canceling, the fees for doing so are often several hundred dollars. Cell phone contracts can be hard to follow and make you feel trapped.

Another concern is the different charges that you incur during cell phone contracts. Even though they always make it sound like an excellent deal the little additional charges for things like directory assistance, using too many minutes, and internet access really start to add up. This makes it hard to budget for your cell phone bill each month.

A great alternative is to consider a pay as you go cell phone. With this type of option you purchase the cell phone and a set amount of minutesand there are no cell phone contracts. Once you use those minutes you can add more to the phone. The process for doing this with pay as you go phones is to call a number and add them or to buy a prepaid card for the minutes and enter the code from it to your pay as you go phone.

This is an excellent option for those who have bad credit or who cant get cell phone contracts without a hefty deposit. This is also a good option for individuals who live on a tight budget and need to know exactly what their cell phone usage is going to cost them before they commit to it.

Teenagers who want their own cell phone also are able to buy pay as you go phones with their own money, if they choose to do so. This is because they can be purchased at a retailer for cash so not having a credit card isnt an obstaclesometimes without cell phone contracts. Many parents who want to get a cell phone for their child choose the pay as you go phones over cell phone contracts because they have control over the cost of the added expense.

With cell phone contracts, the phones arent cheap so you have that expense when you sign up for the contact. You also have to pay if you damage or lose the phone which is a scenario that frequently happens. Pay as you go phoneswhich dont come with cell phone contractsoffer you a choice of many different varieties of phones. They arent very expensive though so if you do happen to lose it you wont have to come up with a large sum of money to replace it.

With the quality of pay as you go phones continually improving as well as being easy to use, many people are turning to them as a good alternative to those lengthy cell phone contracts that can be complicated and expensive.

Josie Lee hasn't ended her cell phone contract and decided to go with pay as you go cell phones. You only pay for the minutes you use and no contract. You can change providers anytime.