People worldwide are using perfume for a variety of reasons. We may use it to smell nice, attract people of the opposite sex or just make ourselves feel good and more confident. But before you go on spraying that favorite scent of yours, have you ever wondered how the perfume originated and what goes on into making a signature scent?

The art of making fragrances originated from the Egyptians when they burned plants and woods for their pleasant odors. But it was the French who turned it into a science and into a multi-million industry. Making scents and fragrances is very big business. Long gone were the days when perfume used to be for the affluent or rich. Now, more and more people can afford to purchase perfumes and colognes as scent manufacturers are producing fragrances suited for every age, gender and purchasing power.

One of the problems in producing perfumes would be how to make it last long. It was the French who discovered the solution to overcoming this problem by layering the scents into three layers which is known in the industry as notes.

The top note is the initial smell that we whiff when a perfume is applied or sprayed on. It has an intense smell but usually lasts for only a short while. Spice or Citrus based scents are commonly used as a top note.

The middle note otherwise known as the heart note is the main component of the scent. The smell of the middle note surfaces when the top note starts to weaken. Usually floral scents in nature are used as middle notes since it is softer in smell. The middle note would last most of the day.

The base note is the scent that would last until the night. It serves as the foundation of every scent and it will blend with the middle note. Musky scents are commonly used as a base note.

The perfume basically has three components: the scent, the fixative and the solvent. The scent can be made from flowers, plants, herbs, spices and wood. The fixative is the component that helps make the scent last for a longer duration. The solvent is usually alcohol and helps prevent bacteria from forming and maintains the perfume's consistency.

When you will be using any cologne or perfume, ensure that you don't put on too much of it. As much as possible to make it pleasing to other people apply only a very slight amount to let it blend with your body's natural odor.