Enter the malls armed with knowledge of what's out there

_ PERFUME AND Chiistmas
have gone hand in hand since
day one, when three wise
guys presented a soon-to-be-
famous newborn with fra-
grant gifts of frankincense

and myrrh.
It’s hard to believe, but the ori-
‘gins of fragrance go even further
back than that fateful starry night.

The word “perfume” is derived
from the Litin per fimum, which
means “through the smoke.”

As part of a religious ritual,’
ancient Egyptians and Hebrews
burned scented herbs and woad,
releasing a fragrant smoke that
wafted to the heavens and pleased
the gods. And in the orient, brave
warniers coated their bodies with
perfumed balms.

But it wasn’t until the Crusades

‘that the French caught on to the

existence of such fragrant essences.
- King Philippe Auguste wasted no

time in capitalizing on the discov-

"ery, and in the 12th century, he

granted glovemakers the privilege
of selling perfume. To make it all
official, the Charter of
Glovemakers-Perfumers was signed
in 1190,

It is rumored that during the
reign of Louis XV, members of his
court were required to don a differ- .
ent perfume each day of the week.

- Today, the cosmetics counters
teem with as many fragrances us
there are days in a year — all the

"-more reason to enter the malls
armed with some knowledge of

- what's out there, and what will suit

-the needs and personality of the
wearer.

_ Fragrances typically come in
four varying strengths: perfume,
cau de parfum, eau de toilette and
eau de cologne.

‘Perfume is the purest and
strongest form, with essential oils
composing 15-30% of the formula.
With the longest-lasting power of
the four, perfume retains its scent °
six to eight hours before it begins to
fade. 3.

"Bau de parfum, with essential
oils meking up 8-15% of the com-
position, lasts four to five hours,
while eau de toilette, with 4-8%,
lasts two to three hours. Eau de

cologne, with only 3-5%, lasts one
to two hours.

’ The three “notes” of a fragrance
signify the development stages of a
fragrance once applied and reveal
the personality of the scent as it
evolves. °

Top notes are evident when first
applied; middle notes, or “the

| “A Merry Christmas Season to all

our Wonderful Customers”
And we look forward to serving
you in the New Year.
“Happy Ne v Year"

STYLE NOTES

heart,” emerge up to an hour after
application, as the fragrance reacts
with the wearer's chemistry; base
notes are apparent when the fra-
grance dries down to its final
impression.

Fragrance “families” categorize
scents by their dominant notes: flo-
ral, spicy, citrus, oriental, floriental
for women; spicy, citrus, woody,
musk, lavender for men. ;

New to '93 are a number of sig-
nature scents, created by designers

Call Maarlen a al
}LEON’S HAIR SHOP
926-5453
233-17th St., West Van.

to embody the spirit of their cloth-
ing.

Perry Ellis’ 360°, released last
July, reflects the American design-
er's flair for wearable and unpreten-
tious clothes, The fragrance comes
ina futuristic cylindrical bottle
topped by a clear glass spherical
cap. Crisp and clean, it has top
notes of Amazon lily, melon and
tangerine. The heart is a floral bou-
quel of muguet, water lily, lavender
and sage. The base has woody notes
of amber, sandalwood, vetiver,
vanilla and musk.

Donna Karan New York, a blend
of exotic florals with a woody
undertone, embodies the creator's
sensuous designs und luxurious fab-
rics.

Gio, Giorgio Armani’s latest fra-
grance offering. is a fruity floral
with top notes of Egyptian hyacinth
and Sicilian mandarin and a spicy.
warm base.

Nicole Miller Fragrance is an
“aura-floral” of exotic fruits, rich
florals and base notes of sandal-
wood, amber, vanilla and musk.

. Introduced in October. it is the first

signature scent for the New York-
based designer and creator of
whimsical prints and the original

See Gift sets page 17

20% OFF

Come Home for Chri: Christmas to the

LONSDALE QUAY HOTEL!

Located above the Lonsdale Quay Market,
surrounded by specially shops and fine restaurants,
we feature an intimate personal service hotelina
unique waterfront settling.

Treat your friends and relatives for the
ay season at only

585. 00 sva

And the month of December only, Parking will be
Complimentary during weekends!

For more information, please call us at 986-6111

( offer valid December 20, 1993 10 December 80, 1993

& does not include applicable taxes & certain restrictions do apply }

123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 3K7

“Phato submitted

PURCHASE OSCAR de fa Renta fragrance products and Oscar
will throw in a bottle of perfume and a holiday hatbox.

FACTORY CLEARANCE SALE
DAILY UNTIL CHRISTMAS -

TYROL SPORTSWEAR LT

1705 Weich St. N. Vancouver (Sale at rear of factory)
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 12 noon-8 pm,
Sat.-Sun.11am-4pm 980-2491