The corner of courage: Shades, colours and signature scent

KANISA GEORGE

When perfumers and cosmetic scientists create masterful and alluring creations, they usually engage in a process of forensic analysis that examines pertinent features before arriving at the finished product. Marketing strategies, product size and price are some of the key issues to be determined before the product hits the shelves. What many of us don't realise is that most beauty products are crafted with olfactory and visual senses in mind.

Our senses along with other variables like internet trends are what we use to determine whether a product is worth our money, and energy. The most important organs of sense are our eyes, for we perceive up to 80 per cent of all impressions using sight. Notably, our sense of self, which is linked to our limbic system, is densely connected to our sense of smell and emotions.

With this in mind, companies, especially those that specialise in makeup and fragrances, use this principle as the driving force during the product development stages. The perfume industry is built around the connection between smell and emotions, with perfume developers creating fragrances that aim to evoke an array of feelings.

These principles, it appears, may have had a trickle-down effect, for most women subconsciously understand the roles that sight and smell play in how society perceives them.

Pheromones, a chemical substance produced and released into the environment, is closely related to sexual attraction. Although visual cues influence one's level of appeal, smell also plays a role in socio-sexual behaviour.

Kissing is thought by some scientists to have developed from sniffing, and a first kiss is a form of primal behaviour which allows us to smell and taste our partner to decide if they are a match. In a world dominated by the complexities of smell and sight, here are some tools us women can use when deciding on the most suitable products.

When choosing a signature scent the main factor that should influence your decision besides cost, isn't what your friend is wearing or the latest perfume trend, your focus should be placed on your skin type.

Influenced by secretion of sebum, diet and lifestyle, perfumes are set differently from person to person. A scent that might fit well with dry skin may not complement someone who has fatty or oily skin. Perfumers suggest that women with dry skin should stay away from alcohol-based perfumes as they have a dehydrating effect on your skin. Oriental or resinous perfumes are recommended as these are rich in oils and have a viscous appearance that does not dry the skin after the alcohol evaporates.

For mixed skin, floral fragrances are recommended because of the balanced content of aromatic compounds and solvents. Herbal or citrus perfumes that have a tonic effect on the skin are also recommended. Although skin type should be considered first and foremost, don't forget to factor in your personality. Fruity floral scents are known for their flirtatious appeal, and musky or ocean-themed aromas are bold and classic.

Makeup is defined by bold colours and loud, diverse textures, but there are shades and colours better suited for some skin tones. Before choosing a colour or shade, you must first determine your skin tone. There are two general categories of skin tone colours known as cool skin tones and warm skin tones. One way to do determine your skin tone is by looking at your vein. If your veins look purple-blue or blue-green, you most likely have a cool skin tone; veins that appear green usually fall under the category of warm skin tone. Once you have determined your skin tone, it's easy to pick a colour that suits you.

Elle magazine recommends colours that are plum red, like berry or wine colours with blue undertones for fair skin tones, as well as nudes, corals and apricot shades.

For medium skin tone, colours of deep reds, and blue reds that have yellow undertones give the skin a brightened appearance and are a lot more appealing than pale browns that makes the skin look ashy.

Beauty experts suggest that nearly every shade of brown, including light browns to rich and dark browns look stunning on dark to black skin tones. Using sheer or glossy pinks that have slight beige hues can also be used to enhance darker skin.

The allure of scent and sight adds colour to our lives, informs our personalities and determines our level of attraction. Picking the right shade and scent clothes you with an air of confidence and flair that would not only make you feel beautiful on the outside but will allow positivity to exude from within.