You probably do not bother to wear perfume to the beach, but some of these glamour models do. Read their thoughs about wearing string bikinis to the beach over at our sister site Sun & Sin:

• String bikinis – hot or not?

We preferred the quote from Claudia Romani:

“I am not really into them. I like Brazilian panties… I think they are sexier and classier.”

I’m not sure if this was a regional ritual or an “English thing” but as quite a young child I remember duting the summer months making perfume with my girlfriends. We’d collect jars from all of our neighbours and families and set about making our own potions. All we would need is two ingredients; flowers and water! Looking back, although we weren’t naughty kids, it was a little shameful what exactly we’d do. We would go around the neighbours gardens and pick the petals from the biggest, healthiest and unusual looking flowers… and never get caught!

Then we’d climb into “our secret perfume den” which was a luxurius place- a hole in the midddle of a bush! We would squash our flowers into the water-filled jars and then shake it… something like developing the flavour, before we would bury the glass jars in the ground with our names on! A couple of day’s later we would return and strain the soggy, stinky petals from our the jars and smell the creations. “Hmm!” We would chorus with glee… although actually it smelt like cat wee and didn’t at all look attractive in the murky brown water.

On returning home, we would present the heavenly scent to our mothers, and insist that she try it. After watching her place the “unique” scent onto her pulse points before she would say “Wow, that is the nicest perfume I have ever smelt in my entire life!” I would be content, and even though I would never see my mother with the perfume again, it didn’t matter because it would be so easy to make more!

At one point, aged about 8, I thought I had the nose of a perfume maker and so my Grandma bought me a “Get Set perfume maker!” I loved it, and had fun for hours mixing the ingredients and pouring the juice into the cute containers (much more sophisticated than our jars!)

It kind of saddens me now to see so many perfumes for very young children on the market. However, if you are stuck for a gift for your 8 year old niece look no further.

Barbie™ Fragrance
“Love makeup, lotions and potions? Spritz on “B,” the latest perfume from Barbie™! It smells like berries and candy apples! Every bottle comes with a sparkly charm you can wear anywhere. There’s also a stylin’ gift set that comes with perfume, a trendy tank top, or a pretty pink belt!”

Barbie™ Fragrance 2

“Hey, stylish girl! Need a perfume as fresh and pretty as you are? Try the new scent from Barbie™! It smells like flowers and light citrus. Choose between gift sets that include either a cuddly bear coin purse or a hip pink handbag. They’re sweet, sassy, and so you!”

Both can be purchased at the Barbie website!

February 14th is Valentine’s day. Where lovers and admirers exchange gifts and kisses. What will put him in the mood for love? Your smell of course!

The fish is baking in the oven, the wine has cooled in the fridge and the candles are flickering throughout your apartment giving you a gorgeous glow. Just before he arrives, which perfume will you spray on those pulse points. Remember, just a little… you’ll need to be using all your senses tonight! Here’s 5 sexy Valentine’s perfumes that can be bought in leading department stores:

1. Euphoria by Calvin Klein

Show him how happy and comfortable you are with him with Euphoria by Calvin Klein. It is spicy and exotic, and somewhat fruity showing your different sides. This sensual perfume is unforgettable and addictive. Just like you are to him!

2. Agent Provocateur by Agent Provocateur.

You are both still in that blissful honeymoon period, where things are exciting, sexy and spontaneous. Provoke him, tease him and do things you only normally fantasise about with Agent Provocateur by Agent Provocateur. This is a very sexy fragrance which blends spice, flowers and musk is for the daring minxes out there, leaving your man wild with desire.

3. Bulgari Omni

For that crisp white sheet, champagne and strawberries feel try Bulgari Omni for those who live a luxurious love. The scent is rich and seductive with notes of almond and chocolate to seduce your classy man into an oriental feeling evening.

4. Ralph Lauren’s Romance

For young love which is Floral, Fresh, Clean, and naively sexual use Ralph Lauren’s romance. Its a sweet fragrance, but not too sickly with the base notes being of exotic wood.

5. Eau de Juicy Couture.

For love which has lasted for years, revive your sexual desires by using something totally different to your normal perfume. Try something fun and fresh which will re capture the excitement like Eau de Juicy Couture.

• Do allow the fragrance to come out of itself, remember, a fragrance has three layers. Be patient!
• Do change your perfume with the change of the season. In winter you may need a stronger scent as the cold may reduce the scent’s power.
• Do shop for perfume in the afternoon when your sense of smell is at its peak.
• Do wear more fragrance if you have dry skin; you will need to apply fragrances more often than those who have oily skin.
• Do apply your perfume after you have showered and dried completely.
• Do apply perfume to your pulse points for maximum effect.
  

Fragrance Don’ts:

• Don’t wear another fragrance the day you are perfume shopping, it will react and not smell the same.
• Don’t overdo it. Overpowering smells can make the people around you very uncomfortable and may even cause headaches.
• Don’t spray perfume near pearls or costume jewelry. Because perfume is infused with alcohol it can strip these jewels and remove their coating.
• Don’t combine perfume with deodorant or deodorant soap. The combination smell may be unpleasant.
• Don’t buy perfume without testing it on your own skin first. Spray a little on your skin and wear it for a few hours to see how it reacts and also to determine how long it lasts.
• Don’t rub the fragrance once applied. Rubbing damages the molecules and change the notes.