Dry-Down

The scent that endures after a perfume's top notes evaporate and the formula settles on your skin—and the reason you can't judge a fragrance by first whiff (wait at least 30 minutes after applying a new scent before deciding whether to buy).

Sillage (SEE-yaj)

The trail of scent left by that chic woman who just stepped off the elevator.

Apocrines (AP-o-kreen)

Sweat glands that influence how a fragrance interacts with your skin. If your favorite perfume smells better on you than on your best friend, thank your apocrines.

Mouillettes (mwee-YET)

You know those blotters that salespeople spritz with perfume? This is a fancy word for them—proving again that everything sounds more sophisticated in French.

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From the May 2016 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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