

5 Women Share The Fragrances That Make Them Feel Most Powerful
While wardrobe, hairstyles, and shoes are the obvious ways we express ourselves, some of us have an appreciation for another aspect of beauty to complete our signature look and the way we feel. Perfume has been the way we speak to others without saying a word. It communicates whether we're flirty, soft, and feminine, earthy and confident, or everything in between. Fragrances do more than help us smell good. If we think about it, it's a part of who we are.
I remember when I first started wearing CHANCE by Chanel. It was a gift and honestly something I would have never purchased for myself. I always admired women who swore by their favorite perfume (they always seemed so put together and womanly), but I never invested in myself that way. After a few sprays of my new favorite fragrance, I started to wonder how I lived without it for so long. I experienced a new level of empowerment, confidence, and womanhood. And that seems to be the consensus about the power of a signature scent.
We talked to five women who dished on what fragrance makes them feel the most powerful, and why they have no plans on ever letting it go.
Karen
Courtesy of Karen
"I love to feel elegant and classy on any day! Sensational by Celine Dion helps me unravel the sweet spots in life, wherever I go. When I smell amazing, I feel good... and when I feel good, I know I can conquer anything!
"This perfume exudes the warm combinations of sweet-smelling jasmine, amber, and sandalwood. It also has notes of frozen pear, apple, and plum. The powerful yet subtle aroma of these scents makes me feel so feminine and ready to take charge!
"A perfume that has the power to motivate me in such a positive way, is definitely a keeper. I always make sure I have this scent close by, ready to make magic whenever I am!"
Tiffany
"I believe a woman's scent is a part of her aura, her energy. The moment I spray on Chanel No. 5 L'eau, not only are my senses heightened but so is my confidence. It's a fresh, sweet and alluring scent that's lighter than its predecessor, the original Chanel No. 5.
"Wearing Chanel No. 5 L'eau makes me powerful because it evokes emotions and leaves an imprint that stimulates all the senses. I command the room with my presence, leaving a strong impression. But I believe it's my scent that leaves an imprint. Whether it's recognized as sultry, sexy, or strong. Every woman has that fragrance that has a magnetic pull which makes her unforgettable. And for me, it's Chanel No. 5 L'eau."
Candace Junée
Courtesy of Candace Junée
"Smelling good has always been one of the things that has built confidence for me. I love fashion, hair, and beauty so I've always felt that the way I smell is a cherry on top to finish my look for the day. I love getting compliments on how I smell, the way I dress, and how I style my hair.
"Gucci Guilty makes me feel super feminine, elegant, chic, and memorable. It makes me feel confident that I smell as good as I look and feel... and there's nothing more powerful than walking into a room full of confidence from within! Whether I'm on my way to meet with a client or going out for the night, I feel confident that my presence will be remembered."
Moyo
Courtesy of Moyo
"My favorite perfume is Alien by Mugler, along with their body lotion. I absolutely love the smell and the design of the deep-purple glass bottle, which I may add is my favorite color. Since 2018, this has become my signature scent. I was working at my first corporate job, straight out of college when I first purchased this perfume. It was a high-end fragrance that I wanted to gift myself. It's not just another $15 body spray, you know?
"Every time I wear Alien, someone, usually an older woman, compliments my smell and or knows the exact brand that I am wearing, which makes me feel powerful. Knowing that I selected and purchased my own perfume makes me feel powerful. I walk around with a boost of confidence and positive energy. There are so many cliche quotes that remind us of how important perfume is and they are in fact all true. Wearing Alien reminds me of the powerful woman that I am.
"When I put it on Alien, it makes me feel like I can conquer the day. I feel independent and beautiful. It's empowering, feminine, subtle yet strong."
Kyona
Courtesy of Kyona
"Coco by Chanel makes me feel unstoppable yet soft and beautiful! There is always something about getting dressed, doing your hair, perfecting your face, then gracing your body with an impeccable scent to top it all off. Adding this scent makes me feel like everyone who encounters me will see (and smell) how intentional I was about caring for my appearance. Dressing the part is the first step, smelling good just seals the deal!"
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Featured image courtesy of Candace Junée
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.