×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Make Valentine’s Day special

Columnists
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and it’s hard not to notice with the wide array of chocolate, wine, teddy bears and all things red taking centre stage in most shops. Lingerie or smalls and fragrances continue to be some of the most popular gifts to give loved ones during the Valentine’s season.

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and it’s hard not to notice with the wide array of chocolate, wine, teddy bears and all things red taking centre stage in most shops. Lingerie or smalls and fragrances continue to be some of the most popular gifts to give loved ones during the Valentine’s season.

BY STEPHANIE TADERERA

However, while these can be as expensive or as luxurious as your budget allows, they can also easily go wrong. Keep a few guidelines in mind to ensure that whoever you give the gift enjoys it as much as possible!

Style matters

Always keep in mind the look and feel of the present itself. You might be gifting someone you know absolutely loves lingerie or perfume, but pay attention to the details! The colour, shape and design of the perfume bottle, the cut of the bra or the fabric of the boxers can all add or detract from the enjoyment of the gift. Your ultimate goal is for your loved one to enjoy their gift, so keep their tastes in mind, even if you are buying a fashionable piece or the latest scent. Pay attention to the brands on offer too, and always select something that will speak to your recipient’s personality. You might love loud colours and prints of socks, but the pair may remain unworn. Thinking about the style of a perfume bottle might seem unnecessary, but paying attention to those small elements can make all the difference.

Fashion 1

Keep the season in mind

When it comes to fragrances, the season matters more than you may think! When the weather is warmer, a heavy scent will be very overpowering, but a fresher, lighter scent will be more enjoyable to wear. If you are buying sleepwear for someone, a pair of flannel pyjamas in the summer won’t go down as well as a vest or cami and shorts or a short nightie in a lightweight fabric. Some of the gifts that people love to receive most are aesthetically pleasing, but also do not defy practicality and logic to enjoy!

Think of personality

Every scent and every piece of intimate-wear has a personality, and your job is to match it to the personality of the person you are gifting. Look for clues in scents and items your beloved has worn before. When it comes to fragrances, certain scents such as lavender, herbal scents and spicy scents can be very polarising, and are risky to buy for someone unless you are absolutely certain of their tastes. Citrus scents, as well as floral or woody scents are an easier choice. Keep top notes, middle notes and base notes in mind. Top notes, also known as head notes, are scents you first smell upon application of the perfume, and they form your initial impression when you first get a whiff. Citrus and ginger fall in this category. Middle notes, also known as heart notes, are the scent that emerges as the top notes fade, forming the body of a fragrance.

Typical middle notes include rose and lavender. Base notes appear close to the departure of middle notes, and bring depth and solidity to a perfume. Together with middle notes, they form the main theme of a perfume and are rich and deep. When you sample a fragrance, visualise the person you are buying it for. Can you imagine them wearing that scent? If you are buying for someone who loves wearing heavy, musk scents, and the perfume you are sampling is very floral, chances are high that it’s the wrong fit.

If you’re still not sure, don’t be afraid to ask for advice when you go shopping, from salespeople who know and understand fragrances and lingerie. They can give you guidance and help you find exactly what you are looking for. Happy shopping!

●Stephanie Taderera is the Communications Liaison Officer at Edgars Stores Ltd.