Finding the perfect fragrance with Selfridges fragrance buyer Mark Tranter

Finding the perfect fragrance for you is no easy task. I need my scent to really say something about me,   a way of reaching out and giving people a little hint at my personality, before I've even said hello. This means that I wear my perfume for others, Mark Tranter, fragrance buyer for Selfridges, informs me.

Fragrance is so personal, that even the way you wear it is bespoke. Do you wear your perfume as an expression, or do you wear it because the smell is attractive to you? Do you opt for a head-to-toe dowse or a subtle spritz? Is it about a familiar smell which make you feel at ease? Would you rather have a trademark scent, or a scent for every season? Do you have a fragrance which can instantly take you back to a time, a place, or a person?

Needless to say, I love the intricacies of finding the perfect perfume. It is just so wonderfully indulgent.  I was intrigued to hear that Selfridges are making a conscious effort to broaden their spectrum of fragrance, offering more than just the high street fads, so that customers can really find the fragrance which hits their needs. I was put in the capable hands of Tracy, who works on the fragrance counter in Exchange Square, Manchester, to help me find the scent for me. Instead of being left to peruse hundreds of bottles of perfume, with sticks of white paper coming out my ears, Tracy first asked me a few questions. 'What perfume do you wear now?' 'What made you choose that perfume?' 'What do you like in a perfume?' And from my answers, she was able to provide a mini analysis on my fragrance desires - I'm a lover of floral but not too sweet - and brought a cross section of scents to try.

  

Refreshing. 

After sampling the shortlist on paper, I narrowed it down to two scents to try on the skin.

• Acqua Florentina by CREED, a family-owned perfume house which has gone from father to son through seven generations 
• Eau de Parfum by Bottega Veneta, the high-end fashion label, known for drawing on their quality leather goods in their fragrance

Before buying any scent, you should always test on the skin, to see how the oils react. Tracy informed me that you should always spritz perfume on the under section of your forearm, never on the neck area, as this can result in pigmentation due to the alcohol content. 

The Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum has a heady, sensual, floral base - a gorgeous scent for the winter months. But for me, Creed Acqua Florentina was my perfume nirvana. A clear winner. It's got a heavy price tag, but a light spritz goes a long way. I wore this fragrance on a first date (yes, I know!) on Saturday, and every time I reached for my handbag I noticed a wave of deliciousness. It's beautifully floral and so sophisticated. 

How do you find your perfect scent? Let me know by commenting below, tweeting @PoutOutProud or commenting on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx  

Summer Smooth Service by L'Oreal Professional

This week I was invited to try out the brand new L'Oreal Professional Summer Smooth Service, which guarantees smooth, frizz-free hair for four days, even at 80% humidity. Hurrahs! 

As you can see from this quick snap, my hair is rather frizzy. I often look like a wild mountain bear in the morning. 

So I went along to Barbara Daley Hair & Beauty in Liverpool, a salon which offers L'Oreal Professional services, to see if they could achieve super smooth tresses in 45 minutes.

The treatment involves three steps of L'Oreal Professional Liss Unlimited products: cleansing shampoo, smoothing mask and SOS Smoothing Double Serum. The products are followed by a gorgeous blow dry (a party girls best friend!) then Steampod straightening.

The Liss Unlimited product range contains pro-keratin to repair hair's internal structure, evening primrose oil to sooth and nourish, and kukul nut oil to defend hair from humidity. 

The Steampod (only available in salons) offers a gentler, hydrating alternative to the harsh heat of straighteners, perfect to create the summer smooth look. 

My hair isn't the worst in the world when it comes to a frizzy mane, but I was really impressed with the transformation. I imagine that you would be totally amazed if you had really thick, unruly locks - which is what the service is really made for - as it could glossify the wildest of beasts.

As you can see, my hair is really smooth and soft. It gave a great shine too, which I've struggled to achieve since I over did it with the blonde highlights last summer. This is a great luxury treatment if you want gorgeously smooth hair for a glam weekend away, or if you're going to a festival and want to brave the elements with style. 

I generally have to wash my hair every day, occasionally every other day if I'm handy with the dry shampoo, so I was slightly sceptical about the four day promise attached to this service. However, I'm writing this blog on day number four, and although I'll be washing it tonight, it doesn't look like the bedraggled mess I'd expect. I was really impressed by how squeaky clean my hair felt after using the Liss Unlimited Shampoo, a great cleanser. 

Also, whilst I was at the Barbara Daley Hair & Beauty salon I had a perfect polish by Jade. I loved it so much I thought I should let everyone see the results. I trapped my hand in a taxi door (mega ouch) about six months ago, and I've been a bit ashamed of one rather damaged nail ever since. After 30 minutes with Jade though, my hands were transformed. Amazing colour, right?

Find which salons near you offer the Summer Smooth Service here. Recommended service price £15 - £20.