FAQs

                    FAQs for ORA   

What is ORA Perfumes?

ORA perfumes (or ora fragrances) are used for the sole sake of their scents. In other words, their fragrance serves as the functional purpose of the product hence, the formulation of their fragrance composition is the most refined.

How Long Fragrances Last on Skin?

High quality Eau De Perfume blends are supposed to last at least 6 hours on the skin. But this should be considered as a very rough rule of thumb because many factors affect longevity: Skin Type (oily skins tend to capture the fragrance for longer); Place of Application (fragrance lasts longer on textile and hair then on skin); Fragrance Formulation (fresh notes like bergamot and citrus last less then woody and musky notes); Layering (Application of a compatible lotion or cream beneath may enhance fragrance longevity); Use (outdoor use diminishes the longevity).

How are your perfumes made?

There are two aspects to this question:

• How are our perfumes developed?
• How are our perfumes manufactured?

Development

Our in-house perfumer develops the perfumes himself.

It is a slow process but it allows us to create fragrances that are different, natural and trendsetting.

Too many perfumes nowadays simply come off an ongoing conveyor belt of perfumes that all smell similar.

Instead, we enjoy presenting new perfumes to our patrons that are 'outlyers' within perfumery. Our customers actually request and in many ways they expect this creativity from us now.

Manufacture

We also manufacture our perfume products in-house.

We do this for several reasons:

• we can better control the quality of our products in every aspect
• We can produce in small batch sizes and take advantage of the seasonality of perfume ingredients. It is a bit similar to wine, i.e. each year or batch has its own style.

 

What is the shelf life of ORA Impression fragrances?

The shelf life begins with the first spray once the scent has been introduced to air, allowing for 3 years shelf life if it is stored properly.

 

How do I choose the right perfume for me?

• We really would then advise trying fragrances in-store. Buying on-line is fine for replenishment, but there is nothing like experiencing the way a fragrance develops on your skin.
• Initially, try the fragrance on a blotter (also known as a perfume ‘spill’); these should be available on perfume counters – and when you buy a Discovery Box from this site, you’ll find a pack of blotters inside. Allow a few minutes for the alcohol and the top notes to subside, and then smell the blotters. At this stage you may be able to eliminate one or more, if they don’t appeal – but it is really the heart notes and the lingering base notes which you will live with, and which are crucial.

How do I choose perfume as a gift?

• A It’s difficult, but not impossible. If you know what that person wears, you’ve the choices: buy a bottle of exactly the same perfume, or what’s known as a ‘flanker’ – sometimes a limited edition, but echoing elements of the original. Secondly, you could buy a different concentration. Or thirdly – if you want to go for something different, but a likely ‘hit’, we suggest you ask ORA, here. ORA are your ‘virtual fragrance advisor’, and as long as you have an idea of a perfume your friend/relation wears, ORA can make some clever recommendations. (It can require a little detective work…!) If you don’t know AT ALL what someone likes, we would probably recommend chocolates – or flowers… Or a gift voucher for a fragrance. Just because you like the way something smells, that doesn’t mean someone else will…

Where should I apply perfume?

• A Coco Chanel advised women to apply perfume ‘where you want to be kissed’… What that means is: spray/dab on your ‘hot spots’, or pulse points – behind the ears, temples, wrists, nape of neck, back of the knees, in the crease of your elbows, between your breasts, the small of your back, navel area… The blood flows close to the surface in these zones, and heats the fragrance oils. But do be aware of one no-no: perfume industry ‘insiders’ never, ever rub their wrists together after applying fragrance, because it affects the oils. Spray, waft your wrists around – and be patient…!

How should I spray my perfume?

• A Spritz from eight to 10 inches (20-25 cm) away from your body, and let it develop on the skin. DO NOT RUB! (See Hints & Tips, here.) We also very much like this advice from perfumer Olivier Cresp (responsible for the creation of Thierry Mugler Angel, Nina L’Eau, and more): ‘Do spritz fragrance into your hair rather than all over your body. This will help the scent to last longer compared to quickly rubbing off your skin. It also means that when moving your head, there’ll be a more natural whiff of fragrance.’ And the late, great Estée Lauder suggested to women that they spray perfume into the air, like a cloud, and walk through it…

Where should I buy?

Always, always buy from a reputable retailer or a respected name in on-line retail as you must have confidence the stock is not old, and is not counterfeit. Perfume has a life and must have been ‘looked after’ properly during storage. There are many perfume ‘fakes’ around and buying from a street vendor, anywhere in the world, is simply throwing your money away. Should you buy on-line? If you’ve tried a sample and you like it, certainly – but we would never recommend buying before you’ve tried. (This is what our Fragrance Tester Discovery Boxes are for – starting with the ‘joining gift’

I have a question that is not covered here. What should I do?

 

We very much welcome all enquiries, feedback and generally love hearing from our patrons, partners and friends. Just use our Contact us page under the menu heading 'Our House'.