Q: Winter is filled with cold weather and lots of sweet flavors, such as your favorite Christmas cake. When you're picking a fragrance, picking one that reminds you of those desserts is a sure-fire way to pick something appropriate. Gourmand fragrances fall into this category, as they are quite sweet and are often reminiscent of all things sugary. Some gourmand perfumes to try are Salted Caramel by Shay and Blue, Candy by Prada, or Le Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain. Spicy scents are ones that fall into the "warm" category. Think about your favorite winter spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. These scents are also known as Orientals, and usually have a rich, exotic smell. Shalimar by Guerlain is a classic example of this type of scent. Woody and earthy scents are also a good choice for winter because they have a rich, heavy scent, reminiscent of pine trees and burning wood. Bergamot, patchouli, oakmoss, and labdanum are all in this category. You may find they are paired with something citrusy. Hypnose by Lancome is a perfume in this category. If winter is not your favorite, you can simply use your scent to remind yourself of better days ahead (in the summer). Choose something sweet and floral, or simply pick something that reminds you of summer. That way, every time you spray it, you'll be transported back to warm summer days. To make the scent more wintery, pick a floral with a deeper, more intense scent, that has a base of jasmine or tuberose, for instance. Vera Wang's Princess is a good example of this type of scent.
A: Think dessert. Consider a spicy scent. Try woody. Go rogue with a summery scent.

Q: Darkening of underarm skin can have a number of causes, including dead skin accumulation or a reaction to a deodorant. If you find this darkening disagreeable, you may want to lighten the skin. There are commercial skin lightening creams, but these are not well-regulated and may contain harsh chemicals. Luckily, there are natural ways of lightening the skin. Some of the simplest and most effective include: Try using honey as a simple and safe remedy that may help lighten skin. Apply raw honey over your armpits and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse it away. You can also combine a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of yogurt or teaspoon of lemon juice to intensify the effects. Often, dead skin cells cause underarm skin to darken, so regular exfoliation can also help. Exfoliants can dry out and irritate the skin, so choose a mild one. You may have an allergic reaction to a component of a deodorant if you notice persistent itching, redness, swelling, etc. on your underarms. Research has shown that a deodorant containing glycerol and sunflower seed oil can reduce irritation after shaving. If your deodorant does not seem to reduce underarm perspiration or odor, or if you have a reaction to it, talk to a medical professional about stronger or alternative products. Sweating, hair growth, odor, and darkening of the skin are all minor issues that normally arise related to underarms. These can be safely taken care of using the steps above. However, if things are out of the ordinary, it could be a sign of something more serious that needs professional attention. If sweat smells fruity, it could be a sign of diabetes, while liver or kidney disease can cause sweat to smell like bleach. Consult a doctor if you notice an unusual smell or a marked change in smell. Darkening of the skin of the underarms can happen to anyone, but is found more often in people with insulin problems, pituitary problems, certain infections, and a range of other issues. Contact a physician if you are concerned or if the darkening arises with symptoms of another problem.
A:
Lighten underarms using simple remedies. Change your deodorant if your underarms are irritated or bothersome. Consult a doctor if you have unusual or persistent symptoms.