‘The Scent of a Woman’… and I don’t mean the film…
It can transport you back in time, to a nostalgic childhood memory, a place , a lover, an experience… Fragrance can trigger unexpected feelings and emotions, some happy and perhaps others not so much, and personally it’s something that matters to me a LOT! Something that comes to mind is how much I love the musty smell of old books. It reminds me of my childhood summers spent with my grandparents in Virginia. The summers were hot and humid, with dense and leafy vegetation that smelled of earth and soil. Since forever it seems, whenever I get a hint of that old musty smell I think of my grandparents (whom I adored), but also a bittersweet sense of nostalgia and longing.
Fast forward, and I admit I’ll spend a ridiculous amount of time smelling everything from dish soap to room sprays and candles, to creams and flowers, in order to end up with just the right fragrance that will evoke the special feeling I want to have. Especially as the seasons change. Even if my clove and cinnamon diffuser smells amazing, it won’t find it’s way out of the cabinet until temperatures drop and the first Fall chill is in the air! For me, scent creates a sense of occasion as well as honoring seasonal traditions. I always find it to be one of the best compliments when somebody comes inside my house and says, “your home always smells SO good.”
But my obsession with scent also applies to my personal fragrance. Have you ever had this experience? A woman, (or even a guy for that matter!) passes by, and the most alluring scent trails behind her. Inexplicably, with that one whiff, you want to know her story. She’s made an impression on you. You’re intrigued and curious, maybe a little bit wistful, maybe even a little bit envious as you imagine how sophisticated and fabulous her life must be. And all because of the way her perfume made you feel… But finding the perfect scent for yourself isn’t always straightforward. Often women will buy the latest ‘in’ fragrance, but don’t necessarily consider the following: Do I love it and WHY? How does it make me Feel? How do I want to be seen? Is it ME? All of us shave probably fallen in love with a fragrance that smells delicious on someone else, but is completely different on us…
So, once you’re shopping for your ‘signature scent,’ what do you look for? Most importantly, try to find something that authentically feels like YOU. It’s not because everyone’s buying the latest designer fragrance that you need to have it as well. Maybe a dab of patchouli is more your style, and that’s what’s perfect for you! In American culture there’s a tendency to think that if a little of something is good, more must be even better. With fragrance, I believe the ‘less is more’ approach is best. For French women in general, scent is intended to be discreet and appreciated most by those who are in close enough physical proximity to enjoy it. It’s personal and intimate. Un petit soupçon de mystère… You have that moment when you ‘fait la bises’, (aka kiss on both cheeks), and although often casual, it can create quite a stir of emotions! It is revelatory, and can create a strong first impression, good or bad. 🙁
I’m thinking most of us have had that ‘elevator’ experience when you feel like you might pass out from someone’s overpowering fragrance… Although some perfumes can be worn year round, it’s not uncommon to change it up with the seasons. Heavy fragrances (think YSL’s Opium or Christian Dior’s Poison) can be too much on a hot Summer day. If you really don’t want to make a change, choose the lighter eau de toilette and avoid eau de parfum and perfume. Often the corresponding body lotion will do the trick and the upside is that you smell good and you’re hydrating your skin at the same time. 🙂
Although my fragrance choices have evolved and changed over time, the last few years I’ve been a Chanel 22 girl. I find it to be sophisticated, not overbearing, and relatively uncommon. But I admit, I’m always on the lookout for something new and different as long as it really feels like ME!
What are your favorite fragrances, and do you have a signature scent that you can’t live without?
Would love to know!
