The most common question I get at markets is “which is your favorite scent”. This is a difficult question for me to answer, because I design and blend all my fragrances myself. Of course I love them all, but I understand the question. Picking the right fragrance to wear is a bigger decision than someone might think. Scent is closely related to memory and can greatly impact our mood. In a very real way, choosing a new perfume can feel like trying meeting different versions of yourself. It’s a deeply personal experience, and there are no right or wrong answers. However, there are ways to help you pick the scent that makes you feel your best.

Scent Profiles and Preferences

Everyone has their own tastes and preferences. Some people like florals, and some like musk. Some people like citrus notes, and others prefer something warm like vanilla. Knowing what kinds of scents you gravitate to can be very helpful in determining where to start searching for your signature scent.

Start with an open mind. Smell multiple fragrances in different scent families and see which ones you gravitate toward. Once you have an idea of what you like in the air, or on a test strip, you can decide which ones you like on yourself.

Testing the Scents

Fragrances smell different in the bottle, in the air, and on the skin. There are so many factors that go into how we precieve scent, and aeration is one of them. Temperature, and body chemistry can also alter the scent. Here’s why.

Bottle:

In a bottle, all the fragrance is concentrated with little air. Lighter, more delicate notes can be covered by their heavier companions, making it harder to catch the nuances of a fragrance.

Air:

Once sprayed, the scent molecules are released into the air, giving them room to breathe. By introducing oxygen, the giving them space to spread out, you are better able to identify all the layers that were confined in the bottle.

Skin:

Different perfumes smell different on different people. This is due to body heat and chemistry. Every person has their own scent, and that will interact with perfumes on your body. This means that a scent you like in the bottle and on the air may not smell good on you, and vis-versa. This is why wearing a fragrance is an important part of finding your signature scent.

Fragrance and Feeling

If you are anything like me, your mood is going to be a huge factor in selecting your scent. Some days, I feel upbeat and fun- so I wear a bright fragrance like Lethe. Other days, I feel cozy and studious so I wear something warm like Florilegium. I already mentioned that scent is tied to memory and mood, so it makes sense that you should consider your mood when applying perfume. Here are some ways you can do that.

Consider Aromatherapy Principles

Whether you believe in aromatherapy or not, there is some research that sugests that certain scents are linked to particular moods. Lavender is well known for having a calming effect, and citrus is known to boost energy. Whether this is due to a chemical component in the fragrance, or a placebo effect doesn’t really matter. If it works, it works!

Consider Your Personal Associations

Coconut and vanilla remind me of my mother. Roses and lavender remind me of my grandmother. Tobacco and pine remind me of my ex. Each one of these scent combinations trigger different memories, and therefore different emotions that may or may not align with aromatherapy principles. If a scent triggers a memory, sit with that for a moment. See how that memory makes you feel.

How Do You Want to Feel?

Take what you learned about how scent impacts you mood, and apply it to your benefit. Are you going on a date and want to feel romantic? Then wear a perfume that makes you feel that way. Do you have a test coming up, and you want to feel energized and confident? You can try that too! Of course you still have to plan your date and study for your test, but matching your scent to the mood you want to create can help you set your intentions in the right direction.

Think About the Season

I like to change my signature scent by the season. There’s something about smelling like flowers in the spring, coffee in the autumn, and snow in the winter that makes me feel more connected with the universe.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always been greatly impacted by the seasons. Everything from the books I read to the colors I wear, and yes- the scents I prefer, are tied to the seasons. For me, this gives me a sense of place and time I find difficult to describe, but feel deeply in my soul. Maybe you will find that’s the case for you as well.

Putting it all together

Finding your signature scent, or scents, is a deeply personal experience. From body chemistry and sense of smell, to emotional experiences and moods, everyone is unique. It may take years to find a fragrance that resonates with you, and you may find that your preferences shift with time. Maybe you (like me) will change by season, or maybe you will find one signature scent that stays with you a lifetime. Whatever the case may be, finding your fragrance is a journey well worth undertaking. Hopefully this article will help you along your path.