Lucie Le

Perfumes change and adapt to each wearer’s body chemistry, creating a unique fragrance that lingers in the memory. The French poet Paul Valéry once said: “That which is most profound in the human being is the skin”. Perfume comes to life only when it’s worn

Each cell in the human body contains a unique and specialized protein. When the cells die, they blend into the sweat glands and seep into every fiber, creating one’s unique scent. While odors can be troublesome at times, this same process can turn into a type of romantic and positive energy that spurs one’s emotions and triggers lasting memories.Experiments have shown that scents create a powerful, unspoken connection between individuals. In one test, subjects were able to identify a garment their loved ones had worn, sight unseen, about 70-80% of the time.And the fingerprint of one’s scent also interacts with a perfume, creating an individual fragrance for each wearer, combining to create subtle nuances that deliver a distinctive scent. Perfume comes to life only when it’s worn!The Chypre family of perfumes transform when being worn on the skin by dint of the contrast between floral and woody scents. Take Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle (2000), a Chypre fragrance, as an example. This perfume gives off the aroma of roses, fruit and patchouli. On some people, patchouli combines with dark roses to create an attractive smell, stimulating basic instincts. But on others, Portrait of a Lady is gentle on the skin, elegant and not flamboyant, representing the innocence of roses and the sweetness of ripe fruit.The iris scent of Tiffany Intense (2018) is sweet by day but passionate by night, full of warm notes of vanilla and amber. Meanwhile, Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle (2005) explores the sensuality and seduction of tuberose, but this perfume can then sometimes turn out to be fresh and soothing.

The generally higher metabolism of men enables fragrance transformation to occur even more vigorously. The scent of Aventus Cologne Creed (2019) is absorbed into the skin, where chemical reactions occur. Some men detect a very potent smell of wood and spice on their bodies while others may be granted a pleasant and effervescent scent of citrus. Orage Louis Vuitton (2018) gives off a simple but delicate woody fragrance which suits men in a business setting wearing suit and tie. However, it can also be as pungent as peppers and as wild as grasses, applicable to less formal environments.Therefore, before spending money on perfume you should try it on and wear it for a while to discover each and every layer of scent. And then you will see whether your potentially new fragrance will match and represent your style.

THE NOSTALGIA EVOKED BY SCENT

Long-lasting and emotion-provoking scents can create nostalgia and conjure vivid memories. For a subtle first encounter, you can opt for the soothing but characterful scent of Carat Cartier (2018) or Nomade Chloé (2018). You should also keep the weather in mind when selecting a fragrance. On cool winter days, nothing can beat the warm notes of ambrosia and citrus from L’Envol Cartier (2016) lingering on your collar.In French, the term “sillage” refers to the wake left by a boat in water. Regarding perfume, it is a trail of scent left behind when passing someone. Sillage is a critical factor to determine to which extent can a scent can be addictive. So choose wisely! Finding the right blend of a delicate but long-lasting impression unlocks the potent mystery of perfume.