Your Nose Knows!
Multiple perfumes and a wide array of favorites are common for many people. The reason behind this lies in the way the olfactory system works. The nose detects scent particles and sends signals to the brain, which instantly determines whether a scent is appealing or not. This rapid process allows for immediate recognition of preferred fragrances.
Scents are often linked to memories, places, or people. When a familiar fragrance is detected, the brain not only recalls associated memories but also triggers hormonal responses that match the emotional reaction to that scent. For example, recalling a favorite fragrance from adolescence can bring back vivid memories of specific moments or outfits.
Many individuals own a variety of sprays, spritzes, and perfumes, often choosing specific ones for particular occasions or moods. This is because certain scents become associated with themes or events, and fragrances are subconsciously linked to different emotional states.
For many ethnic people, like myself, who were proudly raised by their migrant families, certain smells can also help recall a recipe. My Nonna never used a written journal or recipe, we used our senses- touch, sight, smell and taste. That's how we knew it was done well and will taste amazing. I can tell you now, if you have ever cooked with the likes of robust Italian cheeses such as Pecorino.... you'll know how much you need to use once you start mixing those polpetti!!!
Back to perfumes...
Selecting a perfume can depend on the setting or company.
A bold, powerful perfume might be chosen for a professional environment, while a floral scent could be preferred for family outings.
For social gatherings, a combination of fruity and sweet fragrances may be used to create a unique blend.
Special occasions often call for luxurious perfumes, especially those received as meaningful gifts. Some people also enjoy applying specific perfumes after a shower, allowing the scent to blend with their skin and create a distinctive personal aroma.
But all those perfumes smell different, isn't it funny how I have such a broad range of preference? WRONG!!
There are a few fundamental scents used to make perfume and there is a hint of what we really like in all of them without even realizing.
Floral, Fruity, Sweet, Minty, Nutty, Woody
I am more of a sweet and fruity type of gal. Although I have a wide variety of perfumes, the top and middle notes of the perfumes I own encompass exactly that. So in fact, I don't have a variety at all and I stick to the same fundamentals; subconsciously.
There are so many mixes of fragrance in the world it would take forever to list all the combos, try googling your favorite perfumes and see if you can find a pattern. When you do then you'll know why you choose certain ones at certain times and for certain reasons.
Miss you Nonna xox (forever the lover of Felce Azzurra and plenty plenty of pecorino)
Link: Psychology of Smell: https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/psychology-and-smell/
