By the Tijon Perfumer
“Long after one has forgotten what a woman wore, the memory of her perfume lingers.” ~Christian Dior
Why are perfumes sexy? “The nose may really be a sexual organ - it may be more closely related to sexual response than vision,” suggests American researcher Michael Shipley. Clearly, the sheer confidence and heightened sensuality produced by the right fragrance make us more receptive to sexual feelings and more attractive to others. “When a woman is in the arms of a man she loves, in the dark of the night, the perfume she is wearing plays a very important role,” says Jean-Paul Guerlain.
Perfume history: The word perfume is from the Latin phrase “per fumum” meaning “through smoke.” This is because the first recorded history of perfume was around 4,000 B.C. when man burned oils to send fragrant smoke to honour the gods.
Our sense of smell: Our sense of smell, which is fully mature at birth, is typically not very good in the morning, but gets better as the day wears on.
Fragrance fact: At the perfume counter? Try spraying two perfumes on the same spot of your wrist. You are blending the two together. Did you create a new enjoyable scent?
Fragrance tip: Ladies, wear a warm fragrance for a first date. Opt for a spicy scent like pepper to excite his senses.
Classic fragrances: Jicky: created in 1889. Despite the age, it is timeless and still very modern. According to the legend, the perfume was named after a girl that Aime Guerlain was in love with when he was a student in England. It is more likely, though, that this perfume is named after his uncle – Jacques Guerlain’s nickname – Jicky. This was one of the first perfumes created with the addition of synthetic materials. The top notes contain lavender, bergamot, lemon and mandarin, which perfectly match the cold, metallic orris and rose shaded by vetiver. This presents an elegant counterbalance to the warm base created of patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk. This bottle is attractive and original; it is designed in a shape of 19th century medicine bottle with champagne cork shaped stopper.
Trends: A scent trend of fresh water conveys a symbol of optimism, restoration and gentle power. Its fluidity allows it to break down barriers, define its own space and generate healing. Its depth creates an aura of mystery where buried treasures await discovery. Consumers craving a fresh semblance of hope, well-being and other long lost treasures inherent of the sea have inspired the following trends of sea salt and freesia.
Question: Do certain personality-types like different types of scent?
Yes. We buy fragrances not only because we like their smell, but also because they reflect our personality. According to studies carried out by the psychologist and sociologist Dr. Joachim Mensing of the Research Institute for Applied Aesthetics in Freiburg, Germany, extroverts look for stimulation from the environment and tend to find fresh, green fragrances activating. Introverts, who prefer less stimulation, find Orientals harmonious, while emotionally ambivalent people – dreamers – prefer floral, powdery scents. But, a word of caution, this work was researched in Germany, on a fairly small sample of people.
Oil spotlight: Rich and earthy, Oak Moss is an excellent choice when creating that perfect signature scent at Tijon. Close your eyes and imagine the scents of a morning walk through an old growth oak forest just after a soaking rain. You take a big, deep breath as the sun starts to warm the trees and the ground. This is the scent of Oak Moss.
Law of biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
