Perfume

I have a fairly large perfume collection, and it’s all my mother’s fault.  She is a lover of fine perfume and has passed along her taste to her daughters.  It’s not a bad habit to possess, and I get a lot of lovely smelling gifts this way.

I know that perfume, itself, is a bit controversial, and people with sensitive noses can’t stand the stuff.  I suffer from seasonal allergies, too; but for me, wearing a scent is non-negotiable.  It’s as natural and important to my daily routine as brushing my teeth and applying deodorant.  And, since I like to change my clothes, my makeup, and even my hair quite often, I think it’s important to have several (or, in my case, many) different fragrances to choose from.

It’s probably no surprise that I prefer classic, floral scents, and my very favorite smell in the world is violet.  Though it’s often described as old-fashioned, I adore it, and it has become popular again recently as a fragrance note.  I’ve had a gigantic bottle of Marc Jacob’s Autumn Violet Splash (now discontinued) for several years and am getting dangerously close to the bottom.  Since it’s technically a Splash, as opposed to a Perfume or even an Eau de Toilette (you can read a great description of each here), the scent doesn’t last very long and can be reapplied throughout the day.

My morning routine includes slathering on unscented lotion after my shower, then applying perfume before I put my clothes on for the day.  I always apply perfume directly to my bare skin, because my body heat helps to dissipate the scent and allows it to settle while I am getting ready.

I wear perfume for myself, and I can always smell it on me, but I’m mindful that other people may have sensitive noses, and I never layer it on right before I leave the house.  Perfume should be subtle and not overpowering.  It’s great to have a signature scent that others associate with you, but you don’t want it to quietly announce your presence before you enter a room.  I once had a boss that hated perfume and made sure to tell people when they wore it around her.  I worked closely with her for five years, wore perfume every single day, and she never said a word to me.

For me, the scent of perfume is associated with some of my happiest memories.  I wore Meteorites by Guerlain (also discontinued) for my wedding and honeymoon in Ireland, and when I smell it now (I saved a bottle), I remember those cold, cloudy days exploring another continent with Ryan.  When I visited my sister in England, she gave me a small bottle of Pure Poison Lotion by Dior.   Right before James was born, my mother gave me a sample of Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir Cologne, and that scent is forever linked with his birth and Christmas, which came nine days later.  And when Rhys was born in the summer, I was wearing Stella by Stella McCartney.

Right now, I’m going back and forth between My Insolence by Guerlain and my tiny new sample of Candy by Prada.  I’m also eager to try Jo Malone’s newest fragrance, Blackberry & Bay, and I’m hoping it might show up in my stocking this Christmas.  (Hint, hint!)