What’s Your Signature Scent?
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
A signature scent holds great importance in a person’s everyday life. Personally, I never forget to spritz myself with my favorite perfume before leaving my apartment- which is currently a combination of vanilla and coconut notes. I still remember the scents of the perfumes that were my favorites in high school, and associate them with my memories from years prior.
Growing up, one of my favorite things about reading magazines was the perfume samples hidden throughout. When my friends and I would work on school projects in elementary and middle school, we’d immediately flip to find the first perfume samples we could and trade them around in a frenzy, trying to find a scent that we felt suited us best. Even from a young age, a person knows exactly what type of scent they feel matches them best.
I’ve noticed that floral and amber scents are ones I’m frequently drawn to whenever I’m picking out a new product. From perfume to shampoo to body wash to candle scents, I tend to lean toward more refreshing scents like lavender or gardenia complemented by warmer base notes like vanilla, honey or sandalwood. But this differs from person-to-person; my roommate is drawn to fresher scents like newly cleaned laundry and is not a fan of sweeter, candy-like scents.
If you’re in the perfume industry, it’s essential that you familiarize yourself with a little tool called the fragrance wheel. This handy-dandy graphic illustrates the relationship between each category of scent in a perfume. Each scent, although there are endless combinations, falls under one of four major families: floral, fresh, woody and amber. Each of these families shares similar underlying scents and creates a grouping of subfamilies that can help you choose the perfect perfume that compliments your taste.
Scent Beauty goes into great detail about exactly which type of scents fall into each category, but what about how this correlates to you? Let’s dive into each fragrance family and find out if you truly match up with your signature scent:
Floral
Image Courtesy: NSS Magazine
Floral scents are one of the most common in the perfume world, with typical notes being rose, orange blossom and jasmine. These perfumes exude a sense of delicateness that is hard to find in other fragrance families. These bright, sunny fragrances are perfect for a spring picnic afternoon or a relaxing summer day. Floral scents tend to be associated with femininity, soft color palettes and romanticism. Those drawn to floral scents might find excitement in decorating their room in pastels or taking care of plants in their space. This scent is made for those as caring and sweet as they come.
Fresh
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
These fragrances are ones of zest, pizzazz and eccentricity. Bold yet subtle. Fresh scents encompass a variety of herb-like scents combined with softer notes of fruit. Common notes in the fresh family include sage, mandarin, bergamot or sea spray. These scents draw inspiration from things like clean laundry, freshly-fallen leaves, rain on the pavement and waves crashing on the shore. Those who like these fragrances tend to be more organized and have a strict day-to-day routine they stay on top of. Productivity is key when you’re wearing such a complimenting scent.
Woody
Image Courtesy: The Style Mate
Woody aromas have an air of warmth and comfort to them - encompassing scents of cedar, sandalwood and other smells reminiscent of incense. These earthy tones are usually preferred by those with an outdoorsy, venturesome spirit. This family sits opposite the floral family on the fragrance wheel, meaning the two have an ‘opposites attract’ sensibility. Try combining more down-to-earth woodsy tones with the lighter notes of floral perfumes to find an all-encompassing signature scent that is sure to get you some compliments down the line. A scent for apple picking, exploring with friends or just browsing your local bookstore, this fragrance family is suitable for almost any adventurous soul going about their day.
Amber
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Amber notes are reminiscent of herbs and spices softened with sweeter base notes like vanilla. While seemingly similar to wood-like fragrances, amber notes have a slight sweetness or spice to them. Highly associated with wealth and stature, the amber fragrance family is one of luxury, passion and brilliance. Those who wear amber scents exude confidence to a tee. This fragrance family is also perfect for a fall festival or holiday shopping spree. The brisk chill in the winter air (or at least, the chill when it’s below 70 degrees here in Florida) is a great match for the fireplace-like warmth of an amber fragrance. And if you have an upcoming formal event - try on a perfume or cologne with amber notes. This warmth and sophistication will also pair nicely with any sharp tux or dazzling gown.
Even if these descriptions don’t match your exact personality, keep rocking the scent that makes you feel the most you. Mix and match with different complimenting notes, try new scents you maybe haven’t been drawn to before or just stick to a signature scent you’ve known and loved for years and years! A signature scent defines you just as much as you let it, and like anything in the fashion or beauty world, don’t let it trap you inside a box you’re longing to step out of and experiment with. Have fun, look cute, and smell great while doing it.
Strike Out,
Orlando
Writer: Gabby Macogay
Content Editor: Melissa Donovan
Copy Editor: Reanna Haase
Gabby Macogay is a content writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. A true Pisces in every sense of the way, she loves dancing at concerts, showing people pictures of her dog and watching Mamma Mia. You can reach her at gabbymacogay@gmail.com and @gabby.mac on Instagram.