Signature Scents

HOW TO FIND THE BEST PERFUME TO MATCH YOUR PERSONALITY

By Shelby Evans, Lifestyle Editor Photographed by Hannah Huber, Contributing Photographer

As we know from the iconic ballad “All Too Well,” there’s a reason Jake Gyllenhaal kept Taylor Swift’s scarf from that very first week: it reminds him of innocence and it smells like her.

The part of the brain that processes smell, the olfactory bulb, sits next to the part of the brain that stores memories. Scientists have found that the olfactory bulb directly impacts memory storage in our mind.1 So, when you are picking out body wash, hairspray or deodorant, it’s almost as if you are picking out how people will remember you. That’s why choosing a perfume to stick with is such a big deal. As a young adult, it’s more than picking something that smells good. It’s about creating an extension of yourself. It’s why Elle Woods put her resume on scented paper. If you prefer subtle colors in your wardrobe and you speak with a calm voice, scents that feature florals like rose, jasmine or lavender would be a great way to brand yourself. If you smile like sunshine and prefer the attention of the room to be on you, rich scents like cedar, patchouli or ginger might fit your personality. Some perfumes are delicate and subtle, while others are sexy and lingering. It’s best to associate the scents with which personality trait is more like you. There are some scents, however, that have stood the test of time. It’s been a right of passage for many young women to incorporate these iconic scents into their personal brand. There’s a reason these perfumes are as famous as they are. It’s a sign of privilege and success for some, while for others it’s about indulging in the timeless scents that stand out through history.

The Classics

Chanel No. 5

Like the whisperings of a spring love with the soft roses that tickle your nose and jasmine that carras the skin, and a bubble of excitement of hidden citrus, the iconic Chanel’s scent is gentle, but expressive.2 You don’t become the most iconic perfume of all time for nothing.

Tom Ford, Oud Wood

If you like to run on the wild side then the darker sandalwood, rosewood, and chinese pepper mix might encapsulate you better. It’s a scent that feels like leather couches in log cabins.3

Miss Dior

A more sensual perfume that has three kinds of roses, including a richer rosewood, with bergamot. It’s an afternoon in late August spent with a lover.4

1 Ruhr-University Bochum. “How the olfactory brain affects memory.” ScienceDaily. 2 Chanel.com 3 Tomford.com 4 Dior.com To be honest, these classic designer scents are expensive. If you’re trying to find a scent that is uniquely you, the icons might be overplayed for you. There are alternatives to creating a more unique scent for yourself.

Some Breakthroughs

LUSH perfumes

They have perfumes that smell like some of their iconic bath bombs along with other expertly crafted scents. LUSH perfumes come in a traditional spray bottle or in solid form. The solid forms are less expensive, and by rubbing it on your pulse points you can still smell just as beautiful as a traditional spray.

WAFT

If you love the traditional style of perfumes, but want a scent that is unique, ordering from WAFT is for you. Their website brings you through a questionnaire to match one of their scents to you. You can specify if you prefer female, male, or gender neutral scents. You can pick what your label looks like. You can also tell them if there is another brand of perfume you like to help inspire their matching process. You pick 3 scents you like and then they pair you with what perfume of theirs is uniquely yours. 5 ■