A Passion for Perfume - Extracts from the book by Jo Glanville-Blackburn
A Passion for Perfume
Discovering Perfume
Perfume is the one thing that we leave as an imprint of
ourselves, always living in the memory of others.
“Scent is essential to our life and to our wellbeing.
Whether it’s the aroma of a favourite flower, the comfort of
wood-smoke next to Father’s old pipe, or the heavenly scented
kiss curl at the nape of your baby’s neck, scent
matters.
Our sense of smell is the sense most linked to memory and emotion
and is the sense that we instinctively trust the most. Smell
triggers emotions both good and bad. That’s why perfume
matters, for if you have a positive association with your chosen
scent you will have your ultimate therapy in a bottle.”
Scent & Personality
Perfume heralds a woman’s arrival and prolongs her
departure – Coco Chanel
“When you wear perfume the scent is with you for the entire
day, and whoever you meet might build their own image of you based
on the way you smell. By choosing a particular scent, you
ensure that you are surrounded by the things that make you unique
– and the things that you love. Your choice of perfume
can reveal the ‘real you’.
Perfume reflects our personality. Scent psychologists can predict
the type of scent an extrovert might choose over an introvert, and
blondes tend to opt for different scents to brunettes and
redheads. Subtle differences in the acidity of the skin is
one reason why scents smell differently on us all. But other
factors such as diet, health and hormones influence our body
chemistry, too.
”How to Choose a Scent
Never go with a friend. Fragrance is so personal, and such
a reflection of our own being and our own personality, they may
well force their own tastes on you. It could be a
relationship that lasts a lifetime – the perfume that is!
– Roja Dove
“Choosing a new scent is very personal, and the decision
should never be rushed.
Don’t wear perfume when choosing a new one.
Avoid shopping for scent after eating a spicy meal, as the
chemistry of your skin may alter the aroma.
Never choose a fragrance because it smells good on someone else. It
may well not smell the same on you.
Don’t judge a scent in the bottle. You’ll only smell
the transient top notes and the alcohol that it is diluted in, not
how it will smell on your skin. Think of your skin as the final
essential ingredient in a fragrance.
Spray and walk away for an hour. You may love the top notes, but it
is the base that determines the final aroma on your skin, and this
takes about an hour to develop. This is the time to make your
decision.
Avoid smelling too many scents at once – just try three or
four at any one time. You can try wafting coffee beans under your
nose to cleanse and refresh your smelling powers.‘
A Passion for Perfume’ by Jo Glanville-Blackburn is
published by Rylands, Peters & Small at £6.99 and is
available to order online from Amazon or by calling Macmillan
Direct on 01256 302692, and of course at all good book
shops!
All photography featured by Claire Richardson.
Our Favourite Scents:
“I like fresh smells in summer and musky/sexy smells in
winter. I’m currently wearing Chance by Chanel which is
very nice.” Sharon Price, Harrogate“
She by Armani – I wore it on my wedding day so it always
takes me back. Eternity by Calvin Klein – an old
favourite. Weekend by Burberry – I just love the smell.
Stella by Stella McCartney – my newest purchase and very
light.” Louise Dalton, Sowerby Bridge
“I love Agent Provocateur and Pleasures.” Joolz
Cooper, Huddersfield
“It has to be Dolce Vita by Christian Dior as it’s
really fresh.” Lucy Brown, York
“Although I like the fresher smelling perfumes they
don’t seem to linger very long on my skin so I prefer the
slightly heavier, sexy scents like Jean Paul Gaultier and Boudoir
by Vivienne Westwood.” Jenny Clayton, joint
editor.
“My fave perfume is DKNY because it’s fresh and light
– feminine without being too sweet and heavy.”
Suzanne Johns, Bradford
“I have four different ones for summer/winter, going out/day
wear etc. These four are currently Issey Miyake, MAC, Vera
Wang and Chanel.” Vix Proctor, Selby
