10 Incredible Smells and Where to Find Them

1 10 Incredible Smells and Where You Find Them In Perfume

 

 

Our noses are incredible. They may not be as good as dogs’ noses, but do you know scientists think the human nose can pick up on 1 trillion scents? That is an astonishing number.

 

There is little wonder why scents and perfumes are so important to us. We have all come across scents that immediately trigger a memory or two. It is ultimately our “smell memory” that decides what perfume we buy or like.

Growing up in a home where “scent” was important, I learned from an early age to identify different smells. My experience growing up made me interested in aromatherapy which eventually lead to my interest in perfume and skincare.

 

On this page, I am taking a look at smells and how they affect us. But first, it is time for a mini science lesson.

 

How Do We Identify Smells?

 

Our brain has over time developed a smell detection network. It starts with the cranial olfactory nerve. This highly complex network has detectors called odor receptors.

 

Scent molecules are found around us all of the time. Receptors pick up on a scent and our brain automatically tries to identify what it is smelling. If it can’t, it creates a new memory. That is in fact how we learn to remember smells.

 

Eventually, our brain creates a memory bank of different smells. When we smell a particular scent, neurons in the brain rush off and open memory banks related to that memory. You don’t actually need to see or touch what you are smelling.

 

I am sure that if someone puts a blindfold on you, and asks you not to touch you can still identify the smell of the cooking spices in your kitchen. Your brain has learned those smells.

 

Visitors to my home often comment on the smell. They think it is lavish using Elizabeth Arden Green Tea as a room fragrance. The truth is that I don’t. What they can smell are the essential oils and herbs that makeup Elizabeth Arden Green Tea.

 

The secret ingredient is mint mixed with chamomile. This is what gives Elizabeth Arden Green Tea its distinctive smell.

 

Can We Recognise Smells in Perfume?

 

Apart from essential oils, there are many other smells we recognise. The most common ones are smells like tuna and bananas.

Recognising food smells is important as it triggers our appetite. But it is important for our brain to recognise other smells as well.

 

Can we train our brains to recognise smells in perfume? Yes, we can. This is why perfumers use certain scents or combinations of certain scents. On occasion, they may throw in a curve ball or two, but in general, they stick to certain scents.

 

Depending on how you blend essential oils, you can trigger different fragrance experiences.

 

10 Of The Most Popular Smells in Perfume and Cosmetics

 

What are the most common smells you can learn to identify in perfume? All of our noses have had different learning experiences, so we all recognise different smells.

 

Essential oils blended in the right way mimic what our senses expect. This is why you think you recognise a smell even though you may only have smelt it for the first time.

 

This is a list of the 10 most common smells in perfume your senses recognise:

 

●     Rose

●     Lavender

●     Musk

●     Mint

●     Jasmine

●     Vanilla

●     Vetiver

●     Citrus

●     Orange blossom

●     Sandalwood

 

You may not know the name of the smell you recognise. Instead, your brain does it automatically for you and “assigns” it to a receptor.

 

As you may not find some of these plants or smells in your immediate environment, you are probably wondering how you recognise them. The truth is that many of these smells remind us of other things we have smelt. For instance, citrus instantly reminds you of oranges and other citrus fruits.

 

Let’s take a closer look. Then I will tell you in what perfume you can find these smells.

 

1 Rose

 

If you have ever received red roses from that special man in your life, you have probably realised they are not highly fragranced. So, where do perfumers get rose smells from?

 

The roses used in perfumes are not the ones you find in the florist or growing in your garden. Compared to the roses used in bouquets for Valentine’s Day, they don’t look a million dollars. They look like the climbing roses you find in English cottage gardens.

 

One thing, they have in common, is their colour. They are all pink.

The pink colour denotes the essential oil they produce. It is a highly-scented essential oil called rose absolute.

 

The most common roses used in perfumery are Rosa Centifolia, Damask and Turkish Rose.

 

2 Lavender

 

Lavender is a scent many of us have learned to recognise. It is a popular essential oil.

 

One of the best things about lavender is that it is easy to blend with other essential oils. It also helps to keep the perfume fresh and it adds depth. Lavender can both heighten other smells or mellow them depending on the composition.

 

Although it “stands out” in some perfumes, most of the time you will only pick up very slight “hints” of lavender in your perfume.

 

3 Musk in Perfume

 

The musk we found in perfume does not come from plants. Instead, it comes from animals. Don’t worry, no animals are harmed in the process.

 

Musk in perfume comes from powdered grains which are dissolved in alcohol. This is a very sensual smell and it adds softness to almost any perfume.

 

It is not a top note. Rather as you let the scent linger, you will pick up a certain soft smell. Musk is also sweet, warm and woody. Once again, it all depends on the combination of the other essential oils in the perfume.

 

4 Mint Is A Pick Me Up

 

Mint is a popular essential oil and one we recognise almost instantly. It is fresh and extremely uplifting.

 

Once again, it is an oil that is user-friendly and offers a range of useful purposes. It helps to keep perfume fresh and makes it last longer.

 

When you are shopping for daytime fragrances, it is a good idea to go for a perfume that contains mint.

 

5 Jasmine

 

Jasmine is a prolific plant. There are over 200 recognised subspecies of this plant. One thing they all have in common is that they produce essential oils in abundance.

 

Essential oil of jasmine is a rich oil which is slightly sticky to the touch. Jasmine is a subspecies of olives which explains why the plants produce so much oil.

 

Jasmine as a fragrance varies in strength. It is one of the more versatile smells you will find in perfume. That is why it is so tricky to pick up the scent of jasmine. Perfumers use a range of different types of jasmine. They all smell slightly different.

 

The most common jasmines used in perfumes are sambac and grandiflorum.

 

6 Vanilla

 

Vanilla comes from the vanilla bean which grows on a vine. As you probably know, you can buy vanilla pods.

 

Yes, the pods are crushed, ground down and preserved in alcohol. However, vanilla flowers are also used when perfume is made.

 

When vanilla from pods is used, the fragrance is more intense. The flowers give off a softer essential oil which is beautiful. A perfume containing the oil from the flowers is often more expensive as the oil is challenging to extract.

 

Did you know you can grow vanilla as a houseplant? It is super easy to grow and smells amazing.

 

7 Vetiver

 

Vetiver is a highly fragrance grass which has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years.

 

The smell is lemony and fresh. Once again, this is one of those smells which is easy to learn. The only problem is that vetiver does not grow naturally in the UK, you are not likely to smell it.

 

However, if you grow lemongrass, you may just recognise the smell of vetiver. The two are closely related. Citronella is also related to vetiver and the scent is similar but Vetiver is softer and easier to blend.

 

8 Citrus

 

There are many different types of citrus fruits. Almost all of them are used in perfumes.

 

What part of citrus fruit is used when making perfume? Almost all parts of citrus are used but mainly the peel in a powder format. Slightly bitter perfumes may contain ground-up citrus pips.

 

Citrus really doesn’t need an explanation - it is one of those scents that we all recognise in an instant. It is acidic and fresh.

 

9 Orange Blossom

 

The scent of orange blossoms is simply intoxicating. Unlike the fruits, it has depth and is intensely sensual. If you are looking for a date night perfume or aftershave with a difference, go for one with orange blossom.

 

Lemon blossoms do not have the same appeal as orange blossoms. If you are looking for a slightly different scent experience, try a perfume with grapefruit essence.

 

10 Sandalwood

 

What does sandalwood smell like? There is no doubt about it - sandalwood is a turn-on.

Sandalwood is a member of the cypress family. The smell is intoxicating, sensual and seductive. Once you have smelt it, your senses will never forget it.

 

To the touch, sandalwood is buttery and smooth. Sandalwood aromatherapy oil is deeply comforting.

 

Some say that sandalwood smells like patchouli. If so, you have probably smelt cheap perfume as sandalwood is never overpowering.

Where Can I Find All of These Divine Smells?

 

Fortunately, finding these smells is not difficult. They turn up in our favourite perfumes. Let’s take a look and find the best ones for your favourite smell.

 

Rose Inspired Perfumes

 

Chloe is a brand that is often inspired by roses and other flowery scents.

 

One of the best scents is without a shadow of a doubt Chloe Eau De Parfum. It delivers when it comes to both romantic and seductive qualities.

 

The scent is chic and modern. It is one of those romantic scents that transcends time and space. You can wear it during the day as you go about your business. It has to be said it is equally at home on a date night as well.

 

Lavender

 

The trick is to not let lavender overpower a perfume or aftershave.

The best perfumers know how to balance lavender.

 

Lavender blended with other fragrances is very seductive and popular in men’s fragrances. One of the best examples is Ralph Lauren Club. Fortunately, you can buy a Ralph's Club Eau de Parfum gift set giving a complete scent experience.

 

Seductive Musk

 

Musk is a fantastic date night fragrance that keeps on giving. If you wear a musk-based perfume or cologne, topping it up often is something that you don’t have to worry about too much.

 

For ladies, the best choice is probably Black Opium by YSL. An intense fragrance perfect for weekends away.

 

When it comes to men’s scents, it has to be Eau de Sauvage by Dior. The range continues to grow but you can always rely on Sauvage to deliver the pure essence of man. In other words, a touch of musk.

 

Refreshing Mint

 

Eros by Gucci is one of the premier fragrances with a splash of mint. It is very refreshing and continues to deliver for a long time.

 

If you like minty scents, as many men do, you should also check out Davidoff colognes and aftershaves. It is a range of scents with a lot to offer when it comes to refreshing perfumes.

 

Lively Jasmine

 

Jasmine adds interest to any fragrance. You can say that jasmine is a “lively” scent as it drifts through the air easily.

 

What are the best perfumes if you like jasmine? You are spoiled for choice as far as jasmine goes. Many perfumers like to include this lovely smell. Popular choices include the Mugler Perfume range and Tiffany.

 

Sweet Vanilla

 

Do you like a touch of sweetness in your perfume? Many of us do.

 

Vanilla is one of those smells that are challenging to balance. Fortunately, if you like sweet scents, there are a couple of brands that manage to get it right. When you like a touch of vanilla, the top perfume brands you should check out include Valentino and, once again Mugler. If you have not as yet tried Alien Goddess by Mugler, you should order it.

 

Vetiver Perfumes

 

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is a good choice for the ladies when it comes to perfumes spiced with a touch of Vetiver.

 

For the gents, it simply has to be Hermes Terre D'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver Eau De Parfum. This is one of the best men’s fragrances offered by Hermes - you simply can’t go wrong. It deserves to be in every man’s fragrance collection.

 

Citrus and Orange Blossom Scents

 

Both delicious scents are often found in the same perfumes. Calvin Klein is one of the premier perfumers when it comes to citrus and orange blossom notes.

 

The One is perhaps the best one, but there are also many other exciting scents from Calvin Klein worth trying.

 

Sensual Sandalwood

 

Chanel Perfume is a brand that likes to include sandalwood in its range of fragrances. Coco is well-known for hints of sandalwood.

 

Although very much an established brand, the team behind Chanel still likes to experiment and add new fragrance experiences.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Smells and scents are important to us. They can put us in the right mode and make us feel on top of the world. Sign up for the Perfume Price newsletter and keep on top of the latest news in the world of perfume and cosmetics.