The Power of Fragrance

During the Middle Ages, alchemists mixed plant substances such as aloe or camphor with animal scents such as musk, amber or civet. At times, they even went as far as using urine or human blood in their compositions to make the perfume more attractive. These practices remind us of Patrick Suskind's film « Le Parfum » (« Perfume »), and its hero's quest for the scent of a woman's skin...

Today, animal rights or ecological lobbies strive to do away with these animal substances and replace them with synthetic materials, which, unfortunately, are more and more pervasive.

Certain perfumes are sometimes based on synthetic products that make up more than 80% of the formula! The Perfume Industry as we know it today dates back to the 19th Century and the blossoming of the chemical products industry. A good perfume must be seductive. It also « sublimates » the personality.

Perfume is a matter of emotions, of our childhood memories, of a loved one, of a place dear to our hearts. When we smell a scent once, its memory, whether pleasant or not, remains with us for life. Our olfactory system is directly linked to the emotional side of our brain.

What is more suggestive than a perfume?

For obvious reasons, this is why the search for sex appeal in a perfume is omnipresent. But what materials have this power of attraction?

We can cite certain flowers, such as tuberose or patchouli, which have a very sensual power. Or, from a more general point of view, Orientals, which leave a very attractive trace. Example: Serge Lutens' composition, or even Carnal Flower, by Parfums Frédéric Malle. Inversely, sea or floral perfumes that leave lighter traces are less powerful. Moreover, according to a recent study undertaken by a research group at the Charles University of Prague, reported this week in Courrier International and a rather unusual one at that, Professor Jan Hawlicek and his team have shown that the attractiveness of a scent is directly linked with the sex appeal of the man who releases it! In other words, the study showed that women are attracted by the scent of power or strength.

To carry out this study, a group of male individuals were asked to wear cotton patches under their armpits for 24 hours. Facing them, a group of women who « smelled » said cotton patches and assessed their « sex appeal », « masculinity » or « intensity ». The study revealed that the women were all attracted to the scent of the most dominant males of the group. Rest assured, Gentlemen, those of you whose natural smell is not attractive. You still have perfume, of course!

To buy your fragrance, give a try to this french perfumery.
To buy Serge Lutens
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