In these unsettling times when it seems the already-crazy world has turned upside down and inside out, it can be hard to find a moment of peace from the onslaught facing us in our everyday lives. We’re bombarded via news outlets, social media, the emptying shelves at the grocery stores, etc., and we could all probably use a little relief. And that’s where fragrance rides to the rescue. Just one whiff of a comforting scent on our wrists can offer us an opportunity to stop, take a breath and just be at peace, if even for a moment.
What scents do this for you? I have quite a few, depending on the season. But right now, I’m reaching for the cozy, gentle embrace of Costes 2, the vanilla goodness of Indult Tihota, and the vanilla goodness plus calming incense of Le Labo Vanille 44. But I do have one slightly unexpected choice: Guerlain’s Mitsouko. I have a few little dabs of the vintage parfum and I find wearing it gives me pause for thought. Even though folks have differing opinions on it, and few would call it a cuddly kitten of a scent, it’s really quite beautiful, elegant and calming on my skin. I’ve discovered that wearing it gives me a much-needed sense of perspective. Think about it: Look back on all the turmoil, upheaval and world events that this legendary fragrance has been witness to, and it’s still going strong and is enjoyed to this day. Kind of a scented reminder that “this, too, shall pass.” I know it may sound kind of lame, but it makes me feel good and improves my mood. And isn’t that one of the great gifts of fragrance?
So please do share what you wear when stress, daily life, etc., feels like a tidal wave swamping you.
I thought I would reach for vanillabased scents, but I reach for my grounding Chypres more. So I wore Mitsouko, Aromatics Elixir and Empreinte the last days.
I’m with you on Mitsouko — it’s kind of cerebral, so it’s good for when you’re in a reflective, existential state. I’m having similar feelings about Silences, though neither scent is cuddly.
Crazy times….but I choose not to join the crazy. The Hubs and I are doing out best to be steady, reach out to neighbors who may need help or just a friendly word, we are staying at home.
I take comfort in all my lovely perfumes. I’m grateful to have them and recall/wear different ones which have special meaning to me: L’Heure Bleue, Eau de Shalimar, Fragonard Vanille, Dior Dolce Vita, Chanel No. 19, Chanel Cuir de Russie, S. Lutens Chergui and many, many more. Perfume helps my mood each and every day and I’m thankful for it and my fellow Perfumistas!
I thought something pillowy soft and luxe like Mitzah would do the job, but I seem to find ferocious scents or more meditative iris-and/or-incense scents more comforting. (Wear Bandit, and burn frankincense till just before the smoke alarm goes off and I’m just fine. And if the smoke alarm is being too jumpy, then wear the burn-the-world-down smoke in the form of Hyde or T-rex 🙂
And Mitsouko? Of course. The most beautiful armour of all.
I dunno if you remember, but Mitsouko got me through a tornado! So it’s definitely a comfort scent for me. I tend not to veer towards anything ‘cuddly’ because I am not a cuddly person (even though I do wear fleece, I wear it as if it were titanium armor). My other comfort/armor scent is the omnipresent No5, which I wear in vintage EdT and parfum. The Girl and I are already pretty isolated, with me largely working from home and her largely working alongside me…. it’s only getting weirder out there, so everybody, stay calm and do what you can to minimize your exposure, both to the virus and to the Crazy! xoxoxo
I hear you Ann, on the comfort of wearing a timeless classic like Mitsouko. I’ll have to try that later this week. I’m wearing No. 19 edp today, my favorite. These beauties are like a tower of strength, a refuge and a fortress. They’ve seen us through hard times before — oh so many times! — and they’ll do it again! 🙂
Hiram Green’s Dilettante, Lustre and all April Aromatics. I walk in my garden (very fortunate to have one) as much as I can, and watch nature, coming to spring here in the Netherlands, unperturbed and bursting, full of life. In fact, the toads are having a sort of orgy in my pond and have already started laying their eggs in beautiful strings of black pearls. And I am on a stringent news diet, once a day tops.
I LOVE April Aromatics’ scents! I’ve been using the intermittently-decent days (one in 4, maybe) to clean up in the garden (still pockets of frost so no actual digging)…… we won’t see frogs and toads for another few weeks but it’s something to look forward to!
Stay safe! And stay on your news diet!
xoxoxo
Have you had the chance to smell her latest Vetiver Coeur? And the toads will come!
Sarah Horowitz’ Perfect Coconut Milk is calming & soothing, & don’t even like coconut. Go figure. Another relaxer for me is CdG Avignon.
For no-nonsense / ignore the chaos / get things done, it’s Hermes Gentiane Blanche, sprayed liberally.
Hey Ann,
I like to be cozy in ambers when stress hits but also my regular loves get a good going over. Comfort in familiarity.
Portia xx
I am taking refuge in the vanilla orange blossom marshmallow of Profumum Vanitas.
Crazy, crazy times. Mitsouko is like my armor, wearing it today to run errands.
Beautiful thought Ann!
I wear Raghba for comfort as well as Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose. I wear Boadicea Complex when I need to be a badass and roar.
Agreed fragrance is a calming force. I’ve been wearing Chanel Coromandel, one of my favorite comfort scents.
Most of my fragrances comfort me in some way or help me feel strong, in charge or relaxed, whatever is needed. Micallef Gaiac is my go to for relaxing comfort right now.
I’ve been wearing Etro Heliotrope for the past week or so. I find it to be a comforting, marshmallowy cloud of safety.