Hey there Posse Peeps! Today I’d like to talk about the study fragrances that helped me through my course. You may know I’ve spent the last two years studying to become a Marriage Celebrant. In Australia it’s a big deal, and a hard slog. Run by companies under supervision by the Attorney General’s Department, so answering to the highest arena in Australia. It’s expensive and time consuming. The end is so close I can taste it. Studying is harder than I remember and keeping focused in an online, self starter situation has had definite drawbacks. Add to that home, husband and pets, friends, work and the daily minutiae of keeping all that running and things started to slip. When I was applying for the course the owner told me that only about 25% that start complete the training and become Marriage Celebrants. I can see why.
In December 2025 I finally completed the course and passed with 100%. I’ve filled out the requisite forms, got my references in order and made sure every i is dotted and t crossed. It was all sent off before Christmas and now the wait till the AG Office rubber stamps my application or not. It can take between three and nine months currently. Everything crossed.
I’d like to take a moment here to acknowledge that without the support and prodding of my husband Jin and Penny, one of my dear girlfriends (already a Celebrant), regular help sessions this would never have happened. They both gave me hope when there seemed to be none. They pushed, and led, and cajoled and fed me through some really dark moments.
Study Fragrances
This is such an interesting genre. Study Fragrances can not be overpowering. They can’t have a large range of story. It’s all about flying under the radar till you need a huff of something to still the mind. Something that can bring you back from the abyss without then taking you on a wander down the garden path. Super niche window. TBH finding a few that work really well was gratifying. I was worried for a while it might have to be a scent nude experience. I’ve written about nearly all of these before but here are my top four Study Fragrances.
Contradiction woman by Calvin Klein
Contradiction is such an old favourite of mine. First brought to my attention long after the perfume counters in Oz had stopped stocking it. My friend was bemoaning its loss and so I bought her a bottle from OS. Cue rapture. At the time I bought myself a bottle and it has remained a faithful stable ever since. An outer space crystalised rose flower, frozen in time. It’s gorgeous, but also very linear, making it a perfect wear-and-forget till you need a fragrant pick me up. It has excellent longevity too so even if I’m studying 6+ hours there are still remnants that huff up my shirt. Of all my Study Fragrances Contradiction W has had the most wear.
Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio
Ombre Indigo works year round. Its lightly sweet fruitiness overlaid on a leathery amber also has a salty ambergris, seaside vibe. It is a very niche scent, I couldn’t imagine somethingThough Ombre Indigo is a complex wear, after the first hour the heft deflates. This leaves a wash of lovely leather/amber/ambergris with the slightly oily greenness of vetiver wafting comfortably but not conspicuously. A true breath of fresh air that can keep me powering on without interrupting.
Vanilla Diorama by DIOR
A gift from one of my dearest friends my 40ml Vanilla Diorama hasn’t had very much wear yet because I had to finish a Surrender To Chance decant. Boozy, patchouli rich vanilla that skirts bakery but is more like the crackly caramel in peanut brittle, also touched with a dream of nougat cream. I know this sounds too intricate and intense to be one of my Study Fragrances. Even though it does have a glorious ride, still it manages to be calming and not interruptive. Sometimes I just want to be surrounded by not too sweet gorgeousness. Vanilla Diorama fits the bill perfectly.
Ysatis by Givenchy
Yes, I know. Ysatis is a historic, beast mode, big white floral. It screams out of the spritzer and bludgeons me with its ridiculous gorgeousness. Thing is, when you’ve worn a fragrance on and off for decades, it doesn’t seem to require the same effort as if you come new to it. So Ysatis is a calming wave that lets me focus on the job at hand while remaining its flamboyant superstar self. When I’m stuck in study a few huffs and my mind is ready to go back and find the answer, the link or the right words. Ysatis will probably NEVER work for you as one of your Study Fragrances but for me it has been heaven scent.
Do you have any perfumes in your collection that are excellent for focus?
Portia xx
Late to be posting, but sending best wishes to you, Portia…MAGNIFICENT Celebrant To Be.
Thanks MzCrz,
From your typewriter to the universe.
Portia XX
Massive congratulations Portia.I’m sure that you will make a fabulous celebrant.
Thanks Marian matty1649,
From your typing to the universe.
Portia x
Congratulations, Portia! Keep us updated on your final approval.
I am currently studying for a certification myself but it’s not that intense, fortunately. I lean toward sandalwood when I need grounding – JHAG Sunny side Up is a favorite. Or a crisp citrus. And I really need to try Mitsouko again, when this nasty cold goes away. I’m sure STC can provide me with a decant – maybe that will be my reward when I’m done with my course in early February.
Thanks MaggieCat,
Good luck with your course. Glad it’s not an all consuming one.
Yeah, sandalwood is a good steadying scent. Before the Australian sandalwood industry collapsed I bought some of their perfumes. Very beautiful, as you say – grounding, and also so deep. I love to wear them.
Mitsouko sounds like a perfect reward.
Portia xx
Portia xx
I don’t have a particular focus fragrance… well… yes, I suppose I do! Mitsouko keeps me protected, grounded and focused – it got me through an actual tornado!
And fingers crossed for you – though I suspect you won’t have any trouble- your joyful presence will add so much to the ceremonies you celebrate!
Thanks Musette,
A second vote for Mitsouko. It has become my most worn Guerlain over the last decade. Shalimar is still my ride or die but Mitsy fits in wherever it goes.
Portia xx
First off, major congrats! Bravo and if I ever got married I’d want you to officiate. Of course me getting married will happen, er, never. so..
At this moment I am focusing on work and closing a deal (where is the damned papers I just printed? and the keys?) and it’s amazing how scent can guide you along or be distracting. I gave myself a healty glug of a sample of Dior Feve Delicieuse (and I have no memory as to where is came) and it’s so yummy it’s distracting. Who cares that I have to find all this crap for a 2pm meeting and still get something else done. But I smell so pretty! I just want to sit in an armchair with a good mystery and enjoy it..
Thanks Tom,
Never say never buddy. I was happily ready to rattle around the old house with a dog and my mates until I dropped. Then Jin happened.
Fingers crossed your deal goes smoothly.
Feve Delicieuse! If I was able to send bottles internationally, I’d send you mine. It’s about to go on the chopping block in the great 2026 “please don’t let there be a fire” sale.
Portia xx
Oh dear. Now how do I get that bottle? I might have to just come and get it..
Is the USA going to be a pariah nation for the next three years?
Tom, I think it will take more than three years to undo the damage being done to international relations. New and powerful alliances are being made right now that will shape geopolitics for decades.
You are welcome to come collect. I’ve been begging you to visit for over a decade now.
Could this be the excuse, at last?
Portia xx
Congratulations! I am very pleased for you! Hope the rubber stamp comes sooner rather than later.
I don’t know what a study perfume would be for me. Perhaps biehl parfumkunstwerke eo01 which is a soft, gentle, warm, light amber that I usually spray lavishly.
Thanks Maya,
I remember those biehl parfumkunstwerke perfumes. Didn’t they ask different perfumers to go crazy and create their hearts desire? Smelled a few but not sure if I got to eo01. I do love an amber though.
Portia xx
You’re right, they did, but I never sampled any of the others. I think it was because I couldn’t find samples. eo01 was in an offering of some partial bottles of perfume. It has an extra something, so I got it.
And now your bottle is a unicorn. biehl parfumkunstwerke is no more except for a couple of heavily discounted bottles on FragranceNet.
I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know. I don’t know if you remember when I didn’t care much for ambers, but this one changed my mind!
Now THAT is something to celebrate. Amber is my jam.
Well done dearest Portia. You have worked so hard for this. I’m certain getting your licence rubber stamped will be a mere formality. It can’t be anything else either a 100% score!
I haven’t done any formal study for a decade. What did I wear when studying? I only recall Aromatics Elixir. Yes she’s witchy at times, but I find her almost zen & spa like. She opens up the soul & lets new information flow.
Is you Ysatis vintage, in the purple box or the rerelease?
I adored Ysatis when first released, wore on & off through two pregnancies! I would like to reconnect with her
Thanks Alityke.
Woo Hoo! Aromatics Elixir is bloody gorgeous, yes I am so well attuned to it that I could probably have worn it too for studying. So good.
My Ysatis is an old 100ml that I bought pretty full in the early 2000s off a tester table. It came without lid or box. I’ve also got a black boxed 15ml of extrait. One of my prized possessions.
Portia xx
The extrait is extraordinary. My second bottle came with a tiny 4ml extrait. Imagine getting what amounts to a free extrait for the same money these days
O M G! So lucky.
Right time, right place.
Congratulations Portia on your achievement and the resulting sigh of relief now that it’s all said and done!
I can tell you’ll be wonderful in that capacity and I’m
just curious as to what makes studying to be a marriage celebrant such a rigorous undertaking.
Hey JenniferS,
Thank you.
Over the last few years, especially since the Marriage Equality refurb of our marriage laws there is a LOT to learn. We are basically the government for the institution of not religious marriages in Oz. There is also the concern of real consent, there have been some major cases of coercion in the last few years. I think the Me Too era has awoken people to their rights and educated them about what is right. It’s a step in the right direction.
Plus we have to learn about and do videos of us performing all different kinds of ceremonies with friends and family as protagonists and audience.Then, we must get 100% in every module before we can move forward. A lot of work.
Portia xx
Ah. I see. Thank you!
Can I qualify? A lot of work for someone who hasn’t;’t studied in about 40 years. Getting in the groove was also a challenge.
Oh, congratulations and fingers crossed!!!! I knew it was a big deal, but not THAT big a deal. Go, you! I have nightmares occasionally about being back in school (forgot to study for a test etc.) I was an excellent student but could not wait to put all that behind me. Love your selection of study scents. Mine have to be absolutely in the background if I need to concentrate. I think of them as “wallpaper” scents. Something like a gentle musk.
Wallpaper scents is such a good name March. I get the gentle mask idea but all of my musks are ferocious beasts. Cuddly and purring big cats.
Portia xx
First off, hearty congratulations on finishing your course and mailing it all off!! WooHoo! Best wishes while you wait for official notification that you are now a Marriage Celebrant. And what a good one you will be!
For studying, I think I could wear any old favorite as long as it was applied lightly. Things like No 19, VC&A Bois d’Iris, Prada Infusion d’Iris (we seem to have an iris theme going on here!). There’s something serene and serious about iris that puts me in the right mindframe for studying.
Thanks DinaC,
Oh yes! Iris is amazing for zone control. Give me an iris heavy chypre and we are good to go. 19, Niki de Saint Phalle, Silences! Yes please. Also Iris rebel by Atelier Cologne. So smooth and doughy. Perfection.
Portia x
Congratulations on your new role! Hard work paying off!
Thanks Tara+Mc.
Portia xx
Congratulations, Portia! What a great achievement! When I need to concentrate I usually stick to light fruity floral or citrus, but a scent I am very familiar with such as Shalimar will do. I tried Ysatis when it first came out. I wanted to love it, but it was too big for me.
Portia, you will be a wonderful Celebrant, and then we will need your list of best fragrances to wearbas a Celebrant!
Thanks JillS,
HA! Yes, Ysatis is a screamer, for sure. I wonder if you might have grown in to it, as a grown up?
Portia xx
Oh, that is just so wonderful, Portia. I will think positive outcome thoughts. You would be such a wonderful Celebrant.
Fragrances for focus, etc … Guerlain tends to be my choice — either Mitsouko or Shamilar perfume. They are stand up straighter perfumes that confer oomph.
Thanks Cinnamon, Fingers crossed.
Such beautiful focus perfumes. I could probably wear a little bit of Mitsouko or Shamilar too because I know them so well.
Portia xx
Congratulations! I had NO idea it was so labor intensive, and I’m off to read more about Celebrants. I’m all about study scents, but I tend to keep mine simple, and I even use scents that are not necessarily my favorites, but are classic citrus/begamot/grapefruit or, comforting (some Serge Lutens for that). So I focus on citrus, mint (Guerlain in the bee bottle), rose, or a Solstice Scent vanilla and SL baked goods (calming soothing.
Ysatis… that is the one and only “cycling fragrance.” On long treks with my husband, cycling at least 35 miles or more, that’s my “go to”. No sweat or stank is going to defeat that lovely, lush, loud beautiful scent. I also like to think of other cyclists in my wake, happily sniffing behind me. So that’s my cycling scent, and it keeps me going. It’s too loud for studying, but probably not if I sprayed a curtain or the room in which I’m working. I may try that.
Very happy for your achievement.
Thanks Shiva-woman,
LOVE that you wear Ysatis for exercise. What a stunner it is.
OHH! Which Guerlain with the mint in the bee? An Aqua Allegoria?
Portia xx