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The (lost) Art of Smelling
We live in a world of constant stimulation—buzzing phones, blinking screens, endless notifications. Our attention is constantly being pulled in every direction, and yet one of the most powerful senses we have often goes unnoticed: the sense of smell.
When you begin to pay attention to scent, an entirely new world opens up—one that has always been there, waiting to be noticed.
We’re Taught to See and Hear—But Not to Smell
From early childhood, we’re taught how to read, how to distinguish colors, how to recognize sounds. But we’re rarely taught how to understand scents. Instead, most aromas are filed into simple categories of “good” or “bad,” and our fragrance vocabulary becomes literal and limited:
- Chocolate smells like chocolate
- Roses smell like roses
- Vanilla smells like vanilla
But fragrance is far more complex—and far more personal—than those simple definitions allow.
The Real Foundation of Fragrance: Awareness
To truly understand fragrance, the first step is awareness. Scents surround us constantly—natural, human-made, fleeting, strong, pleasant, unexpected. Most go by unnoticed.
Start by noticing:
- The smell of morning air
- The scent of your home when you walk inside
- The aroma of fresh produce
- The way your clothes smell after a day out
- The subtle scent of your hand soap, lotion, or shampoo
These everyday experiences build your scent memory, which is the foundation of understanding fragrance at a deeper level.
Learning to Describe What You Smell
Understanding fragrance isn’t about memorizing long lists of notes, terminology, or families. It’s about learning to express what a smell means to you.
Try asking yourself:
- What texture does this smell have? Soft, sharp, velvety, bright?
- What color does it feel like? Yellow? Green? Blue? Gold?
- What mood does it create? Calm? Energetic? Cozy? Uplifting?
- What does it remind you of? A place? A memory? A moment?
There are no right or wrong answers. Fragrance is emotional, imaginative, and deeply individual.
Why This Matters for Perfumery and Product Development
Whether you’re choosing a fragrance oil for your brand, creating a new candle line, or simply exploring personal preferences, learning to describe scents in a personal way helps you:
- Communicate clearly with suppliers and perfumers
- Choose fragrances that match your product’s mood or identity
- Develop your own brand’s fragrance vocabulary
- Understand why you like (or don’t like) certain scents
This personal scent language becomes a powerful tool in building products, brands, and experiences.
Explore Fragrance Families as You Develop Your Scent Vocabulary
If you’re beginning to explore fragrance more deeply, these collections can help you identify styles and preferences:
- Floral Fragrance Oils
- Fresh & Clean Fragrance Oils
- Green Fragrance Oils
- Citrus Fragrance Oils
- Woody Fragrance Oils
- Luxury Fragrance Oils
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need formal training to understand fragrance?
No. Anyone can develop a refined sense of smell through awareness, curiosity, and practice. You don’t need perfumer training to build a meaningful fragrance vocabulary.
Why is it hard to describe smells?
Smell is processed in the brain next to memory and emotion, not language—so describing scents takes creative thinking rather than literal definitions.
How can I improve my scent vocabulary?
Pay attention to daily smells, connect them to textures, colors, and moods, and test your interpretations by exploring different fragrance families.
Is this useful for choosing fragrance oils?
Absolutely. Being able to articulate scent preferences makes selecting the right fragrance oils—whether for perfume, candles, skincare, or home fragrance—much easier.
Have questions about fragrance or want help finding the right notes for your project? Contact us—we’re here to help.
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Harriet
April 22, 2021
This company has from day one, created the most unique, rich, complex and intoxicating fragrances I have ever “experienced”! The passion that Nathan and Cecile have for fragrance is a key ingredient to the success of their business as well as their creations. I feel so good when I wear these fragrances, and it’s really true that I can change how I feel by the fragrance I choose to wear on any given day! My favorites are the citrusy scents in summer and woody, florals in the winter.