Perfume is a sophisticated art that blends science and creativity to create a distinctive aroma. Whether used for personal hygiene or to accentuate one’s personality, perfume can leave a lasting impression.
From florals to rich musks, there are many different fragrance profiles to choose from. In addition, perfumers often have to consider the occasion and how it will be worn (does it need to be intimate or project a presence in public), as well as the individual’s skin chemistry. The goal is to find a signature scent that will last all day.
In perfumery, a brief is the perfume company’s instruction to the perfumer on what the perfume should smell like (either a specific object, event, or memory). For example, for Parfums Dior’s Pure Poison (2004), the brief asked that the perfume be “soft and hard at the same time.” This was achieved by combining rose, white jasmine, and musk.
A perfume’s olfactory quality is characterized by three structural parts that unfold over time: the head, middle, and base notes. The head note is the first impression of the fragrance and is comprised of small molecules with high volatility that evaporate quickly. The middle note is the main body of the perfume and emerges after the top notes have dissipated. Finally, the base note provides a sustained impression of the perfume that can last up to 24 hours after application [1].
While the adorning with scent has adaptive purposes for other animals such as wolves who roll in carcasses or feces to mask their own odor and ambush prey, humans do it for the sake of pleasure and social status. While some olfactory effects have been observed, including increased positive mood and heart rate, the relationship between olfaction and reward is still unclear [2].