Shooting from the Lip
My rip-snortin’ jaunt from ballet girl to punkette to pop singer to TV host & all the messy stuff in between
Perfumes: The A-Z Guide
Witty and provocative reviews of 1,800+ perfumes
What the Nose Knows
A fun and quirky romp through everyday smells
Aroma
A cultural history of smell
The Emperor of Scent
Maverick Luca Turin's entertaining tussles with perfume and science
The Perfect Scent
An insider's look at the creation of two bestselling fragrances
A Natural History of the Senses
An aphrodisiac for all five senses
The Secret of Scent
Luca Turin's scientific look at perfume
Essence and Alchemy
The voluptuous history of natural perfume.
Fragrance Houses - Alphabetical Listing
A
Acqua di Parma
Agent Provocateur
A Lab on Fire
Amouage
Anat Fritz
Andree Putman
Annick Goutal
L'Antichambre
Aquolina
Aramis
Armani Prive
L’Artisan Parfumeur
Atelier Cologne
Ava Luxe
Ayala Moriel
B
B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful
Baccarat
Balenciaga
Balmain
BLOOD Concept
Bobbi Brown
The Body Shop
Bond No. 9
Boudicca
Britney Spears
Bruno Acampora
Bulgari
Burberry
Burger King
By Kilian
Byredo
C
Cacharel
Cadentia Parfums
Calvin Klein
Carolina Herrera
Carthusia
Caswell Massey
CB I Hate Perfume
Chanel
Chloe
Citizen Queen
Clinique
Coach
Comme des Garcons
Comptoir Sud Pacifique
Costume National
Coty
Creed
Czech & Speake
D
Dana
Davidoff
Decennial
Dayna Decker
Demeter
The Different Company
Dita Von Teese
Divine
DKNY
Donna Karan
DS and Durga
E
Eau d'Italie
Elie Saab
Elternhaus
Enlevement au Serail
Eris
Escentric Molecules
Estee Lauder
Etat Libre d'Orange
Etro
F
Faberge
Floris
Frederic Malle Editions de Parfums
Frapin
Fresh
G
Gap
Gendarme
Gorilla Perfume
Gravel
Gucci
Guerlain
Gwen Stefani
H
Hanae Mori
Helmut Lang
Hermes
Hipster
Histoires de Parfums
L'Homme Sage
Huitieme Art
Hugo Boss
Humiecki & Graef
I
Illamasqua
J
JAR
Jardins d'Ecrivains
Jennifer Aniston
Jean Desprez
Jean Paul Gaultier
Jessica Simpson
Jo Malone
Juicy Couture
Juliette Has a Gun
Jurlique
Justin Bieber
K
Kat Von D
Kate Walsh
Katy Perry
Keiko Mecheri
Kenzo
Kerosene
Kim Kardashian
Korres
L
Le Labo
Lady Gaga
Lalique
Laura Mercier
Lisa Kirk
Lolita Lempicka
M
Madonna
Marni
Martin Margiela
M. Micallef
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Marc Jacobs
Miller Harris
Mona d'Orio
Montale
N
Nanette Lepore
Narciso Rodriguez
Neil Morris Fragrances
Les Nereides
Neutrogena
LesNez
Nez a Nez
Nobile 1942
nu_be
O
The Organic Pharmacy
Orla Kiely
Ormonde Jayne
P
Paco Rabanne
Parfum d'Empire
Parfumerie Generale
Parfums DelRae
Parfums de Nicolai
Parfums MDCI
Paul Smith
Peche Cardinal
Penhaligon's
People of the Labyrinths
Perfumer's Workshop
Prada
Prescriptives
Proctor & Gamble
Profumi del Forte
Profumum
R
Ralph Lauren
Ramon Monegal
Ren
Robert Piguet
Rochas
Rodin
Roger and Gallet
S
S-Perfume
Sarah Horowitz
Sarah Jessica Parker
Satellite
Serge Lutens
Sexy Beast
Soivohle
Sonoma Scent Studio
Stella McCartney
T
Tann Rokka
Tauer Perfumes
Thierry Mugler
Tom Ford
U
Ulrich Lang
Ultima II
Union
V
Van Cleef & Arpels
Vera Wang
Vero Profumo
Viktor and Rolf
W
Washington Tremlett
Weleda
Y
Yohji Yamamoto
Yankee Candle
Yosh
Yves Saint Laurent
Ys Uzak
Numbers
10 Corso Como
Fragrance Names - Alphabetical Listing
A
A
AB
Absolue Pour le Soir
Acqua Viva
Aedes de Venustas
Aftelier Perfumes
L'Agent
Agent Provocateur
Agent Provocateur Diamond Dust
L'Air de Rien
L'Air du Desert Marocain
Aki
A la Nuit
Alien
Alien Taste of Fragrance
Amaranthine
Amaze
Amber Absolute
Amber pour Homme Intense
Amber Ylang Ylang
Ambre 114
Ambre Narguile
Ambre Sultan
Angel
Angelique Encens
Anice
Anvers
Anvers 2
Aoud Lime
Apres L'Ondee
Aqua Allegoria Anisia Bella
Aqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea
Aqua Universalis
Aramis
Aramis 900
Aromatics Elixir
Aromatics Elixir Perfumer's Reserve
Artek
The Artist
At the Beach 1966
Attrape Coeur
Avignon
Ayoon Al Maha
Azemour
B
B
B Scent
Back to Black
Baie Rose 26
Baiser Vole
Bal a Versailles
Balenciaga Paris
Monsieur Balmain
Bang
Bardou
Beach
The Beat
Belle de Jour
Belle D'Opium
La Belle Helene
Beyond Love
Black Aoud
Black Afgano
Black Cashmere
Black Orchid
Black Orchid Voile de Fleur
Black Tie
Black Vines
Blask
Blenheim Bouquet
Bleu de Chanel
Blue Cedrat
Blue Encens
Blue Santal
Body
Bois d'Argent
Bois d'Encens
Bois des Iles
Bois d'Iris
Bois d'Orage
Bois d'Orange
Un Bois Vanille
Bolt of Lightning
Bosque
Bouche Baie
Boyfriend
Breath of God
Bronze Goddess
Brut
Bulgari Black
Burning Leaves
Burning Barbershop
C
Cafe Noir
Calyx
Candide
Cannabis Rose
Cannabis Santal
Carbon
Carnal Flower
Celtic Fire
Castile
Chance
Chergui
Chinatown
China White
Chloe Eau de Parfum Intense
Chloe (Karl Lagerfeld)
Citizen Queen
CK One Shock for Him
Classical
Coco
Coco Noir
Cologne Pour le Soir
Cologne Royale
Colonia
Cool Water
Coromandel
Cote d’Amour
Coup de Coeur
Couture Couture
Cuir Cordoba
Cumming
D
Daisy
Dans Tes Bras
Daphne
Dark Rose
Dior Homme
Dirt
Dita Von Teese
Divine Parfum
Dot
Dry Clean
Dzing!
E
L'Eau Ambree
L'Eau de Chloe
Eau de Fleur de Magnolia
Eau de Parfum
Eau de Sud
Eau d'Hadrien
Eau Radieuse
L'Eau Chic
L'Eau Trois
Egoiste
Elle
Encens et Bubblegum
Encens Flamboyant
En Passant
Enlevement au Serail
Epic Man
F
Fame
Fancy
Farab
Femme
Figues et Garcons
Fire Island
First
First Down
Flame
Une Fleur de Cassie
Fleur de Corail
Fleur de Narcisse
Fleur Oriental
Fleur du Male
Fleurs de Sel
Floriental
Flower
Flower's Barrow
Flowerbomb
For Her eau de toilette
For Her eau de parfum
For Men Extreme
Fracas
Freak
French Lover
Fuel for Men
La Fumee
Funeral Home
G
Gaiac
Gaiac 10
Gardenia
Gardenia Petale
Gendarme
Gentleman
George
Geranium pour Monsieur
Grass
Gris Clair
Green Irish Tweed
Gypsy Water
H
HM
Habit Rouge
Harajuku Lovers Baby
Harajuku Lovers G
Harajuku Lovers Li’l Angel
Harajuku Lovers Love
Harajuku Lovers Music
Havana Vanille
Helmut Lang Eau de Cologne
Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum
L'Heure Magique
Hidden Fantasy
Holy Thistle
Homage Attar
Homme
Homme Aoud
Homme Sport
Hydrogen
Hypnotic Poison
I
Idylle
Incense Oud
Incense Pure
Infusion d'Iris
L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme
Intrigant Patchouli
Invasion Barbare
Iris 39
Iris Hand Cream
Iris Ukiyoe
Isfarkand
Italian Cypress
J
Jaisalmer
Jasmin Noir
Jean d'Aigle Rose
Jennifer Aniston
Jicky
Jour d'Hermes
Jubilation XXV
Juicy Couture
Junky
K
Kim Kardashian
Kouros
L
Labdanum 18
Lady Vengeance
Lady Stetson
Lalique White
Lale
Les Larmes Sacrees de Thebes
Laurel
Leather Oud
Liaisons Dangereuses
L.I.L.Y
LILY
Like This
Lolita Lempicka
Lithium
Lolita Lempicka au Masculin
Loulou
London for Men
Loukhoum Parfum du Soir
Love
Love, Chloe
Love Etc...
Lovely
The Lover
Lumiere Noire Pour Femme
La Lune
M
Ma Bete
Ma Dame
Made in Heaven
Madison Soiree
Maharadjah
Majestic Rose
Manoumalia
Man Town
Marni
Mechant Loup
Memoir Woman
Mercury
Le Message Oublie
Metaboles
Midnight in Paris
Midnight Oud
Milly-la-Fouret
Le Mimosa
Minuit Enchante
Minuit Noir
Miss Charming
Miss Dior Cherie
Miss Dior Cherie L'Eau
Mitsouko
Molecule 01
Mon Numero 8
Monodie
MoslBuddJewChristHinDao (Unifaith)
Muguet 2011
Muguet Blanc
Muguet des Bois
Musc
Musc 25
Musc Ravageur
La Myrrhe
Myrrhe No. 10
Myrrhiad
N
Nahema
Naiviris
Nanette
The Natural
Neroli 36
Neroli Portofino
New Look 1947
Night Flower
No. 5
No. 5 Eau Premiere
No. 19
No. 22
Noble Leather
Noir de Noir
Note Vanillee
Notorious
Nuda
Nuit de Tubereuse
Number Six
Nuit Noire
O
O
Odeur 53
Odeur 71
Odeur Du Theatre Du Chatelet Acte 1
L'Oiseau de Nuit
Old Spice
Oliban
Olio Lusso
L'Ombre Fauve
Omnia
Onda
One Million
Ophelia
Opium
Orange Blossom
Orange Star
Orange Woman
Original Vetiver
The Original
Organza Indecence
Ormonde Man
Ouarzazate
Oud Ispahan
Oud Luban
Oxygen
P
Padparadscha
Eau de Pamplemousse Rose
Paprika Brasil
Paradis Perdu
Le Parfum
Le Parfum de Therese
Pardon
Un Parfum d'Ailleurs et Fleurs
Parfum Prive
Paris
Parisienne
Passage d'Enfer
Patchouli 24
Patchouli Antique
Patchouli Noir
Perfect Nectar
Un Petit Rien
Pink Sugar
La Pluie
Play-Doh
Le Poivre Rose
Poivre 23
Pohadka
Ponte Vecchio
PoP
Poppy
Portrait of a Lady
Power
Prada Amber
Preparation Parfumee
Prescription
Princess
Princess Night
Promisse de l'Aube
Pulp
Pure Oud
Purr
Putain des Palaces
Q
Quince, Mint & Moss
R
Rainbath
Revolution
Riding Mower
Royal Arms
Rodin perfume
Rochas Man
Rose
Rose 31
Rose Noir
Rose de Siwa
Rose Oud
Rose Poivree
Rossy de Palma
Royal Muska
Rubber
La Rue de La Fortune
Rush
S
Saffron Amber Cardamom
Safran Troublant
Saint
Sandalo
Santal 33
Santal Blush
Santal de Mysore
Santal Sacre
Sartorial
Sauvage
Secret Garden
S-ex
Sexy Beast
Sensuous
Sel Marin
Sel de Vetiver
Shalimar
Shalimar Ode a la Vanille
Shalimar Parfum Initial
Sheer Scent
Shiso
Sienne l'Hiver
Signature
Silver Factory
SJP NYC
Skarb
Sottile 1.61
Someday
Le Sourire du Diable
Speakeasy
Le Speculoos
Spiritueuse Double Vanille
Stella
STELLANUDE
Stella Sheer 2009
Sucre d'Ebene
Sulphur
Sunshine Cuties Baby
Sunshine Cuties G
Sunshine Cuties Lil' Angel
Sunshine Cuties Love
Sunshine Cuties Music
Supreme Bouquet
Sycomore
T
Tabu
A Taste of Heaven
Tea Rose
The Ten Party
Terre d'Hermes
Terre d'Iris
Thunderstorm
Thundra
Tobacco Vanille
Tocade
Tolu
Traversee du Bosphore
Truth or Dare
Tubereuse 1 Capricieuse
Tubereuse 2 Virginale
Tubereuse 3 Animale
Tuberose Gardenia
Twilight
U
Umbra
Untitled
U4EAHH! 2.43
V
Vanilia
Vanille 44
Vanille Abricot
Vanille Galante
Vanille Insensee
Vanille Tonka
Velvet Gardenia
Vert Pivoine
Vetiver (Dior)
Vetiver Extraordinaire
Vetiver (Guerlain)
The Visionary
Voleur de Roses
Le Voyageur Indiscret
W
Wet Garden
What We Do In Paris Is Secret
White
White Aoud
White Musk for Men
White Patchouli
Wode Paint
Womanity
Womanity Taste of Fragrance
Woman Summer 2012
Wonderwood
Y
YSL Pour Homme
Yohji Homme
Yuzu Ab Irato
Numbers
I L'Heure Promise
2 Man
2x4
VI L'Heure Brillante
10 Corso Como
X L'Heure Folle
XII L'Heure Mysterieurse
XIII La Treizieme Heure
100% Love
212 VIP
1270
1681
1725
1740
1804
1826
1876
1969
Fragrance Groups
Click on fragrance group name to show reviews
Fresh
Contains notes that are citrusy, green and/or aquatic.
Floral
Contains florals ranging from soft, to fresh, to spicy, to tropical. Includes jasmine, rose, iris and tuberose.
Fruity
Contains non-citrus fruit notes such as berries, melon, pear and peach.
Woody
Contains materials with a woody, smoky or resinous character, such as cedar, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver and leather.
Aromatic
Contains notes that are herbaceous (sage, lavender, rosemary) or spicy (clove, cinnamon, cardamom).
Oriental
Contains a combination of warm resin (amber, labdanum), animalic (musks, civet) and vanilla notes.
Gourmand
Contains food-flavored notes such as caramel, rum, chocolate and cotton candy.
Masculine
Fragrances marketed to men, or those containing traditionally “masculine” notes.
Feminine
Fragrances marketed to women, or those containing traditionally “feminine” notes.
Shared
Fragrances marketed as “unisex”, or those that work well on both men and women
Fresh
Contains notes that are citrusy, green and/or aquatic.
Floral
Contains florals ranging from soft, to fresh, to spicy, to tropical. Includes jasmine, rose, iris and tuberose.
Fruity
Contains non-citrus fruit notes such as berries, melon, pear and peach.
Woody
Contains materials with a woody, smoky or resinous character, such as cedar, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver and leather.
Aromatic
Contains notes that are herbaceous (sage, lavender, rosemary) or spicy (clove, cinnamon, cardamom).
Oriental
Contains a combination of warm resin (amber, labdanum), animalic (musks, civet) and vanilla notes.
Gourmand
Contains food-flavored notes such as caramel, rum, chocolate and cotton candy.
Masculine
Fragrances marketed to men, or those containing traditionally “masculine” notes.
Feminine
Fragrances marketed to women, or those containing traditionally “feminine” notes.
Shared
Fragrances marketed as “unisex”, or those that work well on both men and women
FAQ
What's this blog all about?
I sum the whole thing up here.
How can I find my “signature scent” — or even just something new to wear?
People have a holy grail idea about having one perfect scent that sums them up in a sniff. Personally, I don’t subscribe to that, because for me it would be like wearing the same clothes every day, eating the same food for every meal, or listening to the same song over and over again.
However, there is something compelling about the notion of perfume as a calling card, or of your fragrance lingering on a beloved’s fingertips to remind them of you.
To find a new favorite, I suggest two approaches. The first: give yourself some time at the fragrance counter. Narrow down the selection by spraying options on blotter strips. Pay attention to which aspects you’re drawn to: fresh and crisp? Deep and dramatic? Soft and subtle? Fruity? Floral? Musky?
Once you have your short list, try on four of your favorites: a spritz on either wrist and inside both elbows. Live with them for a day, and you’ll experience that perfume voodoo of being emotionally drawn to one over all the others. And if none of them tickle your pickle -- lather, rinse and repeat the process with more fragrances.
My second method kicks off with letting your fingers do the sniffing: go online and check out sites like:
Basenotes
EauMG
First Nerve
Fragrantica
Grain de Musc
MakeUp Alley
Now Smell This
Perfume Posse
Perfume Shrine
Smelly Blog
Yesterday's Perfume
— and Katie Puckrik Smells, of course! Read fellow fumeheads’ comments on the fragrances you already know and love, and you’re guaranteed to stumble across recommendations for others with a similar personality. From there, either order samples online, or pay a call on your future signature scent at the perfume counter.
What’s the best way to apply fragrance?
You always hear, “fragrance goes on pulse points”: wrists, elbows, behind ears. The science behind the pulse point method is that that blood vessels close to the surface heat the scent and lift it off the skin. Sounds like it makes sense, but what are we, cadavers? I don’t know about you, but my whole body is warm! I spray fragrance wherever I damn well please.
Where you apply fragrance depends on how much or little you want to smell it. If it’s a private scent treat, then apply inside the arms, and around the ankles and backs of knees so effect is subtle by the time it reaches nose level. If you’re in the mood to broadcast your perfume, also spritz the outside of your arms and around your neck and chest.
But there really are no “rules.” Spraying it on your hair, or on the nape of your neck, is a nifty way to allow your scent to subtly diffuse in a halo around you. And some fragrances smell just as nice sprayed on fabric — and in cases of lighter, softer scents, last a lot longer that way.
I do find that humidity makes a huge difference in how much fragrance you need to wear, so apply cautiously in muggy climates. I live in a desert climate, and I’ve gassed myself out when I’ve spritzed my usual amount in humid places like London or Washington D.C.
What’s the difference between an eau de toilette and an eau de parfum?
Terms such as “eau de toilette” and “eau de parfum” refer to the concentration of perfume oil in the fragrance. The higher the concentration, the more intense and long-lasting the scent is, generally speaking.
Perfumes listed as “parfum” or “extrait” have the highest amount of perfume oil (about 25% or higher). Eau de parfum is the next highest (15-18%), followed by eau de toilette (around 10%), eau de cologne (around 5%), and at the lowest concentration, body spray and after-shave (1-3%).
Why does the scent of my fragrance change throughout the day?
A fragrance develops from the moment it hits your skin. First, the alcohol carrying the perfume oils burns off, which is why you should ideally wait a few minutes before assessing a new fragrance. Next, you’ll be treated to the scent’s top notes, which are typically fleeting light florals and citrus.
After 15 minutes or so, you’ll experience the heart notes, which provide the main character of the scent. Depending on the fragrance, the anchoring base notes — usually heavier components like resins and woods — will linger for hours and sometimes even a day later.
Having said that, some fragrances are deliberately constructed to be linear, with no discernable difference between beginning, middle and end. In those cases, it’s just a lovely fade to finish.
How can I make my fragrance last longer?
You can add perfume endurance to the long list of things we have no control over in life. A fragrance is either built to last or it isn’t. If you prefer light florals or citruses, just accept that you’ll be reapplying more regularly than someone who enjoys wallowing in Mata Hari oriental-style excess. It’s not necessarily a failing of the fragrance, because certain wispy scents are constructed of equally wispy molecules that float away the first chance they get.
If you want to try to “catch a cloud and pin it down”, you can spray your fragrance over moisturized skin. If you don’t have the lotion version of the fragrance, use an unscented moisturizer, so it doesn’t clash with the perfume. Fragrance can also last longer on fabric, so try lightly spritzing your clothes.
I can’t smell my fragrance after a few hours. What’s going on?
One of the most annoying side effects of marinating in your favorite fragrance is that you gradually lose the ability to smell it on yourself. What’s happening is that your nose just gets used to the scent and tunes it out. It’s similar to the way your brain phases out background noise so you're not constantly bombarded by a high level of stimulus.
It's probably part of our built-in survival skills: we need to be aware of changes and fluctuations in our environment to stay safe, and once the nose/brain determines that a certain smell is a non-hostile part of our surroundings, it phases it out.
My advice: pull a fast one on your nose — and change up your fragrance! A regular rotation of your favorites will allow you to fully appreciate your own scented cloud.
Is it necessary to change my fragrance with the season?
This is completely down to personal taste. Common sense dictates that one wears fresh, zesty scents in the heat, and heavy, rich ones in the cold. But who likes to be dictated to — and by something as boring as common sense?
Personally, I find that certain “winter” fragrances containing incense and amber really bloom in the heat of summer, reaching their full potential. And wearing a gorgeous, tropical floral like Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower can rescue me from winter’s icy grasp.
What exactly is musk, or the term muskiness?
“Musk” refers to the glandular secretions from musk deer. It’s a traditional component in perfume both as a fixative for lighter, less enduring ingredients, and also because of its own sweet/funky, sensual odor.
Nowadays, synthetic musk is used almost exclusively in perfume, because it’s more stable and avoids animal cruelty. Aroma chemists can endlessly tweak the character of musk, making it range from a sexy, almost leathery skin smell, to a soapy-clean laundry detergent smell.
What fragrances can you wear 365 days a year?
Well, if you ask me — all of them. But broadly speaking, a good candidate for a year-round fragrance is one that becomes one with you, a “your skin but better” scent. These ones are usually based on soft musks.
Hitting the “anytime, anywhere” spot for me include Thierry Mugler Cologne, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Gendarme, and Christian Dior Escale à Pondichéry. All of these are “shared” fragrances that work equally well on both men and women.
Is it OK for women to wear mens’ fragrances, and vice versa?
Attention, fumeheads of the world! I hereby declare complete fragrance freedom for all! Gender distinctions in fragrance come down to marketing and broadly defined clichés of masculine and feminine scents.
Guys often get the short end of the stick, fragrance-wise. Typically, mainstream perfumes created for women are of higher quality with a broader palette of ingredients than those created for men.
Don’t let a label limit your opportunity to smell amazing — wear what you love! Some tried-and-true “cross-dressing” favorites include:
For guys: Stella McCartney Stella, Hermès Eau des Merveilles, Thierry Mugler Womanity
For gals: Chanel Égoïste, Guerlain Habit Rouge, Bulgari Black
How can I purchase designer scents at bargain prices? Can I trust testers?
Discount stores and membership warehouses can turn up some nice surprises, but the selection can be spotty.
Tracking down bargains online is a sure-fire way to save money. An easy way to get more for your money is to buy testers online. Testers are brand-new, never used bottles of fragrances, but with simpler packaging (often in plain boxes and without caps), because they’re designed to end up on the store counter.
There’s no difference between the juice in a tester and the juice in the cellophane-wrapped bottle you buy at full-price. Three of my favorite fragrances in my collection, Bulgari Black, Guerlain Habit Rouge and Christian Dior Diorella, are tester bottles.
Can perfume “go bad”?
Light, heat and air ruin perfume. Fragrance isn't designed to be hoarded -- it's made to be worn and enjoyed in the first few years of its life. The longer you hold on to a bottle, the more the original composition starts to fade and change.
That said, if properly stored, fragrance can last for years, decades, even longer. Scientists are actually working on reformulating the dregs of a 3,500-year-old flacon of perfume found in Egypt. But to avoid having to call in the fragrance forensics, keep your precious elixirs in a cool, dark place away from scent-eating gremlins.
How can you review perfumes when everyone has a different sense of smell?
It's true that everyone has different associations with smells, and different ideas about whether or not a scent is appealing. But in terms of identifying an actual odor, people are pretty consistent, whether it’s a rose or an onion, Chanel No. 5 or Thierry Mugler Angel.
My reviewing method is to explore a fragrance like an alien territory and report back to the Mothership. I bring my experience of a perfume to life by responding to its personality on the skin and discussions of the ingredients. My hope is that my audience will be sparked to try it for themselves — and make up their own minds.
Is it true that the same fragrance smells different on everyone?
Ultimately, no. There might be minor variations, but it’s not like perfume is some liquid mood ring that broadcasts a custom scent based on your DNA.
It’s been said that "you plus the perfume equals the fragrance", meaning that your own chemistry (hormones, diet, hygiene, etc) combines with what's in the bottle to result in what people around you smell. And yet, I think that once the scent moves past the top notes, the stuff in the bottle is pretty much what you smell on everyone. If there were too much discrepancy, the fragrance companies wouldn't have a product that was identifiable enough to sell!
And just think of how easy it is to identify a popular fragrance in a crowd of people. Or how you decide to change your scent because all your friends wear the same thing and you’re sick of smelling it on everyone else!
Who is Dan, your Perfume Pen Pal?
Dan Rolleri is a guy who likes perfume and music and baseball, and most days he sits around the house working on a book that regrettably includes none of these things.
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| Dan Rolleri: sitting around the house comes naturally to him. |
What is your video theme song?
The song in my video intro and outro is "Perfume" by Sparks, from their Hello Young Lovers album.
What kind of dog is Rodrigo the Perfume Dog?
Rodrigo is a Lhasa Apso. Supposedly, Lhasas were traditionally Tibetan temple guard dogs, but the only thing Rodrigo's really motivated to guard is a plate of chicken.
What happened to your right eyebrow?
I have a scar on my right eyebrow from running into a rosebush when I was three. I’ve always accepted it as a part of my “facial scenery.” Our scars tell the stories of our lives.
About Me
When not sniffing up a storm, I am a broadcaster, journalist and performer.
My TV and radio work in the US and UK covers the entire cultural pu-pu platter. In Britain, I hosted talk shows The Word (Channel 4), The Sunday Show (BBC2) and Pyjama Party (ITV). In the US, I ran riot on Pajama Party (Oxygen) and Who Needs Hollywood? (Oxygen).
My writing has appeared in publications including The Guardian, Elle, i-D, Interview Magazine, The Observer, and The Sunday Times.
I began my career as a singer and dancer, including a tour across the globe with the Pet Shop Boys. I have also performed with DV8 Physical Theatre, the Michael Clark Company, and Sparks. The whole entertaining mess of my life is summed up in my memoir, Shooting From the Lip.
My YouTube fragrance channel is Katie Puckrik Smells.
Photo by Kimberly Metz
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