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Fabulous Fragrances - Perfume: A Fragrant Journey by Jan Moran, Countess de Lemnos
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Fabulous
Fragrances
by
Jan Moran, Countess de Lemnos, Lamas Beauty Magazine Contributor |
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Perfume:
A Fragrant Journey
Perfume is the unseen but unforgettable and ultimate
fashion accessory. It heralds a woman's arrival and prolongs
her departure.
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Jan Moran, Countess de Lemnos
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Perfume--the
word conjures up images of romance, sensuality, power and style. Perfume
cloaks a woman with mystery and confidence; it is the transparent veil
that turns heads in her wake. Its allure is legendary; women from Cleopatra
to Empress Josephine to Coco Chanel have treasured its
magic.
The world of perfume is a world of art, a world of science. A compelling
world based on our powerful sense of smell. Happily, it is also a world
any woman can enter to find the fragrance to say, "This is who I am,
my enjoyment, part of my image today."
Eighteenth-century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau once declared,
"Smell is the sense of the imagination." And with perfume's ability
to whisk us away at the merest whiff of a long-forgotten aroma, perfume
is the magic carpet of the imagination.
To understand just how powerful and articulate your olfactory sense
is, simply close your eyes for a moment and inhale deeply, slowly. Imagine
the smell of a fireplace and the vision of a winter's evening spent
in front of a fireplace will emerge; think of how fireworks smell and
the picture a celebration may leap into your mind. Remember the smell
of chalk, of baby powder, of a farm, of the ocean or of holiday seasons.
Evocative memories, full of imagery. Some may be romantic, others painful.
Jean Harlow's husband is said to have drenched himself with her favorite
fragrance, Mitsouko, and then, in a fit of despair over their irreparable
relationship, shot himself. On a happier note, Aimé Guerlain created
the fragrance Jicky in honor of his first true love. But there is much
more to finding the right fragrance than just taking a quick whiff at
the perfume counter.
Perhaps the perfume you admire on a friend is horrid on you. Or your
own favorites seem different in winter than in summer, different still
when you're happy or angry, ill or well. Those differences aren't imaginary--weather,
body chemistry and even mood can affect fragrance.
But how do you find the right perfume for you? First, let's embark on
a fragrant journey. Imagine you're high in the Alps on a wintry ski
holiday. You would probably want a full-bodied fragrance such as Bijan
or Bal à Versailles, or spicy scents such as Shalimar, Opium or Must
de Cartier, or a scent with a warm wooded aroma, perhaps Paloma Picasso
or Organza Indécence. Why? When it's cold outside, our bodies do not
give off as much energy, therefore a light floral fragrance might prove
too fleeting. Unless, of course, that is the effect you want. Your choice
in fragrance should always be in sync with your personal preference.
Let's continue our journey. Imagine early the next morning you board
a plane for Acapulco. When you arrive, it's hot and humid. At lunch
you opt for a light salad and a clear sparkling water. It's a warm,
sunny day and you're perspiring lightly or, as some might say, glowing.
What fragrance should you wear? The full-bodied scent from last night
in the Alps might prove overwhelming, so you choose a light, ethereal
perfume instead. Something floral, fresh or fruity. You're glad you
packed Cristalle, Anaïs Anaïs, Noa and Acqua di Giò. Perhaps a light
veil of body lotion would suffice, or a dusting of powder.
That evening, after an afternoon in the sun, you might smooth a glistening
emollient body creme over your tender new tan, and enrich your fragrance
just a little with Boucheron or Escada. Then, it's back to the beach
in the balmy night air to watch the sun slip sienna toward the horizon,
your scarf fluttering in the light evening breeze. A fragrance wardrobe
is like a clothing wardrobe. You'll want fragrances for different occasions,
moods, hours and climates. Some people wear just one fragrance, like
the Balanchine and Russian ballerinas who were assigned one perfume
to wear at all times--and intensely on stage. Most people, however,
will enjoy the diversity of wardrobing. Why, even the French King Louis
XV was a devout believer in fragrance wardrobes--he insisted his court
wear a different perfume for every day of the week. Why not expand your
perfume wardrobe to encompass a variety of scents for your different
moods, occasions and travels?
As
you embark upon your fragrant journey, consider the exquisite words
of Helen Keller, whose sense of smell was paramount:
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Even
as I think of smells,
my nose is full of scents
that start awake sweet memories
of summers gone and ripening fields far away.
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Enjoy the journey into the aromas of your memory, and most of all, enjoy
the discovery of the world's most elegant, romantic scents.
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