Olfactory Overload

I wanted to talk about why I think it is necessary to include “rest days” on which you won’t wear any perfume and will avoid smelling and sampling anything that will “clog” your nose for longer than couple minutes.

Based on my own experience, sometimes we tend to forget how perfumes can overload your senses. That happened to me two days ago. I’ve sprayed a rather strong tobacco and cardamom perfume on myself, just once. But that one spray was more than enough, especially since I’ve spent an hour in a car with all windows closed as it was a cold day. My nose couldn’t smell anything but my own perfume, it got stuck in there and made me extremely nauseous. Another reason why I think it’s important to take days off is to enjoy the smell of Nature, especially now when it’s spring time in the northern hemisphere. I took a small walk in the mixed forest (pine trees and “normal” leafy trees growing in the same spot) and it was so refreshing to feel a light smell of pine mixed with wet soil and wild herbs. No perfume can top that for me!

That incident hasn’t happened to me just once. I saw a tendency where my nose would tell me to stop wearing anything after some days, even weeks of non-stop spraying. It maybe doesn’t apply to you at all, but I know I am not alone in this and there are people out there having experienced the same issue. Just a friendly reminder to let your nose rest and enjoy nothing but fresh air :)

PaulaAlves 6 months ago

This is why I have a rule of only wearing perfume when I'm leaving the house. It's not because I just wear perfume to appeal to others, but because skipping perfume (and even scented moisturizers) when you're at home allows your nose to rest and reset. Going scent free when you're out in nature is also amazing, allowing your nose to feel "real" organic smells while also respecting the nearby animals who rely on the their smell sense to find food.

CivetOnly 6 months ago

I have days where I go on a rampage (like today) and test 3-4 scents on skin. I've literally managed to "run out of skin" today haha.
Not wearing anything is rare, when I want to wind down I'll wear something oldschool and super relaxing like Terre d'Hermès.
As far as walks in nature are concerned, they're even better for me with an earthy perfume, e.g. the aforementioned TdH or Sultan Vetiver. They don't overpower the smell of the forest! :)

StinkSultan 6 months ago

Bloody well said. Apart from sampling, I only properly wear a fragrance when I go out at certain occasions; I never wear fragrances daily, not even at university. Only when I gather with friends, more formal settings (church, weddings), or similar situations, but I never just spray a fragrance on just for the sake of wearing it on a day-to-day basis, without a particular event happening.
And indeed, I absolutely love walking in nature and just smelling clean, fresh air. Nothing beats that. I know that better than anyone, having lived in a small mountain village for 9 years.