What is smell and how does it affect people?
Smell is an extremely unique human sense because there is a direct connection between the central nervous system and external stimulus. We are able to recognize and remember about 10,000 different smells. Amazing, right? Therefore, the scents we experience every day are extremely important in our lives, although we do not always appreciate their significance. […]
Smell is an extremely unique human sense because there is a direct connection between the central nervous system and external stimulus. We are able to recognize and remember about 10,000 different smells. Amazing, right?
Therefore, the scents we experience every day are extremely important in our lives, although we do not always appreciate their significance. Many times they decide on various areas of life. They influence human health, behavior and emotions, and subconsciously induce us to make specific choices.
The multi-dimensional effect of smell
Generally speaking, smell is a set of chemical compounds present in nature, affecting our sense of smell. It can be obtained synthetically or from natural ingredients. Ready-made fragrance compositions in products are usually very complex combinations of many fragrance notes, which together create a completely new aroma.
The amount of odorous stimuli perceived by humans every day is far beyond our capacity for conscious perception. Therefore the olfactory system deliberately eliminates some of them at the subconscious level. This means that we become accustomed to a smell, even though it is constantly present around us. Nevertheless the quality of the aromas we surround ourselves with is of great importance in our lives.
Scents influence our health, behavior, and emotions. Some aromas can induce relaxation or drowsiness (lavender, melissa, chamomile), refreshment (ginger, chocolate, licorice), add sensuality (sandalwood, jasmine, patchouli, ylang-ylang), or conversely cause irritation and anxiety (unpleasant scents, e.g. of sweat, unwashed dishes, overflowing trash can).
What goes into a finished fragrance?
A full fragrance composition is more than just a few notes and aromas combined together. Each fragrance is a unique blend of nature-inspired scents that are released at different times. What are these notes?
Top note
The top note is fresh, pleasant and extremely pleasing to the nose, inviting you to explore the depth of the fragrance. A composition of light and refreshing aromas – flowers or citrus fruits.
Middle note
Gives character to products and is persistent and constant. Spicy or woody aromas are perceptible in the heart note. It also contains floral and fruity aromas.
Base note
The last note is less intense than the others, but it determines the character of the fragrance. You will find in it durable, heavy and extremely aromatic fragrances.
It is easy to visualize this by imagining a pyramid of fragrance. At the very top are the head (top) notes, which contain the most volatile fragrances that create the first impression of a product (they have a stimulating and refreshing effect). This is the most important note for you. It is what you will smell as soon as you open the bottle and whether you like the scent enough. Over time, you will sense the heart (middle) notes developing. They give the composition expressiveness and character. They are the main theme of the fragrance. As the last you will sense the base notes (bottom), which consist of substances with the lowest volatility, making them the most persistent of all. They are also less intense than the other notes but they determine the perception of a full fragrance. Their task is to sustain the fragrance and give it energy. Often, linking or fixing notes are also added to fragrance compositions in order to achieve harmony of the scent.
A masculine or feminine fragrance?
Fragrances can be perceived quite differently, depending on the preferences of a given person. It is assumed that floral, fruity and sweet scents are the domain of women. On the other hand, men reach for slightly heavier, oriental, spicy and woody fragrances. However, this is a very individual issue. It is very likely that once you have correctly identified the fragrance notes that appeal to your senses, it will be easy to choose your favourite scent in the future even without testing it!
The following division is only a conventional guideline that can be followed when choosing a fragrance. Especially when we want to give someone a gift. However, it is worth keeping in mind that women increasingly turn to men’s fragrances and men to women’s fragrances. There is no border that would indicate a clear choice in this matter.
Fragrance notes aimed at women are:
– Floral: (fruity, fresh, floral, sweet),
– Oriental: (amber, spicy),
– Chypre: based on citrus, jasmine or oakmoss (floral, fruity, fresh, green).
Fragrances, – which are often chosen by men are:
– Fougere: a fragrance based on ferns and moss, as well as citrus and fresh herbs (fresh, woody, ambery),
– Oriental: (ambergris, spice),
– Woody: (sandalwood, cedarwood, citrus and spice),
– Chypre: (a mixture of floral – woody, fresh, citrus)
What fragrance to choose for a gift?
Choosing the right fragrance for a gift does not have to be a problem at all. Nowadays there are many fragrance notes that appeal to people with different tastes. They are very universal, mild and pleasant. They create a multidimensional composition of aromas. They can include delicate, floral and fruity mixes, or those based on light wood or spices. Green fragrances such as green tea, lavender and lemongrass are a universal choice that your loved ones will also enjoy.
For fans of soft and subtle home fragrances we offer reed diffuser with sticks Japanese Jasmine from the Aphrodisiac collection. Oriental scents add a mysterious and romantic atmosphere to interiors. They are especially popular in bedrooms and living rooms.
People who like slightly more sweet and sensual aromas will be delighted with the charming vanilla-spicy combination, hidden in the Aphrodisiac Vanilla and Pepper scent sachet or the Vanilla from Madagascar sticks.
A very practical and useful scented accessory for the car, not only for men, will be Green Tea scented balls or Green Tea scented sachet. Ideal as a small addition to the main gift!
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