Perfumes Quotes

“Where should one use perfume?" a young woman asked. "Wherever one wants to be kissed.”
― Coco Chanel

“The fragrance of white tea is the feeling of existing in the mists that float over waters; the scent of peony is the scent of the absence of negativity: a lack of confusion, doubt, and darkness; to smell a rose is to teach your soul to skip; a nut and a wood together is a walk over fallen Autumn leaves; the touch of jasmine is a night's dream under the nomad's moon.”
― C. JoyBell C.

“French women choose a scent when they’re girls and use it until they’re grandmothers. It becomes their trademark.
'Ah,' he murmurs in the dark theater, 'Giselle is here tonight!'
But I think that a woman usually outgrows a fragrance every decade or so.”
― Joan Crawford, My Way of Life

“Inhaling fragrance is to snatch time and memory and hold it tight if only for a fleeting moment.”
― Marian Bendeth Global Fragrance Expert, Sixth Scents

“The roses bloomed, thousands of them in a floral amphitheater, blossoms shading from gold and coral at the top of the garden to scarlet and deep pink on tiers below. At the bottom, in the center of the rosy congregation, the palest apricots and ivories perfumed the air.”
― Allegra Goodman, The Cookbook Collector

“You're going to stink, but you can choose your stink.”
― Therese Oneill, Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady's Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners

“Through perfume, I smell your soul"
Marian Bendeth
Global Fragrance Expert
Sixth Scents”
― Marian Bendeth Global Fragrance Expert, Sixth Scents

“Moving from one room to the next I inhaled in passing that incense of an old library which is worth all the perfumes of the world.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars

“Oh, is that what I smell?” Mrs. McHenry said with a shudder. (For the record, our school smells just fine, unless of course your smelling ability has been irreparably damaged by a lifetime of sniffing perfume samples.)”
― Ally Carter, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

“I passionatly love the sky, the grass, the stars, pensive evenings and soft autumn mornings... in a word all that perfumes the sadly gay land of our motley life.”
― Mykola Khvylovy, Я (Романтика). Вибрані твори

“Niké, après quelques minutes d’escalade, abandonna la compétition pour admirer les fleurs sauvages qui diapraient la montagne comme une mosaïque.
…Si elle tressait une guirlande ?
Elle leva vers Nicias, qui continuait l’ascension, son visage lisse comme une olive, ou brillait un regard malicieux :
— Quand tu seras en haut, ne t’envole pas !
Le garçon s’arrêta :
— Tu ne joues plus ?
— Je préfère cueillir des fleurs pour Artémis.
— La statue de la déesse ?
— Oui.
Sur le mont Mangone, giroflées, asphodèles, mauves, géraniums, œillets, marjolaines, absinthes, croissaient à plaisir. L’air surchauffé entêtait comme une cassolette.
Niké, les bras surchargés, pensa :
« Ce n’est pas étonnant que les chiens perdent la trace du gibier quand ils sont en montagne… »
Elle hésita à cueillir les ombelles du sélinon en pensant que la plante sécrétait un suc qui était un poison pour les oiseaux. Or, Artémis trônait dans un bois où chardonnerets, pinsons et serins étaient nombreux. S’ils allaient picorer la guirlande ?
La fillette renonça au léger nuage des ombelles pour lui préférer une touffe de silènes d’un rose d’aurore. La guirlande devenait ravissante.”
― L.N. Lavolle, L'Otage de Rome

“Dans la cour attenant au triclinium, des musiciens assemblés accordaient des lyres et des flûtes pour accompagner en sourdine les conversations.
Des parfums intenses, nés de la nuit chaude, arrivaient par bouffées. Brigitte, assise au pied du lit de l’impératrice Eutropie, s’étonna :
— Quel est cet arôme étrange, à la fois si lourd et si doux ?
Les narines de Niké palpitèrent pour mieux humer l’air parvenant du jardin :
— Je sais ! Il provient d’une fleur en forme d’étoile et que l’on dirait sculptée dans la cire. C’est la fleur d’un arbre fruitier. Elle fleurit sans cesse, d’une lune à l’autre. Sévérien aime beaucoup cet arbre, qu’il a rapporté d’Afrique. Il l’appelle oranger.
— La nuit est tout embaumée de son parfum. Il est…, il est inoubliable !”
― L.N. Lavolle, L'Otage de Rome

“The intoxication of fragrances casts its magic spell on me.”
― Avijeet Das

“Humiecki and Graef asked Laudamiel to create a perfume that captures the state of ‘how men cry’—eruptive and sensual. Pictures from Slavic culture, as well as how they deal with melancholia and happiness served as inspiration [sic]. The result is a perfume that combines raw eruption, sensual strength, melancholic warmth and deep mysticism.”
― Luca Turin, Perfumes: The Guide

“Perhaps a tuberose, she thought. Very pervasive, but not headachy. Her fingers lingered for a moment over her bottle of Fracas. She adored the classic punchy floral, but it was one of her mother's favorites, so not conducive to a good night's sleep either. Not after that phone call earlier.
Maybe something woody? The black tea, leather and tobacco in Atelier Cologne's Oolang Infini would be deep enough to drown out Digger's pungent expulsion, yet subtle enough to sleep on. But no, the guaiac wood in it reminded her too much of old-fashioned coal-tar soap, which was David's smell.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Danielle wore a simple bias-cut gown of the palest blush silk- one of her own designs- with white roses and jasmine braided into her thick auburn hair swept up from the nape of her neck, onto which she'd applied a new perfume she'd blended with a corresponding harmony just for the wedding. She carried the flowers of Bellerose: mimosa, rose, jasmine, violet, and orange blossom, twined into a voluptuous bouquet that spilled from her hand.
Jon stood before her, his velvety brown eyes sparkling with flecks of gold. She drank in the delicious, virile smell of him, loving how the scent of his skin melded with the perfume she had blended for him for this day- blood orange and orange blossom, patchouli and sandalwood, cinnamon and clove. She had devised a salty note, too, and added the sea's airy freshness.”
― Jan Moran, Scent of Triumph

“Man's pursuit of fragrance is, in reality, merely humanity coveting and cloaking itself in the very best of nature.
Marian Bendeth
Global Fragrance Expert,
Sixth Scents”
― Marian Bendeth Global Fragrance Expert, Sixth Scents

“Taking in the scents of very high-end colognes and perfumes, a whiff of Joy, a trace of Shalini, equally exquisite whiskeys and wines, a mossy Islay, Lagavulin perhaps, first-growth Bordeaux, Latour definitely, a distant hint of Cohiba, Grace headed towards the bar. A melange of fascinating and captivating foods, spiced Kobe beef bao buns and Georgia shrimp and grits souffle and warm Coca-Cola chocolate cake, wafted from a variety of restaurants and open spaces to where Grace stood at the entrance, a cozy intimate living room-like space populated by a very well-dressed, well-heeled, and decidedly young crowd, to which Grace looked as though she belonged.”
― Jeffrey Stepakoff, The Orchard

“She reached first for one labeled The Glory of Gardenia and quickly set it down after a brief sniff. The flowery scent was fiercely overwhelming. She continued down the row, trying several more: one scented with orange blossoms and juniper, one laced with lavender, one that contained an interesting blend of rose and mint, and one that was crisp with the scent of lemon and some exotic spice.”
― Amy Sandas, The Untouchable Earl

“The beauty of the face and the body attracts only the eyes, but the beauty of the character and the talk perfumes, heart, mind, and soul. That's the essential point of one's life.”
― Ehsan Sehgal

“The smells I associate with yoga are contradictory. Freshly showered bodies and sweat. Sandalwood from a scented candle mixed with hot feet on rubber mats.
Head-clearing pure air, ozonic freshness- and deep oriental mystery. Stillness and invigorating renewal. Feminine grace and masculine strength. Anima and animus.

My scents of yoga are:

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora
Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone London
Exhale by B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful
Pour Monsieur by Chanel
Oud by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
New West for Her by Aramis
Black Lapsang by Bodhidharma
Santal by Diptyque (my favorite candle for the yoga studio)”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“So the smells I associate with the Elders are freshly cut garden flower arrangements- roses, lilac and endless sweet peas and the fougère hints of random greenery lavishly added to the vases, in the Constance Spry style.
Also, modest shop-bought flowers, particularly daffodils, tulips and freesias, which are such an economical way to brighten a room for that thrifty generation.

My scents for the elders are:
Lavender by Yardley
Blue Grass by Elizabeth Arden
Rose in Wonderland by Atkinsons
Femme by Rochas
Ostara by Penhaligon's
Tweed by Lenthéric (A mention of this elicited a big response at the event; it seemed all the women had worn it at some time and had happy associations with it. I do wish they would re-release it in the original tweed-fabric effect box.)

The men in this age group are the last of the true British gentlemen, so especially for them:

Old Spice
St Johns Bay Rum by St Johns Fragrance Company
Royal Mayfair by Creed”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“As for the smells I associate with her, I was a bit of a swot too, so I love all the stationery aromas: the woody/metallic aroma of pencil shavings, the flat winey smell of ink, the sticky sweetness of a leaking biro and- my favorite- the almost talcum-powder softness of a new exercise book.
For her veggie diet there is the powerful grassiness of leafy vegetables, the caramel of sweet potatoes, carrots and beetroots roasting, and the sulfurous note of brassicas. The nutty starchiness of brown rice and other whole grains. The green tang of fresh herbs, warm ginger. The bite of garlic and the spiciness of coriander seeds, cardamom, turmeric and chili. White flowers for her youthful freshness and lemon for her mental sharpness.

So my scents for a daughter are:

Gold Heart v. 4 by Map of the Heart
Botanical Essence No. 20 Rose by Liz Earle (it has a carrot seed note in it)
Wild Green by Bronley
White Musk by The Body Shop
Neroli by Annick Goutal
Cristalle by Chanel”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“As a counterpoint to all the staleness, there were the salty, biting North Sea breezes, the slightly fishy sweetness of cold damp sand and the sharp grass that grows in it. In summer the manicured grass of quad lawns and night-time bonfires on the beach.
A kiss in the dunes from a dashing young chap with beer and ciggies on his breath, and a faint whiff of horse on his shirt.

My scents for university days are:

Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel
Lily of the Valley by Yardley
Obsession by Calvin Klein
Sel Marin by Heeley
Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne by Jo Malone London
Bas de Soieby Serge Lutens
Cuir de Russie by Chanel
Peau de Bête by Liquides Imaginaires”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“So, putting aside the yucky ones, the positive smells of a dog for me are the next-day cold-stew smell of his meaty food, and the aroma of a roasted chicken right out of the oven, which will have him running to the kitchen like a rocket. The dry seed and hay hum of a pet shop, and the sickly rotting meat of his treats.
Grassy fresh air and mud on long winter walks. The rubbery tang of the toys he likes to brutalize. The worn-in leather of his collar and lead. The sweet, musty smell of his velvety ears, which I love to stroke, and yes, I admit it, I kiss them.


My scents for a dog are (a bit of a challenge in all honesty, but it's fun to stretch yourself sometimes!):

Barbour For Him by Barbour
Grass by The Library of Fragrance
Dirt by The Library of Fragrance
Cuir de Russie by Chanel
Piper Leather by Illuminum
Mûre et Musc by L'Artisan Parfumeur”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My smells of a son are gummy sweeties, Play-Doh, Pritt Stick, poster paint and wax crayons. Earthy mud on polyester football kit. The sweet antiseptic of sticking plasters. Fruity bubble gum and the minty tang of chong- as he and his friends called chewing gum. Bicycle chain oil and rubber inner tubes. The chemical overload of Lynx sprayed profusely over sweat, hair gel and toxic trainers. Fried onions and meat on the breath. Tomato ketchup.


My scents for a son are:

I am Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture
Black by Bvlgari
L'Air de Rien by Miller Harris
Serge Noire by Serge Lutens
Rocker Femme by Britney Spears
Dirty by Lush
Africa by Lynx”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My Easter smells are the cinnamon and mixed spices in the hot cross buns, and the rosemary and mint sauce with the roast lamb. The grassy tang of rhubarb and real muddy wet grass from the egg rolling. And of course, lots and lots of milk chocolate.


My scents for Easter are:

Angel by Thierry Mugler
Anima Dulcis by Arquiste
Musc Maori by Parfumerie Générale
Blue North by Agonist
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
English Pear & Freesia by Jo Malone London
La Tulipe by Byredo”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My scents for change are (and there's a lot of them, because there's a lot going on for me at the moment!):

Pour Homme by Yamamoto
On the Road by Timothy Han
Santal Blanc by Serge Lutens
Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Dear Polly by Vilhelm
La Flâneuse by Lucien Lechêne
PM by the Great Eastern Fragrance Company
Je t'aime Jane by Bella Freud
No. 9 Benjoin by Prada
Shalimar by Guerlain
Original by Eight & Bob”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Nutmeg." Claudia grabbed the bottle and screwed the cap back on. The story was still filtering through me when a new scent exploded forth.
"Orris root," Claudia said, tapping the new bottle on the table. "Am I going too fast for you?"
"No," I lied.
"Good."
Linden blossom. Tonka bean. Benzoin. The smells came at me, little glass missiles fired across the table in rapid succession.
"The point is speed and precision," Claudia said. She pushed a stack of papers toward me, the pages divided into rows and columns. "Put each scent in a category. Fresh, floral, woody, spicy, animal, marine, fruity. You need to recognize them instantly, without thinking."
The bottles started again, and the world turned into charts and rows, filled with an onslaught of strange names. Litsea cubeba. Frangipani. Neroli. Tagette. Orange broke into pieces, became pettigrain, bergamot, tangerine, mandarin, bitter, sweet, and blood. Pepper was black, green, or pink. Mint was winter, spear, or pepper.”
― Erica Bauermeister, The Scent Keeper

“All my memories still smell of you.”
― Avijeet Das