CosBeauty Magazine #76

Feature
Message
in a
Bottle
The world of fragrance has its own
history and language, evoking memories
and seducing our sense of smell.
Words by AimÉe Rodrigues
Coco Chanel described the appeal of perfume beautifully when she said,
‘It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds
your arrival and prolongs your departure.’
Undeniably the most powerful of the five senses, our sense of smell is
heavily intertwined with our emotions – a quick whiff has the ability to conjure
anything from a nostalgic childhood flash to strong food cravings. Have you
ever wondered why you can’t stand your ex’s signature scent? It has nothing to
do with musk or sandalwood. In fact, emotional associations are the driving
force behind our favoured fragrances and this is deeply affected by life events.
Funnily enough, the most powerful of all scents is actually odourless. Sex
pheromones might seem like an urban legend (and a bad pickup line) but
scientists have since found receptors in the nose that pick up these hormones,
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