In the age of social distancing, more than ever, I’ve find myself at home, dousing myself with different bits and pieces from my collection as the hours pass. Since I don’t have to worry about offending anyone with some of my more polarizing choices, I indulge myself during these stressful times. Indeed, I’ve been exploring and purchasing a lot of new perfume in 2020.
I think this has been a great time to be enjoying perfume for yourself. There are fewer people around, and when they are, their masks often put up a barrier to smelling you anyway.
In my case, I’ve been using the time to explore fragrances that are not necessarily pleasing to my friends and colleagues but which are pleasing to me. These include my projection beasts with oud or patchouli. Oud Ispahan by Dior, Angel by Mugler, various strong scents from Montale…
On the other hand, I’ve also been spending a lot of time with delicate scents that don’t hover much above my skin, and that many people in normal times might not be able to perceive anyway. These are soft, intimate, and particularly calming at times when I find myself in need of a good soothing. Petite Cherie by Goutal, Jasmine Angelic by Atelier Cologne, anything soft from the new launches in Dior’s Maison Christian Dior collection (like The Cachemire, Holy Peony, or Souffle de Soi)
I’ve also been scenting the air in my home with lavender, citrus, and eucalyptus essential oils. I’ve been spritzing my curtains and pillows, adding fragrant accessories to my baths, lighting up scented candles on my tables, and scented reed sticks on my shelves. I’ve brought more fresh flowers into my home. If I were a fan of incense sticks, I’d probably be lighting those, too.
Wearing perfume and using different scents in your home allows you to escape without going anywhere. You can immerse yourself in your daydreams, let the aromas take you to exciting, distant lands, fantasize about different romantic scenarios, and explore your various olfactory interests. If you create a scent bubble around you, it can sooth your mind as you try to navigate our new world. If the weather and world outside if frightful, you can envelop your headspace with springtime flowers and plants.
Fragrance can illicit an intimate experience that is for your pleasure alone. What better way to destress, decompress, and strengthen your mind and soul.