Here's the thing, I believe that the perfume you use says a lot about who you are and what you know about your body. The mix of scent notes and your own bodily scent create a distinct scent that is uniquely yours and to me, that is the most important impression you can make. People know that it is your scent before you enter the room, so you could say that scent is more important than clothes itself. Coco Chanel once said that a woman who does not wear perfume has no future, she certainly has a point if you were planning on being irreverent.

Having a slightly sensitive nose, I was always aware of scents and aromas around me. I’ve always steered far away from commercial perfumes because I don’t find that they react well with my body, and I also believe that the concept and thought that went into each perfume is equally important as the scent itself. Take for instance perfumes from Chanel and Hermes. They may be commonplace now but there is a rich history behind each scent. Plus, each signature scent has been painstakingly created famous noses who understand the value of concept and history. So, to me, a perfect scent is something that makes you unique and irresistible and that you would be proud to share with people, because you know the scent you wear will never smell like it does on someone else.

Although I have to admit I find it hard to narrow it down to one scent that I would use forever, these are two fragrances that I am absolutely in love with at the moment.

1. FLORABELLIO BU

Diptyque candles have always been some of my favourites because of their unmistakable scent and the impeccable design of the brand's packaging. As a long time devotee of their candles, I'm also drawn to the brand's wide range of fragrances. I was completely taken in by Florabellio because it smells seemingly sweet but with a slightly bitter tinge. I learnt then that the fragrance first evokes a fresh and slightly bitter scent because of the salty sea spray and fennel that were used. The middle notes consist of apple blossoms, which gives the fragrance a lingering sweetness. The last note used gives Florabellio it's interesting overall scent. This was coffee. The smell of the roasted coffee as a last note finishes the fragrance nicely, giving it a woody after-smell. I found myself asking why Florabellio made use of these unique blends of scents? The story goes that one of the original founders of Diptyque had always wished to create a scent that reminded her of her childhood where all of the smells combined. This scent apparently took many years to research and to capture.

2. LE CINEMA OLFACTIF BY FOLIE A PLUSIEURS

Using scent as medium for creating new experiences. Folie A Plusieurs is a Berlin- and Paris-based Art House Perfumery that creates perfumes conceptualized by internationally renowned artists in collaboration with the fragrance industries most respected perfumers. Each olfactive project is a result of an unrestricted collaboration between two artists: one from the practice of perfumery and the other from disciplines as diverse as contemporary art, film, photography, dance, literature, design, music, and fashion

Le Cinema Olfactif project is a collaboration where perfumer Mark Buxton (of Comme des Garcons fame) created a scent inspired by the movies. My personal favourites from this series are Mood Indigo and Virigin Suicides. They smell exactly what the movie should be. Mood Indigo directed by Michael Gondry is a balance of light and dark, and this scent is intense and woody and yet smells light and energetic and The Virgin Suicides fragrance is just what you would imagine the famous Lisbon sisters would have worn, dreamy and enigmatic at the same time.