The Scent Of A Woman

While it’s well documented that I’m a tomboy at heart, there are certain typically feminine things that I’m drawn to and perfume is one of them. I love the way some women will wear the same fragrance their entire life—making it their signature scent. I can be walking down the street and in the hustle and bustle of the crowd, I can smell a scent that immediately takes me to a time and place—it’s nostalgic.

When I was a child, my incredible fairy godmother would take my sibling and me shopping at the Queen Victoria Building each Christmas and we would choose outfits and have a very grown up lunch in a posh restaurant. It was so special. When we got to a certain age, our fairy godmother changed Christmas gift tactics and treated my sibling and me like grown-ups by giving us large Estee Lauder gift boxes with perfumes and matching body lotions. I was given ‘Spellbound’ and my sibling was given ‘White Linen’. My fairy godmother wore Estee Lauder ‘Knowing’ at the time and sometimes still does. My mum has it as well.

This Christmas ritual was the beginning of my love affair with perfume. I openly admit to having expensive taste in perfume and it’s a product that I am comfortable spending good money on because you really do get quality— genuine perfume, no alcohol based stuff. Over the years, I have narrowed things down to my top three signature scents, although I own a whole lot more than three perfumes!

1. Estee Lauder ‘Spellbound’: This was the first perfume given to me that I practically fell in love with. It has a really strong spicy, woody oriental tones and a hint of cloves. It’s not in any way a light or fruity floral scent; it’s a stronger, spicier scent. And it lasts forever.
2. Diesel Green for Women: This became my cheaper ‘go-to’ scent while I was studying to become a teacher. I think the first time I bought it, it was around $60 and, again, it has a woody undertone with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. It is quite strong, so I don’t use much.
3. Kenneth Cole ‘Black’ for Women: This is currently my favourite fragrance. It’s dark and mysterious with jasmine, sandalwood and soft floral undertones and it is a lot subtler than ‘Spellbound’ and ‘Diesel Green’. It’s simple and classy; understated, but present.

I am eternally grateful to my fairy godmother (and godfather) who first gave me the gift of ‘real grown-up’ perfume. I felt so important and mature being able to spray a beautiful scent on myself. The most important women in my life have all had their own scents that I associate with them. Smelling these can instantly take me back to a time, a place, and an event.

I love perfume and will continue trying as many different ones as possible, but I’ll always come back to the three I have mentioned. They are my ‘signature’.

What’s your signature scent?