Since I’m actually a professional sensory neuroscientists, I can tell you with confidence that smell is our strongest and quickest memory inducer, or something like that. One thing I know for sure is that I definitely have strong opinions when it comes to smells.
Although it makes me feel uncomfortably pretentious, this is the point in the piece when I tell you that I have synesthesia. It usually has to do with music and names, like how the name Eleanor looks like a deep forest green, and the name Jasper looks like the softest shade of gray. But sometimes my other senses flirt with each other (I have a whole playlist called ‘Songs That Taste like Artificial Strawberry‘).
Smells don’t really spark something often for me but sometimes I’ll hear a song that smells like buttered popcorn or sniff a scent that feels like Wildwood, New Jersey. One thing smells always do is make me feel very strongly. I don’t know if that’s because they’re considered our strongest scent, or because my senses are already in hyperdrive, but I was looking at a list I made of smells that I really like (I also really like making lists) and I thought I’d elaborate. I know you’re all on the edge of your seats reading this one so let’s dive in!
If you’ve ever met me, I probably smelled like vanilla. It’s my favorite scent of all time, and before you ask me what perfume I wear, I don’t. It’s an essential oil blend that is probably etched into my skin at this point. I also read somewhere on the internet that the perfume scents you’re drawn to resemble your natural scent (probably won’t fact check this), so if your pheromones dig vanilla, I’m your girl.
Every morning and night I spray my face with rose water. I can’t assure you that it does much, but it does make me feel like a rich women living in Paris who has everyone wrapped around her finger. I have never been to Paris nor have I every really wanted to go, but the idea of having a French lover sounds like it could be fun and spicy. However, I did just finish watching Emily in Paris so I could be under the influence.
When I was in high school I used to chug black coffee like it was nobodies business. My bowels and anxiety weren’t too pleased, but my tastebuds sure were! I no longer consume caffeine, but the scent of freshly brewed coffee feels like the warmest of hugs. I have a candle that smells like coffee and sometimes I don’t even light it, I just sniff it for a couple of minutes. I’m fine.
Speaking of candles, artificial scents and chemicals freak me out so I don’t light them very often, but when I do, I always have a window open. The smell of a room with the window open just feels like, well… a breath of fresh air. It’s like living in the countryside and you just finished hanging up your laundry to dry outside. Now you’re standing in the kitchen pouring yourself some homemade iced tea and just looking out said open window.
But now instead of the countryside, imagine that window overlooks the ocean. I love the ocean, it’s one of my personality traits. I could sit and stare at the water for days. There are few things I wouldn’t do to have the sea breeze tickle my nose every single time I walked outside. It just feels like home.
I love to bake, when quarantine started I was baking something new every single week. My mouth is literally salivating as I type this and think about my chocolate chip cookie recipe. Not only do they taste amazing, but the smell of cookies baking makes my eyes roll back.
While I don’t love my cookies burning, I do love the smell of wood burning. A bonfire takes me back to summer nights, roasting marshmallows, wrapped in blankets, getting mesmerized by the colors of the sparks, and laughter. The way the smell lingers on your clothing even after you’ve left just makes it feel like the moment never ended.
Probably a cliche, but lavender really does make me feel so serene. I always feel ethereal when I have fresh lavender around. Whether I’m using it in recipe, putting it in a vase, or rubbing it on my temples, it always makes me feel like I just remembered how to relax and breathe.
Even though earlier I mentioned that I don’t wear perfume, I love the smell of the Glossier perfume. I once bought a pair of jeans on Depop and they smelled SO amazing; I wouldn’t shut up about the smell. I literally messaged the girl I bought them from and asked what perfume she wore. Luckily my mom loved it too, so naturally it was her next birthday present, and I get to smell it everyday now.
Hear me out, the smell of air conditioner air is really good. It’s truly one of the things I look forward to about summer. It takes me back to being a kid and running inside after a long day in the sun and just sticking my face in front of the breeze.
The smell of freshly popped popcorn is the shit, but it’s also one of those things that smells way better than it tastes. Kind of like chocolate scented candles. Truly orgasmic, but actual chocolate? Not really a fan.
Sun Bum products are my go-to in the summer when I’m protecting my skin from the sun and wrinkles, but sometimes I’ll use the lotion throughout the year just to make me feel like I always have a piece of summer with me. The slight banana scent makes me feel like I’m down the shore taking my nightly walk down the boardwalk and the sky is lit up by rollercoasters and carnival games.
Are you concerned for me yet? If not, I would love to hear what scents you love. I’m very passionate about this topic and would love to discuss further. Serious inquiries only. Just kidding, you don’t have to feel passionately about the smell of bread, I still want to know what scents you ~luvvv~!