Perfume Making 101 - What is a signature scent?

Did you know that the human nose can pick up more than a trillion different smells? Whether we like them or not, the world is filled with millions and millions of scents, ranging from awful to intoxicating. In this ever-changing landscape of smells, there is something very enchanting about having your own signature scent. 

A signature scent is more than a fragrance you like to wear. It can become your calling card, a representation of your personality and essence that will linger long after you’re gone, leaving a lasting impression on those around you.

But with more and more people wearing and collecting perfumes, it can be difficult to find your unique signature scent. Fortunately, creating scents is not limited to experts anymore. Perfume kits like our Perfume Blending Kit will let you embark on your fragrance journey to create a perfume that captures your true nature.

What is a Signature Scent?

Home is where the signature scent is

At its simplest, a signature scent is a perfume that you tend to wear every day. In reality, though, it is much more than that. As you wear a scent throughout the day, it reacts with your body chemistry to create something that’s uniquely yours. Think of your favourite people. Does a particular perfume come to mind? 

Because the scent receptors in our brains are so close to where we keep our memories, perfume has the delightful ability to trigger a sense of familiarity. Just like the smell of freshly made apple pie can teleport you right back to your childhood home, a signature scent will remind people of you whenever they smell something similar.

Your signature scent will also announce you wherever you go, and linger in the room after you’re gone, bringing an air of mystique around you. 

Confidence in a bottle

Having a signature scent is like having a self-confidence elixir always ready to go. In a professional, romantic, or social setting, your perfume can act like armour, reminding you of the person you want and deserve to be. The familiarity of the scent, coupled with its uniqueness on your skin, becomes a reflection of your identity. 

This is one of the reasons why choosing the right signature scent is so important. Various families of smells evoke different images and emotions. Though unexpected perfumes can be very charming, some personalities will be more attracted to some scents. A strong businesswoman, for instance, might prefer powerful woody perfumes. A bubbly colourful artist, on the other hand, might prefer something more fresh or floral. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these terms! All you need to think about for now is what type of scents you are most attracted to. Would you like to be associated with the smell of flowers? Maybe you’ve always been fascinated by the ocean, or the smell of the earth after the rain.

Self-expression is just a spray away

The good news is that finding your signature scent can be a very fun process. With thousands of different notes to choose from, perfume can be tailored to you. There are two main ways of finding your signature scent. 

The first one, and perhaps the easiest one, is to place your trust in the hands of experts. Professional perfume composers (also called “noses”) are responsible for creating new perfume blends that will portray different moods and feelings. Did you know that there are only about 100 “noses” in the world? They work with most perfume brands to create the next trends in perfumery. 

These experts study for years so they can get a better understanding of fragrances and how they work together. They can create entire scentscapes for different personalities, moods and seasons. 

The second way to find your signature scent is less professional, but it is a lot more fun. Make it yourself! The perfume experts we talked about might have more knowledge and experience, but you know something they don’t. Yourself. 

You know your style, your tastes. You know how you want to come across, which smells you like, how and when you apply your perfume… You have a lot more knowledge than you think! There are many resources on the internet on how to make your own perfume. Our Perfume Blending Kit, for instance, will give you a crash course in perfume-making with five different fragrance oil blends, a reusable glass atomiser, and detailed illustrated instructions. 

With DIY perfume, not only can you create your signature fragrance: you can keep on creating it day after day. You will no longer have to rely on perfumers deciding not to discontinue your favourite fragrance or changing its formulation overnight. Not only that, you’ll be able to make your own subtle changes to the scent as time goes by! Maybe you can go a bit fresher for summer, a bit more floral for the holidays, or a bit woodier for job interviews while keeping the notes that drew you in in the first place.

In a world where individuality and personalisation are getting more and more important each day, signature scents provide a unique way to express yourself. With the rise of DIY perfume kits, such as our Perfume Blending Kit, everyone can start their perfume-making journey, exploring the art of fragrance creation and building a scent that resonates with their personality and style. 

Not only will you get the satisfaction of making something you can wear, but you’ll also get all the rewards of having a signature scent! Your signature scent will find its way into your self-care routine, boost your confidence, and leave a lasting impact on the people you meet. You can also be sure your signature scent is unique to you.

Are you wondering what goes into creating your signature scent? Stay tuned for the second article in our Perfume Making series, in which we’ll be discussing the basics of perfume making.