Your portrait in the language of aromas

The language of smells is designed to talk about the intangible sphere. “By giving preference to this or that aroma, we communicate to others something that cannot be conveyed through words,” explains psychotherapist Gonzag Masquelier. “That is why there are no aromas that would be pleasant or unpleasant in themselves – it is not the smells themselves that are important, but the emotions and sensations that are behind them.”

Smell is the only one of our five senses that has nothing to do with the “neocortex”, the so-called new brain responsible for speech, intelligence and higher mental functions in general. The sense of smell depends on the limbic system of the brain, where emotions originate. Hence such a close connection between emotional perception and the world of smells: the Russian idiom “I can’t stand it” did not arise by chance.

The same principle works in relation to the territory: a familiar, habitable space is primarily associated with certain smells. This perception comes from our childhood: the baby begins to explore the world “through the nose”, and the smells of mother’s skin, clean linen, milk surrounding him from the first minutes of his life become forever signs that he is at home – in comfort and safety. An observant person traveling by plane will notice: even while boarding a flight, some passengers literally pour perfume on themselves, thus creating a kind of cocoon around themselves from a smell that causes them to associate with security and comfort.

Fragrances also play a special role in the sphere of relations between the sexes: a couple in which there is mutual understanding is necessarily connected at the olfactory level. A person is attracted by smells that are somewhat similar to his own, and repelled, on the contrary, by those that do not at all coincide with his range.

Like other symbol systems, the language of smells allows the expression of ideas of any complexity. “Fragrance is not only our business card with information about who we are at the moment. It is also an opportunity to hint at what we lack in life, what we dream about and how we would like to see ourselves,” says Gonzag Masquelier. For example, many women will remember how in their youth, trying to appear more mature, more experienced and sexier, they resorted to the power of saturated “adult” spirits. Different archetypes of human behavior correspond to different fragrances: a young lolita cannot smell the same as an experienced vamp, and a sophisticated dandy cannot smell like a brutal macho. At different periods of life we ​​are different, and therefore it is hardly possible to find the only fragrance that would perfectly match our self-identification and accompany us all our lives later. That is why we regularly change perfumes, looking for among hundreds of fragrances the one that would most accurately express our state, the essence of our personality at the moment and give our image that elusive shade, without which we would not be ourselves.

——————————————————————* Gonzague Masquelier – psychotherapist, director of the Paris School of Gestalt.

Exquisite feelings

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: chosenness, restraint, originality, mystery.

Attitude towards yourself. Changeable, despite outward confidence. You like yourself when everything in life is going well, and you are depressed to study your imperfections if something is not going well in business. Some dependence on other people’s opinions (as well as on external events) makes you relentlessly control your appearance and behavior or resort to arrogance (in self-defense).

You and others. You have a thousand ways to seduce, convince and charm the people you interact with. You are afraid to be on the sidelines – from events, new projects, fashion trends. Instinctively you always choose the best. You prefer (sometimes unconsciously) relationships from a position of strength.

YOUR SCENTS

Fragrances for the initiated, limited editions, rare stamps. The composition is almost irrelevant (although a rare tuberose is still preferable to a banal vanilla), the main thing is its exclusivity.

Классические: Femininity of wood, Shiseido.

Contemporary: Coco Chanel (pictured); Chic, Carolina Herrera; 24, Faubourg, Hermes; Alien, Thierry Mugler.

The charm of simplicity

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: tenderness, sensitivity, freshness.

Attitude towards yourself. Changeable, not fully developed. Bursts of optimism alternate with periods of doubt. You expect a lot from others: reliability, support, recognition of your merits. Your femininity is manifested either with restraint, on the verge of timidity, or fresh and bright. You dream more than you assert yourself.

You and others. You know how to listen, appreciate others, guess and anticipate their desires. Sometimes you want to express yourself a little more. In communication, you prefer the method of gentle persuasion.

YOUR SCENTS

A sea of ​​tenderness (roses, roses and roses!), a cocktail of fresh fruits (orange, grapefruit, pomegranate), sweet and sour, fresh and light scents. Nothing intrusive, defiant, intoxicating. Discreet fragrances that are easy to wear and easy to love.

Classic: The Air of Time, Nina Ricci; Anais Anais, Cacharel; Flower by Kenzo.

Modern: Very Irresistible, Givenchy (на фото); Dior Addict 2; Blue La Perla; Miracle So Magic, Lancome.

Authenticity of sensations

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: purity, depth, honesty, fidelity.

Attitude towards yourself. You feel harmonious only if you live in harmony with your values. Your main interlocutor and adviser is yourself. The best moments of your life are those that are filled with meaning.

You and others. You are as demanding of yourself as you are of others; you need sincerity and loyalty. There are no common values ​​- there will be no relationship: you will prefer loneliness. Striving for the utmost honesty, in communication you are sometimes harsh. Someone may be confused by your clear look and frankness of direct questions.

YOUR SCENTS

No affectation – only strength and purity. White flowers (jasmine, magnolia, lily of the valley, peony), citrus fruits, tea leaves… Aromas of well-being, soothing or invigorating essences – to not only smell good, but also feel good.

Classic: Water from Rochas; Eternity, Calvin Klein; Water by Issey Miyake; Cologne, Thierry Mugler.

Modern: L’Instant de Guerlain (на фото); Simply, Clinic; Brit, Burberry; Aqua Allegoria Peony Magnifica, Guerlain.

Sensual Appeal

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: femininity, sensuality, attraction.

Attitude towards yourself. You are fully satisfied with yourself only if you feel loved, desired and impeccably feminine in appearance. On the contrary, one indifferent glance is enough to hurt you to the very heart and make you doubt yourself.

You and others. You have something of a girl who constantly seeks the approval of others. You are afraid of conflicts and too direct relationships: you can be not up to par in them, which means that you are not loved enough. You like easier communication in situations where you can show your acting skills.

YOUR SCENTS

Amber, gardenia, musk… Generous fragrances, always with an animal note that provokes sensuality. The goal is to call, attract and seduce.

Classic: Chanel № 5; Shalimar, Guerlain; Opium, Yves Saint Laurent.

Modern: Hypnôse, Lancome (на фото); Pure Poison, Dior; Water for Her, Paco Rabanne; Prada; Evening Water, Sisley.

Nostalgia for the past

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: melancholy, softness, solitude, dreams.

Attitude towards yourself. It is difficult for you to decide on it, since you are constantly comparing your current self with yourself in the past. A vague fear of the unstoppable passage of time sometimes prevents you from appreciating your virtues and using them. Your femininity – soft and sensual – expresses itself more in pastel colors.

You and others. You enter into intimate relationships only with reliable and faithful people. You like subtle feelings and situations that give food to the imagination. You take great care to ensure that harmony reigns in relationships, and therefore immediately exclude mundane, harsh and intolerant people from your circle.

YOUR SCENTS

Chocolate, vanilla… sweet smells of childhood. As well as powdery and romantic scents reminiscent of the past.

Classic: Blue Hour, Guerlain; Angel, Thierry Mugler.

Modern: Love in Paris, Givenchy (на фото); Neonature, Yves Rocher; Midnight Water, Lolita Lempicka.

Thirst for emotions

YOUR CONDITION

Keywords: novelty, movement, events, communication.

Attitude towards yourself. Positive, if you manage to surprise someone; negative if you feel predictable. Everything new and unexpected inspires you, and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction prevents you from living.

You and others. “Amazing, inexhaustible” – this is what others say about you (and you are very pleased). Shine, storm and onslaught is your style of communication. Only boredom scares you: as soon as it seems to you that you have learned everything about a person (project, place, etc.), you will set sail and rush into new distances. Without any regrets.

YOUR SCENTS

Spices, amber, patchouli, exotic flowers – these fragrances evoke associations with distant lands, lead along untrodden paths … no matter where, the main thing is from here.

Classic: Fiji, Guy Laroche; Chanel № 19.

Modern: Tumulte, Christian Lacroix (на фото); Miss Dior Cherie, Christian Dior; Live, Jennifer Lopez.