Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with scent

Other than hope

boy detective — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:52:59 -0800

What does Barack Obama smell like? Despite the creepy and irrelevant nature of this inquiry, I am genuinely curious to know. Pine? Pencil shavings? I want a composite scent based on hard facts. It cannot be an impossible task; he is extremely famous and daily comes into contact with thousands of people who have functioning aural facilities.

- Is his choice of cologne known publicly?
- What about detergent?
- Does he enjoy onions on his sandwich?
- Does anyone have a first-hand account?

I tried a search to no avail, but it's likely I am missing some relevant article (I can't be the first person to wonder. Um. You know?)

Thanks!

Either way, it's disturbing...

InfinateJane — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:06:04 -0800

Does my cat hate reading, or have a really, REALLY un-natural love of books? I have one of those very stand-off-ish cats - she won't tolerate laps, or really even petting, except for one exception. Frequently, when I lay on the bed to read, she hops up and starts rubbing on me and licking any exposed skin she can find. She paces back and forth across my chest or the book (depending of course, on face-up or face-down position).

Then...this is the gross part - she MUSKS on or near me...she NEVER. NEVER. NEVER has done this at any other time, in any other situation. But three times now, during these book-induced frenzies of hers, she has released a few tiny drops of dark liquid from her anal glands, and they reek to high heaven!

So metafilter:
1) Why in the world does she do this?
2) What can I do to get that SMELL out? The scent is overpowering, and LINGERS... even if I rip the sheets off the bed immediately, throw them in the wash, and get myself into a shower.

The ineffable scent of sunbeams and happiness

Shepherd — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:37:18 -0800

Line laundry smells awesome and rack laundry... doesn't. Why? Details, if desired: I don't scent my house, and there are always windows open, so "inside" smells to me like "outside" most of the time. I use the same detergent and (rarely) fabric softener regardless of where the laundry is going to hang. I live in a smallish city with minimal air pollution compared to major urban centres (but I think this outdoor/indoor laundry-smell thing is universal regardless, unless you live next to a hog rendering plant or similar).

Who is this guy?

Karcy — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:58:01 -0800

Several years ago I listened to a radio show which mentioned that there was this chemist who invented a perfume that had the smell of earth after rain. I need to find out this guy's name. The guy is (probably) British, and is more likely to be a chemist than a perfurmer. The scent was not part of any fashion line then.

I've tried Googling, Yahoo'ing, and BBC Online'ing, but to no avail. Variations include 'British chemist earth scent' or 'British perfumer earth scent' or 'chemist earth scent'. Does anyone here know who this person could be -- or could have any clue or indication on this person?

How do I reverse engineer a smell?

iurodivii — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:57:37 -0800

How do I reverse engineer a scent? Well over a decade ago I purchased a small vial of homemade perfume/cologne in the parking lot of a Grateful Dead show. I am getting close to using the last of it, but I love the smell so much I want to figure out a way to copy it.

It is not patchouli, or any of the other common scents you find in that crowd. I do believe that there is some Frankincense and most probably Myrrh. Unfortunately these oils are quite expensive (around $50 an ounce) so I want to avoid just buying oils and mixing them. I also have no idea what the carrier oil is.
I have read Jitterbug Perfume and it did not answer my question.

Are there any Master Perfumists out there?

Want to smell of dog, hashish, and algae. Please help.

crabintheocean — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 12:14:07 -0800

Trying to find another bottle of the scent "Rotterdam - Olfactory Object" by the architects Herzog and De Meuron... I bought a small bottle of this scent at the Tate Modern in London, a year or 18 months ago. Now it's starting to run out and I really want to keep wearing it. Nothing else smells like it, and it's sexy! It's supposed to be unisex and smell of "Rhine water, dog, hashish, algae, patchouli, vin chaud, fur and tangerine" it really does smell a lot better than it sounds.

I live in the US (DC) so I can't run by and check if they still have it at the Tate. They don't have it in their online store, and I have the feeling it was a very limited time thing. It seems to have been produced by Herzog and De Meuron (who had an exibition at the Tate at the time) so I guess I ought to be able to buy it somewhere else. I have a UK shipping address I could use, if that would help.

The internet is failing me so far. So has anyone seen this stuff anywhere?

How do I choose a scent for myself?

999 — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 16:31:51 -0800

How do I choose a scent/aftershave for myself? As a 26 year old man, I've never been into 'smellies' before, just wearing anti-perspirant. Having recently split with my long-term girlfriend I've discovered that I'm in a very different world socially, and it's left me feeling a little unsophisticated.

I'm doing the new wardrobe, etc. thing but not having bought this kind of thing before, I'm worried if I just go and buy what smells nice to me it's going to clash with my 'style', or something.

Are there any rules to follow when choosing?

Help me find a new scent

fancypants — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 13:03:03 -0800

Scent filter: My favorite scent of all time has been discontinued! I was a huge fan of the Heaven line from the Gap. It appears to have been discontinued. What other scents - particularly in a lotion - should I try? For reference, the Gap described Heaven as "simple bouquet of pure white blossoms."

A Rose By Any Other Name

Tryptophan-5ht — Sun, 30 Jan 2005 21:57:27 -0800

its my understanding that stuff generally feels smells tastes or looks good because it benefits our survival. Fats and sugars have energy. Sex continues the species. Good interior design makes you feel safe - etc etc.

So why do flowers 'smell good'?

Too Many Perfume Choices: What Appeals to You, Guys?

Ugh — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 13:02:06 -0800

I need to get opinions on perfume, specifically from men, but women's experiences will help as well. (MI)

Smelly shoes

jammer — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:26:54 -0800

Unwanted scent removal: I stepped in dog crap this morning on the way out to the car. I scraped off what I could, and hosed off the rest, but of course the scent is lingering, and driving me crazy in my cube. Does anyone know any easy, work-friendly ways to get rid of doggie-doo odor, or at least something I can do when I get home so it doesn't bug me again tomorrow?

Shampoo for Men

adrober — Fri, 07 May 2004 15:58:18 -0800

Another shower related question: Guys, what shampoo do you use? Or more specifically: what guys' shampoo smells the best?