Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with scent

Help me find a fragrance for a young woman!

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:51:00 -0800

Please help me find a fragrance for a young woman! I have asked her what she wears (she always wears some scent), and her reply is vague: "I have a number of spritzes I use." I would like to get her something that she likes. I have no idea what a spritz is. The fragrances she wears are fresh-smelling, and not overbearing, pretentious, or intense. I don't know whether I am looking for a perfume, an eau de toilette, or something else. This is a young woman, in her twenties, fairly casual in her style. I am willing to go to a department store or anywhere else you suggest. (But I probably don't have time to order it online.) All suggestions are welcome and appreciated--I would love to hear about something you have liked.

Anonymous because she might see this under my Metafilter username.

ScentFilter: I love Caress Moroccan body wash. Help me find a similar scent.

pghjezebel — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:26:11 -0800

ScentFilter: I love the smell of Caress's Moroccan body wash. Help me find a similar scent in perfume form! I love Caress's Moroccan body wash. I want to find something similar in a perfume form. Bonus points if I could recreate this smell (or have it recreated for me) with natural oils. I tend to like to keep my beauty/cosmetics items on the natural and healthy side.

As far as the scent goes, it's very exotic. It has a spicy, musky and yet sweet smell to it. The closest I've come is Jasmine Vanilla line from B&B Works - and that's still not remotely close in smell. But it has those exotic vibes to it.

Any suggestions?

Anosmia - is it forever?

terrierhead — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:06:14 -0800

Getting over a lousy cold/flu, can breathe again but can't smell anything. Is this permanent? I'm a 37 y/o female who until recently had an extremely good olfactory ability. My toddler twins brought home the superflu from their daycare last week. After more than a week of illness the whole family's on the mend. I ended up with an ear infection and am being treated with antibiotics.

Two days ago, I noticed that although my stuffy nose was clearing up, I still couldn't smell anything. A sip of wine tasted like acetone, and my toddlers' dirty diapers, which I usually identify from afar by their odor, became imperceptible by scent. My nose is still running today but I'm breathing through it just fine. And I can't smell a thing.

I've looked up information on anosmia (loss of sense of smell) and found that colds and flu can cause this to happen - but from a stuffy nose, which I don't have. I called my doctor's office and the nurse their told me not to worry, but I was still stuffy this morning and am not now. I called a local ask-a-nurse hotline and they freaked the hell out.

I'd like to refrain from freaking for a bit but also would like more information. Has anyone heard of this happening and then going away? Or should I start selling off my perfume collection? (I was a BPAL collector before the kids came along.)

Smells like clean spirit

bradly — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:35:35 -0800

Can someone identify the clean soap (or other laundry product) smell I keep noticing among hispanics? For years and with dozens of encounters (with those from various latin countries) I have experienced said smell.

Characteristics of the smell: simple, sweet, soapy, clean

There may be slight variations, but from what I can remember it is basically the same among those who I've met, so I assume there is one (or a small number) of products that are most commonly used.

Thanks in advance!

Professional smell tester - am I part dog?

WhereAmI — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:51:45 -0800

Could I be a professional smell tester with my dog like nose? My sense of smell is quite elevated. I pick up on scents and then ask those around me "can you smell that [insert scent]". Most of the time their answer is no, and I search for the source or ask them to move closer to a certain direction so they can confirm that they eventually smell (usually they really have to inhale) the same scent.

My nose is like a dog, please help!

This has been going on for years and amongst several different locations, groups of friends and scents. Its all in good fun and I recently picked up a smell while back in my old neighborhood for a 4th of July party. When I worked my magic and identified the scent/source, a few of my old friends suggested that I should attempt to get a job as a professional "smell tester".

Is there such a job? If so, how do I apply? I've searched the askmefi forums but only found questions about human vs. animal (i.e., dog) sense of smell, and nothing about a human "smell tester" job. I picture something similar to a possible old wives tale my father told me when I was younger that all ice cream companies have professional taste testers who scoop samples of the frozen treat into their mouths using gold plated spoons that did not retain the taste of the previous flavor of ice cream.

I digress... I'm turning to you hive mind! Can you help me find out if there is such a job as a professional Smell Tester? If so, where do I find out more and can I schedule an appointment to at least quantify my olfactory sensation abilities?

Repurposing perfume oil

slightlybewildered — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:13:29 -0800

Can I make a room fragrance from perfume oil? I have some nearly-full bottles of Body Shop perfume oil, which I don't want to wear any more. (Some I was given, some I'm just tired of the scent). How can I best use these as a room fragrance? I could only find one fairly elaborate recipe to make a spray. I tried just putting some on a cottonwool ball but it didn't work! Ideally the solution would not involve candles as I have little kids.

Make me smell like flowery grape soda.

fiercecupcake — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:18:19 -0800

Can anyone find me some Texas mountain laurel perfume? I just noticed them blooming today and I've always loved the scent. I would love to be able to smell it all year long. And it's my namesake, for added amusement.

How can I extract scents from things?

soma lkzx — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:13:01 -0800

How do I extract scents? It seems like there are a few ways to extract scents from things, but I can't seem to find the Klutz Guide to Scent Distillation - decent instruction and a guide to what types of materials need what method of extraction. Web pages, books, whatever - I just want to be able to make a tiny bottle of mulch, or used book, or miso soup! Graduated cylinder and pipette use is a plus, I need more laboratories in my life.

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) About 5 years ago I stopped wearing perfume and started just splashing on a fruit or flower scented body splash after showers. (Did I lose the men already?)

I'd really like to start wearing perfume again but my problem is that a) i'm totally overwhelmed when I go into Dillards and i'm faced with 6000 to choose from and b) I want something that actually appeals to men because a lot of colognes that men wear make me go into convulsions. Ladies, is there one you've come across that always gets compliments from men? Men, do you even prefer for women to wear perfume? Any suggestions of ones to try would be greatly appreciated.

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?