As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century, where we’ve been taught to “smell a rat” with every news cycle and where the strange has become the norm, we thought that we might delve a bit into the world of smells and what goes into some of those smells.
Today, we’re going to immerse ourselves amidst a tapestry of peculiar candle scents and the oddest perfume ingredients that serve as intriguing reflections of the peculiarities and current events of our time. So, hold your nose and let’s dive right in beginning with some of the more unusual candle scents we’ve come across because, as you’ll see, even candle enthusiasts have embraced the notion that strange can be sublime.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lovingly named creation seemed like a most appropriate place to start. With “…notes of geranium, cedar, and ambrette seed…” we’re betting it smells pretty damn good! (Goop)
For those who love the aroma of a home cooked meal, but don’t like cooking, this could be for you. The candle, we’re told, “…delivers a realistic, savory aroma of beef and carrots, accented by onion and spices….” (Dio)
A review of this one reads, “…able to capture and convey the scents of lemon, butter, cream, black peppercorn, and the scent that can only be described as ‘noodle’...”. We’re guessing it’s an acquired taste. (Yankee Candle)
We’re told that the aroma is “a nutty blend of walnuts & pecans enhanced with butter and French vanilla”. Nuff said. (Lufray)
Toto, we’re not in the suburbs anymore with this one which is described as having “..top notes of electricity & panic grass, heart notes of summer rain & ozone, and base notes of concrete & steam…” (DS&D Urga)
Cocktail lovers will want to snag this drink-inspired fragrance, which boasts “…notes of leather, rye whiskey, bitters, and burned cedar…” (Snowe)
Because we’re so proud of our maturity, we threw this one in both for the name of the candle as well as the name of the company producing it! The description says it’s infused with clary sage and lavender and “…made of all things fucking magical…” (Spiritual Shenanigans)
And, whoever said that perfume is all about flowers frankly has absolutely no idea what is actually happening under the perfumer’s nose. Here’s a few ingredients we came across that caused us to catch our breath.
Castoreum
Vanilla is a common, beloved ingredient in many top-selling fragrances. But did you know that the anal secretions of beavers can also produce a pleasing vanilla aroma? Well, we’re told it’s true. Smell it for yourself with Cuir de Russie by Chanel.
Caviar
With perfume’s long history of noble use, it’s no surprise that caviar would find its way into perfumes and cologne. While it doesn’t have a distinct scent, perfume makers use it to give the product more body and substance. Try Diesel’s Bad cologne to find out. Just don’t use it on crackers!
Goat Hair
One really has to wonder how a perfume nose stumbled upon goat hair and thought that it should be one of the main notes in Anya McCoy’s perfume called Anya’s Garden. We mean, yes of course goats do linger in the garden. But do we really need to smell like them?
Skatole
A foul smelling chemical found in feces and coal tar, skatole is the essence of waste. Even when diluted, skatole smells repulsive. Yet, strangely, small traces of skatole are found in many flowers, like jasmine and orange blossom. It’s also been shown to act similarly to serotonin, which contributes to pleasure and happiness in humans. Maurice Schaller’s Nuit de Chine is a famous perfume that features skatole.
Civet Droppings
Ever wonder why Calvin Klein’s Obsession for Men or Guerlain’s Shalimar are so alluring? Perhaps because they’re both made from the droppings of this small, catlike mammal from tropical Asia and Africa. The droppings themselves are pretty smelly (not in a good way), but when diluted with alcohol it gains a floral scent. So, the next time you smell sex in the air, thank your local civet!
Gunpowder
Gunpowder is a chemical compound consisting of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate and it’s exploded into the fragrance industry with its boldly peppery and smoky scent. Although it sounds very manly, it’s found in fragrances like Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.
Cactus
Ever tried smelling a cactus? Probably not. A popular succulent, native to the America’s, its blooming petals emit a grassy, green scent that helps to liven unisex perfumes. Can check it out in Givenchy’s Xeryus Rouge or Prickly Pear by Demeter. Only your wallet will get stuck.
We hope you’ve found our journey through the world of scents breathtaking. Because in a world brimming with eccentricity and surprising twists, even the simplest elements of our lives can provide us with an amazing bouquet. From the captivating scents wafting through our homes to the enchanting fragrances we might adorn ourselves with, the realm of olfactory experiences has hardly ever been more diverse.
In this peculiar symphony of scents and ingredients, we discover, once again, that the boundaries of creativity are ever-expanding. The world around us serves as both a muse and a canvas for artisans to capture the essence of our time. With every inhale, we are reminded that even the strangest aromas can evoke a sense of familiarity or provoke a second look. In a world where the strange becomes sublime, our noses are constantly being treated to an olfactory feast of the unconventional.
So, as the saying goes, “follow your nose”, and who knows where it might lead you. Whether it’s to the back end of a beaver or a dinner that will never be served, breathe deeply, and enjoy the ride!
Okay when I think, how are they going to come up with another weird thing, you come up with this one!
Wow, surprised you didn’t mention Ambergris? So I normally hate scents of the burning candle variety, but some of these were particularly troublesome. I mean Yankee Candle actually sold “schnitzel with noodles”? I mean who wants to walk in and smell that or pot roast for that matter.
But I will seek out “speak easy”, now that might be one I can wrap my head around.
Thanks for the fun!