Perfume Room

ARE PHEROMONES PHER REAL? CAN A SPECIFIC FRAGRANCE REALLY GET YOU LAID? ARE THERE ANY ACTUAL SCIENTIFICALLY-PROVEN APHRODISIACS? Why do we like one person’s natural scent and not someone else’s? If pheromones aren’t real, why do scientific studies that seemingly prove their validity exist? Are our scent preferences determined by nature or nurture? So many questions and today we cover them all with award-winning Author and Evolutionary Biologist, Dr. Tristram Wyatt. Dr. Wyatt is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford and an Emeritus Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford. His focus is in animal behavior and pheromones, and on this subject, he’s given a TEDx talk, as well as authored an award-winning textbook called Pheromones and Animal Behavior. READ MORE ABOUT DR. WYATT & HIS WORK: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-tristram-wyatt FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, lovingly referred to as DSH by her customers/fanbase, is in the Perfume Room today! And here’s the thing: WE SIMPLY CANNOT DISCUSS THE AMERICAN INDIE/ARTISAN FRAGRANCE MOVEMENT WITHOUT DISCUSSING DAWN. DSH Perfumes, the brand she launched over 30 years ago, essentially laid the blueprint for all brands and perfumers that followed. Dawn is an absolute delight and we chat about everything from vintage notes and accords that are making big comebacks, to how DSH came to be, what synesthesia really feels like, vintages that feel modern, and Dawn even shares  the real gems (both hidden and obvious) of her perfumer’s organ. FRAGS MENTIONED:  Andrea Maack Pavillion, MFK Oud Satin Mood, Lush Rose Jam, DSH Jacinthes Noires, Chanel Cuir de Russie, Chanel No 5, Guerlain: Shalimar, Jicky, Mitsouko; Parfums de Nicolai, Annick Goutal, Mandy Aftel, Coty Chypre, Guerlain Apres l’Ondee, Coty Ambre Antique (1911), Balenciaga Fleeting Moment, Jacques Fath Iris Gris, Jean Patou, DSH: Emerald Hyrax, Chinchilla, Foxy, Bergamot Trio (Grappa Y Bergamatto, Herbe Bergamot, Potager de Bergamot), Electric Summer, Rose Vert SHOP THIS EPISODE: shopmy.us/collections/111387 SHOP DSH: dshperfumes.com FOLLOW DAWN: @dshperfumes FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

Ever wonder how certain fragrances make their ways into different publications’ ‘Best Of’ lists or editorial roundups? Is it determined by the quality of the product OR perhaps just the quality of the PR team behind it? Today, Refinery29’s Sr. Beauty Editor Amanda Mitchell is answering all the hard questions. As a beauty editor, Amanda is not only constantly testing new products, she's also trying all the latest beauty treatments, procedures, and experiences.  Amanda shares her thoughts on press events/experiences vs. influencer ones (/including some piping hot takes on editors vs. influencers), but we also get into a much more important conversation surrounding these types of events: inclusion (or... lack thereof). Amanda discusses this industry-wide issue as well as how she's helped change it, plus she shares her process for curating her own editorial rounds ups and tells us what she's loving most right now. Oh and PS — if you didn’t know, Amanda is single so slideeee into those DMs. FRAGS MENTIONED: Phlur Tangerine Boy, Ourside Nostalgia, Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Milk, Lake & Skye: 11 11, Midnight 07; Betsey Johnson EDP,  Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace, YSL Black Opium, Mugler Angel, Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, Laura Mercier hand cream, Chanel No. 5, Glosser You, Eilish 2, Eilish 1, Moodeaux, Ourside Dusk, Kayali, Byredo, Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy, Le Labo Santal 33, Dossier, Kierin Pier NY, The Maker Fire, Malin Goetz x Kith Vapor, Maya Njie Tobak SHOP THIS EPISODE: https://shopmy.us/collections/108488 FOLLOW AMANDA: @lochnessamanda FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

If you made potions with your parents' beauty products as a kid, congrats there is a 99.999% chance you are now a fraghead. Today's guest went one step further -- from potion-making to perfume-making.  Chronotope Founder and Perfumer Carter Weeks Maddox is in the Perfume Room today! Though Carter is an entirely self-taught perfumer, the lens through which he creates is backed by an MA in Critical Theory. He wrote his thesis on manifestations of the chronotope within women's postwar life writing and his fragrances in many ways exist as the olfactive manifestation of his studies. We discuss issues of colonialism in scent culture, how Carter reclaimed (and recreated) smells of his personal trauma (for profit hehe), the notion of fragrance as performance art, as well as the question at the heart of it all: for whose gaze do we wear scent? FRAGS MENTIONED: La Perla My Day, Frederic Malle Iris Poudre, OURSIDE Nostalgia, PHLUR: Tangerine Boy, Lost Cause; DSH L’Or{ris}, Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose, DSH: Special Formula X, The Absinthe Drinkers; Balmain Jolie Madame, Halston, Balmain Vent Vert, Chronotope Intra Venus, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Brut, Aramis, CK Obsession for Men, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, Giorgio by Giorgio Beverly Hills, Polo Green, Chronotope: Buen Camino, Nanas; Curve, Adidas Moves, Azzaro Chrome, Chronotope: Playalinda, Spite EDP; Bal de Versailles, Chronotope Spite EDT, YSL Paris, Effronte et Evocateur SHOP THIS EPISODE: https://shopmy.us/collections/106298 FOLLOW CARTER: @chronotope_perfume SHOP CHRONOTOPE: chronotope-perfume.com FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

You didn't think we were done yet, did you?! Please enjoy part 2 of the Black Girls Smell Good x Perfume Room Holiday Gift Guide episode!  Maiya shares her big announcement, we talk about our fav candles, lotions, gels, gift sets, AND we answer YOUR specific holiday gifting requests! FRAGS MENTIONED: JHAG Not A Perfume, Ellis Brooklyn Super Amber, Chris Collins Citrus Grandis, Montale So Intense Iris, Atelier Pomelo Paradise, Nest Holiday Scented Candle, Harlem Candle Co: St Nicholas, Langston; Aesop Resurrection Soap, Mad et Len Graphite, Otherland candles Boudoir Rouge, Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace candle, Le Labo Concrete candles, Voluspa candles, Diptyque votive candle set, Tom Ford candles: Lost Cherry, F*cking Fabulous; Root candles: Bayberry, Peach Blossom; Watermelon Smoke candle, B&BW: Magic in the Air lotion, Whipped Rose Latte lotion; Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter Vanilla Bean, Josie Maran Smooth Like Butter Set, L'Occitane shower oil, Necessaire The Body Wash, Phlur Somebody Wood, Phlur Missing Person lotion, Costa Brazil Kaya Jungle Firming Body Oil, Montale discovery set, EldO discovery set, Sephora Favorite Perfume Sampler, Essential Parfums discovery set, Perfume Room Holiday Gift Guide set, Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Bois de Balincourt, Diptyque 34 Blvd St. Germain, Marissa Zappas Flaming Creature, Guerlain Shalimar, YSL Black Opium, JHAG Lady Vengeance, Lush Lord of Misrule, Good Chemistry: Queen Bee, Tiger Lily; Malin & Goetz Dark Rum, Swiss Arabian Marjana, Aquolina Pink Sugar, Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy, Killian Princess, Shay & Blue Blueberry Musk, By Rosie Jane Dulce, Brown Girl Jane Casablanca, 4160 Tuesdays Goddess of Love, Cire Trudon II, Tiziana Terenzi Sirrah, Parfums MDCI Peche Cardinale SHOP FRAGS MENTIONED: https://shopmy.us/collections/99940 PERFUME ROOM GIFT SET: https://www.luckyscent.com/product/910005/gift-guide-sample-pack-by-perfume-room-smell-club FOLLOW MAIYA: @blackgirlssmellgood on Twitter, IG, and TikTok FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

Black Girls Smell Good Creator Maiya Nicole is BACK(!!!) in the Perfume Room today! With over 112K followers on TikTok, 54K on Instagram, and 45K on Twitter, @blackgirlssmellgood is beloved across platforms for her entertaining and incisive POV, impeccable production quality, and expertise. Maiya has remained one of your favorite guests of the pod, and she’s one of mine too… which is why I am so happy she’s back today! We discuss the most pivotal and memorable scents we tried in 2022, plus we breakdown all the best fragrant holiday gifts for your loved (and liked) ones in your life! OH AND PS - this ep. is 2 parts because Maiya and I talked for over 2 hours lol. Stay tuned for a bonus ep coming your way this Thurs as well as a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MAIYA! FRAGS MENTIONED: Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Banane, Swiss Arabian Amaali perfume oil, Thameen Royal Sapphire, Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender, Fenty Perfume, PdM Oriana, 7 Virtues Lotus Pear, Floral Street Neon Rose, Givenchy Irresistible, Jorum Studio Pony Boy, Boy Smells Tantrum, Le Labo The Noir 29, Andrea Maack Coven, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, Lattafa Ajwad, Nest: Seville Orange, Madagascar Vanilla, Mancera Roses Vanille, House of Oud Dates Delight, Tom Ford Rose Prick, Glossier You, By Rosie Jane Dulce, Estée Lauder Pleasures, Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie, Xerjoff Italica, Creed Wind Flowers, Amouage Honour Woman, Perfume Room Sample Pack, Ariana Grande Cloud, Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0, Hayley Kiyoko Hue, Ashley benson The 8th, Ariana Grande MOD, Diptyque Eau Capitale, Fragrance Du Bois NY 5th Ave, PdM Percival, Bleu de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, A+F Fierce, Bleu de Chanel, Memo Sicilian Leather, Xerjoff Golden Dallah, Mizensir Cologne de Figuier, Creed Aventus Cologne, Creed Aventus, YSL Libre, Liquides Imaginaires Blanche Bete, Aesop Resurrection hand wash, Diptyque Roses room spray SHOP THIS EPISODE: https://shopmy.us/collections/99134 FOLLOW MAIYA: @blackgirlssmellgood on all platforms FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT) 15% OFF TWISTED LILY: perfumeroom10 PERFUME ROOM HOLIDAY PACK: https://www.luckyscent.com/product/910005/gift-guide-sample-pack-by-perfume-room-smell-club

Today we are joined by the one, the only, Ashley Benson! Actress/Tastemaker/Entrepreneur-extraordinaire, you might know her as Hanna Marin from Pretty Little Liars. Ashley further proves my theory that all the best celebs love perfume; she just launched her own line, Ash by Ashley Benson. We discuss the first two fragrance launches in the collection and the personal inspiration and stories behind both, how she tailors her aesthetic to whatever city she’s in, her PLL days and what Hanna would have worn, and what it’s like being in perhaps the most extroverted career as someone who is naturally shy. This episode was such a fun and personal conversation with Ashley; ENJOY! FRAGS MENTIONED: Ash The Eighth, Abercrombie & Fitch 41, Hollister Socal, Ash East 12th, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, Britney Spears Fantasy, Maison Louis Marie No. 4, L'Objet: Oh Mon Dieu, #69; Le Labo Palo Santo 14, Michael Kors EDP, Chanel, Le Labo Santal 33, Marc Jacobs Daisy SHOP FRAGS MENTIONED: https://shopmy.us/collections/97040 ENJOY 15% off w/ code PERFUMEROOM on www.ashbyashleybenson.com  FOLLOW ASHLEY: @ashleybenson @ashbyashleybenson FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

Another *Perfume Room Required Listening* This week’s guest has not only authored Perfume Legends (vol I and II), he IS one. I am joined by the person responsible for the taxonomy of fragrance as we know it — Founder of Fragrances of the World, Inventor of the Fragrance Wheel(!) — Michael Edwards. It is because of Michael that we have universal and empirical language around perfume. We discuss everything from The Fragrance Landscape B.C. and A.C. — that is, before Charlie and after Charlie, fragrance stews (AKA unclassifiable scents), the necessary formal reclassification of the o-word to amber (and how it’s been received), and perhaps one of the biggest bombshells of our conversation: that without discounted fragrances there would be no niche. And of course, Michael walks us through the different families and sub-families of the fragrance wheel — describing how they differ from and relate to one another. FRAGS MENTIONED: Commodity Paper +, ELdO Remarkable People, Chanel No 5, Revlon Intimate, Guerlain Shalimar, Givenchy Ysatis, Molinard Habinita, Jean Patou Joy, Chanel No 5, Diorissimo, Marc Jacobs by Marc Jacobs, Chloe EDP, Robert Piguet Fracas, Norell, Aramis New West, Mugler Angel, Madame Rochas, Hermes Caleche, Escentric Molecule Molecule 01, Robert Piguet Fracas, Michael Kors, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia, Chloe EDP, Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio, YSL Opium, Estee Lauder Youth-Dew, MFK Baccarat Rouge 540, Yves St Laurent Y (for women), Revlon Charlie, Francois Coty: L’Origan, Chypre; Chanel No 5, Revlon Charlie, YSL Opium, Mugler Angel, Carven Vetiver, Shiseido Bois de Violette, Dior Eau Sauvage, CK: Eternity, Obsession; Guerlain Habit Rouge, Serge Lutens Féminité du Bois, Dior Eau Sauvage FOLLOW FRAGRANCES OF THE WORLD: @fragrancesoftheworld EXPLORE: www.wikiparfum.com www.fragrancesoftheworld.com SHOP FRAGS MENTIONED: https://shopmy.us/collections/91806 10% OFF commodityfragrances.com w/ code: perfumeroom10 FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)

There’s an Instagram account (consensually) sharing the highly coveted (and otherwise secret) formulas behind all your favorite scents; this week I am joined by its founder: Erik Constantin. If you’ve ever wanted to teach yourself how to be a perfumer, Erik’s account @fragrance.drama is a must-follow. Erik’s passion for fragrance extends beyond this account; by day, he is the main trainer on perfumery at Avon Romania, and he’s walking proof that Instagram University is real and thriving; he’s currently working on launching 2 original fragrances. What are the copyright laws when it comes to fragrance formulas? What’s the difference between inspiration and plagiarism? How has this endeavor been received by peers and perfumers alike? What does open-source formulas mean for the future of perfumery? We discuss it all in today’s ep! FRAGS MENTIONED: L’Artisan Musc Amarante, CK Obsession Men, CK Obsession Women, Profumum Roma: Oxiana, Ichnusa, Confetto; Humiecki & Graef Bosque, Hermes Parfum des Merveilles,  MFK Baccarat Rouge, Libertin Louison Technique Indiscrete Carmel Snow, Dior Sauvage, Versace The Dreamer, Hilde Soliani Fraaagola Saalaaata, Avon Ambre Ardent, Chanel Beige, Aqua di Parma Colonia Pura, Paco Rabanne Black XS, CK truth, Kenzo Jungle, Dusita Erawan FOLLOW ERIK: @fragrance.drama (IG) SHOP THE FRAGS MENTIONED: https://shopmy.us/collections/91249 FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT) 10% of LuckyScent: code ‘10pr’ 10% of Twisted Lily: code ‘perfumeroom10’

Tracy Wan, AKA Invisible Stories on IG and TikTok is in the Perfume Room today! Tracy is a content creator and fragrance writer, and in fact, it was words — discovering the  language of fragrance through prominent industry voices like Luca Turin and Chandler Burr— that first propelled her down this scented path. Tracy's love for perfume runs deep; from taking a perfumery course in Grasse to to chasing down a coveted fragrance all the way à Paris, she's done it all and her breadth of knowledge reflects it. We discuss everything from notes and fragrances that have surprised us, to how she goes about matching tangible scents with abstract ideas, and conclude our conversation with a *live* hot take 'smell + tell' of the new Potager line from L’Artisan. FRAGS MENTIONED: Baccarat Rouge, Tom Ford Lost Cherry, Byredo Bal D’Afrique, Creed Aventus, Santal 33, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold, Gentle Fluidity Silver, Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio, Lancome La Vie Est Belle, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Chanel Bleu, YSL L’Homme, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, Dior Sauvage, Millesime Imperiale, Aventus For Her, Silver Mountain Water, Wind Flowers, Creed Aventus Cologne,  L’Artisan Caligna, Jo Malone: Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Grapefruit; Dior Vetiver, Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatale, Nobile 1942 La Danza Delle Libellule, Liquides Imaginaires Blanche Bete, Calgon Take Me Away Hawaiian Ginger, Burberry Brit, Byredo Pulp, Biosilk, Oribe Cote D’Azur, Nuxe Oil, Byredo Bal D’Afrique, Matiere Premiere French Flower, Robert Piguet Petit Fracas, Officine Universelle Buly Venus de Milo, Chronotope Spite EDP, Vilhelm Opus Kore, L’Artisan Cedrat Ceruse, Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune, L’Artisan Iris de Gris, Chanel 19, Maison Margiela Untitled, L’Artisan Musc Amarante, Diptyque Kyoto, CdG Red, L’Artisan Tonka Blanc, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, L’Artisan Vetiver Ecarlate, Le Labo Santal 33, Ralph by Ralph Lauren SHOP THIS EP: https://shopmy.us/collections/86972 FOLLOW TRACY: @theinvisiblestories REGISTER FOR SMELL CLUB: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nov-smell-club-savory-gourmands-tickets-461855731927 FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod (IG) @emma_vern (TT)