The power of scent cannot be denied. We spend our lives collecting a personal archive of smells, and of course fragrance holds its own important place in that. Whether it’s the classic floral of a grandparent’s perfume, or a timeless, signature scent, like the heady musks found in the narciso rodriguez For Her range, that brings back memories of first love, these fragrances are like a scent soundtrack to our lives.
Thanks to the close relationship of our olfactory receptors (which reside inside our nose) and our limbic system (which processes sensory information), a simple smell has the power to instantly transport us back to a memory, often triggering strong emotions, such as joy, sadness or that indefinable feeling of home.
ELLE Beauty Editor, Jennifer George, spends her days immersed in the world of make-up, skincare and of course scent, from writing features and researching beauty trends to prepping shoots for the magazine. Here, she reveals the importance of fragrance on set, how she defines femininity and her sweetest-smelling personal memories...
Setting the scene on set
‘An idea for a beauty shoot can come from anywhere: this season’s fashion shows, trends, music, art – I get inspiration from all over. On a shoot day, the most important thing to get right is the collaboration. I work really closely with the make-up artist, the hair stylist, the photographer, the model and the art team to get the best results. We all learn from each other and respect what each person brings in terms of talent and skill.'
'I've learned over the years how important it is to create the right mood on set too, because that will really come through in the final images. The photographer is usually in charge of the playlist, which helps everyone feel buzzy and energised, but we’ll also use candles, diffusers or a spritz of perfume to create the mood. If it’s a summery shoot (that perhaps we’re shooting on a cold spring day), it might be a floral or a citrus fragrance to help evoke a feeling of sunshine. If the styling is more moody and rock’n’roll, it might be a smokier scent.'
The power of scent
‘I always choose my fragrance depending on how I want to feel that day. On a shoot day, I’ll wear something that makes me feel confident but also comfortable. I wear a lot of amber and I also love smokey perfumes that have a hint of musk. narciso rodriguez For Her Forever is the perfect example of a really subtle take on musk — quite sexy, without being obvious or overpowering. I also love a classic floral fragrance from time to time.'
‘The smells that evoke the strongest memories for me are my mum’s cooking — she's always cooking delicious, fragrant dishes — and my wedding scent. On the day, I layered two fragrances together to create something really individual, one that featured mimosa (which we had in our wedding flowers), and another that contained sweet amber; one of my favourite notes. Designing a unique scent is a great way to commemorate a special occasion, like your wedding day.
'The narcisco rodriguez For Her range is made for layering — For Her Pure Musc acts as a brilliant base for other scents from the range, so it's easy to design your own bespoke fragrance. Whether that's pairing Pure Musc with For Her EDT, to create a sophisticated, feminine blend, or layering For Her Forever on top of Pure Musc, to achieve an intense, sensual result.'
Femininity, redefined
‘To me, femininity is about owning your personal style, whether that’s jeans and an oversized shirt or a sparkly mini dress. Both can be just as gorgeous, feminine and sexy as each other.
'It’s also about confidence. On a shoot day, I always opt for a fragrance that makes me feel empowered, but comfortable — something that I'm familiar with and already know and love. That gives me the confidence to believe in myself and my ideas. When there are big personalities around (as is often the case on a shoot day), everyone can end up shouting over each other, so it’s important to know when to vouch for yourself and when to step back and listen to other people’s input.
'A spritz of a bold perfume, like narcisco rodriguez For Her Forever, always helps me feel ready for the day. It’s always the last thing I do before I leave the house — the finishing touch that puts a spring in my step as I walk out of the door.’
Discover the iconic narciso rodriguez For Her fragrance range here
