I've watched people test perfume in a way that makes me wonder whether they're selecting a fragrance or attempting to set a world record.
Five blotters. Three wrists. Another spray.
Then another.
Eventually, everything smells vaguely similar, and somebody announces that none of the fragrances are particularly impressive.
Well, there's a possibility worth considering.
Perhaps the fragrances aren't the problem.
Perhaps you've simply exhausted your ability to distinguish them.
Welcome to olfactory fatigue.
Your Nose Isn't Designed for Endless Entertainment
Our sense of smell is remarkably sophisticated.
It's also rather selective.
When you're exposed to an odour repeatedly or continuously, your sensitivity to it can diminish. Scientists describe this through processes including olfactory adaptation and habituation.
Essentially, your perception of a familiar smell becomes less pronounced.
This is why you might stop noticing your own perfume while somebody standing beside you can still smell it perfectly well.
The fragrance hasn't necessarily disappeared.
Your perception of it has changed.
I don't pretend to have the most sophisticated nose in perfumery.
I know its limitations, and olfactory fatigue is a particularly good reason to respect them.
When fragrances start blending together, continuing to spray isn't going to make me a better judge.
It's simply going to make me smell stronger.
So I believe in knowing when to stop, step away, and come back when you can actually appreciate what you're smelling.
And before you decide that your expensive perfume has terrible longevity, this is a distinction worth understanding.
Research on olfactory adaptation shows that sensitivity can recover after exposure stops, although recovery depends on the odour and how long you've been exposed.
Which brings us to the rather obvious solution.
Stop smelling things for a while.
I realize that's not particularly glamorous advice.
Science isn't obligated to be glamorous.
The Curious Case of the Coffee Beans
Ah, coffee beans.
The perfume industry's favourite little bowl of reassurance.
We've all seen them sitting on fragrance counters, apparently possessing some extraordinary ability to restore our sense of smell.
A quick sniff, and supposedly we're ready for another dozen fragrances.
How convenient.
Unfortunately, the evidence isn't particularly enthusiastic.
In a study comparing coffee beans, lemon and plain air, coffee beans offered no advantage in the fragrance-identification task.
That doesn't mean smelling coffee is forbidden.
It means we shouldn't confuse a pleasant ritual with a scientifically established reset button.
The same applies to that peculiar suggestion that sniffing your own elbow somehow restores your nose.
Your elbow has many admirable qualities, I'm sure.
Performing neurological miracles is not generally among them.
How to Reset Your Nose Properly
If fragrances are beginning to blend together, here's my advice.
Stop sampling.
Put down the blotters and step away from the fragrance counter.
Find some relatively fresh, unscented air and give yourself a genuine break.
There's no universally reliable countdown. Your sense of smell doesn't operate on a kitchen timer.
When you're ready, return to one fragrance rather than immediately attacking your senses with another collection.
And if you genuinely can't distinguish what you're smelling?
Come back another day.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I'd much rather someone take the time to make an informed decision than purchase something because they've been persuaded to smell eighteen fragrances in ten minutes.
Stop Judging Everything by the Opening
This is something I feel particularly strongly about.
A well-constructed fragrance is intended to develop.
The opening introduces the composition. The heart reveals more of its character. The dry-down can tell you something entirely different about the perfumer's intentions.
If you're constantly introducing new smells, you're denying yourself the opportunity to appreciate that development.
Wear something.
Live with it.
Pay attention to how it behaves on your skin several hours later.
Our guide to finding your signature scent explores why that complete experience matters.
Because choosing a fragrance shouldn't be an endurance test.
The objective isn't to smell everything. It's to understand what you're smelling.
And occasionally, the most intelligent thing you can do with your nose is give it a rest.
— Vach Cittoni
If you're curious about Vach Cittoni, our Discovery Set gives you the opportunity to explore the fragrances without committing to a full bottle before you know what you enjoy.