There are certain fragrances that have the power to whisk you away to faraway places with a single spritz. Maybe it’s somewhere you’ve already traveled or aspire to visit, and the fragrance paints a picture in bold strokes. I have a rolodex of these kinds of memories. There’s one that reminds me of the zesty zing of giant lemons on the Amalfi Coast. Another one takes me to that rainy summer day in Grasse where the air smelled like roses mingling with the scent of the earth. Even with travel at a standstill, fragrances still hold the power to take us on an olfactive journey no matter where we are. 100 ML asked five women about the fragrances that have the power to transport them and the memories they hold.
Tara Salloum, founder of Counter Culture Agency
The scent: Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Riviera
“It’s twofold for me: I was at the launch of the perfume when I was asked to go to Paris with Chanel to celebrate the launch of the Fall-Winter Beauty Collection, and be on the cover of The Kit, so this scent just brings back the utter shock and joy I felt. The second memory involves the summers spent in the South of France with my family. We used to go to St-Rémy-de-Provence and stay in a little bed and breakfast that consisted of villas under fig trees and those are some of my fondest memories with my brother, sister and parents.
I love how fresh the scent is. The orange and neroli are a perfect blend, reminiscent of summer and sunshine. Also, I don’t love strong scents, so this eau de toilette is perfect for me.”
Jessica Chia, contributing editor at Allure
The scent: Sol de Janeiro Sol Cheirosa 62
“Sol de Janeiro Sol Cheirosa 62 instantly makes me feel like I am back in Praia Arpoador, one of Rio’s best surfing beaches. I lived there for two weeks by myself while I was reporting a story. During that time I took up jiu jitsu, learned some Portuguese, rode on a motorcycle for the first time, fell in love, learned to surf, and learned to samba.
I discovered the scent through a few fellow beauty editors. I overheard them talking about a fragrance that men couldn’t resist, and I asked them what it was — it was this! I love that it smells warm, and sweet, and sexy but not too saccharine — I don’t like overly sweet fragrances normally but this one is like drenching yourself in sunshine.”
Liza Herz, beauty writer and founder of Oldish
The scent: Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Gigli
“Use a vacation-purchased fragrance too often and you risk it losing its power to evoke a special place. Which is why I wear my Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Gigli very rarely. Described as a ‘hydro-alcoholic after-bath body rub made from aromatic and resinous substances’ this ‘Lily Water’ blends soft florals with green notes for a mix that is fresh but soothing, powdery but never dusty.
As travel is off the books for now, it happily conjures memories of sitting on a balcony in the south of France, mulling over dinner options while drinking iced rosé from a kitchen tumbler.”
Théo Dupuis-Carbonneau, beauty director of ELLE Québec
The scent: Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur
“Every time I travel, I bring a different perfume with me and try to match it with my destination. Usually, I gravitate towards spicy rose, santal or amber-ish fragrances, but Mémoire d’une Odeur is so intriguing that I chose to bring it with me to London, my favourite city in the world. The fragrance has a lot in common with the city with its unique, enigmatic chamomile-based scent and earthy, woody twist. It’s different, it’s edgy, it’s fashionable and it’s modern (after all, it’s Gucci’s first unisex fragrance!) without overdoing it. It’s just so freaking cool, like strolling through Shoreditch or Brick Lane.
Every time I go to London, I feel like I’m home. Quebec culture is always compared and linked to France, but my theory is that we have strong Anglo-Saxon roots in our heritage that also have a huge impact on our identity — and when I spray Mémoire d’une Odeur, I get a similar feeling of familiarity. There’s no other city in the world that has the same effect on me, and I don’t know any perfume that smells or feels like this one.”
Renée Tse, digital creator
The scent: Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum
“I heard about the fragrance when it launched back in 2017, but never got the chance to smell it until I spotted it in Hong Kong at the Aesop boutique on Hollywood Road later that year. I had just gotten a facial at their in-house spa, so I took advantage of the sample on the shelf. I wanted the invigorating Aesop aroma to stay with me for the rest of the day (and the rest of the trip). The thyme-infused scent evokes a Japanese forest, so whenever I spray it, not only does it take me back to that little boutique in Hong Kong and the memories of walking around Central district looking for my next meal, but it also reminds me of my travels to Japan when I took a stroll in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
Since it’s a unisex fragrance, I like how it stands apart from my other sweet and girly scents. The smoky and woody notes of frankincense and vetiver gives off this sultry and mysterious aroma (or at least I think it does), so it’s the perfect scent for wherever and whenever.”
