Scentiquette: Great Business Scents

06/03/09 07:36:18

By: Michelyn Camen

The change in IFA regulations is certainly a hot button among Perfume Companies and Perfumistos. Our fragrant future is at stake.

Now and again, when wear our favorite fragrance we escape other even harsher realities; our global economy. The world wide global recession has touched the lives of each of us personally. Most of us worry about our job security or have recently faced the nightmare of losing a job, and trying to find another, in one of the worst financial crisis in decades.

So how does our love of fragrance and landing a new job effect each other. Yes, very much so. In fact for this article, I uncovered that scent in the workplace is another ‘hot button’ large fragrance corporations do not want to push. Both Group Clarins and Lancôme (who have always been enthusiastic to publicize their fragrances and provide me with quotes) both “declined to comment” for this article.

Be Scentsitive:

If you have a job, its best to save your take-no-prisoners Orientals, heady Florals, and heavy ‘Resins’ for off hours, not for wearing in the workplace.

Just keeping your job takes hard work, political finesse and being the best at what you do. Never mind the overbearing boss (unless of course you are the boss), or the mountains of paperwork. Your overly potent perfume affects the cubicle next to yours. Are you annoying your coworker (or worse your boss) by wearing your favorite strong scent which others believe are distracting or unpleasant? The reputation as the one who colleagues whisper about at the water cooler may effect your employment.

Follow our advice… Don’t sabotage your career by becoming an olfactory offende, with the helps of our experts: Alejandro Rasic, Sales & Marketing Director, North America, Kenzo Parfums, Tracy Roe Haffner, Vice President of Avon Global Fragrances and Alliances. ZIRH President, Brian Robinson, Franco Wright, Co-Founder of Luckyscent and George Wachsa, owner of Aaus Liebe zum duft (aka First-In-Fragrance).

Be Scentsible:

When it comes to that important job interview. According to Alejandro Rasic, Sales & Marketing Director, North America, Kenzo Parfum, “Choose a fragrance that would project your image in a positive yet discreet way. If your "lucky" fragrance has sweet and woody notes, then make sure you spritz only once.” Rasic recommends Kenzo Power for men and Eau de Fleur Tea for women.

“I am a firm believer that fragrance is a must for every day,” says Tracy Roe Haffner, Vice President of Avon Global Fragrances and Alliances. “Fragrance is a wonderful way of expressing yourself and gives a sense of confidence and empowerment. A good rule of thumb when selecting a scent is to ensure that it’s light enough to leave an impression but never overpower those around you. Not everyone wears fragrance so it’s a fine line to walk – especially during that all-important interview. You want to be remembered, but not for wearing an overwhelming scent. Go with a fragrance that’s light and fresh but still gives you that boost of confidence you need to land the job.” Haffner recommends Spotlight for her and Patrick Dempsey Unscripted for him.

“One spray per wrist is all a man really needs. You don’t want to overpower a room when wearing a fragrance – particularly in a professional interview.” says ZIRH President, Brian Robinson, who recommends ZIRH Ikon for men.

Franco Wright of Lucky Scent recommends Gendarme Eau de Toilette, which can be worn by both men and women: “It blends uniquely with the user's musk; to create his/her own signature scent. Casually sensual, yet professionally down-to-business”

George Wachsa of Aaus Liebe zum duft (aka First-In-Fragrance) recommends Parfum d'Interdits - Absolument Absinthe, which can be worn by both men and women: “It’s created as a chameleon like scent and highly reactive to everyone’s own unique body chemistry… On some, it was clean and soapy. On others, it was light citrus with a medium musk, or a black tea-like scent tinged with green herbs...”

Michelyn’s Picks: There are lots of light, subtle scents (many are organic), that are ideal for situations with close quarters. I recommend fragrances designed to be very non-obtrusive:

Try L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Ecocert-certified, Organic Côte d'Amour, composed by Perfumer Celine Ellena,
Ajne Joie de Maternité, an ultra-subtle citrus, floral and green wood blend of precious botanical oils (created by Jane Hendler for mothers-to-be who are highly reactive to many odors),
Beth Terry Creative Universe Te, (perfect for a job interview; when you really don’t want to seem to be trying too hard),
Perfect Veil by Creative Scentualization (worn by Madonna and Jennifer Garner) that’s a “your skin but better” scent (and a great way to tone down other scents),
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz’s Un Soir D’ete Provencal, with notes of bergamot, vanilla and orange that help you to de-stress pre and post interview.

Images: Tim Pearce, bortescristian, luckyscent, Creative Scentualization, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz

Author: Michelyn Camen
Michelyn Camen is a New York City based Fragrance Specialist and a Contributor to Fragrantica. In addition, she is the Fragrance Columnist/Diversions for http://www.uptownsocial.net.

Michelyn is the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and Editorial Director/Fragrance Editor for Beauty News NYC & LA

Ms. Camen provides personalized fragrance consultations based on body chemistry, psychology, fashion and lifestyle and is a consultant for luxury perfumers and fragrance companies. She may be contacted @ fifthsensenyc@aol.com