~3 Minute Read~
Every now and then, I find myself wandering through the store with my kids, sniffing candles like it's a competitive sport and judging them. And I tell you....it is 100% entertaining! I mean... look at my sons face😂
I said all this to say, have you ever read the scent description on a candle and thought, “Ooh, vanilla orchid and fig! Sounds delicious!!” Only to wonder… "What does fig even smell like?" Or picked up a scent expecting something warm and cozy, and instead got something strange or oddly familiar in a way you can’t quite place? Well, you are not alone.
Scent is deeply personal, wildly subjective, and surprisingly complex. So, I'm gonna break down what’s really behind those lovely scent descriptions and why what you smell might not actually be what’s in your candle.
We Have Scent Notes vs. What’s Actually In It. When you see scent notes like “fig,” “ocean breeze,” or “cashmere woods,” they’re often describing the experience of a scent...not necessarily what’s actually inside.
Here’s a secret: not every scent you smell comes from a real plant or essential oil. In fact, many popular notes like fig, cotton, or even rain don’t exist as essential oils at all...sorry y'all! These are called fragrance accords.
So What Are Fragrance Accords? Well, fragrance accords a carefully crafted blends of multiple oils (natural, synthetic, or both...but you know we're about that natural. Lol) that together mimic the scent of something else. It’s kind of like a recipe...no single ingredient smells like the finished product, but blended just right, you get the effect you’re going for.
No sweet fig oil? No problem..perfumers/chandlers can blend green notes, coconut, woods, and a hint of floral to recreate that “figgy” vibe you love.
No such thing as bottled “rain”? Perfumers/chandlers simulate the clean, watery feel using ozonic compounds and soft florals.
You see “fig” on a label, it doesn’t mean someone squeezed juice from a fig. It means the final scent smells like what we imagine fig to be... earthy, green, a little sweet, and fresh.
But Why Do People Smell Scents Differently? So, here’s where it gets interesting! Everyone smells things differently. You might pick up on the lavender and citrus, while someone else swears it smells like mint...or even dill pickles. (Yes, I’ve actually heard that when doing scent testing. Lol) Some people get fresh florals, while others get bathroom cleaner. It’s wild! But,why?!
Personal association: Maybe someone had a bad experience with a minty face mask or cucumber-scented lotion, and that memory comes rushing back.
Scent memory:The brain is wired to connect smell with memory and emotion, so what you smell is filtered through your life experiences.
Body chemistry and nose sensitivity: Everyone’s nose picks up different parts of a scent. Some people are more sensitive to certain notes (like musk or patchouli), while others barely notice them.
So How Do I Build a Scent? When I’m creating a candle or room spray, I might list notes like “amber, coconut, and fig,” but that doesn’t mean I’m just dropping those oils into a bottle. Sometimes those notes are built from layers. And the reactions during testing? Let’s just say they keep me humble:
• “Smells like pickles!”
• “Mmm...clean laundry.”
• “Toothpaste.”
• Or something nostalgic like..."Smells like the trip to the spice shop with my husband in Geneva."
Those are just a few things I have been told. And that’s the beauty of it! The same exact scent can evoke completely different feelings depending on who’s smelling it and what they bring to the table.
So the next time you see scent notes on a product, remember...it’s a guide to how the scent feels, not a literal list of what’s inside. Many of the smells we love are illusions created through artistry, blending, and a little bit of magic 🪄
So don’t worry if what you smell isn’t what the label promised. Scent is deeply personal, and your nose is telling its own story. Whether you pick up florals, woods, or a surprise twist of pickle..it’s all part of the experience 😉