Lessons of Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
I often think about the connection that exists between books and perfumes. Both tell you a story and have the power to transport you somewhere else. Both, in their own way, provide gateways to other people’s minds and imagination and enable you to feel emotions that can transform your life. And while many people talk about books that have changed their lives, few talk about perfumes that have had a similar effect.
Which is why I wanted to create a monthly blog post to discuss how the two art forms influence each other. This month, I chose “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus and a selection of perfumes that elicit the same sense of empowerment as the novel.
When reading a book, I am often drawn to the atmosphere of the novel, the world it creates for its reader. When you are immersed in a novel, you are basically escaping who you are and, for a time, you share the protagonists’ inner world and experiences. So reading a novel is really an act of empathy, literally putting one-self into other people’s shoes, maybe one of the reasons it has gone out of fashion, as that sentiment seems in rather short supply nowadays.
A story you love will stay with you and may shape the decisions you make in life.
Lessons in Chemistry is a tale about resilience and hope in the face of great odds. If you are one of the few people in the world who has not yet read the book (or seen the current TV series with Brie Larson), the novel is set in the 1960s in the US and focuses on a brilliant young chemistry researcher faced with numerous challenges in pursuit of her dreams in a world that does not recognize women’s contribution to society outside the household’s sphere.
Lessons in Chemistry is, above all, a hopeful book. A book about empathy and the power of friendship. A book about second chances and self-belief. A book about empowerment.
I believe perfume can do the same thing. When you are feeling wobbly and need a hug or a bit of armour, it can provide that. The olfactive equivalent of power-dressing or an inspirational song you listen to at full blast in the car while going to an interview or important meeting.
So, after you have finished the novel, here are my suggestions for 5 empowering scents to boost your confidence when you need it.
- Une Rose, EdPFM (now Rose Tonnere) composed by Edouard Flechier. (A woody floral)
The power of beauty. It’s the perfect rose, not a fresh rose, not a powdery rose, not a gourmand rose. Just a rose with its stem and thorns still attached. Beautiful and terrible and ready to defend itself. Ignore her at your own peril.
- Le Lion, Les Exclusifs de Chanel, composed by Olivier Polge (Oriental Amber)
The love child of Coromandel and Shalimar, it’s a smoky and addictive amber fragrance, with enough of a growl to discourage anyone from crossing a certain line, unless invited to do so. Proud and fearsome, hear me roar!
- Eau de Protection by Etat Libre d’Orange, created by Antoine Lie and Antoine Maisondieu (Rose Chypre)
The name says it all. “Protection water”, like a sacred amulet to ward off the evil eye. It’s cold and metallic (so more rose oxide and geranium territory) and has a metal armour feel to it. Chilly.
- Cardinal, Heeley, created by James Healey
A cold but cosy incense. It’s incense in a cloud of white musk. I find it confidence-boosting because it gives me the feeling of being completely in control of my emotions and brings me this feeling of calmness. Good if you need to be focused and centered.
- Andy Tauer’s L’air du desert Marocain. A strong spicy incense. Quite masculine. I don’t think I can pull it off to be honest, but it’s raw, flawed and mysterious. You need to be on board with strong resinous and spicy scents to appreciate this as it is quite a long way away from polished designer scents. A man’s man scent, what Butch Cassidy would have worn.
Bonus suggestion:
Oud Palao, Diptyque (not sure who the perfumer is, sorry). I mean, it’s a stink fest, this could be a case of confidence by asphyxiation of your surroundings. A rose and oud that is not scared of going into the more animal aspects of oud. Feels almost authentic, could there actually be oud in this one? Not for the faint of heart, has a distinct: f** off feel to it. So confidence boosting for the domineering-type personality?
Let me know if you’ve enjoyed to book and the scents you would recommend as confidence-boosting!
