Fragrance has long been a bridge between the human spirit and the divine; a practice rooted in ancient ceremonies and sacred traditions. More than a simple cosmetic luxury, personal fragrance is an act of self-expression with the potential to ignite a powerful chain reaction of connection, inspiration, and self-potentiating.
When you engage with scent intentionally, it becomes a ritual; a moment of revisiting the past, of remaining present, and of envisioning potential. Each spritz a fragrant spell cast, each dab of precious oil an aromatic talisman worn. By imbuing scent with intention, you transform it into a tool for protection, self-empowerment, and spiritual alignment. A token that fosters beauty, confidence, and purpose.
When you engage with scent intentionally, it becomes a ritual; a moment of revisiting the past, of remaining present, and of envisioning potential. Each spritz a fragrant spell cast, each dab of precious oil an aromatic talisman worn. By imbuing scent with intention, you transform it into a tool for protection, self-empowerment, and spiritual alignment. A token that fosters beauty, confidence, and purpose.
The scentual life is about creating meaningful rituals in your daily life through olfaction, guiding you to feel connected to the divine embrace of nature and, inherently, your own.
AROMATICS
& FRESH, HERBAL SCENTS
& FRESH, HERBAL SCENTS
Aromatics are notes or fragrances consisting of fresh, often culinary and/or medicinal herbs and their flowering tops such as lavender, basil, and thyme. These plants are prized for their crisp, vegetal aspects, tonic qualities, and complex flavour/fragrance profiles. Often and well-accompanied by zesty citrus, aromatics are typically clean, calming, and optimistic.
Aromatics invite vibrancy and lightness to a fragrance, and were used long before their popularization in the 18th century (when they commercialized the Eau de Cologne) as an accessible means of fragrant self-adornment and deity devotion. The familiar aroma of fresh garden herbs can help enliven the spirit, inspire growth, and promote hope. Cooling and clean medicinal notes, like lavender or eucalyptus, can help soothe frayed nerves and remind us that we can find and provide great relief with little more than heart, hands, and the generous gifts of the green earth.
A bouquet of aromatic allies: clary sage, lavender absolute, hyssop, mugwort, rosemary, monarda, sweet basil, eau de cologne mint (a perfumer's favourite!)
WOOD, EARTH,
& DENSE WOODLAND SCENTS
& DENSE WOODLAND SCENTS
In comparison to the buoyant perfumes of citrus and fresh herbs, wood notes often present sturdy, rounder bodies, smooth and noble. They are generally pleasant, tenacious, and provide structure for bolder and brighter facets to shine from and hold onto.
Energetically, woody fragrances can provide a sturdy pillar to lean on when we feel a little uprooted at our core, or prone to flights of fancy. Symbolically, trees represent immovable will, strength, and endurance, as well as shelter. Roots steady us and connect us to resources, as well as to each other. Woodsmoke is used to chase out undesirable entities, making it one of our go-to energetic fumigants when stepping out into the world (a spritz of Feu Follet before leaving the house is, personally, a requisite).
Energetically, woody fragrances can provide a sturdy pillar to lean on when we feel a little uprooted at our core, or prone to flights of fancy. Symbolically, trees represent immovable will, strength, and endurance, as well as shelter. Roots steady us and connect us to resources, as well as to each other. Woodsmoke is used to chase out undesirable entities, making it one of our go-to energetic fumigants when stepping out into the world (a spritz of Feu Follet before leaving the house is, personally, a requisite).
Grounding woods and earthen aromas: cedar wood, vetiver, baked earth (mitti attar), oak wood and moss, guaiac wood, hinoki, woodsmoke, sandalwood, Alaskan cypress wood
AMBER, SPICE,
& HEART-WARMING SCENTS
Both a beloved base accord and fragrance subcategory in its own right, amber is synonymous with comfort, cocooning, and golden warmth. Inspired by the molten russet hue of fossilized tree sap, these fragrances traditionally rely on a combination of ancient resins like benzoin, labdanum, and balsams, and vanilla, and can be further adapted to suit the scent artist’s unique vision and the wearer's individual dreams and desires.
Add a drizzle of cacao, and you’ve got yourself a gourmand amber, perfect for embodying indulgence and a sweet disposition, whereas the presence of ambergris will render the blend more animalic. Enhance amber’s warmth with spice and frankincense and you've got an invigorating catalyst to embolden you— or wander onto to boreal side with healing spruce, pine, and fir resins.
Add a drizzle of cacao, and you’ve got yourself a gourmand amber, perfect for embodying indulgence and a sweet disposition, whereas the presence of ambergris will render the blend more animalic. Enhance amber’s warmth with spice and frankincense and you've got an invigorating catalyst to embolden you— or wander onto to boreal side with healing spruce, pine, and fir resins.
Mood-boosters and heart-warming essences: blood orange, red mandarin peel, cinnamon, saffron, labdanum, cocoa, benzoin, vanilla, nutmeg, coffee absolute, tonka bean, Peru balsam absolute
Connecting with scent can be a ritual to add into your life; a practice of being present, revisiting the past, or envisioning the future. Like a fragrant talisman, personal fragrance can bring a sense of protection, confidence, and self-empowerment, guiding us back towards our true self and forward toward who we aim to become.
xx
April Lea & the LVNEA team
April Lea & the LVNEA team