Are You Wearing Patchouli?
“The reactions I’ve experienced confirm
that it is a part of my personal brand.”
A Scent of Brand
Patchouli is my signature fragrance, it’s been my personal aromatherapy since I was a teenager. Visceral, exotic…not sure I can explain the magic it plays on me when I wear it. Of all the essential oil concoctions I’ve invented over the years, this distinctive scent is, at its base, ME. Ask anyone who knows me to shut their eyes, sniff an open vial of patchouli oil and say what comes to mind; I guarantee my name comes up every time.
There are some interesting studies on the science of smell and its link to memory, and I have first-hand experience proving the theories. More times than I could possibly count, a total stranger has stood next to me and asked, “Are you wearing patchouli?” The question isn’t as amusing as the way in which it is often asked, posed in a dreamy voice extending the last two syllables like this: “…patCH- OUUUUUU-LIII? [insert long sigh].”
A Brand Ascent
Sometimes their eyes will close while they smile and breathe deeply as they conjure up a wonderful memory of the scent. These strangers are often compelled to tell me exactly what their remembered visions entail. All ages approach me, yet boomers are usually the dreamiest, reminiscing of old loves, music, and recreational activities from days gone by. It takes a strong emotional connection to share memories—conjured from just a scent—with a complete stranger.
Run down a list of memory-evoked sensory experiences—songs, visual images, flavors—our sense of smell is the strongest link to memory. I never set out to draw attention with my fragrance, but the uniqueness it provides and the reactions I’ve experienced confirm that it is a part of my personal brand.
It all boils down to what “important stuff” echoes back about your personal or organization’s brand. It takes talent and creativity to pull together a branding strategy that gives you an identity worth remembering. Rarely is it as easy as finding a fragrance you enjoy.
Image: Divyanshs
December 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Is there an echo in here? Denita, this has been the story of my life for the past 7 years. That’s when a friend gave me a bar of patchouli soap for Christmas. The rest has been personal branding history. Patchouli is my signature fragrance now. So many people stop me and ask if I’m wearing patchouli. They ask the question reverently as if somewhere–in the smoke of it–lies a simmering and provocative memory.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Ha! And I’m allergic as hell to patchouli. The only thing this scent invokes in me is burning itchy eyes, a stuffed up nose and sneezing reminicent of the last time I had the flu.
I hate it. :(
December 25th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
mskl - glad I’m not alone in this often unbelievable connection people have w/patchouli. I truly need to start writing down the comments…it happens at least weekly. Thanks for sharing!
Denita
December 26th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
@mskl, @NM, @Denita Looks like you can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time…but you may not be able to please NM on this one. :)
For the record, I like your fragrance, Denita. :)
December 26th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
NM- I’m so sorry about the allergy. I’ve never heard of such a thing specific to patchouli. You’re my first, but good to know.
I once had a boss who was allergic to all fragrance. If you wore any kind of scent you were banned from meetings and forced to “listen” to meetings from outside his office like a kid punished in the hallway. Needless to say, those were the ‘no patchouli’ years. Your first name isn’t Bob is it? :)
The good news is we are all online and you have “virtually” no chance of itchy eyes here.
Bless you! Thanks for giving me a different perspective.
Denita
December 29th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Hi Denita…I didn’t always used to be this way. My allergies have progressed over a really long time.And unfortunately my perfume allergies aren’t specific to patchouli. I’m allergic to some degree to most everything. Some bath and body works scents make me react the same way as patchouli…over-the-top severe. It really sucks. Hopefully you all will never have to be around someone like me when you’re wearing your favorite perfumes. One time I was working in a really small office and I thought I was suddenly coming down with a horrible cold. Then it dawned on me that someone had sprayed something. I went through the entire office asking various coworkers if they had sprayed some perfume. Everyone said no. Then I spotted some bath and body works scented hand sanitizer on this young lady’s desk. She wasn’t there so I opened the bottle and sniffed it. I’m like dang…this is it. When she came back I asked her if I could buy her a bottle of non scented sanitizer. She declined but also said she wouldn’t use it in the office again.
Boy was I glad. I mean, it’s pretty horrible to have to ask someone NOT to wear a specific perfume or scent. Fortunately I haven’t had to do that but maybe twice. Most times, I just tolerate it. But if my reaction is like it is to patchouli, I either have to remove myself from the person’s presence or ask them not to wear it while they’re around me… Yeah you MsKL! LOL! Miss patchouli body spray, perfume, bath shower gel and everything else! LOL!
December 29th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Na…not Bob… Deb. :)
January 1st, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Patouli- wow I miss that red-haired boy with the Harley.