To some, perfumes and fragrance are an extravagant and frivolous gift one gives during festive occasions. Fragrance is sometimes considered a cover-up or an exaggeration of one's self. It is common to hear general chatter in a public crowd when a man or woman enters the environment wearing 'too much' perfume or cologne. Some find interest in the new scent while some find it rude in a public setting. Would any person wear a strong scent simply to displease? One would think not. Could it be that a person might want to project importance about themselves or an event by the type and strength of the perfume they wear?    If I make no other point about the many uses, wonders, and delights of perfumes I hope those that wear them use restraint in their application! I say it is far safer in this culture that we wear no scent at all than to overpower others with pleasant scent. As a culture, we take too much scent as ill-mannered, whether pleasant or not. Scent worn by an individual polarizes the perception others have of that individual. When exposed to strong perfumes one either enjoys the scent or does not and unless used sparingly no ground is left for indifference.

Between the ages of sixteen and eighteen I began to tinker with perfumes and colognes. At the time I was convinced that a good dosage of pheromones would solve all my over active hormonal needs. During the early 1980's many a perfumed blend included the seemingly magical addition of pheromones within its contents. I tried all kinds of concoctions in the hopes of attracting members of the opposite sex. I did receive many a comment on the wafting clouds of perfumed air I left in my wake but I never received any kind of advance from a member of the opposite sex, much to my chagrin.    All these attempts at attracting the opposite sex created the framework for which I would build upon years later. I learned about the sources of many natural floral, herbal, and resinous scents and began to converse with perfumists within Caswell-Massey who concocted and derived scents. During this early time the coined phrase of Aromatherapy didn't exist. Fact is, my pursuit of finding the right makers of perfumes far proceeded the 'Crystal Craze' that still prevails within our society.

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