Mimi Raad: My secret scent, from deep down inside me

She’s been wearing the same perfume ever since I’ve had an olfactory memory. Mother never changed hers. It’s a subtle fresh and refined one. Every time I hug her, the smell penetrates my nostrils and tickles my brain. It feels so good, it brings soothing memories, the ones we look up for in our memory for reassurance, tenderness and sweetness.

Every day we meet many people, shake their hands or hug them. Their perfume can linger on our hands, can irritate us or simply charm us. Perfumes have such an impact on us and it says a lot about the person wearing it. Too loud, too discreet, too sweet, too spicy, and when it’s the right dose it’s simply right.

I was talking with a friend about perfumes, and how I keep changing mines. I never stick to one for many years. I’m unfaithful to my perfumes. Does it mean anything? Maybe…I didn’t give too much thought because I consider perfume as a complementary item in my fashion artillery.

I’m not a schizophrenic changing fragrances along with every trend. I stick to one basic ingredient (won’t tell which one…) and opt for a new scent every time I get bored of the old one, or whenever fragrance’s fashion creates an interesting perfume or even mixing two... Tastes and states of mind change continuously. I like changes, it’s a way to prove that we evolve in life, we can have different points of view, different looks.

Don’t get me wrong I have strong beliefs, rooted values but love the idea of being open to new things in life. By opening up we shape our personalities, look at life in new perspectives and enrich ourselves.

So, one and unique perfume for me? No thank you. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong but this is how I feel and Mother with her one-and-only-scent advised me to follow my instincts and feelings. And I do.

(Mimi Raad of Al Arabiya is an image consultant who also blogs at mimisfashiondiary.blogspot.com. She welcomes hearing from readers at: [email protected])