How to Reset Your Sense of Smell

When you're trying to find a new signature scent, it's important to be able to smell the fragrances clearly. 

However, after smelling more than a few perfumes, your sense of smell, or olfactory palate, can become overwhelmed and it can be difficult to distinguish one fragrance from another so it's important to know how to reset your nose smell! 

What is olfactory fatigue?

Olfactory fatigue (also called olfactory adaptation) is a normal process that occurs when we are exposed to a scent for an extended period of time. This can happen when we are wearing a perfume or cologne, working in a scented environment, or even just walking past a store that is diffusing a fragrance. 

Over time, our brains become less responsive to the scent, and we stop smelling it as strongly. This is why it is often recommended to take a break from wearing a perfume or cologne, so that you can "reset" your sense of smell and appreciate the fragrance again. 

So, if you want to make sure that you're smelling each fragrance correctly, it's important to reset your palette in between testing each one. Here are a few ways to do this:

Smell Your Own Skin

SALLE PRIVÉE’s fragrance chemist and perfume specialist, Tanja Deurloo, says an easy way to reset your smelling pallet is by smelling your own skin! Upon being able to sense your own skin scent, your nose is ready to perceive and experience fragrances' complexity. This is great if you’re using perfume cards or haven’t sprayed the perfume directly onto your skin.

Step outside for some fresh air!

Fresh air can also help to reset your sense of smell. If you're testing fragrances in a store, step outside for a few minutes before smelling the next one.

A quick snack

Eating can also help to clear your nose. A piece of mint or a lemon wedge can do the trick.

By following these simple tips, you can make sure that you're smelling each fragrance correctly and finding the perfect scent for you. And if you’re not quite sure which fragrance to try, check out the Salle Privée Discover Kit 7x2ml, allowing you to try each of our signature scents for longer than a spray on a sample card. Each sample will give you a few days use and you can discover your new luxury scent.

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