Have you ever noticed that a specific scent can take you back to a moment in time? That’s because our sense of smell and memory are intertwined. Here, five Byrdies share a fragrance and the key memory they associate with it. Read about their smemories (memories acknowledged by a smell) and get inspired to find your own memory-inducing fragrance at Ulta Beauty.
“I started using a new perfume on the first date with my now husband. In all honesty, I thought it would be good luck as I was nervous to get back into the dating world. I decided to go with Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana because I had heard of its amazing reputation in the fragrance market, and I conveniently had a sample from a previous Ulta Beauty purchase.
“My nerves seemed to evaporate instantly because within seconds of the date starting he asked me if I always smell this good. My tiny sample soon became a staple in my fragrance wardrobe. After eight years of marriage and three kids I may not wear Light Blue every single day, but its smell is still absolutely a part of our love story.”
– Kathryn Connolly, Creative Director
“After graduating college in 2014, I was immediately hired to work at InStyle. It was going to be my first real job, and it was a huge accomplishment for me. I was about to start my career as a designer in Manhattan at a fashion and beauty brand I had always dreamed of working for, and I wanted to treat myself.
“I splurged on Tom Ford Black Orchid, knowing that I was making an investment in myself as I started a new job. Throughout high school and college I had always worn lighter, sweeter fragrances, but I was drawn to the deeper, bolder, and a-little-bit masculine scent of Black Orchid. I liked the idea of establishing a new scent while taking on a new role—and I knew it was one that would leave a lasting impression on people when I stepped into the office on day one.”
– Jacqueline Barba, Art Director
“Summer 2019 was a transformative period for me, both personally and professionally. I landed my internship at Byrdie and spent the entire summer in New York City. As a young girl, I would often flip through the pages of beauty and fashion magazines, so working at Byrdie was a dream come true. It provided me with an opportunity to refine my skills as a journalist, network, and fall deeper in love with beauty as my passion.
“One of the first beauty events I ever attended was for Carolina Herrera Good Girl. The scent's jasmine and tonka bean notes immediately captivated me. Since then, I've been obsessed with the fragrance. Whenever I wear it, it brings back all of the beautiful memories of 2019. This perfume reminds me of how far I’ve come in the last three years and inspires me to keep chasing my dreams.”
– Olivia Hancock, Editor
“Chanel Coco Mademoiselle was my first “grown up” perfume. I remember spritzing it on before high school and feeling very chic and sophisticated. The feminine scent is timeless Chanel with a hint of playfulness thanks to the orange and rose notes.
“Smelling it takes me back to a time when I was just finding and honing in on my personal style, which to me is a combination of what you wear, your makeup, and your signature scent. Spritzing on Mademoiselle made me feel fashion forward and elegant back then, and it still gives me a confidence boost at 26 years old.”
– Allie Short, Digital Producer
“I knew I wanted to be a writer by the time I was 16, and by the time I was 22, I knew I wanted to work in beauty. I wore Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb every day during that time. It's floral, but well-balanced with patchouli and vanilla, and completely intoxicating. Think warm, cozy, fresh, and a little glamorous.
“It reminds me of the early days of my career and the chaotic, funny, scary times everyone has moving through their early adult life. I love to smell it now and feel those memories; remember who I was then and feel proud of how far I've come. Fragrance will do that to you—especially a good one.”
– Hallie Gould, Senior Editorial Director
Shop these fragrances and more at Ulta Beauty to create your own smemories.