With Semichem launching the über seductive Beyoncé Heat perfume at the beginning of August, we ask the question: How important is perfume to us? Whether you’re choosing a particular fragrance from a delightful array of exciting bottles in-store or if you happen to walk through a waft of delicious aroma as someone saunters past you, there is no doubt that smells are very important to us all. But why do perfumes have such a big effect on us?

There is of course the element of celebrity association which drives those looking for a smell to suit them. And who wouldn’t look to Beyoncé for inspiration, or Paul Smith, Kate Moss or David and Victoria Beckham for that matter? The celebrity endorsement gives your new scent an extra slice of panache which gives people a thrill to know that they are wearing the same fragrance as their idol. Knowing this fact is as important in the purchase as it is when wearing it on a night out; it gives you confidence in your purchase and in yourself.  

One of the most enticing reasons for selecting a particular perfume is the effect it has on the opposite sex. Both men and women have deep seeded affinities for certain smells, which is why women’s perfumes smell so different to men’s aftershave. Now you don’t necessarily need to know the details of the chemistry working in your brain when you smell a certain perfume, but when you are walking down a corridor and someone’s head turns as you walk past, attracted by your scent, you will know it is definitely working. Semichem knows that perfumes are created with the opposite sex in mind which is why we only select the sexiest and most attractive aromas for you.

Research by psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Rachel Herz into the link between smell and emotion has been ongoing since 1990.  It has proven that smell is an extremely powerful sense that stirs unique memories that images alone would not inspire, and that certain types of smell can have a massive impact on your emotions. This means that your scent can have a bigger effect on the people you interact with than how you look. Knowing that you are choosing a great fragrance that will not only appeal to you but will also appeal to others (think job interview!) will surely demonstrate to you how important smell is to us.  

So how important is perfume to us? Answer: Very!