Obscentities

(Come up with a better scent-related pun and win a prize: my eternal affection)

I think that rose-scented perfume's skipped generation is finally over, because as I was toiling in the stacks today in the library, I noticed someone was wearing rose, and I liked it. Rather than tired and old-ladyish, it was a breath of fresh air (well, in a metaphorical sense) compared to the usual wafting Victoria's Secret Love Spell and Armani Code tickling my (once again metaphorical) nose hairs.

Unfortunately, I don' t know if everyone agrees with me, because a search on Sephora yielded hardly any results--mostly floral perfumes reeking of exotic mimosa, amber, freesia, whatever, with only the barest, most reluctant hint of rose.

Which provides the perfect chance for me to talk about one of my most favorite scent brands ever: Demeter. The online store is referred to as their scent "library." Do you understand? A library!



Of course I found Bulgarian Rose right away, but that doesn't mean I stopped exploring.

You see, the spring of my sixteenth year, right before prom, my friend and I cut school to go on a boutique tour in search of a perfect dress. We ended up at a shop my friend recalled from other school skipping days (hi, Mom!) that wasn't anything special, one of the usual Vegas-grandma places, stocked with maribou sleep masks and notepads shaped like flip-flops.

But in the back was a room of misfit gifts, all marked down because they weren't leopard print, sequinned, or both. And I found a veritable treasure trove of Demeter fragrances, with their simple descriptive labels and rectangular bottles. Dirt? Had it. And it smelled just like outside after a rain storm, earthy in the purest sense. Tomato? Yes. (Bad idea. Unfortunately, it hasn't been discontinued yet.)

The line ranges from $5 for a "cologne mini-splash" to $40 for 4 whole ounces of delight, making it great for all your gag-gifts-that-people-will-end-up-loving or secret-indulgence-in-the-middle-of-your-post-Thanksgiving unselfishness kick. Scents include Crayon, Play-Doh, Clean Windows, Pure Soap, Fiery Curry, Sushi, and Mildew. All strange, yes, but don't tell me you never snuck a whiff of your baby cousin's Play-Doh, salivated when the scent of an Indian restaurant blew your way, or briefly admired the way your friend's Victorian bathroom smelled. Don't lie!

Now, if only they made Glazed Donut. I really see market potential in that. Oh, and Demeter guys? Free stuff would be totally welcome. :)