Why We Love Certain Scents: How Upbringing, Geography and Memory Shape Our Sense of Smell

Have you ever caught a whiff of something that instantly took you back to a place or moment in your life? Maybe it reminded you of your grandmother’s garden, your first trip abroad, or the hallway of your childhood home. Our connection to scent isn’t accidental. It’s shaped by the places we’ve lived, the culture that surrounded us, and the memories that formed us.

Let’s explore how our upbringing, environment, and life experiences influence the scents we gravitate toward, and why what we wear is often more personal than we think.

Where We Grow Up Shapes What We Love

Someone raised near the ocean might feel at ease with marine or citrusy fragrances. Another person, surrounded by pine forests or spice markets, might prefer wood, earth, or warm spicy notes. Our surroundings leave lasting impressions on our scent preferences.

This happens naturally. The nose becomes familiar with certain notes over time. Scents that once filled our homes, lingered in the air on holidays, or wafted through city streets become emotionally significant. They’re not just aromas, we associate them with comfort, happiness, safety, and identity.

Culture and Scent Preferences

Every culture has its own olfactory signature. In many Asian cultures, light, fresh, and slightly powdery scents are preferred, echoing cultural values like subtlety and personal space. In other parts of the world, like the Middle East, fragrance is bold, sensual, and central to daily rituals. Rich ingredients like oud, amber, and rose are layered generously and often.

Western cultures tend to promote clean, floral, or sweet scents, notes that signal freshness or energy. This cultural lens influences both what is sold and what is socially accepted. And even when we challenge it, we’re still responding to it.

The Invisible Role of Memory

Our brains are wired to connect scent with memory. That’s why a particular perfume can instantly remind us of a person or a phase in our life, even years later. These associations are not only emotional, they’re physical. The part of the brain that processes scent sits close to the center that processes memory and emotion.

Because of this, our perfume choices often reflect more than just what smells “good.” They reflect what feels familiar, or what makes us feel something.

How Our Taste Evolves Over Time

As we grow, our scent preferences shift. What feels exciting or fashionable in youth may feel too loud or sweet later on. Many people begin to seek out more nuanced, layered fragrances as they grow older. They want something that says more about who they are, not just what’s popular.

This is where unique, well-crafted fragrances come in. Instead of following trends, they offer something more intimate, fragrances that surprise, provoke, or comfort in unexpected ways. These scents don’t simply complement your style. They become part of your identity.

The LESCENTO Philosophy

This connection between scent, memory, and identity is at the heart of what LESCENTO creates. These are not generic, everyday fragrances. Each one is designed to evoke emotion, capture a moment, or reflect an aspect of who you are. LESCENTO blends inspiration from nature, culture, and modern life to offer scents that feel deeply personal.

In a world full of predictable perfumes, LESCENTO invites you to wear something that tells your story. Not because it’s familiar, but because it resonates.