These Class-Inspired Scents Are Your New Back-to-School Must-Have
I have fond memories of high school summers…that is, up until the last week of vacation, when I would frantically try to Sparknotes my way through a gigantic copy of Great Expectations or another required reading assignment. Of course, that didn't really help, and when I did suck it up and read the assigned books, I was grateful that I took the time.
In honor of that back-to-school spirit, I got to thinking about my favorite mood-changing must-have: fragrance. If you're facing down a full class schedule, trust me—this essential can't be skipped. And why not go with one of these picks, playfully inspired by your new life for the next nine months? It's time to trade in those Sparknotes for perfume notes—I'm guessing you'll be way happier.
Photos: Getty Images1/9Because having fun with fragrance makes the whole needing-to-study-again thing so much better.
Photo: Courtesy of Barneys.com2/9**Art History: **Portrait of a Lady by Frédéric Malle, 50 ml spray for $230, barneys.com
Referencing the famous painting by Rogier van de Weyden, this perfume is as delicate and strong as the famous portrait itself. If you’re a fan of a) art and b) notes of rose, clove, patchouli, and musk, this fragrance has your name all over it (you are a lady, after all). Wear it on your first class trip to the museum and smile at your own inside joke with the world.
Photo: Courtesy of sweetteaapothecary.com3/9Literature: Lenore: An Edgar Allen Poe Inspired Perfume, 8ml for $28, sweetteaapothecary.com
Speaking of the world’s most famous goth, here’s a perfume inspired by Poe’s famous work, The Raven. The notes of this fragrance are culled from a few lines in the masterpiece. As such, it smells like dried roses, incense, and evidently a sense of loss. This is the obvious choice if you neglected to do your homework before class and you want to really capitalize in the drama of the situation. Nothing more dramatic than Poe, you know?
Photo: Courtesy of Barneys.com4/9Chemistry: Molecule 01 by Escentic Molecules, 100 ml for $135, barneys.com
Science gals, this is your perfect formulation. Unlike perfumes, this is actually an "aroma chemical" that is highly sensitive to your body—it relies on your skin in order to bloom. You might not even smell it at first, but it combines with your own natural scent and turns into a truly magnificent woody velvet that other people just won’t be able to get enough of. This fragrance functions thanks to the Iso E Super, which you won’t learn about in Chemistry Lab but will probably get you gold stars, regardless. In short, this is the science of scent at its best.
Photo: Courtesy of luckyscent.com5/9Biology: Labdanum 18 Eau de Parfum by Le Labo, 50 ml for $160, luckyscent.com
Have no fear: This fragrance does not smell like what you get a whiff of when you’re dissecting that frog. In reality, it’s a really mellow oriental fragrance of labdanum, vanilla, patchouli and musk. It smells like a hug, even if it looks like it belongs in Frankenstein’s laboratory. Wear this when you’re having a disagreement with your Lab partner—you will smell so nice they won’t be able to stay mad at you for long.
Photo: Courtesy of Barneys.com6/9AP French: Baudelaire Eau De Pardum by Byredo Parfums, 50 ml spray for $145, barneys.com
Translating poetry can be a nightmare in AP French class, but if you’re lucky enough to have Baudelaire on your syllabi, you’ll be graced with some of the best words around. The Frenchman coined the term "modernity" to describe the fleeting, joyful experience of urban life and its relationship to art at large. This perfume is based on his most famous work: Le Fleurs du Mal. Juniper berry, caraway, incense, leather and amber make this a really edgy and warm scent for anyone who dares to wear it. Fun fact: He also translated the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe into French. Speaking of which...
Photo: Courtesy of luckyscent.com7/9Drama: Ophelia Eau de Parfum by HEELEY, 100 ml for $180, luckyscent.com
Shakespeare’s plays have inspired us for centuries. While we are personally huge fans of Romeo & Juliet, Ophelia is an amazing play, too. The perfume inspired by the namesake character is no less wonderful. A super femme fragrance of blossoms, jasmine, and tuberose, it’s the kind of fragrance you want to wear for those beginning rehearsals in Drama class to catch the nose—and eyes—of a potential leading heartthrob. Shakespeare would be proud. Just maybe make sure you don’t actually end up like Ophelia. That would not be good.
Photo: Courtesy of cbihateperfume.com8/9Study Hall: In the Library Perfume Absolute by CB I Hate Perfume, 100 ml for $100, cbihateperfume.com
School libraries are under-appreciated sanctuaries for a quiet nap, an intense study session, or even a quick make-out (we won’t tell). The best part about them are the old books on deck, for their absolutely amazing musty-yet-charming smell—it’s like you’re breathing in knowledge. This perfume manages to bottle up that aroma into a bouquet of leather, wood, and cloth. Our favorite bookworm Hermione Granger would be a fan, for sure.
Photo: Courtesy of minnewyork.com9/9World History: Black Jade Eau de Parfum by Lubin, 100 ml for $160, minnewyork.com
Marie Antoinette is the original fashion muse, and the same goes for beauty: there are at least a dozen Marie Antoinette-inspired perfumes out there. But wouldn’t you rather wear the actual scent once worn by the doomed Queen herself? If you’re ever feeling particularly haughty and want to channel the famous French favorite, this fragrance is based on the original formula that was created for her and passed down through the aristocracy. How’s that for a slice of world history?
