Jan
Saturday Salon: The Scent of Romance
So, the other day my random Internet clicking led me to this candle. I was pretty tickled by the simple existence of this thing, let alone the product description:
THE MAN CANDLE — Finally, a candle that smells as cool as you.
…Like an idealized version of what a man could smell like, given proper hygiene and grooming.
The same company offers candles in scents like Bacon, Whiskey, Fresh Bread, and Campfire. Unfortunately, they all seem to be out of stock at the moment, but there are promises of new supplies in 2012. Let’s hope!
Anyhow, it made me think about all the scents used to describe heroes and heroines in romance.
The sense of smell is very visceral. Once I heard someone explain that the olfactory nerve is actually the shortest connection to the brain–meaning, the sense of smell is more immediate and directly perceived than other senses. I’m no scientist, so I don’t know how true that is, but it seemed logical.
Being a writer makes me extra aware of how unique and precise smells are, among all the other things we perceive and describe. If I write “He saw a pine tree,” every reader will imagine a slightly different pine tree. If I write, “He smelled pine,” every reader knows exactly what I mean.
But what does “man” smell like? (In optimal conditions, heh.) Obviously, the makers of The Man Candle have their ideas.
In the past, I’ve associated scents like leather, linen, soap, starch, pomade, shaving soap, and cologne with my heroes. Subtle nods to the idea of hygiene, I guess. Then there are the beverages: whisky, ale, rum, brandy. And yes, I’ve used pine. 
Sandalwood, cedar, and other woodsy scents are common. There’s also that generic idea of the scent of “clean skin” or “male musk”. :D
With heroines, I’ve gone for the usual lavender, rose, verbena scents for some. Others have smelled like lemon or herbs or clover. I’m noticing a botanical pattern here–which makes sense, since femininity and nature are so often symbolically linked.
But I think what we romance authors are doing with all these descriptors is just trying to get at that visceral reaction of ”Ooh, s/he smells gooood.” Right? Because that’s a powerful, very romantic, response.
What scents do you associate with men, women, or romance in general?
Ever read a scent description that made you shake your head and say, “What?”
Jan 28, 2012
1:59 am
I’ve never been into the food scents – like apple pie or cookies. yuck! I must prefer flowery scents.
Jan 28, 2012
11:38 am
Do you dislike the scents of actual apple pie and cookies, too? Or just the artificial renderings of them?
There are lots of things I like the scent of in real life, but in a candle…? Too waxy or something.
“Man” might be one of those things, come to think of it.
Jan 28, 2012
3:17 am
Hi Tessan, not sure I would want to smell a MAN candle … men can smell pretty nasty at times! LOL! I’ll bet the Fresh Bread smells great though!
I think, for the most part, we do associate the smell of outdoorsy things with men . I don’t mean flowers so much as scents that we associate with manly activities. I’ve always associated the smell of Cherry tobacco and Bergamot with a man. My Grandpa smoked a pipe and his fave tobacco was Cherry. Bergamot and Sandalwood are scents I associate with men. Love the spice scents on a man. Then again, I wear them, too!
Most women would probably say they associate the smell of roses or such with romance but it’s the spicy scents that spark my interest more so.
It’s funny you asked about a strange description, I’m still trying to figure this one out – I saved a review of Burberry Body from last Fall, thought I might ask Santa for it. Anyway, the reviewer said this, “if you told me they decanted from the vat marked “rose-y blended floral” and then threw in the screechiest freesia note they could find plus a dollop of absinthe, and then the absinthe got voted down by a focus group so they removed most of it, I’d believe that too.”
Still don’t know what it smells like by that but when I smelled it at Macy’s – it was just way too floral for me. [shrug]
Fun post. Happy Saturday! : )
Jan 28, 2012
11:44 am
Yes, pipe tobacco – I absolutely loathe smoking, but I love the scent of pipe tobacco, and it’s definitely something I associate with men –older men, anyway.
Absinthe?? Ugh. Good job, focus group.
Jan 28, 2012
11:05 am
I like my man CLEAN, freshly shaved, and smelling of Brut. In most romance novels the hero smells of”horse, sweat, and cheroots.” Yuk! My brother’s breath smells of cigarettes and it’s gross! The grossest scene in a book that I can think of was in Connie B.’s The Other Guy’s Bride. The hero and heroine had been in the desert for 3 weeks, caught in a huge sandstorm, trapped in a cavern, and she gave him a BJ. UGH!!!!
Jan 28, 2012
11:48 am
“Horse, sweat, and cheroots”? O.O
Luckily, I’m sure I haven’t read that lately. Or written it.
I…er…may have been guilty of writing love scenes that take place after long-distance travel.
But romance heroes and heroines are always magically clean, didn’t you know that?
LOL. At most, it takes a little splash of water to freshen them up.
But that “clean guy” smell is just really lovely. Like when you borrow a guy’s shirt, and it smells like detergent and aftershave.
Jan 28, 2012
1:26 pm
“But romance heroes and heroines are always magically clean.” LOL, Tessa! So true.
I’m quite fond of the scent of a clean horse, and — being men of action — my heroes spend considerable time around their horses. So I’m afraid, susan, that is most certainly one of the scent descriptors I use. But sweat — no! ick! 
)) And Tessa, I cannot *wait* for the next long-distance travel love scene… Colin SIGH!
Jan 29, 2012
12:15 am
Yes. Magically clean. It’s one of those special romance novel properties.
Jan 28, 2012
11:24 am
I remember you mentioning the Man Candle on Twitter Tessa-how fun!
And a very thought provoking post. Perhaps this explains why I love Bath and Body Works and always have fun trying out their new scents. I seem to like fruity scents-apples, peaches, mangos, cherry, almond.
I tend to prefer light subtle scents, nothing overpowering. To me, there’s nothing worse than someone walking around in a cloud of perfume/cologne choking everyone around them, lol. Especially in close quarters like in an elevator!
As for men, I like the scents you mentioned-spice, soap, woody scents. And a definite yes to hygiene and cleanliness, lol.
Amy brings up a great point about how smells can trigger memories. The smell of cognac reminds me of my grandfather, as that was his favorite drink, and tea reminds me of family gatherings when the whole extended family would get together, drink tea, eat, and just spend quality time together. And of course, there’s nothing like the smell of ginger, garlic or soy sauce, which automatically transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen.
Jan 28, 2012
11:58 am
Oh, I am with you on the overpowering perfume. It can trigger migraines for me. Bleh.
Great scent memories! Scent memories are another testament to how visceral the sense of smell can be, I think. And the reason why scented candles sell so well – that scent of pumpkin pie or bayberry evokes a holiday memory in so many people.
Jan 28, 2012
11:25 am
Depends what the season his.. aournd the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I like those Cinnimon and Apple Spice or Pumpkin Pie for the kitchen, In my living room and the bathroom I like the scent of bayberry or cranberry or a fresh scent of some kind…
I think for a man, it would have to be a very earthy scent. Smell like went grass or sweat and horses.. Something like that…
Jan 28, 2012
12:01 pm
“Earthy” is a perfect description for male scents, Kathleen. I think in our brains, it must trip a connection with “Healthy/Strong.” I mean, who wants a hero who smells like he spends all day closed-up indoors?
Jan 28, 2012
1:27 pm
Kathleen, I had one of those cinnamon candles this past holiday season and it was so lovely! Subtly just the right touch of spice in the air.
Jan 28, 2012
11:26 am
Whoops for got the other times of the year.. Like now I would have a warm fragrence like mulberry and vanilla candles..
In the spring and summer it would be flowery fragrences..White Linen or peach is my fav choices…
Jan 28, 2012
12:02 pm
Ooh, white linen. Another scent that gets at the essence of “clean.”
Jan 28, 2012
1:40 pm
That’s a great one! Fresh linen…
Mulled cider…
Red wine that’s had time to breathe…
And cinnamon rolls in the oven! (Though not all of the above together, obviously, haha.)
Jan 28, 2012
11:51 am
Oh, those candles! ROFL
In romance I like men to smell clean. Maybe a little horse, leather, or woodsy scent. No heavy colognes for men.
As for women, since we usually hear about the heroine’s scent from the point of view of the hero, it’s better if he doesn’t get too specific. Guys don’t name perfumes or colors. My favorite “scent” scene in a romance was in a Carla Kelly novella. The nerdy hero (I love my nerds) says to the heroine “You smell remarkably like a biscuit.”
Jan 28, 2012
12:01 pm
“You smell remarkably like a biscuit.”
Love that!
Jan 28, 2012
1:41 pm
LOL! I’m sure that is one line no hero has ever said to a heroine before. Love it, Miranda!
Jan 28, 2012
1:04 pm
Jack likes the scent I use because it smells like fresh baked cookies to him.
Jan 28, 2012
4:08 pm
“You smell remarkably like a biscuit.” Hmmmm … Miranda, I’d be wondering if he was implying she smelled good enough to eat or that she might have had a ‘female infection’ of some sort. That’s one to which I would have definitely asked ‘Say what?’ LOL!
Jan 28, 2012
12:02 pm
Hi Tessa,
Loved your man candle post! Scents are so important aren’t they? I’m really curious about the unisex cologne called Clean. Do you think it’s possible to bottle it? I admit I’m curious.
Jan 28, 2012
12:06 pm
I don’t know, but it’s funny to me that people would put on perfume to smell “Clean”, rather than just be… yanno, clean.
Jan 28, 2012
12:08 pm
Thank you all for the comments! Keep them coming…
I have to dash off for the darelings’ basketball games this morning, but will be back this afternoon.
In the meantime, I throw out two bits for further thought:
1) Rain. I love the smell of rain.
2) Axe body spray. Why?
Jan 28, 2012
1:33 pm
1) Oh, yes, rain I love! And of course the scent of the open sea.
2) Because there are gorgeously cut men in the ads? Enough said.
Tessa, I believe the scientists entirely about this. I find that certain scents evoke profound memories for me that no other sense can match. I fell in love with my husband’s scent when we first met. The scents that help draw a couple together are so unique to that couple, too, I think. I adore inventing a character’s scent that will most suit the lover’s senses.
Jan 28, 2012
1:39 pm
Yes, and autumn leaves!
I also love the smells in a horse barn. I know, yucky to some, but the hay and alfafa, sawdust, and the leather and liniment, and the horses themselves…lovely.
Jan 28, 2012
9:25 pm
Oh, I do like many of the smells associated with horses – and even horse smell itself–if the horses are clean!
Jan 28, 2012
1:37 pm
A Man Candle!!! What will they think of next?? That is hilarious.
The Regency era man colognes that I’ve come across in research featured a lot of cloves and frankincense and orange blossom water, I believe. Odd.
I am totally a perfume girl. I prefer to buy a fine perfume than a fancy pair of shoes. My “signature scent” (’cause Clinton and Stacy say you have to have one, lol) is Magie Noir by Lancome. I looove it. It’s an Oriental. Very sexy!
I also really like Happy by Clinque. More of a floral.
Eric wears one of the Polo varieties, i forget which, because he doesn’t wear it often. Smells bother him too like you mentioned, Tessa.
I haaate vanilla scented candles. They are much too sweet for me. Nauseating.
Gael
Jan 28, 2012
9:26 pm
Cloves! I forgot cloves. Colin in AWTBW smells of cloves–its in his shaving soap.
I am with you on the vanilla scented products – they can be very cloying.
Jan 28, 2012
1:44 pm
Sense of smell is such an important thing!
When I was pregnant, for some reason my hubs smelt of sour milk – it was me not him, but I was so glad when he stopped smelling of sour milk (when the baby was born!)
Grace x
Jan 28, 2012
9:27 pm
Oh, my goodness – pregnancy does do a number on one’s sense of smell, doesn’t it? I could not stand certain smells when I was pregnant – though I don’t remember Mr. Dare smelling different to me. At least it was a temporary condition!
Jan 28, 2012
2:14 pm
I’ve never understood the “clean sweat” smell some romance authors have used to describe a hero’s scent. What exactly is the difference between “clean” sweat and “dirty” sweat? Does sweat acquire a different aroma depending on what activity one is engaged in to become sweaty? Or is this just a way to differentiate between the BO of someone with poor hygiene and someone who has just engaged in physical activity? To me, sweat smells like sweat and BO is a totally different animal (sometimes almost literally…shudder).
Unfortunately I have a poor sense of smell so I rarely notice what a person smells like unless they’ve doused themselves in a scent or they believe bathing is an optional activity.
Jan 28, 2012
4:13 pm
Actually, Tanya, there is a difference between ‘clean’ sweat and ‘dirty’ sweat. If someone has just bathed and then becomes warm enough to perspire, that person generally won’t smell bad. It’s the dirt/bacteria on the skin that combines with the perspiration that makes it smell bad like when someone is doing yardwork. Have to admit that a clean man who is sweaty after certain acts [grinning] smells pretty good! ; )
Maybe that’s the scent of the Man Candle!
Jan 28, 2012
9:28 pm
LOL. I do think there’s a difference between “sweat” and “funk”, and it mainly has to do with how long the sweat has been there.
Jan 28, 2012
4:40 pm
Since I’m the only female in our family when I’ve thought of how my husband and sons smell depended on their age at the time. With my husband when he would come home I’d appreciate the “sweaty” smell of him since he was in construction and that meant he had a hard day at work and needed a little tender loving care (and a back rub)!
When my boys were born I loved the sweet baby smell they had and as they grew the smell of fresh cut grass from when they played outside and as they got older the first after shave they bought to impress the girl in class they wanted to impress. When they each had their own son I once again got to smell baby power on them and remembering tearing up the first time it happened.
Whenever I smell Channel #5 I think of my Mom because that was her the only fragreance she ever wore and when I smell cinimmon I think of my grandmother who loved to bake.
o t
To me the fragrance of a person tells me a lot about not only who they are but what type of life they live.
Jan 28, 2012
9:30 pm
What a lovely comment, Jeanne!
Clean, powdered babies smell better than ANYTHING, especially if they’re yours.
And the boys starting to wear aftershave to impress the girls … so sweet. Mine are too young for that yet, but I know it’s coming soon.
Jan 28, 2012
5:08 pm
I think smell descriptions are so important in novels, not so much for how the hero and heroine smell but for the fact they notice it. Who ever notices the smell of someone they don’t like? Unless it’s particularly offensive! A heroine revelling in the subtle smells of her hero show that
a, she got close enough to smell him
b, the subtle smells that other people don’t recognise are now firmly imprinted in her brain and make him truly hers.
This said I will never understand why so many heroes smell like spirits, to me this speaks alarmingly of alcoholism. Which considering how much brandy they get through I fear many regency heroes are suffering from!
My favourite description of a hero’s smell was “an intriguing mixture of the sea and lemon soap.” I can’t remember where it was from but I just remember thinking it sounded like a lovely contrast.
I think probably the sweetest compliment I ever had was from a quite drunk ex-boyfriend who buried his face in my neck and said (with a slight slur) “I love how you smell of cinnamon and vanilla, and how you look like autumn.” lol
Jan 28, 2012
7:09 pm
Wow, LL, that was a great compliment! Eloquent and very sexy even though he was drunk. LOL!
Jan 28, 2012
9:32 pm
Great comment, LL!
You know, I agree- I would totally be turned off by a modern hero who smelled of whiskey. I don’t know why I seem to like it in historicals. But just the faint hint – no “reeking of” it!
You had quite the poet in that ex-boyfriend!
Jan 29, 2012
12:21 am
I like the smell of whiskey/scotch if the guy has *just* drunk it and is not drenched in it.
Jan 28, 2012
6:49 pm
Ahhh smell. I don’t like candles that smell of fruit, makes me hungry.
My ex hubby would smell of motor oil and grease after working on his cars. Then would get upset that I wouldn’t give him a hug or kiss.
I love White Diamonds and Pleasure however I can’t wear perfume anymore since it irritates my skin.
A man should smell of something even if it is just of the soap he uses. I remember my dad smelling of Old Spice. It would put a smile on my mom’s face, and I had no clue why.
Jan 28, 2012
9:34 pm
Ewww – motor oil/gasoline/WD-40 are smells I just can’t deal with. Give me instant headache. I’m so lucky Mr. Dare isn’t a mechanic.
Old Spice puts a smile on my face too – mostly because of Old Spice guy.
Jan 28, 2012
10:38 pm
I am so glad I am no longer married to him. I hated that smell. Yea the Old Spice guy is kinda cute.
Jan 28, 2012
8:30 pm
Wait! There’s a Fresh Bread candle and you’re wondering what Man smells like? I have a man in my house ALL THE TIME! Who needs a candle? But Fresh Bread? That would be special! Thanks for a fun column.
Jan 28, 2012
9:39 pm
It’s a great idea, isn’t it?
You’ve just reminded me how I found the site in the first place. By googling “old book smell”. They have a suggestions page, and someone suggested they do a candle that smells like books.
Jan 29, 2012
12:23 am
Great post, Tessa and the man candle is too funny. There was this one light scent I used to wear in college that I had had comments on/was known by. (Typical sweet flowery college girl fragrance) Then it was discontinued. Reason to stick to essential oil type scents, I think.