Olfactory Fatigue

[mikeperez23]

I smelled Rose 31 on my husband a week ago, when he wore it. You are right...that stuff has such potent sillage and he only applied 2-3 sprays from one of those thin, glass atomizers that Le Labo sells. Lovers of this fragrance should apply this one carefully.

[adonis]

Similar thing happened at my doctors appointment a few weeks ago. I apply Gendarme heavily because of the subtle nature of the fragrance. The second the doctor walked in he commented on the smell. Good thing that scent is relatively polite - yet again I didn't realize others could smell it and I couldn't.

[Surfacing]

I have thought about this too. I think a few times here and there I do overapply. I guess I better make sure what I wear smells good I was wearing Arpege pour Homme the other day and was thinking the scent had lackluster projection. However, someone told me a created a "wave" of fragrance as I moved around them

One thing you can do is to walk in a big circle (assuming there is no wind), so that when you come around again you can tell if the sillage is strong. I discovered this at a supermarket, when I had to go back and get something I forgot.

[Neurosis]

i thought olfactory fatigue was common knowledge? the more you smell stuff, the less you notice it

[L'Aventurier]

Nice to see someone has some sense around here! I feel like many BNers brush off olfactory fatigue as though it was an old wives' tale.

The cologne guy exists, and you could be him!!

I'll even admit it, the summer of 2007 I was the cologne guy - I used to wear 2 huge sprays of Black XS to each side of my neck and sadly no one ever had the guts to tell me I put too much on. I started getting hints though, when people would sit next to me on the bus, then get up and change seats cause I had too much on. Later when I asked people "do I wear too much cologne" they reluctantly said "yes."

[justaguy]

Nothing fatigues like Black Aoud
a good friend of mine couldn't smell it anymore, so he used more sprays
you know the rest

SO TRUE. Its scary, really, I cannot tell if I'm suffocating people or if they just have a cold because I can't smell it-- but we know now...

[mrcologneguy]

The cologne guy exists, and you could be him!!

Nope, not a chance.

Except for when I went on a Bois du Portugal binge one time -- really, nothing too heavy, just maybe two or three sprays -- and one of my co-workers said, "So I asked the receptionist, did he just walk through here? Because I could smell your cologne."

Ok, nuff said. I toned that one down a little.

Now it's rarely more than two or three sprays. Two if it's something atomic, like Acier Aluminum.

Still, regarding calibration, it's hard to get it right. I applied one spray - ONE - of Roger Gallet Open, and when I went to visit a buddy he said, "Yeah, I could smell it when you walked in the door." Yikes. That strong, really? Is there some amount between zero and one spray that I'm missing?

I think atmospheric conditions, and individual sensitivities, play into this heavily. There are times when even I have regretted that third spray of Acier Aluminum, and when I ask my friends if they can smell it on me, they say "What? No, not really. Lemme smell." I offer my wrist. "Oh yeah, nice, I like it."

Other times I've shown up with just one spray of Rive Gauche, and the girls in my office all went nuts. "WHAT is THAT?!? WOW!"

Fans behind the velvet rope, please.

Are there really ANY easy answers to the sillage question? I think not. Just spray lightly, and sin no more. And really dive into it now and then when you must. The Golden Rule - Everything In Moderation - including the Golden Rule itself. Now and then you have to binge. Damn the torpedoes.

[Scentational]

I almost never wear a fragrance 2 days in a row 'cause I noticed that when I did, I really didn't have the same experience the 2nd day. In my opinion, olfactory sense is maybe the most tricky of the five ones we have. When I like a fragrance and try it the first times, I'm always disappointed by the strength, it seems sooooo weak, like if the olfactory fatigue went after 20-30min. Then, when I wear it more often, it seems to last longer each time, until I'm able to see what's the "real" longevity on me (and generally a lot of hours).
When I bought Bulgari pour Homme, first time I sprayed like 5-6 times as I heard it was very subtle and kinda weak. 30min later I almost didn't smell it on me at all. 3-4h later I went at a friend and when I walked in the room he said "wow, you guy smell too much cologne". Since he doesn't like fragrances at all, I don't know if he was just referring to the fact he could smell it or if it was overpowering, but it really surprised me 'cause I was sure it completely faded away of my skin. I guess it was the day I truly understood the "power" of olfactory fatigue, even if I was aware of that before.
Now when I wear BPH, 2-3 sprays are enough for all day long, and I rarely spray more with any fragrance, anyway.

Bottom line: in terms of polite, civilized behavior, I find overspraying A MUCH bigger problem than being too discreet.

Totally. I almost prefer people can't smell my fragrance at all instead of choking them with it.

[_FP_]

Yeah its tricky sometimes, each fragrances is different and the climate play a huge role. sometimes less is better.

[Pour_Monsieur]

It seems impossible but Im completely fatigued by A Men , been wearing it for years and still love it dearly but alas I cannot smell it on myself any longer while everyone else around me has watering eyes and respirators on

[SculptureOfSoul]

Very few scents actually benefit from anything over 3 sprays, and most work best with 2 or only 1 spray.

[G.303]

Yes this is very real.....This is why I take a break from my scents.....When I bring them out again I have a new respect and Love.....Gary

[checker]

Olfactory fatigue happens a lot when I use Gendarme and the EDP version frequently. Many times I can't smell it after 5 minutes of application yet people say I smell clean and fresh 6-8 hrs after I've sprayed it...

[dogsinatub]

Happened to me with ... Kouros. Five sprays.

Someone commented from 8 foot away from me when I went past them in the gym. The sweat could have intensified the smell, but 8 foot away, and all they could have got was a whiff of the scent for a second...

Olfactory fatigue is so real. I make sure that I properly learn how to calibrate each scent as I purchase, and apply only those number of sprays.

#$$@% (sound of me hiding under a table)

[Partagas]

A few days ago I sprayed my beloved Tauer L'air (2 sprays) on a pillow in a bedroom. I closed the door and walked in an hour later and was shocked how strong the scent had permeated the entire room. I'll only wear one spray to work from now on.

[dogsinatub]

A few days ago I sprayed my beloved Tauer L'air (2 sprays) on a pillow in a bedroom. I closed the door and walked in an hour later and was shocked how strong the scent had permeated the entire room. I'll only wear one spray to work from now on.

That stuff is incredible!! Moves around a room unlike anything I have ever smelled before.

[checker]

I almost never wear a fragrance 2 days in a row 'cause I noticed that when I did, I really didn't have the same experience the 2nd day. In my opinion, olfactory sense is maybe the most tricky of the five ones we have. When I like a fragrance and try it the first times, I'm always disappointed by the strength, it seems sooooo weak, like if the olfactory fatigue went after 20-30min. Then, when I wear it more often, it seems to last longer each time, until I'm able to see what's the "real" longevity on me (and generally a lot of hours).
When I bought Bulgari pour Homme, first time I sprayed like 5-6 times as I heard it was very subtle and kinda weak. 30min later I almost didn't smell it on me at all. 3-4h later I went at a friend and when I walked in the room he said "wow, you guy smell too much cologne". Since he doesn't like fragrances at all, I don't know if he was just referring to the fact he could smell it or if it was overpowering, but it really surprised me 'cause I was sure it completely faded away of my skin. I guess it was the day I truly understood the "power" of olfactory fatigue, even if I was aware of that before.
Now when I wear BPH, 2-3 sprays are enough for all day long, and I rarely spray more with any fragrance, anyway.


Totally. I almost prefer people can't smell my fragrance at all instead of choking them with it.

I find that Bulgari Pour Homme and anything from the Gendarme line produce more olfactory fatigue than any other fragrances I own. I always thought both faded completely after 5 minutes until people would ask me what I was wearing several hours later. These colognes always make me scratch my head, but I have learned that they do indeed last a long time.

[GourmandHomme]

I rotate my fave scents regularly (a fave scent probably only gets one wearing a week); and just today, a female coworker have remarked that I've been less shy about the 'fumes compared to last year. I mean she liked what I had on today, but I think that is a reminder that olfactory fatigue is real and that I should be less eager on the trigger.

[adonis]

I find that Bulgari Pour Homme and anything from the Gendarme line produce more olfactory fatigue than any other fragrances I own. I always thought both faded completely after 5 minutes until people would ask me what I was wearing several hours later. These colognes always make me scratch my head, but I have learned that they do indeed last a long time.

Indeed. You can apply the stuff with a fire hose and not be able to smell it 5 minutes later. Every once in a while a strong reminder will waft up, however.

[silentrich]

Lately I've been having a problem with olfactory fatigue. It's to the point where I can't spray a fragrance on the front of my neck. If I do this within 2 min or less I can't smell hardly anything and this last many, many hours. At first this was happening with stronger fragrances, but even a fragrance such a Thierry Mugler's cologne overloads my sensory nerves. It's gotten so bad that this can last days where I can't smell accurately but my gustatory sensors are fine. I've had to resort to the back of the neck and lower on the chest/mid torso. Any other members have similar problems? This happens with any fragrance I wear now so it's not something in the juice.

[KMF]

I would say that's a fairly common occurrence. That's why I never spray on the neck, or anywhere near my nose.

[ChoppedGarlic]

Maybe give it a rest for a few days.

[Bigsly]

I used to, and while I think there is a large role played by breathing in the top notes, I'd also guess that the brain needs to get "wired up" to detect the notes. As a newbie, some notes just didn't seem to register, whereas now the frag is way too strong to wear with just one spray (that was Jacomo Rouge). I suggest just keep sampling frags and trying to figure out what the notes are. Eventually, you can smell it clearly and there is never olfactory fatigue. It just takes time.

[hednic]

Take a break from scents for a while.

[Jack Hunter]

I used to get this with certain fragrances. I also stopped spraying to my neck as I was knocking people out with the sillage when I got close. I noticed with certain fragrances the more you spray the quicker the smell vanishes off your radar so I never spray more than two times.

[KillerScent]

I experience the same with stronger fragrances .Lately I use to spray my fragrances on my chest (as other members recommend), so they keep warm under my clothes and they last there more time than in the neck .

[laph]

I never spray my neck and sometimes not my chest because of this. Best you avoid the front of the neck at least.

[NewHaarlem]

Just got an olfactory fatigue from my signature scent -- New Haarlem. http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com

How long does it usually take to get my normal sense of smell back?

[QWERTYOP]

I stopped spraying the front of my neck because of this.

[Emlynevermore]

Play around with some of the ideas above, including taking a few days off or spraying no higher than your sternum.

Alternatively, consider spraying your shirt/undershirt, laying it out on a bed or an ironing board for a bit, and then putting it on.

Hope you find something that works for you.