Day 10: Smell
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Time to read 5 min
The Power of Scent: Unlocking Pleasure, Connection, and Memory
A familiar scent has the power to transport you—evoking cherished memories, shifting your mood, or sparking desire. Smell is one of our most primal senses, deeply tied to emotion and memory. By tuning into this powerful sense, we can heighten awareness, deepen connections, and amplify pleasure.
Today, we’re joined by Frederic Pignault , a visionary in luxury fragrance development and Managing Director at Parfums d'Orsay. With over two decades of experience crafting iconic olfactory experiences, Frederic’s work demonstrates how fragrance can create emotional anchors, foster connection, and transform everyday moments into meaningful sensory rituals.
In this insightful Q&A, Frederic shares his thoughts on prioritizing pleasure amidst a busy life, the sensory experiences that inspire him, and how creativity fuels his daily joy.
Ready to Breathe It All In? Dive into today’s challenge to awaken your sense of smell and uncover pleasure in a whole new way.
Day 10 Challenge: Aromatic Awareness
Select a scent that resonates with you—perhaps a favorite perfume, a candle, or even fresh herbs. Take a few moments to breathe deeply, letting the aroma transport you. Notice how it makes you feel and what memories or emotions it stirs.
Close your eyes and focus entirely on the scent. What does it remind you of? How does it shift your mood or energy? Let this simple act of aromatic awareness deepen your connection to the present moment.
Why Smell Matters
Our sense of smell is profoundly powerful, shaping our emotions, memories, and connections. Research shows that scents can evoke vivid memories and influence our mental state—uplifting, calming, or energizing us depending on the fragrance.
The magic of scent lies in its ability to connect us, both to ourselves and to others. Invisible yet unforgettable, it leaves a lasting impression on the spaces we inhabit and the relationships we nurture.
Smell isn’t just a sensory experience; it’s a form of storytelling. Each scent tells a unique story—of places explored, moments treasured, and emotions shared.
How to Practice Smell
Solo Exploration - Create a mini aromatherapy session. Light a candle or diffuse essential oils while journaling or meditating.
With a Partner - Explore each other’s favorite scents—try different perfumes, colognes, or oils to discover what resonates with both of you.
In Nature - Take a walk outdoors and notice the natural scents around you—the freshness of pine trees, the sweetness of flowers, or the earthiness of soil after rain.
Why It Works
Scent has a way of lingering—long after the moment is over, it stays with you, shaping your memories and your mood. Smell is deeply tied to the limbic system, the part of our brain that governs memory and emotion. By consciously engaging this sense, we’re not just experiencing pleasure—we’re creating emotional anchors that deepen connection and presence.
The Takeaway
Smell is a powerful yet often underestimated sense that has the ability to transform everyday moments. By tuning into the scents around you, you cultivate mindfulness, deepen connections, and embrace the art of pleasure.
How will you engage your sense of smell today? Share your reflections with us on Instagram, and let’s create more moments of joy and connection through the power of scent.
Intimate Insights: Q&A with Frederic
How do you prioritize pleasure in your busy life, and what advice would you give to someone struggling to make time for it?
Pleasure is so important nowadays because it balances our stress, anxiety, and busy schedules. It stimulates our senses and improves our mood. It doesn’t have to be about getting a massage every day but it is about making sure throughout the day we take the time to fulfill our heart and our soul. It starts as soon as I wake up with music I love, then with my coffee, followed by a nice hot shower with products that smell great and are good for my body. Everything in my environment is carefully selected to give me some pleasure. Even my clothes ! At the end of the day, it shows, you smile, you feel good and confident. For me it is not a priority but it is a mindset. It is a habit… Do I love it or not ? Will I love it or not ? Did I love it or not ? This works for me in my private life and at work !
What’s a sensory experience (sound, taste, smell, sight, or touch) that instantly brings you pleasure, and why?
It is a combination of all senses… at night when I slip into my bed made with clean and soft Egyptian cotton sheet, listening to music I love like Zaho de Sagazan after eating some dark chocolate with roasted hazelnuts, burning some “orange flower’ candles, and looking at the person I love getting undressed !
What role does creativity or self-expression play in cultivating pleasure for you, and what’s your favorite way to express yourself?
I work in Fragrance Development so it is a clear and daily way to express my creativity. This gives me tremendous pleasure ! Fragrances trigger emotions, lots of different emotions, so being able to share this pleasure with other people is extremely rewarding.
What’s a piece of advice, ritual, or tip you’ve discovered that helps you cultivate deeper intimacy with yourself or others?
Communication is important for me. Being able to tell freely what I like or dislike and to hear what my partner likes or dislikes or would like to explore. Opening the heart and letting the emotions flow ! I believe it is also important to be spontaneous, to be surprising, to break routines sometimes. Meditation can provide some clarity.
When was the last time you experienced joy or pleasure unexpectedly? What triggered it, and how can you create more moments like that?
Being aware is important ! You must be open to see, smell, touch, taste, hear and experiment. Where I live in Aix en Provence, there is an incredible “Madeleine” (French pastry) shop and no longer than yesterday I walked by that shop and stop immediately because the smell of freshly baked Madeleine was wafting into the street. This gave me a lot of pleasure (guilty because I ate 3 of them !). In my home, I burn candles for my guests for example. In the evening, I can make a fire in the fireplace for extra warmth, beautiful light, noise and scent ! As long as one sense is stimulating unexpectedly, it is the start of a pleasureful moment.
Explore More
Recommended Resources:
The Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO) is a non-profit organization devoted to access, education and experimentation with scent.
Want More from Frederic Pignault?
Find Frederic on Instagram: @freddy_Paris
About:
Frederic Pignault’s career is a masterclass in blending creativity, sensory connection, and innovative leadership. With over two decades of experience in luxury fragrance development, Frederic has shaped iconic olfactory experiences for world-renowned brands. Currently serving as the Managing Director at Parfums d'Orsay, his expertise lies in creating fragrances that not only captivate the senses but also evoke powerful emotions and memories. A global citizen at heart, his professional journey reflects a deep understanding of the interplay between scent, pleasure, and well-being.