Fragrance has always played an important role throughout history—royalty flaunted it, business empires were changed by it (hello, Chanel), and with just one whiff, a certain fragrance can transport you back in time to a childhood memory, remind you of a person in your life that you love, or, well, someone you loathe. So on March 21, celebrate your love of all things fragrant with National Fragrance Day.
National Fragrance Day timeline
A Cuneiform tablet found in Mesopotamia from this year reveals that a female chemist named Tapputi is the first recorded perfume maker.
Fragrant products transition from being solely used for medicinal purposes into being used for grooming purposes.
Dr. William Hunter, the founder of Caswell and Massey (still in business today) establishes Dr. Hunter's Dispensary in Newport Connecticut.
French barber Jean-Jacques noted that the use of cologne after a shave enhanced the skin.
National Fragrance Day FAQs
What is the rarest smell?
Orris comes from the root of the bearded iris flower and is considered one of the rarest ingredients used in perfumery. Its scent is coveted around the world even though it can be so expensive that it sometimes costs more than gold.
What is the 30 50 20 rule for perfume?
It’s a simple guideline for how to blend a fragrance.
- 30% top notes – this is what you smell initially and it fades quickly
- 50% middle notes – this forms the main body of the scent and it lasts for a few hours
- 20% base notes – this is what lasts the longest and gives the fragrance staying power
What scent makes you smell expensive?
Scents that smell “expensive” are usually rich, smooth, and well-balanced rather than overly sweet or sharp. Notes like oud, amber, sandalwood, musk, vanilla, and soft florals are often associated with luxury.
National Fragrance Day Activities
Create a fragrance
If you happen to live in an area with a fragrance design studio, then March 21 is the day to finally make an appointment. No fragrance studio? No problem. You can still celebrate and create your own unique scent by blending different essential oils (Google “DIY Essential Oil” for recipes) or order a fragrance making kit online.
Spread the love
Sure, fragrance is a personal preference, but anything is better than stink, stank, and stunk. Take initiative and surprise your coworkers by loading your office with potpourri, air fresheners, Eau do Toilette sprays, and diffusers.
Host a unique potluck
Buying a new fragrance is a commitment, so invite friends over for a dinner party—just be sure to specify it’s for fragrances, not food. Whether they bring their own bottle, a new bottle as a gift, or samples of fragrances, a potluck is great way to celebrate National Fragrance Day and try out new scents.
Unexpected Smells That Should Be Sold As Perfumes
Libraries
Job interview? Stroll in smelling like you've just read a thousand books and you've got this in the bag.
Money
Smelling like cash itself is the closest thing you can get to being made of money!
Dark Chocolate
Craving chocolate? Just spritz!
Pine wood
It smells delicious as a candle—just image the subtle scent of freshly cut pine as a perfume.
The world after it rains
"Petrichor" is the smell of rain upon the earth.
Mint
For when you want to smell as fresh as brushed teeth feel.
Smoke
It's like walking around with the memory of warm, pleasing glow of the bonfire still on your skin.
Why We Love National Fragrance Day
Fragrances have mental benefits
Fragrance is more than just something to make us smell better—certain fragrances also have mental and physical benefits. For instance, peppermint can help energize, lavender can help decrease stress, and jasmine can help with sleep.
You can never have too many
If you’ve had your eye (or nose) on a new fragrance, then there’s no better day to add to your collection. Since different occasions and seasons call for difference scents, a person can never have too many different ones—just don't wear them all at once!
It replaces the bad with good
Although everyone can’t agree on their favorite smell, we all recognize universally bad ones. When everyone plays their part on National Fragrance Day, stink is overpowered—and that’s something we can breathe easy about.
National Fragrance Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | March 21 | Sunday |
| 2028 | March 21 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | March 21 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | March 21 | Thursday |
| 2031 | March 21 | Friday |
