"Growing up, the only time I ever smelled incense was in church. The smoky, resinous aroma created an air of mystery and - supposedly - symbolized prayers rising to heaven. Honestly, I hated the services where incense was burned. The woody scent suffocated my adolescent nose. But lately, I've been catching dizzying whiffs of incense on people as they pass by, and instead of feeling heavy or ceremonial, it smells more refined, smooth, and completely mesmerizing."
""Long before modern perfumery existed, frankincense, myrrh, and oud materials were burned in rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual practices across cultures," says Gustavo Romero of Team of Two Perfumers and founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network. "Fast-forward to now, and incense perfumes are everywhere - but they're no longer trapped in that church-like box." Today, they're less about religion and more about ritual in the self-care sense - the kind that turns a spritz into a whole mood. And honestly, the timing couldn't be more perfect."
"When looking at cultural trends through a wider lens, incense's resurgence makes a lot of sense. Wellness routines have become less aspirational and more of a cornerstone of everyday life. Whether that includes curating a meditation practice or regularly visiting a sauna, it's about chasing a feeling - and wearing an incense perfume has become a way to elevate the experience."
Childhood scent memories tied incense to church rituals and heavy, woody smoke. Recently, encounters with incense on passersby feel refined, smooth, and mesmerizing. Perfumers repurpose ancient aromatics like frankincense, myrrh, and oud into modern fragrances that are emotional, skin-close, and addictive. Incense fragrances have shifted from religious associations to self-care rituals that create mood and atmosphere. The trend aligns with wellness routines becoming everyday practices and seeking depth over overtly sweet or purely clean scents. Incense offers a grounding, introspective alternative that elevates personal rituals and complements contemporary scent preferences.
Read at Bustle
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