Perfume Palate: A Matter of Taste [Nav Kaur]

Everybody, meet Nav. Nav, this is everybody. Some months back, our worlds collided online quite gracefully, and we've been twirling in the stratosphere ever since. Her blog beautyhuile has been a favorite online haunt of mine and is extremely helpful in learning how to appreciate, evaluate and get the most out of natural oils. I've often referred to her blog as "skin care porn", and once you start reading her poetic yet straight-talking posts, you'll see why. And, she seems to like it when I turn her on to new perfumes (until she gets her credit card bill, that is). Whip smart, generous, stunningly beautiful inside and out and funny as hell, Nav has elevated the gift of gab to a true art form, and I am lucky to count her as a friend and confidante. 

First of all, please state your name and occupation:

Nav Kaur, Director of PR

What is your favorite perfume at the moment?

Jasmine Summer by Liz Zorn

What is your favorite fragrance house or brand of perfume?

None. Each scent has to bring its right sense of provocation upon its first jaw-dropping whiff. I often see a scent gets this right, but have yet to see a brand do so. The mere mention of a brand evokes meetings of 'product lifecycles' and 'target demographics'. And, too often, the mania for passion and perfection gets lost between these. 

How often do you wear perfume, and under what circumstances do you wear it?

Every minute of every day. My remorseless scent paradigm: never to walk out without a scent. With a spritz is how I am truly content.

Is it important to you to know who the perfumer or creator is behind the perfumes you wear?

Considering how most tend to pimp out their works, not really. While I certainly appreciate the highly touted hyperbole that surrounds a new launch, no perfumer actually stakes a claim when he/she uses cheaper ingredients in their storied reformulations. Don't get me wrong, Carlos Huber is someone who definitely enchants his persona into the blend, but in the end, I usually fall prey to a scent's temporal charm, not his. Aromatic nuisances are usually less offensive than their human counterparts, wouldn't you say?

Do you follow the work of certain perfumers, and if so, who?

I do look forward to new launches (Carlos Huber, Atelier Cologne, Van Cleef & Arpels or any brand stocked at the Scent Bar), but again, the sentiment is reserved for the final flourish. 

Think of an iconic perfume bottle design from the past. What is it?

For me, the faceted Coco Chanel bottle will always hold a dear spot in my heart. The famously square cut bottle was my first introduction to luxury when I was a little doll of 16. Polished but pared down, I always feel like a wittingly sensual lady of the world when I see the bottle, let alone spritz it. 

How many times a day do you estimate that you think about perfume?

Four times:
1. in the morning when I wonder what to change up to next
2. in the afternoon when I double stroke a fragrance oil
3. in the evening when I mist without shame
4. in bed when I start googling the perfume blogs to read what's new to try

Think of the last time you complimented someone on the fragrance they were wearing. Did you ask them what it was, and if so, did they tell you?

Betwixt us, yes, I asked her what she was wearing as the abstract scent from her strut surprised me with its familiarity but wasn't instantly recognizable. And, she did share- Van Cleef & Arpels Gardenia Petale. And yes, the fragility of Spring in a bottle was worthy of my admiration. 

In just three words, describe your ideal fragrance:

Evocative, harmonic and meaningful.