Perfume Palate: A Matter of Taste [Trae Bodge]

I am so pleased to be kicking off a new series of posts here at eyeliner on a cat. I will be asking people from all walks of life a series of questions about their perfume preferences. Perfume may be a big part of their lives, or barely there at all. My aim is to gauge the personal tastes of people whom I find interesting.

That said, I'm excited that Trae Bodge agreed to be my first subject because I've admired her for some time. She's an entrepeneur (she founded Three Custom Color Specialists), makeup artist and writer. She also effortlessly wears the kind of beautiful smile that will either break your heart or set it on fire.

First of all, please state your name and occupation:

Trae Bodge, Senior Editor and spokesperson, RetailMeNot.com Insider

What is your favorite perfume at the moment?

Bottega Veneta

What is your favorite fragrance house or brand of perfume?

I tend to bounce around a bit, but I would say Creed. My favorite from Creed is Silver Mountain Water.

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

Just about every day. Even though I work from home, I still love to smell delicious!

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

Not really. Obviously some perfumers are superior to others, but I like to approach each fragrance with an open mind.

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

Not really, although I always like to see what the Odin folks are up to, because their work is always interesting, complex and unexpected.

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

Chanel no. 5

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

Probably more than the average person because my bottles are arranged on a shelf right above my desk. I like to look at them when I'm formulating ideas. 

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?

My friend wears straight amber, which is a scent that I also love but find it a bit overpowering on its own. However, on her, it smells just right and when I smell it, I associate that smell with her.

In just three words, describe your ideal fragrance:

Spicy, Sexy, Fresh