Walk into a bakery and catch that warm swirl of cinnamon and butter, and suddenly, you’re six years old, standing in your grandmother’s kitchen. You haven’t smelled that exact scent in years, but your brain brings the memory back in vivid color: her floral apron, the old tiled floor, the hum of the oven. That’s the power of scent.

Smell doesn’t just float through the air. It roots itself in memory. Unlike other senses, scent travels straight to the part of the brain that handles emotions and recall. It doesn’t get filtered or rerouted. It just lands and sticks.

Let’s explore why this happens, how it shapes our lives, and how fragrance brands like KIERIN NYC are using this connection to create perfumes and candles that speak directly to the heart.

Why Scent and Memory Are So Closely Linked

Our brains are hardwired to treat scent differently. When you see, hear, or touch something, the information gets routed through the thalamus before reaching higher brain centers. Smell, on the other hand, bypasses this step. It travels directly to the amygdala and hippocampus, the emotional and memory hubs of the brain.

This means that smell has direct access to memory storage, especially memories with emotional weight. That’s why a random whiff of cologne can remind you of someone you haven’t seen in years, or why the scent of sunscreen can immediately bring back the feeling of a childhood summer trip.

Researchers have found that memories linked to scent are not only more emotionally intense, but they also tend to last longer. They emerge with greater clarity than memories tied to visuals or sounds. This isn’t just interesting from a psychological perspective; it has a real impact on our mood, our sense of identity, and even how we navigate the world.

One article I found particularly insightful on this topic was How Perfume Affects Your Mood: The Science of Scent. It dives deeper into how scents influence emotions and brain chemistry, helping explain why certain fragrances make us feel so deeply.

How Fragrance Can Shape Our Emotional Experience

Think about the moments when you’ve reached for a perfume. Maybe it was a first date. A wedding. A big interview. You weren’t just putting on a scent. You were building a mood. You were adding something invisible but powerful to your presence.

That’s because scent can do more than trigger past memories; it can help create new ones. Certain smells have been shown to calm the nervous system, uplift mood, or even increase focus. Over time, your brain begins to associate those scents with whatever was happening when you wore them.

This idea isn’t new. Aromachology, the study of how scent affects human behavior, has been around for decades. What’s new is how consciously we can now use fragrance in our daily routines, not just to smell good, but to shape how we feel and what we remember.

I found a great conversation on this in KIERIN NYC Founder TALKS: On Challenging the Rules of Fragrance. It explores the brand’s philosophy of creating scents that disrupt tradition and invite personal connection.

Using Fragrance to Build Positive Rituals

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to use scent meaningfully. In fact, the best way to use fragrance as a memory tool is to tie it to everyday rituals.

Light a candle with calming notes during your nightly wind-down. Spray a certain perfume before your morning journaling session or yoga practice. Keep a fabric spray in your car or workspace that instantly shifts your mindset.

Over time, your brain will begin to associate that scent with a specific feeling—peace, focus, motivation, rest. It becomes a shortcut to that emotional state. It’s not about fragrance as decoration. Its fragrance is an intention.

One blog that really inspired me to lean into this idea is Varying Shades of Green Beauty, which reflects on how sustainability and personal expression can both be part of our fragrance rituals.

How KIERIN NYC Captures the Power of Scent and Memory

KIERIN NYC approaches scent as a story. Every perfume and candle is designed not just to smell good but to evoke a certain mood, setting, or moment. These are not abstract creations. They are grounded in real experiences—city streets, slow mornings, bold nights.

Take Sunday Brunch, for example. Its bright blend of citrus and Earl Grey tea doesn’t just smell fresh. It feels like an unhurried Sunday morning. You’re not rushing. You’re soaking up sunlight. You’re grounded in the moment.

Then there’s Nitro Noir, a darker, more sensual fragrance with pink berries and patchouli. It’s layered and mysterious, designed for evenings that carry weight. This isn’t a scent for blending in. It’s one that lingers, invites, and leaves a trace.

KIERIN also extends this storytelling into their candle line. The Santal Sky candle, for instance, combines sandalwood, saffron, vetiver, and orchid. It fills a room with a grounded calm, perfect for ending your day with intention. And because it’s soy-based and made with clean ingredients, you can light it regularly without worry.

Whether you're choosing a scent for a milestone or just marking a quiet moment, KIERIN fragrances offer something you can emotionally connect with. They aren’t just selling perfume. They’re helping people live in their memories.

In fact, I was reminded of this emotional storytelling when reading about a beloved fragrance reviewer in A Visit with Celebrated Fragrance Blogger: Brooklyn Fragrance Lover. The connection between scent and storytelling couldn’t be clearer.

FAQs

Can scent really improve mood or emotional well-being?
Yes. Studies show that familiar, pleasant smells can boost mood, reduce anxiety, and help people recall positive memories. This connection is especially helpful for managing stress or grounding yourself during difficult moments.

Why do some scents trigger memories more than others?
Because our olfactory system is directly linked to the brain’s emotional and memory centers, certain scents, especially those experienced during emotional moments, get encoded more deeply and resurface more easily.

How can I use fragrance more intentionally in daily life?
Start small. Pick a perfume or candle that makes you feel something. Use it during a meaningful ritual, a quiet coffee, a phone call with a friend, or an evening walk. Let your brain build that association naturally. Over time, you’ll find it easier to tap into that feeling just by revisiting the scent.

Final Thoughts: Living in Layers

Scent isn’t just about attraction or personal style. It’s about identity. Emotion. Memory. It adds a layer to the way we live, think, and remember. Whether you’re using it to anchor a habit, create a new memory, or simply enjoy your space a little more, fragrance can be one of the most powerful tools in your daily life.

KIERIN NYC understands this. Their perfumes and candles are more than just products; they’re experiences designed to live with you. To support your routines. To help you remember what matters.

So the next time you reach for a fragrance, don’t just ask how it smells. Ask what it feels like. Ask what memory it holds, or what new one it could create.

Explore KIERIN NYC’s collection and find the scent that speaks to your story.