May 2016 for Men: Smoke

Smoke has long been a major element of perfumery. In fact, “perfume” comes from the Latin per fumum, or “through smoke.” In perfume, smoke can take the form of a campfire, raging or extinguished; a burnt match or dampered candle; a cigar alight; or a stick of incense throwing tendrils into the air.

In any form, smoke creates an aura of mystery—perhaps because our noses struggle to find the source and determine whether it is a fire to be welcomed or feared. In this case, we have no fire—only its beautifully smoldering companion.