When Saul Bellow wrote that life is a series of “unexpected intrusions of beauty,” he wasn’t talking about Mrs. Meyer’s Snowdrop dish soap or Marvis minty toothpaste. But the sentiment still holds: According to many of the world’s top perfumers, inspiration is regularly derived from the humblest of places. Here, a few of our favorite noses share the everyday scents that alight their senses, and keep them feeling cozy, energized, and refreshed.
Ben Esposito, Perfumer and Founder, House of Mammoth
“I love what Mrs. Meyer’s has done with their scenting, showcasing a wide range of smells not typically used in cleaning products. I hoard their Iowa Pine over the holidays (the best Christmas tree scent) and I’m clinging to my last few ounces of Snowdrop, a fresh floral and a touch fruity, pure ’90s nostalgia. I’ll probably grab Dandelion or the classic Basil next for the warmer weather. Tip: a lot of the scent names are more vibes than realism, so don’t just go by the name.”
SHOP NOW: Mrs. Meyer’s (price varies)
SHOP SIMILAR: The Laundress surface cleaner ($16), Blueland multi-surface cleaner starter set ($21), and Diptyque la droguerie multi-surfce cleaner with vinegar ($48)
Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Perfumer, Givaudan
“For me, it’s an imprinted scent of a product I love, and that I use everyday: Maja de Myrurgia soap, redolent of lavender, geranium, cloves, vetiver and coumarin… a typical fougère! It’s rumored that historically, the actual soap paste is prepared with the addition of vetiver essence in it. It’s of Spanish origin and dates from the 1930s, but it’s still produced in Mexico.”
SHOP NOW: Maja de Myrurgia ($11.35)
SHOP SIMILAR: Compagne de Provence authentic Marseille cube soap ($13.50), Jo Malone lime basil and mandarine soap ($35), and Flamingo Estate manuka soap brick ($58.00)
Alexis Grugeon, Perfumer, Givaudan
“The Aesop Aromatique Reverence hand soap, which contains lots of vetiver (one of my favorite ingredients) and is quite unexpected for a hand wash. Along with the vetiver, I love the freshness coming from the citruses: bergamot, grapefruit, and bitter orange. Those notes give me a smile and a boost of energy every time I wash my hands. It is the perfect combo of efficiency, pleasure, and luxury.
The Tokyo Candle by Diptyque is another. It’s a limited edition to the Tokyo store, but I am obsessed with this scent of incense, cypress, pepper, and clean, aldehydic freshness. It reminds me of the traditional Papier d’Armenie but brings more facets to it, similar to the smell of the temples in Japan. It brings me peace and calm every night; it’s also an amazing air cleanser after cooking.”
SHOP NOW: Aesop Aromatique Reverence hand soap ($46) and Diptyque Tokyo – classic candle ($86)
SHOP SIMILAR: Diptyque l’papier candle ($74), Dior Eden-Roc candle ($100), and Trudon Versailles classic scented candle ($260)
Mathilde Laurent, Perfumer, Cartier
“A sip of hot tea. A true perfume to swallow and contemplate sensorially. [Laurent prefers a custom-blended oolong green tea created by nunshen exclusively for Cartier.]”
SHOP NOW: nunshen green passion bio ($16.29)
SHOP SIMILAR: Harney & Sons ali son oolong ($35), Rishi green tea mint ($49.50), and Palais De Thés long jing pre-qingming ($55)
Pia Long, Head Perfumer and Director, Olfiction Limited
“The first thing I do with a book is sniff. I bury my face between the pages and huff books—always have done. It is the most comforting, grounding, soothing smell I know. Of course, the variety is huge. Old books eked out from tall piles with questionable structural integrity smell sweet, powdery, dusty, a little like vanilla, and some may have a hint of Miss Havisham’s decaying dresser. New books smell of fresh printing and ink. There are specific comic books from my Finnish childhood that I wish I could bottle the smell of. Ever since I started creating fragrances, I have been searching for a magic way to capture the pure joy that books bring to me. Some sandalwood and iris qualities have a papery aroma, and vetiver has been used as an ink additive, so these materials can evoke part of the experience.”
SHOP NOW: Thrift Books
SHOP SIMILAR: Barnes and Noble, Taschen, and Assouline
Luca Maffei, Perfumer and CEO, Atelier Fragranze Milano
“Every choice we make in our daily rituals reflects who we are. For me, even something as simple as brushing my teeth is an experience that deserves attention. That’s why I’ve chosen Marvis Aquatic Mint. The flavor is crisp, invigorating, and perfectly balanced, with that touch of freshness that wakes up the senses without overwhelming them. What draws me in, beyond the performance, is the design. That iconic metallic tube, the bold lettering, the vintage-meets-modern aesthetic—there’s something incredibly satisfying about using a product that speaks the language of beauty and function so fluently.
Moving into my new home in the heart of Milan, I wanted to create a space that felt entirely mine—a place of calm, privacy, and quiet elegance. For me, scent is at the core of that feeling. That’s why I’ve chosen Nuncas Zagara Pavimenti Profumati for something as simple, and yet essential, as cleaning my floors. That burst of citrus blossom, fresh and luminous, gently fills the space without being overpowering. When I walk through the door and breathe in that familiar, floral note, I feel at peace. I feel at home.”
SHOP NOW: Marvis Aquatic Mint ($10.50) and Nuncas Zagara Pavimenti Profumati ($7.44)
SHOP SIMILAR: Aesop toothpaste ($19), Selahatin amorist whitening toothpaste ($19), and Homecourt neroli leaf surface cleanser ($25)
Adriana Medina, Perfumer, Givaudan
“For me, it is the imprinting smell of Fabuloso. It reminds me of my mom cleaning on Saturdays and the smell of lavender all over the house, listening to all her Spanish ballads and Salsa songs in the morning. I love that smell!”
SHOP NOW: Fabuloso ($9.89)
SHOP SIMILAR: L’Avant Collective mulit-purpose surface cleaner ($14), Flamingo Estate roma heirloom tomato surface cleanser ($28), and Primally Pure warm citrus spice home collection ($120)
Erwan Raguenes, Perfumer, dsm-firmenich
Mrs. Meyer’s Pet Odor Eliminator in Coconut Leaf is my favorite scent because it strikes the perfect balance between freshness and comfort. The watery, dewy green leafy notes instantly make the space feel clean and airy, like opening windows on a spring morning. Then it softens into a creamy, musky coconut that feels unexpectedly cozy and cocooning.”
SHOP NOW: Mrs. Meyer’s Pet Odor Eliminator in Coconut Leaf ($12.98)
SHOP SIMILAR: Pura juicy acai ($15.99), Clean Coats deodorizing conditioning spray ($19.61), and Santa Maria Novella rose scented spray for pets ($20)
Dana Schmitt, Perfumer, Givaudan
“I love the smell of Dove bar soap! Its clean fragrance is so beautiful, and I admire the work of the perfumer who did it. Every time I use it, the smell puts a smile on my face. I have never gotten tired of it, even after so many years. I hope to one day have a product like this on the market—something that people connect with and imprints on them and their families.”
SHOP NOW: Dove beauty bar soap for women ($1.50)
SHOP SIMILAR: Cerave foaming cleaning bar ($8.79), Drunk Elephant peekee bar ($28), Soft Services green banana buffing bar ($30)
Berenice Watteau, Perfumer, dsm-firmenich
“The scent of a fireplace holds one of my dearest childhood memories. It takes me straight back to our cozy living room in France, to chilly Sunday afternoons wrapped in warmth, surrounded by family. We’d talk for hours, play games, laugh, and sometimes roast chestnuts or caramelize bananas over the open fire—the whole room filled with enveloping, smoky comfort. Those moments were simple, but filled with so much joy. That smell, for me, is the essence of warmth and nostalgia. It’s a note I often return to when creating fragrance—familiar, grounding, and deeply emotional. I may not have a fireplace in my New York apartment, but there’s always a Feu de Bois candle from Diptyque burning—it brings a little piece of home with me, wherever I am.”
SHOP NOW: AllModern howland round fire pit ($93) and Diptyque feu de bois classic candle ($76)
SHOP SIMILAR: Burberry ivy and sandalwood candle ($280), Frontgate classic copper fire pit ($599.25), and Nest Indian jasmine decorative luxury candle ($225)
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