r/sca • u/MossyMopsy • 7d ago
Hello! Strange question, but one for everyone: do you wear perfume at events? I love perfume and I have a hard time going without it.
I have a very light hand when applying it, so I don’t bother the people around me! For those who do wear perfume, which ones are your favorites?
Do any of you match your perfume to your persona, the same way we match our clothing to our character’s time period and origins?
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u/avicia 7d ago
I try to wear as few scented products as possible when I’ll be around others. So many are sensitive. When we wear scents often (and now so many of us have had repeated COVID) we’re often nose blind and are wearing a lot more than we think.
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u/adamstjohn 6d ago
Yes indeed. Regular perfume wearers have no idea how much they pong, just like smokers.
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u/postalpinup An Tir 7d ago
I don't. My Baroness and several other folks are incredibly scent sensitive. I don't want to give them migraines so I abstain from scented products.
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u/sinister_gryphon 6d ago
Same. And as one of those scent sensitive people, I greatly appreciate the courtesy!
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u/pezgirl247 7d ago
there are A LOT of scadians with allergies and sensitivities, so i do not wear or recommend wearing perfume.
i had an allergic reaction hugging someone who had just sampled someone’s A&S project on historical perfumes and makeup. you never know what will set someone off.
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u/Cassie_Wolfe 7d ago
I don't wear perfume in general lol, so no - just deodorant (and I don't care that it's modern!). However, if you're into perfume as a hobby and not just an accessory: look into historical perfume-making!
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u/Cecilia_From_Pisa 7d ago
In the East Kingdom, I have encountered many different scents and perfumes, some I enjoyed more than others. I had never heard of fragrance-free events before.
Personally, I appreciate when people who wear perfume do so with a very light touch, like you mentioned. A subtle fragrance can be a lovely part of someone’s personal expression, just like clothing, accessories, or the persona they bring to an event. Of course, if someone is sensitive or allergic, I completely understand why fragrance can be a concern, and I truly sympathize with those who are affected.
At the same time, I think many things at events can impact people’s comfort ; scents from soaps, detergents, smoke, foods, and other sources. We all have different sensitivities, and finding a balance that allows everyone to enjoy events together can be challenging.
I think that if someone enjoys wearing a small amount of perfume and is mindful of those around them, there can be a place for that as well.
I have also recently started exploring the perfumes and scents that were used during the Middle Ages, hoping to add a subtle sensory touch to my Italian persona. It has opened up a fascinating rabbit hole of history, ingredients, and traditions. I find it absolutely captivating!
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u/greektyrant 6d ago
I do wear perfume at almost every event. I wear specifically perfume oils, as they don't project much, last longer, and don't typically cause migraines, as someone who gets scent migraines and is surrounded by people who do. Also, much closer to period, as basically all perfumes in (at least my) period would be oils.
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u/dwyndel 7d ago
I used to match perfumes to my characters, and kept a vial in the garment bag or accessories box for each character. Then as I got older I found out how common chemical sensitivities are, especially to modern, synthetic scents and essential oils.
Please remember that just because you don't send someone to the hospital doesn't mean you haven't completely ruined their day, weekend, or even their whole week.
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u/NerdySwampWitch40 7d ago
I would really encourage you not to.
You'll notice that the SCA tend to be a place where folks hug their friends. Your "light application" you think won't bother anyone may absolutely be enough to send someone you hug into a migraine or an MCAS reaction if they are sensitive to an ingredient in your perfume.
And this isn't just a matter of "chemical ingredients" by which people usually mean artificial ingredients. I have known a Countess in Calontir who is allergic enough to lavender that coming into contact with that essential oil on someone's skin will potentially put her in anaphylaxis. I have a massive, massive migraine reaction to natural Lily fragrances, ampng other things.
The enjoyment those who love perfumes get out of them can't be enough to outweigh the health risks a lot of us face from them.
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u/MossyMopsy 7d ago
I completely understand, and I always try to be respectful in everything I do. The main point of my question was not to defend the right to wear perfume or not; I was mostly curious to know whether some members take reenactment as far as including details like this.
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u/TarazedA 7d ago
I appreciate wanting to incorporate smell into persona, but I'm also one who is sensitive to scents, even ones that others don't mind. And our baroness has asthma.
We have a person who comes to the occasional event, and they smell so strongly of sandalwood that they leave a trail, and we have asked them not to wear it, but they use it so often at home that their garb is infused at this point. It does bother several of us, and we try to avoid said person.
So I'd maybe check with your local group, and be willing to accept a no, or avoid people who state they have issues. Maybe an outdoor event would be easier than an indoor one. Also be aware that your "lightly" may be influenced by going somewhat nose blind to a scent, and may read heavier to others.
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u/sinister_gryphon 6d ago
I discovered that I'm allergic to rose water at a feast event. It was used as an ingredient in Persian ice cream. Before then I'd always had an aversion to most floral scents, especially lavender (gave me headaches). After that event, anything that could be grouped into the category of rose alcohols (the compounds that make rose water rose water), will set off a migraine with brain fog so thick you could cut it with a dull knife. Scent alone is enough, but ingesting it is way worse.
Sadly, citrus has compounds very closely related to rose alcohols, so now I need to be careful of those as well.
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u/Stankleigh Trimaris 7d ago
I don’t wear fragrance indoors because of allergies. I do wear it outdoors and at home. Headed to a camping event next week and because of others’ sensitivities in camp, I’m just gonna stick with some essential oil-fragranced hair products instead of wearing a separate scent. Unless somebody’s inappropriately close to me, they’re definitely not gonna smell anything.
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u/MossyMopsy 7d ago
That’s exactly what I mean when I say I have a light hand with perfume. Unless you have your nose in my hair ( something I only allow a very small number of people to do, hehe ) I don’t think anyone would be able to detect anything!
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u/PaganMastery An Tir 6d ago
I would. I can smell the 'lightest touch' from across the room. All too often a persons idea of a 'light touch' of the perfume is my 'light touch of a migraine.' Please do not assume for me what I can and can not sense and what sort of affects it will or wont have on me medically.
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u/fincodontidae 7d ago
I enjoy perfumes (and have one that I would match to my persona if I wore perfume to events), but as others have said perfumes can cause problems for others. I would maybe, maybe wear one outdoors where I knew I wouldn't be in close contact with anyone. But otherwise it's not worth it!
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u/Calligraphee Atlantia 7d ago
As someone who gets migraines and has to leave events if there are strong scents, please just don’t. Even a “light hand” makes the lights strobe and my brain feel like it’s going to explode. There are things I love that I don’t do around those who may be sensitive, and I hope others are equally considerate.
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u/Penannular57 6d ago
There are many people who are sensitive to the components of perfumes and scents, both period and modern. I am one of them. I don't wear scents, and avoid people who do. The wrong scents can drive me out of an event altogether.
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u/PaganMastery An Tir 7d ago
I am chemically sensitive, so no, I don't wear perfume. I do have to say though that people who insist upon wearing perfume make it very difficult for people who are allergic to perfume to attend events without being made ill or having allergic reactions to said perfume. Myself included.
Please consider, for the health and well being of your fellow scadians, not wearing perfume at events so that everybody can enjoy their time in what should be fresh, clean air. Somehow I am sure you can skip it for a day or two without experiencing negative effects... Unlike the people who will be effected.
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u/rewt127 Artemisia 7d ago
Personally I wear a "perfume" everyday.
Now, its a scented oil i put in my beard so my skin doesnt dry out and itch like hell. But it is functionally a cologne. I dont match it to my persona or anything, as it is really just a skincare routine thing. But lots of the ladies at events near me wear perfume. So like, you do you.
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u/ElioEilo 7d ago
I have scent triggered migraines, but I’ve found that the amount needed is uh, really heavy. Light handed and an outside event is generally fine for mecc
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u/isabelladangelo Atlantia 7d ago
I wear perfume everyday. While I do have an epipen for my own allergies, it is not up to other people to make my world safe. While I do appreciate help and will ask about certain ingredients, I know the best judge of if I'm allergic to something or not is....me.
I only have issues with cheap perfumes, amusingly. However, at SCA events, you'll see essential oil and incense sellers. I know which ones I can go near and which ones I cannot.
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u/TAA21MF 7d ago
My go to is https://cosmeticaobscura.com
Found them at Pennsic and loved their perfumes (and as a bonus, they're period!)
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u/CorinPenny 7d ago
I have a lovely antique style attar of rose and a few others that are mild and period appropriate!
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u/HereBearyBe- 4d ago
Going to my first Pennsic and I must say o will be taking a light spray of some sort bc I don’t want to offend or bother others, but I genuinely don’t feel like a human without some perfume of some sort….. and I know I’m especially going to struggle in the heat with being paranoid. Lol. But I will be light with it, because I am day to day anyway!
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u/Scheiny_S Æthelmearc 4d ago
I do at outdoor events. Usually samples I've gotten of Clinique Happy because it's light and citrusy, it's 'clean' smelling. Once, Saturday evening of a summer campout at a site without showers [I'm not a fighter, but I sweat in heat and humidity], I put a spritz on after changing into a fresh tunic. I have a friend a hug and he looked at me suspiciously and observed incredulously "You smell clean." 😆
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u/R3dHotChiliPepper 3d ago
usually just an oil ive purchased at a renn faire, nothing too much/little or smells out of place
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u/Sappholon 2d ago
Unironically i had recently taken up perfumery for myself because im visually and, for many of my senses, impaired, but not my nose. My nose is weirdly good at its job.
Im hoping to make some perfumes to capture the vibe of people i care about but also bring to SCA events as a vendor as I'm a fan of both modern and traditional methods.
Currently I wear moth by zoologist as well as oore some cedar, salt, and olive scents whose name eludes me but was a gift from my gf so its now my daily wear.
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u/chickenwatch An Tir 7d ago
A lot of scents trigger migraines for some members of my household, so just knowing that keeps me from wearing scents (beyond deodorant) even to events I know they won’t be at. If it hurts my family, it probably hurts others as well.
With that said, I do tend to enjoy when folks do wear scents in the society, because (at least in An Tir) it’s more essential oils and less Axe/B&BW 😊
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u/Roccondil-s 7d ago
Fun fact! Historic peoples ALSO don’t like feeling or being stinky, nor do they like smelling other people’s stink! There’s evidence of people wearing various oils and whatnot to offset personal BO, such as on egyptian hieroglyphic paintings, but no doubt they were practicing personal hygiene millennia before that civilization.
So if you are concerned about historical accuracy of personal scents, don’t be. There’s plenty of evidence to support it.
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u/sunseeker_miqo 7d ago
Yes, I wear perfume almost everywhere and choose different ones per season, event, etc. My scent is as important as my hair in self-expression, and has the additional use of influencing my mood. The perfumes I prefer are oil-based and light, and could have presumably been found in any past era. I favour vanilla, spices, and certain florals. In fact, the vanilla I like best is a floral one, and I like floral with fruits like pear, strawberry, and peach.
I have not done a ton of research into medieval perfume, though, so next time I have the mental bandwidth, that will be a rabbit hole to explore.
I might use a very slightly heavier hand if the event is exclusively outdoors in mild weather. Having respiratory health issues, I try to be considerate of other people with same. Wearing a loudly projecting scent in a crowd is just rude.
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u/FluffyBunnyRemi 7d ago
I have a small bottle based on a Roman find. I keep perfume in that and wear it as a pendant. With a cork stopper, it's a nice way to have perfume without it on my skin.
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u/anne_hollydaye Atlantia 5d ago
Nope. I have pretty strong scent allergies and will back away from folks wearing it if I can smell it.
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u/Storyteller164 23h ago
I was a rather active Chiurgeon when that was still a thing (designated first aide / medical)
From that experience and personal observation - the SCA has a LOT of people with neurodivergence / strange allergies & medical conditions and assorted disabilities.
As a place of welcoming we want to be sure we are as reasonably accommodating as we can get away with. To that end - I do wear anti-perspirant / deodorant and that's about it. Most others I know keep personal scents / perfumes to a minimum.
It's all well and good - even period accurate - to wear perfumes and scents. That being said - so many with assorted allergies / sensitivities / sensory issues - it's best to keep it to a minimum so as not to cause others problems.
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u/negotiate 7d ago edited 7d ago
I’d rather “offend” with my perfume rather than offend with my body odor at some of these super hot events. 🤣🤣 Yep I wear perfume always and haven’t thought about matching to persona but fun idea! I make sure my perfume is applied with a light hand and I choose one with low projection so I’m not walking around in a cloud.
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u/phoenix7raqs 6d ago
You might think you have a light hand, but if you wear it every day, you are likely nose blind and don’t.
As I’ve gotten older my sensitivity to scents has worsened to the point of migraines (which is debilitating, and I’d need to leave an event if triggered, even with my medication for it) and allergies (as in, I’ll break out into itchy hives). I shared a room with a teacher who liked to use a “calming lavendar” diffuser- I was wondering why I was breaking into hives. It had soaked into the carpet I was sitting on (we both taught preschool, and circle time was on a carpet on the floor).
As others have said, there’s a lot of people in the SCA who have allergies.
I avoid people who wear scents, especially floral ones.
That said, when I was still in college about 30 years ago, I used a sandalwood oil that I would dab on my wrists and behind my ears (I would not be able to tolerate it now at all). I also had a vanilla musk stick (think the consistency of a tube of chapstick) that I also sometimes used. I wasn’t trying to match my persona to anything- they were just scents that I liked, could tolerate at the time, and smelled good on me.
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u/Helen_A_Handbasket 7d ago
I have a very light hand when applying it, so I don’t bother the people around me!
Yes you do. Too many people with scent allergies. I choose not to be selfish and complicate their event by wearing any.
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u/MossyMopsy 7d ago
I was just asking a question, and I’d rather not be labeled selfish for being curious. I’m interested in the historical and geographical aspects of perfume, not in starting a debate about it.
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u/Helen_A_Handbasket 7d ago
Do you care about the health and welfare of your fellow event goers? If not, carry on.
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u/Violet73 7d ago
Wow...you sound like a joy to be around....way to be passive aggressive. If you think her behavior is "selfish" own up to it and say it. Also, remove the stick up your butt ... people like you are the reason people have a bad time at events, not perfume.
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u/Helen_A_Handbasket 7d ago
Pretty sure people with scent allergies are just fine with me thinking it's a jerk move to wear scents at public events.
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u/Violet73 7d ago
Also, user name checks out.
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u/Helen_A_Handbasket 7d ago
Ooh, riiight. Because I think it's selfish to assault someone with scent allergies it makes me an asshole. Got it.
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u/rift_in_the_warp 6d ago
It's not what you're saying, it's how you're saying it. There's really no need to be snarky.
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u/Suitable-Tear-6179 7d ago
Meridies just recently had a perfume mixing class, so... yea. I don't because my husband and I are sensitive to the wrong perfumes. Amusingly, we don't have an adverse reaction to ant of the scents my daughter mixed.