Keep the scent of someone you love

1. 1. Tell us about the bottleWhat's left, and anything you know about it.
2. 2. We pass it to a perfumerAn independent perfumer contacts you to talk it through.
3. 3. They recreate the scentUsually by sending a sample by post for analysis.

Why scent matters so much

Smell is closely linked to memory and emotion. The perfume or aftershave someone wore every day can bring them back more strongly than a photograph. When the bottle starts to run out, or the fragrance has been discontinued, many people worry about losing that last connection.

How recreation works

A perfumer studies a small sample of the original. They use their trained nose and, often, laboratory analysis (gas chromatography) to identify the main ingredients and how they're balanced. They then build a new version and refine it until it smells as close as possible to the original.

Even a small amount can be enough to work from. Your perfumer will tell you honestly what's possible with what you have.

What to expect

• A close match, not a copy: most recreations are very close, but no one can promise an exact match. Old perfume also changes as it ages, so the perfumer may talk to you about how it used to smell.
• Your bottle is precious: ask how your sample will be handled, whether you can send just a small decanted amount, and how it will be returned.
• Bottles for the family: many people order several small bottles so each family member can keep one.
• Time: recreation takes care and usually several weeks. The perfumer will give you a timescale and price before starting.

If there's nothing left

If the bottle is empty, a perfumer may still be able to help using the empty bottle, the name of the fragrance, or clothing that still carries the scent, though results are less certain. Mention whatever you have.

Helpful guides

• Recreating a discontinued perfume
• Preserving the last of their perfume
• Scent keepsakes for the whole family

Frequently asked questions