Why Can't I Smell My Scent? You know how you put on perfume just before you leave the house and then it kind of ‘wears out’ as the day progresses, only for a co-worker or a friend to compliment you on the ‘nice perfume you’re wearing’ later in the day?

But even if other people tell you that they notice your perfume, you remain positive that you didn’t get your money’s worth on that brand new cologne or perfume you bought. This is because your nose is making you believe that the fragrance didn’t last for more than 10 minutes. Why is this so? How come other people can smell the scent you’re wearing, but not you? This is not because the atoms of your perfume are diffused unto the environment but because your nose ‘goes numb’ after a few whiffs of that cologne.