Katrina Rosales
The use of animal products in perfumery is not uncommon, with some fragrances containing ingredients that may be considered unusual, such as bodily fluids. While there is no evidence to suggest that car urine is used in perfume, there have been reports of cat urine being used in counterfeit perfumes, particularly in Chinatown, New York City, and other places known for fake designer goods. It is important to note that the use of cat urine in perfumes is not an industry standard, and it is more likely to be found in discounted or counterfeit fragrances. Some perfume enthusiasts have also noted the presence of a cat pee note in certain perfumes, which is described as an acidic urine-like smell. However, this is likely due to the presence of certain ingredients and not actual cat urine. Additionally, some natural ingredients, such as blackcurrant buds, can have a fragrance that resembles cat urine when overdone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of cat urine in perfume | No direct mention of cat urine being used in perfumes, however, there are mentions of "cat pee notes" in perfumes |
| "Cat pee notes" in perfumes | A term used in fragrance reviews to describe the scent of a perfume that may be perceived as similar to cat urine |
| Ingredients that may smell like cat urine | Blackcurrant buds, Tuberose, Jasmine, Honey, Grapefruit |
| Civet | A secretion from civet cats, used as an ingredient in perfumes, may be perceived as similar to cat urine |
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What You'll Learn
- Cat urine is used in counterfeit perfumes to achieve a similar colour to the original
- Some floral fragrances contain para-cresol, which smells like goat urine
- Blackcurrant buds smell like cat urine and are used in perfumes
- Lady Gaga's urine was used to make a perfume by Andy Cohen
- Civet, a substance expressed from the anal glands of a small tropical mammal, was historically used in perfumes
Cat urine is used in counterfeit perfumes to achieve a similar colour to the original
It is unclear whether cat urine is used in counterfeit perfumes to achieve a similar colour to the original. However, it is important to note that the term "cat pee" or "cat urine" in fragrance reviews and descriptions is often used to describe a strong, sharp, and unpleasant scent. This may be due to certain ingredients in the perfume, such as blackcurrant, tuberose, jasmine, or grapefruit, interacting with the wearer's skin chemistry to produce a smell reminiscent of cat urine.
While cat urine itself is not a direct ingredient in perfumes, there is a substance known as "civet" that is derived from civet cats. Civet is a glandular secretion produced by these animals to mark their territory, and it has a strong, musky odour similar to that of cat urine. Civet has been used in perfumery for centuries, particularly in floral scents, where it adds warmth and radiance when carefully diluted and blended.
The use of civet in perfumery has raised ethical concerns, as it typically involves keeping civet cats in captivity and stressing them to produce the secretion. As a result, most perfumers now use synthetic recreations of civet for their fragrances, although some small perfumers may still source the real secretion.
It is worth noting that the perception of cat urine odour can vary across individuals and cultural contexts. Some people may associate the smell with uncleanliness or a dirty litter box, while others may not find it particularly offensive compared to other odours.
In summary, while cat urine is not directly used in perfumes, certain ingredients and substances, such as civet, can evoke a similar odour when used in specific combinations or concentrations. The term "cat pee" in fragrance descriptions is often used to convey a strong, sharp, or unpleasant scent, and the perception of such scents can vary among individuals and cultures.
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Some floral fragrances contain para-cresol, which smells like goat urine
Urine is not a common ingredient in perfumes, though some of the ingredients in perfumes might remind you of urine. For example, indole, a molecule found naturally in jasmine, narcissus, and orange blossom, is said to smell like urine.
One ingredient that is used in floral fragrances and is said to smell like goat urine is para-cresol. Para-cresol is said to give floral fragrances an animalic facet, adding captivating depth to creations. It is commonly found in flowers like narcissus, jasmine, and tuberose.
Para-cresol is also said to smell like horse urine, though this is not a universally accepted description of its scent. When diluted 100 or more times, it is said to smell floral.
While the use of urine in perfumes is not common, there are some instances where it has been used. For example, civet, a substance expressed from the anal glands of a small tropical mammal, was historically used in perfumery. Today, it has largely been replaced by synthetic alternatives, though it may still be found in some overseas perfumes.
Another example is hyraceum, which comes from the fossilized urine of the hyrax, a small mammal native to Africa. Hyraceum has a sensual, earthy scent and is used in perfumery to add depth and complexity to fragrances.
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Blackcurrant buds smell like cat urine and are used in perfumes
It may come as a surprise to many that blackcurrants and blackcurrant bushes can have a distinct smell of cat urine. Blackcurrant buds, in particular, have a fragrance that can be likened to cat urine. Interestingly, this scent is used in perfumery to enhance fruity and green notes. However, it is important to use blackcurrant buds sparingly as their sulfurous odor can become overpowering and resemble the smell of cat urine if used in large quantities.
The unexpected link between blackcurrants and cat urine lies in the chemistry of thiol compounds. Thiol compounds, such as p-mentha-8-thiol-3-one and 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol, are present in blackcurrants and contribute to their unique aroma. At low concentrations, these compounds have a pleasant blackcurrant fragrance. However, as their concentrations increase, the scent becomes more reminiscent of cat urine. This phenomenon can be attributed to the odor thresholds of these compounds, which are low enough to influence the overall aroma of blackcurrants.
The cassis plant, also known as the blackcurrant plant, contains glandular trichomes that carry the thiol compound 4-methoxy-2-methylbutan-2-thiol. This compound is responsible for the sulfurous odor that gives the plant its distinctive "catty" smell. While the berries of the cassis plant are edible and widely used, it is the bud that is most commonly utilized in perfumery due to its unique fragrance.
The use of blackcurrant buds in perfumery showcases the intricate and unexpected nature of scent creation. While the association between blackcurrants and cat urine may seem unusual, the chemical explanation reveals the presence of thiol compounds as the key link between these two seemingly unrelated entities. Through the artful blending and balancing of scents, perfumers are able to harness the unique qualities of blackcurrant buds to create captivating and complex fragrances.
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Lady Gaga's urine was used to make a perfume by Andy Cohen
While it may sound bizarre, the use of animal urine in perfumes is not unheard of. Beaver anal secretions, for instance, are prized for their pleasant vanilla aroma, and the urine of the hyrax, once fossilized, contributes an earthy scent to fragrances.
In the case of Lady Gaga's urine being used to make a perfume, the story goes that the singer relieved herself in a trash can backstage during an appearance on Andy Cohen's show, "Watch What Happens Live." Cohen, finding the incident amusing, decided to bottle the urine and enlisted his assistant, Ryan, to find a way to preserve it. The assistant discovered a recipe for turning urine into perfume, and thus, a unique fragrance was born.
Lady Gaga herself tweeted about the incident, warning her followers about Cohen's plans to spritz them with the unusual perfume. While some may view this as a strange or even gross occurrence, it is not the strangest moment in Lady Gaga's career, known for her outlandish fashion choices and statements.
Additionally, this is not Lady Gaga's first foray into unusual scents. In 2011, she released a perfume called "The Fame," which was reportedly inspired by the "smell of blood and semen." The pop star has also included belladonna in her fragrances, a toxic substance known for its fatal effects on ancient Roman figures.
The use of bodily fluids in perfumery is not uncommon, and while human urine perfume may be unconventional, it is possible to create a scent from it, as demonstrated by conceptual artist Cherry Tree, who often turns her urine into perfume using a distillation process similar to vodka fermentation.
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Civet, a substance expressed from the anal glands of a small tropical mammal, was historically used in perfumes
The civet produces a musk, named civet after the animal, which is highly valued as a fragrance and stabilizing agent for perfume. Both male and female civets produce the strong-smelling secretion, which is produced by the civet's perineal glands. The secretion, known as civet, is used by the animals in marking their territories. The greasy, musk-like secretion accumulates in a large pouch under the animal's tail.
The method of harvesting civet musk involves either killing the animal and removing the glands or scraping the secretions from the glands of a live animal. The latter is the preferred method today. However, animal rights groups have expressed concern over the cruelty of harvesting musk, and synthetic substitutes are now available. As a result, the practice of raising civets for musk is becoming less common.
In addition to civet musk, other unusual ingredients have been used in perfumery, including castoreum (from beaver anal secretions) and hyraceum (from the fossilized urine of the hyrax). These natural ingredients are prized for their pleasant aromas but are often replaced by synthetic alternatives.
While civet musk is no longer widely used in perfumes, it was once a sought-after ingredient for its ability to add warmth and sensuality to fragrances. Today, the use of animal products in perfumery is declining due to ethical concerns and the development of synthetic alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Cat urine is not used in fragrances. However, some people believe that counterfeit perfumes may contain cat urine to achieve a certain colour. Some perfumes may have a "cat pee note" due to the presence of black currant, tuberose, indolic white flowers, or jasmine.
The "cat pee note" is an intentional and carefully blended component of a perfume that some people liken to the smell of cat urine.
Some other unusual ingredients used in perfumes include indole (found in jasmine, narcissus, and orange blossom), para-cresol (found in tuberose, jasmine, and tuberose), and butyrates (used to formulate fruity facets like strawberry, pineapple, and banana).
There is at least one instance of a perfume containing celebrity urine. Andy Cohen bottled Lady Gaga's urine and made a perfume out of it.
