The Fragrance Of A Legend: Steve Mcqueen's Scent

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and King of Cool, was known for his ice-cool demeanour and smouldering good looks. But it wasn't just his natural charisma that made him so attractive to women – it was also his aftershave. McQueen's preferred brand of aftershave was Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, which contains the chemical Hedione, derived from the Greek word hedone, meaning fun, pleasure and lust. Hedione has been found to stimulate an area of the female brain responsible for releasing sex hormones, and scientists believe it is the first time a scent has been shown to activate the pheromone receptor VN1R in humans.

Steve McQueen wore Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and "King of Cool", was known for his ice-cool demeanour and smouldering good looks. But it wasn't just his natural charisma that drew people in—it was also his scent.

McQueen wore Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, a cologne that contains the chemical Hedione, which has been found to stimulate the release of sex hormones in women. This chemical, with its jasmine-like aroma, was first discovered in 1957 and is important for various processes in plants. When Dior added Hedione to Eau Sauvage in 1966, it was the first time the chemical had been used in a fragrance. The cologne was so popular that Dior launched a female version, Diorella, in 1972.

The scent of Hedione has been found to activate the pheromone receptor VN1R in humans, which may be why so many women were attracted to McQueen. In addition to its chemical composition, Eau Sauvage's fragrance also includes notes of lemon, green apple, patchouli, and amber.

Today, the legacy of Steve McQueen lives on not only through his films and cultural impact but also through his fragrance. His eponymous brand, Steve McQueen Parfum D'Homme, captures the complex aura of the iconic celebrity, with scents that evoke freedom and sensuality.

The cologne contains the chemical Hedione, which stimulates the release of sex hormones in women

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and "King of Cool", was known for wearing Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage. The cologne contains the chemical Hedione, which stimulates the release of sex hormones in women.

Hedione, derived from the Greek word "hedone", meaning fun, pleasure, and lust, has a pleasant, fresh jasmine-magnolia scent. It was first synthesised in the 1950s as a cheaper alternative to natural jasmine. However, it was soon discovered that Hedione had an interesting side effect. This chemical compound activates the pheromone receptor VN1R in humans, which is related to sexual response and emotion.

In women, Hedione activates a specific area of the hypothalamus, promoting sexual responsiveness by flooding the body with sex hormones. This effect has led to Hedione being described as a "superpower" for men's fragrances. Dior was the first perfume house to use Hedione in its men's fragrance, Eau Sauvage, in 1966. The cologne became so popular that it led to the introduction of a female version, Diorella, in 1972.

The inclusion of Hedione in colognes and perfumes may be more than just a pleasant scent; it could be a strategic choice to enhance their appeal and effects. The discovery of Hedione's ability to activate human pheromone receptors adds an intriguing dimension to the world of fragrances and their influence on attraction and sexual response.

While the cologne's scent may have contributed to Steve McQueen's allure, his style, charisma, and good looks also played a significant role in his appeal. McQueen's enduring reputation as a Hollywood icon and style inspiration continues to fascinate and influence generations.

Hedione was first used in perfume in 1966

The cologne worn by Steve McQueen, Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, contains the chemical Hedione, which was first used in perfume in 1966. Hedione, or methyl dihydrojasmonate, was discovered in the 1960s by the fragrance and flavour company Firmenich, who patented it in 1962. It is based on a compound found in jasmine absolute and was created to capture the intense freshness of the flower.

Hedione has a fresh, floral fragrance with green nuances reminiscent of jasmine. It also occurs naturally in tea and other flowers such as magnolia, honeysuckle, and tuberose. Its subtle scent adds volume to perfumes and boosts citrus notes, particularly lemon. It is often combined with orange blossom, and complemented by hawthorn, honeysuckle, or cyclamen, creating a burst of freshness and lightness.

The use of Hedione in Dior's Eau Sauvage was groundbreaking, as it was the first time a perfume house had used this chemical in a fragrance. The scent was so successful that it was adopted by women as well, leading to the introduction of a female version, Diorella, in 1972. Hedione has since become a staple in the perfumer's palette, featured in iconic fragrances such as CK One by Calvin Klein, Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani, and J'adore by Dior.

The name Hedione is derived from the Greek word "hedone," meaning pleasure or delight, reflecting its alluring scent. Research has also shown that Hedione can stimulate the release of sex hormones in the brain, making it a potential aphrodisiac. This may explain why Steve McQueen, with his iconic cool demeanour and good looks, was so attractive to women.

Dior created a women's version of Eau Sauvage, called Diorella, in 1972

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and self-proclaimed "King of Cool", was known for his ice-cool demeanour and smouldering good looks. But it wasn't just his natural charisma that drew people in—it was also his signature scent.

McQueen was a loyal wearer of Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, a fragrance that contains the chemical Hedione, which has been found to stimulate the release of sex hormones in women. Dior was the first perfume house to use Hedione in a fragrance when they launched Eau Sauvage in 1966. The cologne was a huge success, and its unique scent proved so popular with women that many began to adopt it as their own. This unexpected twist led to the creation of a female version of Eau Sauvage, called Diorella, in 1972.

Hedione, derived from the Greek word "hedone", meaning fun, pleasure and lust, has a pleasant, fresh jasmine-magnolia scent. It is synthesised from the organic compound methyl jasmonate, which is important in plants for functions such as seed germination, root growth, flowering and fruit ripening.

The inclusion of Hedione in Eau Sauvage may have been a contributing factor to McQueen's allure and the many gorgeous women he attracted. Since its initial use in Dior's Eau Sauvage, Hedione has been used in numerous other fragrances for both men and women, including First by Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel No. 19, and Angel by Thierry Mugler.

A Steve McQueen fragrance was launched in 2010

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon and "King of Cool", was known for his ice-cool demeanour and smouldering good looks. With his passion for race cars and motorcycles, McQueen was a symbol of freedom and sensuality. So, it is no surprise that a fragrance bearing his name was launched in 2010, marking the 30th anniversary of his death.

The Steve McQueen fragrance was the brainchild of French entrepreneur Thierry Lemahieu, a longtime fan of the actor. In collaboration with McQueen's son, Chadwick, and his first wife, Neile, Lemahieu sought to capture the complex aura of the iconic celebrity. The result was a scent that evoked warm earth, motor oil, and sensuality, with notes of lemon, green apple, patchouli, and amber.

The launch of the fragrance built upon the existing McQueen brand, which included watches, clothes, cars, and motorbikes. The McQueen cologne joined a range of perfumes that bore the actor's name, such as Steve McQueen Extrem, Steve McQueen Legend, and Steve McQueen Mythic.

While the 2010 launch introduced the fragrance to the European market, it was poised for a worldwide launch in 2011. The cologne invited wearers to embody the essence of Steve McQueen—a man whose allure extended beyond the screen and into the realms of racing, adventure, and style.

Although McQueen himself was known to wear Christian Dior's Eau Sauvage, the fragrance launch in his name offered fans a new way to connect with his enduring legacy. With its carefully crafted scent profile, the Steve McQueen fragrance captured the multifaceted spirit of the man, perpetuating his status as a symbol of freedom, sensuality, and coolness.

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