#THE ZARA DUPE IS SO GOOD

[taintedcigs]

25 bc i am genuinely looking for new ones LMAO

ysl black opium is always my GO TO!!! libre too!!! flowerbomb i love bc it last so long for me. also baccarat too!! (they are kinda expensive tho!!, i only got them thanks to my friend who gets me perfumes for cheap or free but there are so many dupes for them and most of them are identical!! like zara gardenia is the exact dupe for black opium) for lotion fenty skin butta drop is rlly good, and ive heard brazilian bum bum cream is good too !!!!

[maeranyy]

~ GIRL PERFUM DUPE ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ~

I made a post about the best perfumes for women but it was too expensive and not accessible so I found the best famous perfume dupes for you

1. Chanel N°5 ₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*

Dupe : Lovely de Sarah Jessica Parker

2. Coco Mademoiselle de Chanel ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

Dupe : Miss Giordani de Oriflame

3. La Vie Est Belle de Lancôme ₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*

Dupe : Amazing Life de Figenzi (chez Action)

4. Black Opium d’Yves Saint Laurent ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

Dupe : Gardenia de Zara

5. J’adore de Dior ₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*

Dupe : Sunflowers de Elizabeth Arde

6. Good Girl de Carolina Herrera ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

Dupe : Good Chica de Primark

7. Baccarat Rouge 540 de Maison Francis Kurkdjian ₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*

Dupe : Red Temptation de Zara

8. Si de Giorgio Armani ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹

Dupe : Dazzling Amber de Zara

9. Blooming bouquet dior ₊˚⊹⋆˙˚˖ ࣪☆.°*

Dupe : Lightly Bloom by zara / nude perfum zara

10. Daisy by Marc Jacobs ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

Dupe : Zara Apple juice

From an angel who is called maera ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

[frances-baby-houseman]

Also another note about uniqlo which is that I think it often gets lumped in with fast fashion like Zara bc it's so affordable but it really is not the same as other fast fashion brands. It's affordable staples, NOT high-turnover dupes, so you're getting value in just mass production of the exact same t-shirt year after year. You can really count on the 100% wool, cashmere, and linen, all of which just hold up beautifully. And their designer collabs are so so so so good.

[trippinsorrows]

Hi! I remember you saying you saying you love perfumes/fragrances, what are some of your favorites?❤️

oh, friend…..

way tooo many! i will splurge on perfumes in a minute, but i also have a lot of non expensive faves! it’s just smelling good is a must 😭😭

————

literally all of the ‘good girl’ perfumes by caroline herrera. no. i literally have them all. the og is my go to though. i get a ton of compliments every single time i wear it. 😭

valentino ’born in roma’

jimmy choo ‘i want choo’ and ‘i want choo forever’

ysl ‘mon paris’

‘juliette has a gun, not a perfume’

kayali ‘yummy pistachio’ or something like that

kayali ‘sparkling lychee’

jessica simpson ‘fancy’

‘red temptation’ and ‘rose gourmand’ by zara

i absolutely love arabic perfumes and have really been into those the past couple years.

they project farther and stronger and last longer. you can often find ‘dupes’ of high end fragrances, which is what i buy over my high end unless i really just can’t say no. like with my good girl ones 😭

‘ard al zaafaran hareem sultan’

‘taskeen caramel cascade’ by paris corner (dupe for bianco latte)

‘rave now’ by lattafa (dupe for burberry her)

‘khamrah’ by lattafa (dupe for angels share by killian)

‘pistachio khair’ by paris corner (significantly better dupe for the pistachio one by kayali. it lasts much longer and isn’t just a skin scent)

‘qissa pink’ by paris corner

‘mohra silky rose’ by lattafa

‘yara’ by lattafa

—————

i have an obsession with perfumes and body mists. it’s really bad 😭😭😭 i have like 6 perfumes coming this week, all arabic, so i’ll let yall know how it goes. 😂 they’re blind buys, but i do my research and know what scents i like, so it’s typically a good time lmao

[streetstylis]

How to Get the Clean Girl Aesthetic in 2024

1. Makeup Magic for a Healthy Glow

For me, achieving the clean girl aesthetic begins with makeup, specifically focusing on that coveted healthy glow.

A key aspect is maintaining a robust skin prep routine.

The essence is in cultivating dewy, radiant skin that looks natural. While some may perceive this glow as oily, I see it as a sign of vitality and health.

You can easily do this with a good primer or a very rich cream that you apply before makeup. And the secret here is a creamy, very rich formula, which can also be a little thicker in consistency. You want to apply as little makeup as possible afterward so that your face looks smooth and clean without it.

I like to use the e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer* or the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume b5* cream (I use this mainly on dry areas, rub it in well, and the makeup doesn't crease at all, which makes my skin look like I'm not wearing any makeup).

Personally, I limit setting my makeup to under my eyes and the middle of my face, allowing the rest to exude a natural, dewy finish.

Overlining lips or having bold lashes might work for some, but I believe in sticking close to my natural attributes and avoiding anything that feels too heavy or artificial.

Finding the right combination of makeup products is super important and it took me some trial and error to discover the perfect products that seamlessly work together, providing long-lasting results. Patience is key in this journey, as finding the products that suit you might require experimentation.

2. Hair: Down, Slicked, and Always Clean

Clean, well-groomed hair is a cornerstone of the clean girl aesthetic.

Even if you're not washing your hair daily (I only do it once a week), it should always appear freshly washed.

Slicked-back hairstyles, in my opinion, suit almost everyone and all hair types. I've become a convert to this style, despite initial reservations, and now it's my go-to. Whether you slick it all back or leave a couple of strands at the front, the key is keeping it neat.

Personally, I occasionally indulge in a hair mask when slicking my hair back. It adds a touch of self-care and contributes to maintaining that clean and polished appearance.

Slicked-back hairstyles convey a chic, sophisticated look that aligns seamlessly with the clean girl aesthetic.

3. Signature Scents: The Unseen Accessory

Strangely enough, smelling nice has become a subtle yet significant aspect of the clean girl aesthetic.

Having a few signature scents adds a layer of sophistication. I've experimented with various perfumes, and currently, I love the Fashionably London and Ebony Wood scents from Zara. A consistent fragrance associates you with a fresh, clean vibe, earning unexpected yet delightful compliments.

Ariana Grande's Pink Cloud perfume* is another recent addition to my collection, offering a fresh and floral scent perfect for various occasions. The key is to find scents that resonate with you and create a memorable olfactory impression.

4. The Power of Wardrobe Basics

When it comes to fashion, adhering to a neutral color palette is often suggested.

However, I beg to differ.

While neutrals dominate my wardrobe, I believe any color can work if the outfit is well-coordinated. The key is looking put together, whether you opt for a matching ensemble or throw together seemingly disparate pieces that surprisingly complement each other.

Basics play a pivotal role in achieving this aesthetic. I swear by neutral-toned sets, which provide versatility and easy mixing and matching. Monochrome outfits, focusing on a single color or tone, contribute to that effortlessly polished look that defines the clean girl aesthetic.

Jewelry: The Finishing Touch

Jewelry may be a small detail, but it makes a significant difference in completing the clean girl aesthetic.

I strike a balance, opting for enough jewelry to enhance the look without becoming too busy. Stacking rings, like the Cartier dupe from Amazon* and the PDP Ella piece, add a touch of elegance.

For bracelets, I combine a Van Cleef dupe with an Amazon Cartier dupe, creating a balanced yet chic adornment. Gold and silver jewelry, when paired thoughtfully, complement each other seamlessly. Gold hoops, both statement and dainty, along

Read more here:

[adviceformefromme]

Hello, I will be 21 yo soon and I feel like I neglect my appearance.

How can I take care of my appearance ?

The foundations.

Hair, teeth, nails, skin.

Ensure all of the above are clean and well groomed. If you're on a budget depending on hair type you can get model cut / colour / blow dry in most salons by a trainee (almost qualified) and the effort and dedication they put in because they have something to prove will be unmatched. Nails kept clean and groomed. Chipped, or dirty nails are an absolute no. If you are struggling to maintain your nails cut them low and go for a natural nail polish you can do at home each week.

Teeth should be kept clean, flossed, and as white as possible. Clean white teeth and fresh breathe are a sign of elegance, cleanliness and self care. If you struggle with bad breathe, make sure you are flossing properly. If your teeth are not straight or white I recommend invisalign and whitening strips at home.

Skin should be clean and moisturised. Find a routine that works for you. It took me a long time to find products that co-operated with my skin but I use Medik-8 only. I change my pillowcase every few nights using silk-satin pillowcases which really help my skin as cotton pillowcases are so rough on my face.

These are the absolute foundations. Additionally, dressing for your figure - not just buying clothes you love is important. I learnt this lesson late enough but just because you love a top/ dress doesn't mean it suits you. Smelling amazing. Treat yourself to perfume, and ensure you always smell good. If you can't afford your dream perfume, Zara do dupes of most leading fragrances so check online. Finally, master a 5-10 minute natural makeup routine and quick hairstyles that look chic. This has been a godsend for me, keep practising. If you are ever in a rush, short on time you can use this speedy routine to look and feel amazing in a hot second. I hope this helps xoxox.

[oldsamarie]

perfume brands i'm choosing not to support

i know this is my specific niche, so i don't know how many people will find this useful, but i wanted to compile a list of perfume/fragrance brands that support israel that i personally have decided not to use. for most, they're owned by a pro israel company, so i'll group them to make this easier to read

note: some brands listed under major companies are partnered with the larger company in question, i just say "owned by" as a catchall

feel free to correct me if i'm wrong on any of this, i'll update it if i need to add or remove anything

Brands owned by Estee Lauder Aerin  Aramis Clinique Jo Malone  Kilian Le Labo Tom Ford Michael Kors Coach Cosmetics

Anything owned by LVMH Dior Guerlain Givenchy Loewe Marc Jacobs Kenzo Parfums Maison Francis Kurkdjian Yves Saint Laurent Bvlgari DKNY Louis Vuitton

Anything owned by L’Oreal (as seen on the subsection of L’Oreals website, L’Oreal Luxe)  Diesel Fragrances Giorgio Armani Valentino Beauty Mugler  Maison Margiela Fragrances Lancome Ralph Lauren Cacharel Prada YSL

Various other brands Bath and Body Works Zara BDK (for the life of me cannot find any source talking about this, but here's a screenshot of what the owner has to say) Chanel

truth be told, a lot of these brands have really good dupes for a ton of their most popular fragrances. i wouldn't even bother going secondhand for their products, but that's just my personal opinion on what i'd be willing to buy. instead, i recommend brands like kayali perfumes who are vocally pro palestine. imo being silent is not really enough, but that's because perfume is a luxury for me and i'd rather spend my money on brands i feel comfortable supporting. anyways, once again, please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong on any of these or if i missed any

[rexaleph]

I did end up getting perfume treats, and i was so so right to do it. they arrived tonight and i am in the perfect headspace to receive treats. 30ml Sex and the Sea! and my early summer floral samples + one tom ford citrus bc i am weak.

Hermessence Iris Ukiyoe is lovely, touching upon my soft floral fantasy. i didn't think i liked iris because i encountered it in very lipsticky, vintage cosmetics type compositions, but this is different. green, but soft, buttery and salty. i'm not a flowers knower, maybe this is just what good florals are like, but also i'm happy to once again have guessed right on the notes and vibes i'd be into. the drydown really does remind me of the zara cologne i'm trying to replace (tho the notes basically dont overlap) which. lmaoooo at duping zara w hermes. it is obviously way way too expensive for me, but what a nice perfume

Prada Infusion d'Iris on first spray is so much like Bvlgari Thé Bleu! Then immediately becomes woody and rough, but quickly gets nicer and more aromatic. They don't list lavender but it smells like non-sweet lavender toiletries to me, and like dog shampoo (tea tree?). quite nice but a little pedestrian, however as it sits it approaches Thé Bleu again - maybe that first whiff was from like half-evaporated droplets in the atomizer capillary or sth. and once again close to what i wanted! love feeling like i know myself, not making obvious financial mistakes

[mountttmase]

Girl, I’m a perfume junkie. Here are my recommendations and zara dupes:

-I’m obsessed with ysl libre🔥🔥 (and her flanker sister “flowers&flames”) , it’s a long lasting white floral scent and you are gonna love it (zara golden decade is a dupe for libre intense)

-Armani my way🥰🥰🥰 sweet and floral. It does smell nice, fresh, and charming. So good for daytime (especially spring) (zara’s sublime epoque is an exact dupe)

-Zara red temptation is an exact dupe for mfk baccarat rouge (great for autumn/winter)

- Givenchy l’interdit. BIG YES! You can look at her flanker parfum rouge (I sampled this on sephora with my bff and we couldn’t stop sniffing our wrists)

- I think gucci flora and the flankers (gorg gardenia, orchid, magnolia) are a bit overrated. Gucci bloom is better than them

- Last but not least love tuberose by amouage. I know, it’s quite pricey but it lasts all day on skin

You don’t need to buy byredo and jo malone, I don’t think they are worth the price they're asking. After 2 or 3 hours, they’re gone

Girl you are my saviour this is perfect thank you so much 🩷 this is just what I needed so I’m gonna go have a shop 🤭

[heavenlyreads]

Anonymous asked:

recent buys?

Zara Perfumes.

I love a good Zara perfume and I’m in constant a constant state of mourning over the fact that Zara discontinued one of my favourites. Zara perfumes are affordable, they last for a decent amount of time and they usually smell amazing, and one of the new ones I just got (‘A Perfume in Rose’) is supposed to be a dupe for Glossier’s ‘You’ Eau de Parfum. I only bought three perfumes but they were all good buys and I’m happy that I managed to hold back and didn’t go overboard.

YSL ‘Rouge Volupté Shine’ High Shine Lipstick Balm.

This lipstick is one of my favourite lip products of all time and I hope to be buried in it one day. I bought three new colours and had a wonderful time trying them on and thinking about how I’ll be able to style them. This is a lipstick balm with a gorgeous glossy look to it, it applies like soft silk and stains my lips beautifully, and I don’t use a lip liner but it stays within the lines of my lips and looks lovely. I wear it as often as I like but it is more of a spring lipstick for me and I think it looks great with a Zimmermann dress and loose hair.

Oribe ‘Serene Scalp’ Haircare Collection.

I’ve been taking care of my scalp more lately and my sister in law recommended these three products to me. I’ve added heat back to my hair routine and so I’ve been making sure that my scalp is just as healthy as my hair. I love the Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On and it does, actually, soothe my scalp and it smells amazing as it works, the scalp exfoliating scrub is amazing when paired with my scalp scrubber and it leaves my scalp feeling clean and free of product residue, and the thickening spray is supposed to be amazing so I’m excited to see if I’ll have good results.

DND Gel Polishes.

I’m a huge fan of DND Gel Polishes and I’ve slowly been collecting the colours I love. I’m sort of weird about using the polishes at nail salons and I do my nails at home when necessary so I buy my own polishes so that I can bring them along or use them at home. I love a soft pink nail colour and I’ve been on the hunt for my perfect pink lately; I know it’s out there and I know I’ll know it when I find it but I’ve enjoyed trying out the colours I’ve bought so far and working off of the great colour swatch chart I bought online.

[seleniangnosis]

you know dupes for your own perfume list???

Honestly... not really... there was one from Zara which everyone said it smells like Hypnotic Poison, and I went to Zara wearing Hypnotic Poison to test the theory ... nope , they weren't similar at all.

Far Away Rebel by Avon, was said to be a dupe for Alien... not even close. Red Temptation is a good dupe for Baccarat Rouge tho. Probably because of that sanitiser note that hits your nose, and you can't notice anything after that.

I'm not really into dupes, because if I love the original, I can't settle for a similar fragrance, so I just buy the real deal.

[lovedetlost]

https://www.tumblr.com/lovedetlost/712892006565855232/your-makeup-omg-youre-glowing Can you drop the product recs please?

OKAY YES IVE GOT MY MAKEUP BAG IN FRONT OF ME LETS GO

okay step one is your base. not your primer, your skin baby. i wash my face only at night (i recently heard its counterintuitive to all the work your skin's been doing to wash it in the morning). i wash it with cold water twice, 30 seconds each time. first 30 gets rid of the grime, second 30 helps the glow (much like how you wash your hair twice).

vitamin-C serum and moisturiser. morning and night.

OKAY! MAKEUP! elf luminous putty primer first up. love this, swear by it, liberal use. on a day to day basis i'll wear this and skip the foundation. then rimmel match perfection concealer on any spots and eye baggies BUT DO NOT BLEND YET. LET IT MARINATE. while you wait, eyebrows. elf beauty strikes again with their brow lift and spoolie. seriously, an earthquake wouldn't move them. now you can blend in the concealer. next i use rimmel's match foundation. found the perfect shade, and that's not to be trifled with. before blending (i use a beauty blender), liberally spray whole face with a setting spray, which i use all through my routine. then i just use a dark shaded concealer as my contour, placing it on the high points of my forehead, tip of my nose, cupids bow, just under my bottom lip at the centre to create the illusion of big lips, a little dot between the end of my eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye, and then little dots tracing along the underside of the cheekbone (don't follow any tutorial, you have to follow your own bone structure). once again setting spray, then blend with a stiff brush, always in an upwards direction - trying to bring your face up, blend up. then i follow with blush, of which i use a combo. i love this zara cream stick, which i trace along the cheekbone. i use a two colour combo, first pink then this transluscent colour, which i carry around as a bit of a highlight touchup on nights out. more setting spray, then blend with a soft blush brush in round strokes, but still upwards (ALWAYS UPWARDS!) i'll then use a bit more concealer to brighten up the undereye, highlighter drops on the top of the cheekbone, the bridge of the nose, cupids bow, and inner eye, blending with the blush brush. white eyeliner on the bottom waterline to brighten it up, eye makeup with whatever drugstore palette i have in rotation, then mascara (yet to find a holy grail so whatever you have). then do a light bronzing all over with a rimmel one i love. finish with, ironically, a different setting spray, a finer mist. it's an elf one that's discontinued, but it's a stay all night, microfine setting mist, gives me a nice finishing glow.

that's it baby. that's the look. all drugstore products cause i'm a broke bitch, but damn they do some good dupes.

i've heard amazing things about the elf halo glow foundation, and the elf putty blush.

[trippinsorrows]

Oo I love perfumes too! I'm curious to know if you have any recommendations or maybe like your top five favorites? 🫶🏾

yesss! if it's one thing, we love, it's a smell good scent! i actually answered something like this a while ago, so i'm literally copying and pasting some of these! lol :)

literally all of the ‘good girl’ perfumes by caroline herrera. i literally have them all. the og is my go to though. i get a ton of compliments every single time i wear it. 😭

valentino ’born in roma’

jimmy choo ‘i want choo’ and ‘i want choo forever’

ysl ‘mon paris’

‘juliette has a gun, not a perfume’

kayali ‘yummy pistachio’ or something like that

kayali ‘sparkling lychee’

jessica simpson ‘fancy’

‘rose gourmand’ by zara

i absolutely love arabic perfumes and have really been into those the past couple years.

they project farther and stronger and last longer. you can often find ‘dupes’ of high end fragrances, which is what i buy over my high end unless i really just can’t say no. like with my good girl ones 😭

‘ard al zaafaran hareem sultan’

‘taskeen caramel cascade’ by paris corner (dupe for bianco latte)

‘rave now’ by lattafa (dupe for burberry her)

'angham' by lattafa (dupe for burberry goddess)

‘khamrah’ by lattafa (dupe for angels share by killian)

‘pistachio khair’ by paris corner (significantly better dupe for the pistachio one by kayali. it lasts much longer and isn’t just a skin scent)

'shaghaf oud tonka' by swiss araibian

‘qissa pink’ by paris corner

‘mohra silky rose’ by lattafa

‘yara’ by lattafa

—————

for top five? i definitely reach for good girl supreme, pistachio khair, rave now, angham, and khamrah the most!

i also like to mix scents too, though, so yeah lol

[jovoy]

good morning btw wearing zara ebony wood even though im not doing anything except washing my dogs today

i dont know what ebony is supposed to smell like ive never tried a fragrance with ebony as a note to my knowledge. but i like this its good🙂 if you like to smell like potpourri that is because this smells like your grandmas home decor. but i mean that in a good way of course i think. im not sure if these notes are accurate because i couldnt find them listed on the zara website but i would believe the pink pepper and cloves because its is very heavily spiced and a bit sweet..i would guess that theres probably cedar in this as well becuase theres a very creamy woodiness to it that i usually associate with that particular note. its nice like i said it reminds me of potpourri but theres a lactonic quality and a lightness to it that really keeps it from being overwhelming or too dark in my opinion. that being said this would be better for colder weather i think its so lovely for autumn and winter/christmas time and not so much for this oppressive wet blanket sort of heat. this is in the jo malone collection and i definitely see her influence because its got that very simplistic quality to it. super good for such an affordable fragrance and im glad its not trying to be a dupe for anything like a lot of other zara fragrances lol its just itself🙂

[pwnyta]

ye… you know as a person who always chooses to play with male main charas, I think shitty male customization is unavoidable, bc, ya know….. men in real life don’t have much of a choice when it comes to choosing their outfits LMAOOOOOO

like I remember being in ZARA (I think?) and one huge part of the shop was full of clothes for women, with huge variety of colors, forms and patterns, and then the other (much smaller) part of store was full of male clothes…… it was like, literally the same 10 things copy pasted and some of them have had different colors LOL

sadly men fashion is very… limited, I guess? esp if we are gonna compare to what women have… so I think in a lot of games with customization it’s nearly impossible to give male characters a lot of variants, I suppose…

it have reminded me of the time when I was still playing Line Play (basically dress up gacha), and at first, there was two different types of gacha depending on if you have had male avatar or female (mine was male), but a little time later after I’ve joined they practically stoped making outfits that were exclusively for male characters (of at least looked somewhat masculine), stoped making two kinds of clothes for the same outfit banners, and then they just got rid of “gendered” separation… and you might think it’s good, but no… they basically did it bc they stopped creating shit for male avatars, but bc they didn’t want to lose the money, creators were like “….instead coming up with new cool fits for men, let’s just let them wear fits for women….” and sometimes it was fine (I see nothing wrong with male avatar wearing something cute or a skirt LOL), but sometimes outfits LITERALLY came with boobs, so, you know…

and bc the whole game was dependent on outfit gacha, even if you wanted this ONE “masculine” costume from this one new gacha that have like, 18 feminine pieces of clothes and 2 masculine pieces of clothes (like a two piece suit, for example)…. good luck with that LMFAOOOOO bc not only there was a high chance of getting shit ton of dupes, but at some point practically all “male” attires acquired “super rare” status……..

sorry, that was a lot of salt for nothing, but what I am saying is that it sucks that male characters always get shittier customization, but I guess it just works the same way as in reality…

On one hand I agree, its hard for men in a traditional sense to have as much clothing as typically feminine clothing... but on the other hand with other various gacha titles... Genshin most prominently for me. Those games are fully made to get people to buy their characters... and those boys are dripped the fuck out (with a few exceptions... Albedo..)! They manage to make each male character stand out even with the limitations that they can only wear pants or shorts.

So while I do think men TECHNICALLY have a more limited 'acceptable' wardrobe (which is usually limited to the style and length of pants and sleeves) in the hands of the right people thats still a lot to work with.

Also that game you were talking about that didnt even adjust the clothes for a more typically masculine body... thats so fucking cheap LMAO

Gamefreak in particular is SO damn rigid with fashion... honestly it shouldnt have been surprising Galars fashion was weak as fuck- customization or otherwise.... considering the Gym leaders are wearing lame ass sports uniforms... and now we got these lame ass MCs who have no individuality...

Its particularly weird for the MC in Pokemon to be so lame because they usually show up in the cartoon.... you really gonna have that MC next to Ash and not give them a half way decent outfit?

CHOICES.

[rexaleph]

now that im out of ELDO Tom of Finland idk what to wear to smell straightforwardly attractive.

i'm out of all my vanilla decants as well or it would have been Spiritueuse Double Vanille (gorgeous. the vibe to me is femme fatale, but she's being good to you) or El Born (rougher but warm, inviting, disarming).

all my beautiful leathers are out i think, they're not easily appealing like that. Vierges et Toreros my beloved or TF Tuscan Leather (or the dupe) or Masque Milano Russian Tea.

Looked at some musks, Frederic Malle Dans Tes Bras is very aggressive in the opening, but i'm sitting with it, i remember it softening up, though that might just be me buying into the name and marketing. giving mothballs on my arm rn. Atelier Cologne Musc Imperial is straight up not working for me either, one of those very curdled smelling figs (see also Le Labo The Noir, the Vilhelm Parfumerie figs).

The real contender I think is Liquides Imaginaires Tellus for a bit of an illusion that flips btwn interesting-ish earthy men's cologne and dirty furry piss animal. wish I still had some of Muscs Koublai Khan as well, that one is very soft and dirty, but might lean body odour in a way i'm not that comfortable wearing. Tellus with a very light hand might be it, especially since i'm going for like a masc thing.

Alternatively! the zara grapefruit cologne, that just smells nice, everyone likes that. it's not high-pitched like my other summery fruit-adjacents so it passes for sexy or whatever. god that might actually be it, wish it wasnt lmao

regardless, i need a roughish low-pitched vanilla kinda deal i think, maybe not ToF again, but i'm experiencing a real gap in my wardrobe