#popular unisex perfume Tumblr posts

[youvora]

Tips on Finding Your Signature Scent | Unisex Perfumes | Youvora

Choosing a signature scent can be a difficult task. Let us make it simple for you! Read to know more.

Visit at: https://youvora.com/blogs/youvoralogy/leave-your-mark-4-tips-on-finding-your-signature-scent

[theother-victoria]

LOVE IS CONCOCTED FROM ESTERS AND KETONES- CH. 00: PROLOGUE

NOTES: I hope this chapter gives you an idea of the setting and what's to come!

TAGLIST: @tragedy-of-commons, @mitsvriii, @harque, @nariism, @vxnuslogy, @akutasoda , @flowery-jazz , @gabile18 , @khoncore

Somewhere within the heart of the universe lies a perfumery on an unremarkable planet, its simplicity belittling its fame. From its exterior, it looks like any other shop on the street. Simple, with a cute sign and clean exterior. They’re closed on Mondays but for the rest of the week, they open at ten am on the weekdays and close at six pm with extended hours on the weekends. 

The inside, however, tells a different story. It’s far more spacious than the outside would lead one to believe. The poor, overworked air purifiers can be heard running 24/7 to prevent the air from becoming suffocating. The shelves go as far back as the eye can see and are stocked with bottles of different colors, sizes, and designs- each of them hefty and works of art in their own right. Each of them have different scent profiles and all of them are handcrafted by the enigmatic owner who formulates and tests each scent in the lab located behind the shop. 

… The test subjects just happen to be the two shop assistants who are more than happy to be their boss’ guinea pigs. 

The shop itself is split into three sections- male, female, and unisex. Perfumes are arranged based on the fragrance family- fresh, floral, woodsy- before being further arranged by notes- green, fruity, gourmand- since people often walk in wanting to smell like a specific note, which the owner and shop assistants are happy to work with. However, there’s a rumor that you’ll get the best results when you come in with an idea, a concept, in mind. 

“I want to smell like worn, old, musty jewelry that’s probably tangled.” There’s a scent for that.

“Do you have anything that smells like a day at the fair as a kid?” Yes, there is.

“How about a warm rock?” Second display case in the unisex section, fifth shelf down, third bottle from the left, the green one. 

There’s also the option to get a custom-made fragrance, although it’ll carry a heftier price tag than the already-pricy wares. But for many, it’s a small price to pay for something that’s uniquely personal to them. 

All of this has led to celebrities, politicians, and other rich and famous people from across the galaxy to flock to this store, which has been the biggest reason for the store’s meteoric rise to fame. It started off as the name being shared among circles and it gradually rippled out from there until it reached the level of renown it has today. Celebrities often quote a bottle from the store as their signature and/or favorite scent in interviews and the paparazzi always snap a bunch of photos whenever a particularly high-profile person leaves the store with a bag in hand. 

Rumor has it that the advertising benefits for the shop are top-tier too, which is why they practically jump at the chance to promote the newest scents. 

But while the shop’s fame is undeniable, there isn’t much known about the owner. They’ve dodged the media’s questions ever since the shop’s popularity exploded and even the two assistants don’t know much besides what’s publicly available. It seems as if they intend for things to stay that way as well. 

Not only do you want to keep your secrets close, but you also want to preserve that sense of monotony that comes with running a business for as long you have. Wake up, get ready, open the store for business, and handle the various customers that come into the shop until closing.

But unbeknownst to you, there’s a wave of new customers coming, each with their peculiarities that you’ve never quite had to deal with before, and they’re interested in more than just your wares.

Keeping your inventory stocked and your heart guarded is your modus operandi for running your business. But between running your business, staying on top of orders, and dealing with these new customers… this may be a difficult task to follow for the foreseeable future. 

the taglist is open for this series and the rest of my works!

@ theother-victoria, do not copy, repost, modify, translate, or feed to ai

[emotionallychargedtowel]

The idea of figuring out what the Only Friends characters smell like came up in a discussion I was having and it made me want to assign everyone a fragrance--like, the perfume/cologne kind, not just some kind of smell. What follows is not based on any close reading of the show and is full of stuff I made up but it's made-up stuff that is consistent with how I'm currently thinking about the characters (without having had the repeated viewings or having engaged in the detailed analysis some have with this show). So, you know, nothing serious. But I enjoyed writing it.

Top: Cuir Oud Padishah (Auphorie)

Top prides himself on knowing about niche things that are considered high-quality by discriminating people so of course he likes Auphorie. The fact that the label is from Southeast Asia (Malaysia, specifically) appeals to him as well. This fragrance is heavy on animalic, musky notes which I think Top would think makes him some kind of sexy badass (it doesn't), and it has a prominent oud note, and the rare and fancy aspect of oud is something that would appeal to his snobby side. Whenever someone compliments Top on this fragrance he launches into a whole spiel about Auphorie and small-batch natural perfumery that comes off as pedantic to anyone who isn't already convinced he's the second coming.

Mew: En Passant (Frederic Malle)

Mew likes that this is from a fancy, niche label that isn't that well-known, and he likes that it's a unisex scent because he likes being a little hard to pin down in that department, but his favorite thing about this fragrance is that the combination of lilac, cucumber, and springy green notes reads as really innocent while actually being low-key alluring. The sweet drydown is another aspect that is like the version of himself that Mew presents to the world. Someone on Fragrantica pointed out that "en passant" is, among other things, the name of a chess move in which a player captures an opponent's pawn while passing by them during an opening move and I think that is just so Mew.

Sand: L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme (Issey Miyake)

This is a pretty affordable fragrance but definitely an interesting enough composition to interest a guy like Sand who is a little particular when it comes to his aesthetic preferences. It's also from the 90s, like some other things Sand likes, and I can totally see him checking ebay to get a vintage bottle. In theory it hasn't been reformulated but he'd be convinced that older was better. This would also be a likely crowd pleaser across genders which is something Sand would be into. L'Eau d'Issey (the fragrance for women, which came first) was kind of an un-perfume perfume, fresh and translucent but practically nonexistent. The Pour Homme variant is more balanced thanks to some low end from woody, aromatic, and spicy notes. It's still on the subtler side, though, so he wouldn't have to worry about seeming like he's trying too hard even if he oversprayed, and you know Sand has a horror of seeming like he's trying too hard. My choice of this fragrance for Sand may be influenced by a certain singer/guitar player/songwriter person I dated in the early 2000s who was very popular with his gender of choice, had a whole collection of different-colored Converse low-tops with contrasting shoelaces, and used to spray a puff of L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme into the air in front of him then step into the cloud because a girl taught him to do that once.

Ray: Philosykos (Diptyque)

This was Ray's mom's signature perfume. It's distinctive and sophisticated but easy to like, exactly how she wanted people to see her. She's kind of like Ray in that way--like him, she was high-maintenance but always wanted to seem just the opposite. The shift from mother to son worked out well because it's a very gender-neutral fragrance. At first Ray wore it in remembrance of his mom and then he just stopped thinking about it and just kept wearing it out of habit. He can hardly perceive it anymore after all these years but every so often he gets complimented by a stranger and it makes him get a little bit full of himself. Philosykos often gets described as the photorealistic scent of a fig tree--not the fruit, but the whole tree--and Ray likes to imagine that it's the smell of a particular tree someone would remember fondly from their family home even though he has never felt that rooted in any place ever.

Boston: Sauvage (Dior)

Boston's taste in fragrances is basic as fuck but that works really well for him, because what he needs is something that appeals to the lowest common denominator of dudes. He secretly wishes this was more overpriced because while he doesn't like to admit he's a rich kid, he has a secret love of pointlessly exclusive things. But he gets more attention with this one than he did when he wore Gucci Guilty so he keeps wearing it. He originally tried it because he saw a review by some straight guy complaining that he didn't get compliments from women on this scent, only other dudes, and he's had the same experience, but doesn't see it as a problem for obvious reasons. Boston has become inured to the smell of this stuff and barely notices it anymore, but then he barely noticed it in the first place. It was and is only a means to an end for him.

Nick: Bleu de Chanel (Chanel)

Nick's last job was at a kiosk in a mall and he used to visit the perfume section of this one department store on breaks because a hot guy worked there. The hot guy recommended this stuff, and when Nick smelled it he thought it smelled like something an extremely cool and attractive person would wear. After that he was determined to get it somehow despite its ridiculous price tag. He never got the hot guy's number but he did convince him to sell him a half-empty tester of this under the table for (relatively) cheap. He uses it sparingly to try to make it last but sometimes he sprays it on his sheets and pretends the hot guy from the perfume counter stayed over.

If you like this, you might be interested in my post on osmanthus fragrans, a.k.a. tea olive, and its significance to Utsukushii Kare.

[nearestend]

assigning fragrances to my (canon) muses. for funsies because it's my favourite activity ever, also utilizing my favourite website of all time, wikiparfum. continue reading if you'd like to see me infodump about perfumes. this is completely unnecessary. like many other things on my blog, none of this really matters, but it matters to me.

if you would also like an unnecessary perfume analysis for your muse, go ahead and give this post a like and i will get back to you with a customized presentation.

amanda: i highly doubt mandy is wearing scents at all, i don't think she cares for that. but i'm giving her one anyways because i can. (it was extremely hard to find one i felt suited her though.) inexcusable evil by toskovat. now, i have never actually smelled anything from this brand and i think their bottle design and logo both kind of suck, but based off the description of the fragrance, this might be mandy's. the descriptions i found for this on both wikiparfum and the brand's website are WILD. one of the top notes is gunpowder. heart notes include burn accord, iodine, and blood accord (LMAO???). i mean, i did purposely look for one that has blood accord, but i didn't expect to find any because that's not like, a popular scent. and then base notes are actually normal things like olibanum and sandalwood. also has cypriol, which gives a smoky, woodsy scent, which is the vibe i wanted for her too.

amy: this was also quite hard because amy is most definitely picky. she'd go for something very elegant and classy that is out of her price range, but she saved up all her money for. yellow hibiscus by jo malone is probably her style, which i also love because jo malone makes some of my favourites. it's very femme, but technically unisex, which i think is neat because i could also see laurie wearing it to. (i can see them sharing the same fragrance. they're that kind of couple.) it's very green and floral (hibiscus, rose, jasmine) and quite citrus forward. most importantly, lime! for the most obvious reasons of all (amy canonically loves limes). it's a really bright, fresh, sunny, and radiant scent, all very fitting for her. also my backup option for amy was bergamot by malin & goetz, but yellow hibiscus is way more fitting. i also considered going with something from the brand fragonard because that's a personal favourite of mine (i was gifted a set of them once and they are very nice), but couldn't decide on one in particular.

cameron: yes, i know the best we'll probably get from cam is that she puts on deodorant. i'm still giving her one anyways, because that's the whole point of this post. not going to bother with trying to find era accurate fragrances though, that's too much work for me. i really want to give her spacewalk by demeter fragrance library, both because it's cheap (cam is not spending more than $45, guaranteed) and because it's inspired by space! which according to an astronaut, smells metallic. (shoutout to the spacebike chronicles.) i do feel the need to include a high end option anyways, so odeur 53 by commes des garcons. it's got ozonic notes, which give it airy, metallic, and aquatic elements, as well as chlorine undertones.

camille: okay so i'm realizing that very few of my muses would wear perfume. i mean, camille is simply too depressed to bother, but again, this is not going to stop me. i decided on black vetyver cafe by jo malone. definitely something she would never buy for herself, but maybe she would wear if someone gave it to her. this one's got coffee, which i think she would like because coffee is her favourite ice cream flavour. there's also coriander, which makes it a bit sharper and peppery, while also green and fresh. warm notes of sandalwood, nutmeg, vanilla, ciste labdanum and woody vetiver. overall, very earthy and autumnal.

connell: he probably starts with something inexpensive from banana republic (either classic green or classic acqua). he's a simple dude, mostly just wants to smell fresh. if i'm going to give him something fancier (we can always say marianne got him a christmas present or WHATEVER), then i'm giving him skin by clean reserve. it's described as tender and intimate, with notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, musk, and skin accord (which is basically just their way of saying it smells like an intimate embrace). it's all about intimacy, babeyyy.

harry: i have to give him rainbow bar by 19-69, for so many reasons. it's not just the name (and you know, the gayness of it all), but that's a huge factor. the fragrance is inspired by the rainbow bar on the sunset strip, which is pretty synonymous with sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. harry's role in adam's story is very much a representation of desire, intrigue, and the seductive nature of all the aforementioned elements. there's a warmth to this scent that's both comforting and mysterious. i really wanted to find something with notes of whiskey (taking into context, not only harry's introduction, but also his death), so this really fits perfectly. this might be the most "character accurate" choice on the whole list.

jess: i'm not even going to bother giving him something fancy because it feels wrong. smoky and earthy palo santo play by hawthorne is like $50 and that's literally like the maximum i can see him spending lmao. it's got notes of oakwood, sage, palo santo, and guaiac wood. very earthy and smoky, hints of tobacco and whiskey. because you know that boy smells like cigarettes and old leather and pretentiousness, but like, in a cheap way.

jia-yi: i chose fresh honeysuckle by fresh, despite the fact that it's discontinued, because fuck it, she can time travel anyways so that doesn't matter. honeysuckle also happens to symbolize nostalgia and memory, which is fitting. there's additional notes of fruit (peach, plum, blackcurrant bud) and florals (cyclamen, magnolia, ylang-ylang). honestly, i'm just kind of hung up on the fact that it's discontinued because this scent was SO good.

kate: there are so many options i wanted to go for with kate, but i think i have settled on realist extrait de parfum by ilk. it's categorized as being both a woodsy and a watery scent, which is primarily what i was looking for with kate in mind. (because like, weather and rain, you know.) it's got a bit of floral (rose, everlasting), a bit of citrus (yuzu, bergamot, lemon), wood (cedarwood, vetiver, olibanum), with the warmth of amber and pepper. it's described with concepts such as crisp mountain air and rain, appropriate for everyday and casual use. she's not formal or fancy and would want something nice, but versatile.

orla: she's a footballer, so i have to go with something athletic. i'm not like a huge fan of most "luxury sport" fragrances and like yeah, it's not about me anyways, but i don't think orla would be either. she's not someone who would care much about that even if she had the means to, so we're going with something pretty simple and affordable like team five by adidas. technically, it's for men, but she also does not care about gender. it's very fresh, fruity (green apple, lemon), and herbal (basil, pine needles, peppermint, clary sage, lavender) which i think are all scents she'd like. absolutely none of these words mean anything to her; she likes what she likes and doesn't overthink its meaning or importance. her other choice was hot wheels dino by jequiti, which she would 100% buy with no trace of irony whatsoever.

sydney: i felt the need to pick something with cherry notes because of course, the cherry donut that marcus named after her. 18-12 by ormaie is just that, as well as notes of almond, sandalwood, florals (rose, violet, heliotrope), fruit (lychee, bergamot, mandarin) and clary sage. it's quite fresh, youthful, and summery. i like her having sort of a fun and bright scent because her job is just so stressful and sometimes depressing, she needs something to uplift and contrast against all that.

[grimmweepers]

fragrance question for you!! why is it that scents like black opium are so popular? is it bc they're by big luxury brand YSL, or bc of hype? particular notes that work together??? I've been thinking really hard about getting it for myself as a christmas gift this year, but if there are scents that are BETTER (maybe a tiiiiiiiiiiny bit more subtle) I'd love to hear ur thoughts!!

ahhhh i love this question!!!!

i think ‘paying for the brand’ is so prevalent in shopping these days, and it absolutely extends to the fragrance world too. i personally believe that part of the hype for black opium is because it’s simply YSL, a luxury brand. and its image is marketed at being mysterious and sexy, which tends to sell quite well. being able to afford luxury brands is a huge feat! so logically, you would go for what generally does well.

that said, it’s not all about the name! staples like black opium wouldn’t be staples if they smelt terrible. i think part of its charm is its scent profile. i suppose it’s because the scent family of black opium is more ‘approachable’ and ‘well-rounded’. you’ve got your vanilla and coffee notes blended with a bit of floral and spicy which typically isn’t overpowering for the general user! (as opposed to notes like neroli or oud which some people tend to find polarising or ‘clinical’).

i’ve often seen people describe black opium as ‘addictive’ and ‘dark’ and with all of this into consideration, i completely understand the appeal. like… who doesn’t want a scent that makes people turn around and ask “who was that? a spy? a rockstar? maybe both?!” (knowing what i know about you, even if a little, i do think it’ll suit you. esp with your tattoos ><)

oh! and typically, more expensive perfumes have better ‘projection’ which refers to how impactful it is in a room. black opium will most likely last, i can tell you that much! she’s bold! and if you’re going to spend an arm and a leg, at least it’s worthwhile.

if you want something more subtle but you love how black opium smells, see if it in comes in roll-on or solid form. you get the scent but without giving yourself a headache. those forms are usually better for sensitive skin/noses too.

if you want suggestions for something similar, i suggest

alien by mugler - i believe it’s got that same vibe, only a bit softer. maybe a tad more on the ethereal side, rather than edgy but it’s unique (i personally like this one better than black opium)

coffee break by replica maison margiela - this is a nod to the coffee note in black opium. this one is unisex and lighter. it feels more relaxed. one of my close friends loves this one!

and this one is a complete wildcard but i just wanted to throw it in because of the unique concept. it might interest you! you by glossier - this one is actually meant to adapt to the wearer’s skin so whatever it smells like on you, could smell different on me. i’d describe it as clean and subtle. on me it smells musky and warm but on others, it can get woody or even powdery. super interesting if you want a truly personal fragrance!

IM SO SORRY I GOT YAPPY I REALLY JUST WANTED TO COVER ALL QUESTIONS 🫶 thank you for asking!!!! this one made me put my thinking cap on lololl

[cleolinda]

Sandalwood without sandalwood: Santal 33 (Le Labo, 2011)

(lelabofragrances.com)

As I've said before, most times I go into one of these writeups trying to answer a question. What is musk, what is amber, why is licorice Like That? So my question for Santal 33 was, why is this thing one of the most popular fragrances of the twenty-first century?

I have worn it 5-6 times, and I honestly have no idea.

I'm not even trying to be salty about this; I am genuinely, neutrally perplexed. Right now, even as I'm typing this, something's occurred to me, though. See, what I was going to say was, "This is supposed to be a sandalwood fragrance. It's a failure. It smells like leather and cucumbers. I barely get any sandalwood at all." And then I remembered what happened with me and the current eau de toilette of Samsara: is Le Labo also using a synthetic sandalwood, a "big molecule" like Javanol, which I can't smell?

As you might recall, there are certain synthetic notes that some people are just anosmic to. Kind of the way cilantro just tastes like soap to some people; it's personal, and it's weird. I'm fine with cilantro, but the current Samsara EdT—one of the biggest (as in physically biggest projection that will knock you down) sandalwood fragrances ever—smelled subtle on me. Or rather, it smelled subtle on me to me. I don't have any data on what I smelled like to other people who can actually perceive Javanol etc. All I really got was what must have been a smaller amount of natural Australian sandalwood oil at the bottom. And that's what I think I'm smelling—even less of it—in the drydown of Santal 33. The rest of the time: leather. And salad.

Which blew my mind, because the first time I heard of this fragrance was an opinion piece that I can't find now, to the effect of "Everybody in New York smells like sandalwood now and I'm sick of it. Thanks, Santal 33." I can't find that link, but I sure can find these:

That Perfume You Smell Everywhere Is Santal 33 (2015)

Le Labo Santal 33: The Scent That Went From Ruggedly Cool to Utterly Basic (2019)

I Don’t Care If Le Labo Santal 33 Is the [Pumpkin Spice Latte] of Fragrance

Someone has to say it – stop wearing Santal 33 (2021)

“everyone in New York smells like Santal 33” (2023)

Le Labo co-founder Fabrice Penot: "We are lucky at Le Labo to have a few 'cults' in our collection. But Santal 33 is another level of success; it has had a stupid amount of success. As a perfumer, you always secretly hope, but you never expect, such an impact."

Why is everybody wearing it??

(I love "a stupid amount of success." He gets it.)

I mean, I live in Elbow, Alabama (please show me this magical world where everyone smells like sandalwood), and I never fucking leave the house, so I wouldn't know that "everyone" does. I think I also have to accept that I will never, through no fault of Le Labo's, understand the allure for myself if I can't even smell the sandalwood. To orient us, though, a nifty summary from the "Utterly Basic" article:

Though it's now difficult to recall a time when SoHo wasn't filled with errant whiffs of the instantly recognizable aroma, Santal has only been around since 2011. Le Labo was inspired by both its preexisting, similar-smelling candle, Santal 26, and the rugged Marlboro Man ads from the latter half of the 20th century. In a press release, the perfumery described Santal 33 utilizing the romanticism of the early American west: "An open fire… The soft drift of smoke… Where sensuality rises after the light has gone," decidedly masculine descriptors for a unisex scent that would come to represent the smell of the social and fashion elite.

Indeed, here's the Le Labo site description:

Imagine sitting in solitude on the rugged, wide plains of the American West, firelight on your face, indigo-blue night skies above. There is nothing around save for the soft, desert wind. You. Are. Free. From this defining vision was born SANTAL 33: a perfume that touches the vast and wild universality of this dream... that intoxicates... It combines a mix of cardamom and notes of iris and violet, which crackle in the formula. Added to this smoking wood alloy (Australian sandalwood, cedarwood) are some spicy, leathery, musky notes, giving this perfume its signature and addictive comforting scent.

The thing is, Santal 33 is also notorious for smelling like dill pickles on people. I actually did get a whiff of dill—the dry herb, not from a pickle jar—when I first wore it on my wrist. But when I wore Santal 33 on the back of my hand—a "method" I discussed here—suddenly a plain, watery cucumber came out. Consistently, in fact, the next four times I wore it, and it really changes the mood of the fragrance, particularly if you can't smell the sandalwood. (Like I said, I can smell a little in the base notes as time goes on, maybe a small quantity of natural oil. It leans more cedar than anything.)

Curiously, the official Le Labo description doesn't mention papyrus, which is a fairly key note in every unofficial listing I've seen (parfumo.com, for example). I wondered at first if the "cucumber" note I was getting came from the papyrus, but that’s said to smell "aromatic or woody, a little dry, earthy and spicy." Which fits the Santal 33 brief perfectly, and might be the herbal "dill" note.

And some people do claim that it's the papyrus, but a poster on r/fragrance said, "Violet and sandalwood together can produce a note that comes off as dill-like." So I google further into this, and I find that "violet leaf" is often Givaudan's aromachemical Undecavertol, which has a "green-floral, fresh, fruity" character, and that could account for the plain cucumber I was getting.

At that point I remembered that Nest's South Pacific Sandalwood has violet leaf, sandalwood, and vetiver, and I happen to have a tiny "discovery" bottle. Guess what? Cucumber. So I'm going to say that [violet leaf + sandalwood] is a strong hypothesis, with or without papyrus.

Does vetiver contribute to the Pickle Effect? It’s not listed in Santal 33, but this fragrance is, after all, named after the number of components that perfumer Frank Voelkl used, and clearly, Le Labo is not revealing all of them. Vetiver, like papyrus, usually has a smoky, earthy quality; other varieties, like an essential oil I have, and the vetiver I think must be in Kuumba Made's Egyptian Musk, smell somewhat watery to me. Like, not marine "aquatic," but "watery-vegetal." If Santal 33 happened to contain vetiver, that could also contribute to the cucumber scent, I don' t know. I feel like the cucumber and/or pickle aspect isn't intentional, unless cowboys really love a good Claussen; it was probably the smoky, earthy, musky facets of vetiver (if I'm right) that were meant to come forward.

Why is Santal 33 so popular, though? Again: I don't even dislike it, but I have no idea. It's a strange one, and if can't smell the note it's named after, there's clearly some revelation being withheld from me here. In fact, Santal 33 really makes me question my concept of "masculine" and "feminine" in fragrance, because, while we all know that Gender Is Fake Except For the Parts You Enjoy anyway, this perfume in particular renders those terms useless. In fairness to me, Fabrice Penot says, "We never thought about who was going to wear it in terms of gender at Le Labo. We are more thinking of the souls — perfumery has to be sexual to me — it has to create an attraction, an addiction."

Now, I only have half a post drafted about what "sexual" terms in fragrance ("sexy," "flirty," "carnal") are supposed to mean if you (I) would like write more inclusively about perfume, so we're going to have to table "perfumery has to be sexual," not to mention the rhetorical jump from "souls" to "sexual," for a moment. This is a whole Thing that deserves airtime of its own.

But even considering that. Santal 33 is extremely mild and neutral and cool on me. It is not the least bit what I, an allosexual, no really I'm sure, would consider "sexual." I know what Fabrice Penot is trying to say, probably, and my nose isn't getting it. Maybe I need to smell it on someone else! Maybe I need to smell the sandalwood!!! Perfume Shrine says it's meant to smell like Sam Elliott in a bottle? Yeah, no, on me, Santal 33 is this cool, tender, vegetal leather that reminds me of the deeply worn-in glove I played softball with as a teenage girl. No spice, no smoke, very little wood, no "crackling" florals.

I've actually been looking for the scent of that glove for a long time, and here it is. I truly have the (unhelpful) urge to say that this is a "feminine" leather. It is not the least bit rugged on me (one supposes that the sandalwood might have made a difference). But then you have to ask, what makes a fragrance "masculine" or "feminine" in the first place? I have two hypotheses that I'm researching, but they're basically 1) "hormonal skin chemistry, which both changes and is changeable" and 2) "antiquated bullshit," since we don't do gender essentialism in this house. Maybe Santal 33 is perfectly "rugged" in its tenderness and I just need to be thinking more Quincey Morris—or Annie Oakley, for that matter—than the Marlboro Man.

The "cool tender leather" smell did keep me coming back to Santal 33, though—I wore it five or six times, until finally the vial broke. Would I get a replacement and add it to my "gonna keep wearing" box? I'm not sure. Both Le Labo's co-founder and many, many user reviews I saw talk about the fragrance being "addictive," and maybe that's it. I felt pretty neutral about it, even disappointed, when I was wearing it... and then kept trying it again.

Is it the very strangeness that makes it popular? Is it the contrast between "soft, watery, vegetal" and the "rugged, masculine" vibe that Le Labo actually advertises? Does Santal 33 change to suit each wearer, and my particular chemistry wanted to smell like softball glove salad? Again, since I can't smell the "santal," I may not ever be able to figure out why New York smells like Le Labo. Maybe the more interesting question is, what's it going to smell like next?

Perfume discussion masterpost

[cungader0]

overwatch support heroes and the perfume/cologne they wear bc IIIIIII think it’s funny

ana: i haven’t even smelled gris charnel but i have it on good authority that that’s what she smells like. woody and spicy, warm and inviting, makes u want to give granny a hug. le labo the noir and vilhelm dear polly are also options, the latter being more of a tea scent

baptiste: i just knowwww he smells like tom ford ombré leather…. it’s close to the skin but enticing….. simple but a statement…. a colder scent for sure….. delicious and sexy for a very dignified man

brigitte: i think she smells cloyingly sweet, like super gourmand in an attempt to cover up the smell of burning and motor oil…. baefy def uses like, way too much cheirosa 62 and ends up smelling like caramel and burnt hair

illari: it’s almost too easy to say she likes solar, white floral notes but like come ON i totally think she’d be into them. she strikes me as someone who doesn’t like sweet scents and leans more unisex so something like tom ford soleil blanc or even mm beach walk would be perf for her. something bright and refreshing and suntan-y

juno: she would wear some shit her mom brought to mars bc it’s the only thing there so i assume she’d be wearing something superrrr popular…… my guess would be like, dona born in roma or black opium. maybe ysl libre

kiriko: she wears glossier you but she won’t shut up about it. like you will KNOW she wears you bc she is not like other girls!! she wears skin scents!! she’s so clean girl!!! and it’s like listen i love glossier you as much as the next bitch but shut upppppp bro

lifeweaver: he fs wears viktor and rolf flowerbomb. obviously like genuinely what the fuck else would he wear LMAO

lucio: he wears something subtle and close to the skin for sure, he doesn’t want to be complimented on his cologne he wants to be complimented for just “smelling good” like he’s just built like that… so i’m thinkin something like molecule 01/not a perfume type beat or the tam dao route

mercy: mercy smells like baccarat 540 for sure. hospital smell as fuck. it’s not unpleasant but it’s definitely a sort of “””sterile””” scent

moira: she smells like grandma idc. probably chanel no. 5. she forgets she owns it 90% of the time.

zenyatta: INCENSE!!!!!!!! he’s a monk for fucks sake!!!! so many incense heavy fragrances to pick from but i’m gonna go w passage d’enfer by l’artisan parfumeur based on the notes

[positivexcellence]

towwn: a “green nose” always knows: perfumes that prioritize skin health and don’t stink up the planet are now top of mind (and body). these 8 formulas not only smell great, they embrace a holistic approach, focusing on sustainability, clean materials + ethical sourcing. take a whiff! 💚👃⁠ ⁠ @linahanson⁠ this collection of ethically-sourced perfume oils offers mood-boosting aromatherapy benefits + eco-friendly packaging.⁠ ⁠ @leland_francis_⁠ each small-batch scent helps preserve the environment with natural oils & raw materials, like eco-friendly, organic sugar cane alcohol. new scent “pansy” honors lgbtq pride.⁠ ⁠ @henryrose ⁠ actress michelle pfieffer’s luxe line boasts beautiful scents that highlight safe + healthy ingredients. certified by ewg & cradle to cradle, the products are a blend of synthetic and plant-based oils.⁠ ⁠ @ellisbrooklyn⁠ this clean, eco-friendly, story-driven brand is cruelty-free + uses ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients. eb supports fair trade practices; packaging is recyclable and biodegradable (glass, not plastic). they contribute to @carbonfundorg & partner with @ecocertofficial.⁠ ⁠ @arquiste⁠ this cruelty-free, unisex collection by mexican-born architect & designer carlos huber focuses on "olfactive restoration," or evoking the essence of historical places. made of sustainable + responsibly sourced materials, the scents are uniquely experiential. ⁠ ⁠ @maisonlouismarie⁠ without overharvesting or using toxic ingredients, mlm promotes positive environmental practices, sustainable packaging, and contributes to impactful orgs.⁠ ⁠ @abbottnyc⁠ this peta-certified brand crafts health-conscious, sustainably sourced fragrances that celebrate the natural beauty of u.s. landscapes. the scents contain no parabens, phthalates or carcinogens + use recyclable packaging. ⁠ ⁠ @jomalonelondon⁠ this popular line prioritizes environmental protection with recycled + recyclable packaging, renewable energy facilities & responsible sourcing. jm offsets co2 emissions from deliveries + uses 100% renewable electricity for manufacturing while promoting fair trade practices. @unicef is a charitable partner.⁠

[youvora]

Modern unisex perfume trends - Youvora

The rise of unisex perfumes isn’t a passing trend—it represents the elemental shift in the way we think about identity and scent. Read to know more.

Visit at: https://youvora.com/blogs/youvoralogy/breaking-stereotypes-the-rise-of-unisex-perfumes-in-modern-fragrance-trends

[museenkuss]

O' beautiful and wise muse of perfumery, I call upon you for aid; do you have any recommendations on men's perfumes for a hot guy I'm not-so-subtly trying to flirt with?

Hi love!!!! While I do like men’s fragrances, I like them mainly through the lens of them being worn by women, so I’m not sure I can be of any help here. Especially since I don’t know the man.

I’m happy to try, though!🌹🪽

The classics: Bleu de Chanel, Allure Homme Sport de Chanel, Terre d’Hermes. All more on the fresh side. The two Chanel’s are massively popular which could be good (likeable scent) or bad (if he’s afraid of being perceived as “basic”). I get the hype, though. And Hermes is a Darling and known for both being relatively easy to wear (depends on the guy, his age and personality of course) and still being sophisticated. Chanel’s Platinum Égoïste is also very chic imo and more on the fresh side.

If he likes refreshing, cool-water scents, I’d recommend trying L’Eau par Kenzo pour Homme, L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme or Aqua di Giò pour Homme (the frosted EdT from 1996). These are also all classics. The Gaultier Beaus (Le Beau and Le Beau Paradise) are also lighter/refreshing, but a little sweeter than the previous ones.

If he’s more of a “here I am” type, he could try Fucking Fabulous by Tom Ford. One Million by Pack Rabanne is also a scent in that direction, very loud, but I personally find it a little too sweet and cloying. If he is more of a young, popular, clubby type of guy, One Million might work for him, though! It really depends. I think many Tom Fords are both extroverted and young/clubby, if that’s his thing that might be worth checking out? Also Gaultier Le Male, of course, if he’s into the 90s clubbing OGs. That or the flankers always works, I feel — but again he might feel like they’re overplayed (or not his style). Same with Eros by Versace which gets a pretty bad rep in the “fragrance community” (opinionated YouTubers), but I personally don’t hate it? For more modern options, I’d maybe try Scandal pour Homme and that little robot boy from Paco Rabanne. I haven’t tried them yet but I feel like they might be fun.

If he likes sweeter scents, he could try L’Homme Ideal by Guerlain, Dior Homme Intense, or Spicebomb by Victor & Rolf. I’ve also heard interesting things about Luna Rossa Black by Prada, L’Homme Prada and the Valentinos, but haven’t tried them yet. They look really hot though I have to admit.

Scents that really get to me personally are égoïste by Chanel, Antaeus by Chanel, Fat Electrician by Etat Libre d’Orange, La Fin du Monde by Etat Libre d’Orange and Habit Rouge by Guerlain. These are however all a little opulent, old fashioned/“for older men” or unisex (or multiple of these). That’s what makes them hot to me, but depending on the guy he might not be into that.

[jartita-me-teneis]

Garçonne (pronunciación /garsón/) es una palabra francesa nacida en los años 1920 en París para referirse a un nuevo tipo de mujeres que reivindicando los derechos de la mujer y la igualdad de género adoptaron una figura andrógina, rebelándose contra los conceptos tradicionales y estrictos de la feminidad que había hasta entonces. Así comenzaron a aparecer siluetas más masculinas, acompañadas del cabello corto como el estilo bob cut o el Shingle bob y embutidas en esmoquin o en traje y corbata. Las garçonnes tienen sus orígenes en un período de liberalismo social, turbulencias políticas y aumento de los intercambios culturales transatlánticos que siguió al final de la Primera Guerra Mundial en Francia, con más auge en París, extendiéndose hacia Estados Unidos, así como el movimiento de las flapper que venía desde Estados Unidos hasta Francia. No obstante no se debe confundir el término Garçonne con Flapper. Las flappers norteamericanas eran mujeres atrevidas y con peinados cortos que se caracterizaban por romper las barreras de la "moralidad" tradicional, vistiendo con faldas cortas, fumando y bebiendo , su estilo se mezclaba entre lo femenino y lo masculino, mostrando detalles terriblemente delicados (sus collares, guantes, zapatos y bolsos) y otros soberanamente brutos (ademanes, comportamientos, formas de hablar…); Mientras las garçonnes europeas eran mujeres que prácticamente se habían travestido en los que sus rasgos externos se refiere, ocultando casi toda su fisonomía del sexo femenino para que así no se asociara su feminidad con el sexo débil: su filosofía era que físicamente y a primera vista eran iguales a un hombre, por lo tanto podrían ser tratadas con la misma igualdad que uno. Mostraban una moda unisex, donde ciertos accesorios tomaron protagonismo, y así se observó el auge entre ellas de los monóculos, bastones y boquillas, que hasta entonces habían sido complementos para hombres. Sin embargo, las garçonnes no tenían porque ser de ademanes brutos o masculinos. Al contrario, preferían la suavidad y la educación como mejor medio para dialogar. Las garçonnes en general eran mujeres muy cultas, intelectuales y entendidas en temas sociales, económicos y políticos. Las reuniones entre estas mujeres se daban en los cafés de Montparnasse y Pigalle, donde los visitantes se escandalizaban al percibir el aroma masculino de aquellas mujeres pues también hubo una tendencia a utilizar perfumes masculinos con matices de cuero. A pesar de todo, las garçonnes disfrutaban permitiéndose un toque femenino aquí y allá, un pequeño detalle casi imperceptible para ojos ajenos, como un reloj de mujer o una manicura excelente. Para ellas no era más que una pequeña mofa hacia los hombres, pues según ellas, sólo se fijaban en si había pechos o falda, ignorando que las mujeres eran mucho más que eso. El término Garçonne proviene de una popular novela del mismo nombre, cuyo autor Victor Margueritte relata la historia de una mujer que se pierde en las drogas buscando la igualdad de géneros. La palabra viene del francés, del sustantivo Garçon ("chico"), y el sufijo femenino —e, que duplica la última consonante.

Web

[mintmatcha]

Mint if you’d be willing, could I ask for a perfume/cologne recommendation? I know you’re super into scents. I have a hard time because super feminine (floral and fruity) scents give me headaches so looking is always a pain and I end up giving up after sniffing like 3 things.

If it was a perfect world I would just get something that closely matched my deodorant (degree cool rush) but alas this is not a perfect world and degree doesn’t have any of the scents used listed.

I'd look into men's scents and unisex!! it's hard to give you advice without knowing your nose!!

I'm guessing you like cooler, watery scents??

a really popular scent is called g*psy water (here's a dupe)

[theantarwitch]

Quick Question! Under your close practices tab you have Florida water listed. I've been wanting to use Florida water for some time (As a way to "bless" things, use it as an offering for deities, ancestors, etc, and as a protection water, to lock things like doors, windows, and mirrors.) but I wanted to research it a little bit before I bought it (just in case) From what I've seen, Florida water isn't a closed practice by itself, but their are traditions in magical practices like hoodoo, that are closed. I have 2 main reasons for thinking this is:

A. Spiritual creators (I know, not the most reliable source but still) have said many times that Florida water is not a closed practice. The 2 people I cite for this would be "That Honey Witch" and "The Glamour Witch LA", who both are POC. (Glamour stitches one of Honey's TikToks. I don't have TikTok but if you google search "is Florida water a closed practice?" the link is the second thing to pop up. There is also a reddit discussion on this topic, and while the poster/OP was really nice, the comments are filled with appropriation is BS etc etc so big yikes)

And my second reason being B. Florida water is a relatively common item sold at places like Walgreens, it's a cologne that, to my knowledge, was made by white man in 1808 (And was popular in the Victorian Era). It was advertised as a unisex perfume/cologne. I understand that the spiritual uses were popularized by mainly hoodoo practitioners, but from the research I've done, nothing says you have to be part of a specific culture to use it in your practice. (And was interestingly made in New York and not Florida, and got it's name from the supposed location of the fountain of youth.)

Sorry that this was kind of long- I genuinely mean no harm and I'm not trying to offend anyone, I just want to have a (hopefully) productive and helpful discussion about what is, and what isn't a closed practice, and the nuance behind it. I feel like people make things too cut and dry, especially on apps, like TikTok.

(also apologizes in advance for any spelling errors I'm sure I made a bunch)

Absolutely right.

Florida Water, just as White Sage, Oomancy and almost the majority of techniques, ingredientes, herbs and elements, are not closed or open PER SE. But is the use of it what make it closed or not, similar to how all herbs used in closed practices aren’t closed but the practices themselves are.

Just as you said, it wasn’t originally specifically created for spiritual practices. And I can tell that was probably used centuries before to get that fancy name. Was just a smelly cute water to the clothes in an age where was not even soap.

Like, dang it, if you look for the ingredients, you can find 50 different ways to make it! It can have Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Rose, Lavender, Bergamot, Jasmine, Chamomile, Neroli, Violet, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Basil, Eucalyptus, Mint, Cinnamon, Clove, Anise, Cardamom, Black pepper, Vanilla, ETC. None of the ingredients is closed.

Florida Water, used in a context of hoodoo, is closed to hoodoo. Just as White Sage in the context of Smudging is closed to Natives.

Florida Water, used as a ingredient to perfume, is open.

Florida Water, as a liquid to cleanse, is open.

If we become more tricky, a water made with, for example, lemon and mint, that you can make in your home to make the toilet smell good, is TECHNICALLY Florida Water.

Even more, we latins have the common use of rue and water as a way to cleanse a space, and, then, is florida water...

The Rose Water? Can almost be a florida water...

Probably, the link of the Florida Water and Hoodoo is related to the fact that Florida had a massive amount of African American slaves, but I'm not an expert in that topic and I would prefer than another POC with more knowledge of the topic say something about it. I speak only of the little I know.

So, short story. If you use Florida Water to use in the specific way of a hoodoo practice, not being from that culture, is closed af.

If you use it to cleanse your space as if it was moon water, or to make the pillow smell lovely, then is open.

That make me remember that I should fix that post lmao I remember I did it at 3am, no wonder why I made that AWFUL mistake, Thank you!

Also, don't worry, was not that long and I'm not a native english speaker, so I made 8237568 more mistakes than you lmao, chill.

Was a very interesting topic! Thanks to bring it up!

[donfadrique]

In the '1958 Topps Walt Disney's Zorro' vintage series of postcards there is one, named 'The Capitan's Vow', in which Diego and Monastario stand opposite each other, separated by a mirror and a dressing table, on which there are many bottles of perfumes etc.

And there is a perfume that fits El Zorro perfectly: it's a perfume legend famous for its originality, toughness and beauty, it's no longer produced, and, finally, it's called 'Bandit' 😉

But for some reason this classic leather men's chypre was classified as a women's fragrance in 1944 (I think to increase sales or the perfume was a manifestation of female emancipation). However, it became famous thanks to Marlene Dietrich, and so far in articles devoted to 'Bandit' men don't hesitate to confess their love for it, and women love it the way they love Zorro, that is, whatever one may say, but this is not a perfume for women, it's like a tuxedo in a lady's wardrobe. (Why it wasn't classified as a unisex perfume after 1st and 2nd attempts to keep it producing, I really don't know. By the way, perfumery in the 19th century was unisex.)

I own both versions of 'Bandit', a vintage version and a 2000/10s one, and I've never smelled anything more masculine, although I'm familiar with Napoleon's and Churchill's favorite fragrances, tobacco Cuban men's perfumes, as well as Arabic traditional ones.

I was embarrassed to talk about my associations for many months, but 'Bandit' was created in 1944, that is, this is the time of the popularity of Power's Zorro, and then—Williams' Fox, the perfume is an eternal classic and is something unique, something beyond the usual frames and roles, so why not?

'Bandit' is exactly the bad boy you've been waiting for, señorita 😏

P. S. But, ahem, those '1958 Topps Walt Disney's Zorro' not about señoritas, since we started with them xD

[a-rumbly-in-my-tumbly]

It's here kids!

Honestly, the scent is not what I expected from the notes list at all, and it's mostly because, when applied to skin, the top notes fade away completely in about five minutes or so. However, the citrus and bergamot do give it an initial freshness that does linger longer when it's not warm (sprayed on card-- I tried both). So, tl;dr, if you're giving this a pass because you don't like bergamot? It's not really an issue here.

The Fun (tm) begins when you've had it on your skin for a bit. The middle notes (jasmine and rose) have a pretty heady bloom that, for lack of a better word, swells. It actually mingles in a way so reminiscent of lilies I had to check the scent notes again.

Considering how Yakumo is cold-blooded, how lovely it is that when he warms it blossoms into a powdery floral with a bright musk! It has a whisper of classic old lady with a woodsy, amber adjacent undertone; and when you consider Yakumo being raised by his grandparents, it's a nice thought that it would echo in what it transforms into when it warms.

When the floral recedes the white wood is what settles in; I would call this a femme-leaning unisex scent as a result, but I guess the takeaway here is if you don't like white florals this probably isn't for you.

Of course, everyone's body chemistry is different, and what smells good on me may not do the same for you. I would say that if you're the type that earthy, cocoa, spicy type scents generally work for, your chemistry may clash with the undertones of this (as that's the profile that doesn't work for me at all).

The nitty-gritty is, this is a mid-range perfume price-wise and acts like one. There's no greasy feel against the skin like a cheaper perfume tends to have, which is what one hopes for in the $40 range. However, the longevity is only about four to six hours rather than the eight to twelve you would want from a $60 perfume (which, coincidentally, is the range of what I usually wear).

The packaging is nice, the box is well constructed; part of me wishes the cap was glass like the bottle is, but it still holds securely and the glass of the bottle itself is pretty hefty.

I also got a free photocard of Homecoming Yakumo; apparently if you go to the shop in person and say you're posting to social media, they'll give you a group one too!

But Kiku, do you like it, you ask?

I do, actually. It's clear they actually thought about Yakumo; this isn't just a "this is popular, slap their faces on a box and make shit up" type of production from my albeit limited experience. For the money, I think it's worth it just as a perfume--I would be hesitant to pay more than $50, though, since there are absolutely scents with more longevity than this.

That said, I would love to get some of the others to try them now! Even if just to see if they invoke the other characters in the way this one does.

I'll wear it again, and I do like the box design. Would I buy it again? I'll have to spend more time with it, I think.

[blackandwhlteaesthetlc]

I’m sorry but this is so stupid all perfume are unisex, pleasing is just trying to gain woke points for something that already exist and people are fallin for it acting as if it’s groundbreaking. Also if you have to use vaseline for a perfume to last maybe the perfume is just not good quality.

Okay, sounds like my review wasn’t for you. Maybe let people just enjoy things and be excited if something like perfumes makes them happy?

I should leave it there but because you chose to take such an cunty tone with me, I’ll just match it.

To both of your obnoxious points: No shit. 🙄

Who exactly is acting like Pleasing is doing something “groundbreaking” by having unisex fragrances? I didn’t write that anywhere in my review and I certainly didn’t see anyone comment that in the notes. I don’t see Pleasing advertising that themselves anywhere either.

Of course all fragrances can be unisex, anyone can wear whatever the fuck they want. But in trying to make your eye-roll worthy point about this brand trying to be “woke” you ignored that I actually included an example of a fragrance that was also marketed as being unisex because surprise! Fragrances are still very much advertised as being more “feminine” or masculine” or “perfumes” vs “colognes.” So obviously I’m aware this isn’t something new being offered by this brand. Don’t be obtuse here, I was trying to assure people who were curious (clearly not you) that the notes in the samples did not lean heavily one way or another and my personal opinion will be that these can be sold as “unisex.” It’s a label anyone slightly interested in fragrances (not you) will know is used to indicate what you can expect from the notes themselves. Some people, as evidenced by the notes and dms I got, appreciate that sort of info (again, not you).

And I agree it’s disappointing if a fragrance doesn’t have lasting power. This isn’t the only time I’ve had this happen. I’ve tried some hugely popular luxury perfumes that lasted maybe 5mins on my skin. So for me, brand and price point does not indicate quality. But if someone truly loves a scent there are some tricks to try IF they want to take the risk in investing in a fragrances that may not perform how how they want. And really the only one I had that issue with was Rivulets but whatever, you don’t actually care about specifics. You just wanted to complain and try to sound superior to anyone slightly excited about this release. 🙃

But I digress.

My opinion, which I thought was clear to anyone with proper reading comprehension (obviously not, my mistake) is that the scents themselves are pretty complex and carefully layered. To me, that indicates some serious consideration was put into them which supports my opinion that they’re of slightly higher quality than your typical “celebrity fragrance” which usually just smell like alcohol and potpourri to me. I’ve tried plenty, hate most. I didn’t hate these, my overall impression is positive but I honestly said one did not mix well with my own skin chemistry so people can make their own decisions whether they want to buy or not as they might have the same experience.

There. Did I downplay my excitement about the samples enough to satisfy your hate for the big, bad brand that only uses Harry’s name and face to make money for his friends? Or whatever the fuck you want to make yourself miserable about this week.