p e r f u m e s
back in the early 2000s, britney spears curious was my signature (and, let's face it, only) fragrance in high school. i picked it up at cvs, where i worked. in the 2010s, i switched to vera wang princess and slowly accumulated other fragrances. due to the endocrine disruptors that can be present in synthetic fragrance, i switched to essential oils in the mid-2010s and didn't re-explore fragrance until a couple of years ago as a new hobby. i always purchase either a discovery set or a travel-sized fragrance first and only commit to full-size fragrances for the scents i really love.
l i n k s
c l i q u e s
mbti \\ enfpFont < verdana
greenery
lemon balm
my usual
dirty chai w/ banana + almond milk
ambient wonder // skyrim - the bannered mare
nobility :: steward of sacred suffering
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// wintermelon tea »
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j o u r n a l
25 jul 2026i went back and purchased coral fantasy! i also tested the new gucci flora gorgeous orchid intense, hoping that the cacao note would be reminiscent of vera wang princess. unfortunately, everything smelled muddled (but i also only used a testing strip as opposed to my skin), so i'll go back and test it another time.
on the upside, i also purchased acqua di gioia. this is a cozier light blue; light blue tends to pull sharp on me before settling in, but this fragrance needed no time to adjust.
16 jul 2026
i just tried valentino donna born in roma coral fantasy after a friend recommended it and why did i wait so long to try this?! this is the perfect uplifting, fruity fragrance for summer. i know i also say that about jhag lust for sun and btso candy dust, but while lust for sun gives off tropical vibes and candy dust is fun and flirty, coral fantasy is a slightly elevated fun, flirty, juicy fragrance. i am in love.
12 jul 2026
i just tried d'annam's arashiyama after seeing it mentioned in a reddit post about bamboo fragrances. the aquatic and ozonic notes are appealing to me; however, this fragrance reads straight powder to me.
25 jun 2026
i recently received the kida kyo discovery set, which includes dulcet, the fragrance that i was most interested in. interestingly, my favorite is moonlight, which has a prominent rose note. the only other rose fragrance that i enjoy is penhaligon's elisabethan rose. i'm considering purchasing a full bottle of moonlight.
14 jun 2026
i loved burberry her when i tested it, purchased a travel size, and then promptly hated it. it pulled very synthetic on my skin so i let it macerate for months, hoping it would mellow. (it did not.) i questioned if i bought the wrong one, because i seemed to like all of the flankers.
one whole year later, i decided to try it again. lo and behold, it was the fragrance i remembered in the store. as the weather warms up, i'm wearing it as a daytime perfume both in and out of the office.
another favorite, very good girl glam, has been relegated to the back of my rotation since it's more of a cool weather scent. however, it's also perfect for date night, which makes me super happy since i recently purchased the 1 oz. size.
r e v i e w s
sinn purete mandarin and orange
i purchased this fragrance on a trip to japan, after reading a recommendation to buy fragrance during travels so you're reminded of those memories when you wear it. this fragrance is very intimate and inoffensive on my skin. i adore this fragrance but it tends to dry down with a heavy woody musk for me, which can be overwhelming in warm weather.
i purchased this fragrance on a trip to japan, after reading a recommendation to buy fragrance during travels so you're reminded of those memories when you wear it. this fragrance is very intimate and inoffensive on my skin. i adore this fragrance but it tends to dry down with a heavy woody musk for me, which can be overwhelming in warm weather.
sinn purete blackberry and jasmine
this was a blind buy. this was not a safe blind buy. like burberry her, which i hated for about a year until it mellowed for me, i am hoping that this one will also be more likeable? it pulls peppery/sharp to my nose.
this was a blind buy. this was not a safe blind buy. like burberry her, which i hated for about a year until it mellowed for me, i am hoping that this one will also be more likeable? it pulls peppery/sharp to my nose.
dolce & gabbana light blue
i love a crisp citrusy green fragrance and light blue is no exception. this fragrance wears beautifully on my skin and i’ve gotten compliments on this one. this is absolutely a spring/summer go-to.
i love a crisp citrusy green fragrance and light blue is no exception. this fragrance wears beautifully on my skin and i’ve gotten compliments on this one. this is absolutely a spring/summer go-to.
d'annam strawberry mochi
i purchased the discovery kit for d’annam’s japan set and strawberry mochi is by far my favorite (green tea matcha is a close second). this scent is cozy and slightly sweet without being too saccharine or loud (it’s what i was hoping for from kayali yum boujee marshmallow). the rice and red bean notes give it a pillowy softness to balance the sweeter notes. this is my favorite bedtime fragrance.
i purchased the discovery kit for d’annam’s japan set and strawberry mochi is by far my favorite (green tea matcha is a close second). this scent is cozy and slightly sweet without being too saccharine or loud (it’s what i was hoping for from kayali yum boujee marshmallow). the rice and red bean notes give it a pillowy softness to balance the sweeter notes. this is my favorite bedtime fragrance.
burberry her
i adore the berry notes in this fragrance, although it took about a year for my bottle to macerate and mellow from the initial sharp, synthetic smell. (the tester did not smell that way, so either this fragrance tends to take a while to chill for my nose or i got an inconvenient bottle.) this fragrance lasts all day for me; i spray it on one wrist and dab it on the other and behind my ear and i can still smell it at the end of the day. it's a super inoffensive fragrance for me and i plan to buy a full-size bottle.
i adore the berry notes in this fragrance, although it took about a year for my bottle to macerate and mellow from the initial sharp, synthetic smell. (the tester did not smell that way, so either this fragrance tends to take a while to chill for my nose or i got an inconvenient bottle.) this fragrance lasts all day for me; i spray it on one wrist and dab it on the other and behind my ear and i can still smell it at the end of the day. it's a super inoffensive fragrance for me and i plan to buy a full-size bottle.
valentino donna born in roma purple melancholia
i was really hoping to love this fragrance since greenstravaganza is such a favorite and i generally love fruity florals; however, it pulls slightly synthetic (similar to my initial experience of burberry her) and feels cloying. with that said, my opinion might change come fall/winter.
i was really hoping to love this fragrance since greenstravaganza is such a favorite and i generally love fruity florals; however, it pulls slightly synthetic (similar to my initial experience of burberry her) and feels cloying. with that said, my opinion might change come fall/winter.
born to stand out dirty rice
born to stand out candy dust
gold juice was the fragrance that i most wanted to try from the discovery set, but candy dust is absolutely my go-to summer scent. it gives me mall shopping, cruising with the windows down, lazy skate session vibes. it is a very simple and inoffensive sweet, fruity fragrance. the base notes (tonka and orcanox) steer it away from feeling completely juvenile. for comparison, i dislike kayali yum boujee marshmallow because it feels sweet and fluffy with nothing to ground it, and more fitting for an adolescent/teen.
gold juice was the fragrance that i most wanted to try from the discovery set, but candy dust is absolutely my go-to summer scent. it gives me mall shopping, cruising with the windows down, lazy skate session vibes. it is a very simple and inoffensive sweet, fruity fragrance. the base notes (tonka and orcanox) steer it away from feeling completely juvenile. for comparison, i dislike kayali yum boujee marshmallow because it feels sweet and fluffy with nothing to ground it, and more fitting for an adolescent/teen.
kida kyo dulcet
the advertisements for a milk tea/custard/brown sugar/mochi fragrance absolutely worked on me, although i was a little skeptical of the woodsy/resinous notes. on my skin, this fragrance opens with cozy, caramel notes with just enough starch to keep the scent from being cloying--more relaxing in a nest of fluffy blankets and too many pillows and less intimate date by the fireplace. it reminds me of a fresher kilian angel's share. however, the sandalwood is very present for me in the initial dry down (i strongly dislike sandalwood). BUT. after the sandalwood scent dissipates, i'm left with the most decadent vanilla.
the advertisements for a milk tea/custard/brown sugar/mochi fragrance absolutely worked on me, although i was a little skeptical of the woodsy/resinous notes. on my skin, this fragrance opens with cozy, caramel notes with just enough starch to keep the scent from being cloying--more relaxing in a nest of fluffy blankets and too many pillows and less intimate date by the fireplace. it reminds me of a fresher kilian angel's share. however, the sandalwood is very present for me in the initial dry down (i strongly dislike sandalwood). BUT. after the sandalwood scent dissipates, i'm left with the most decadent vanilla.
kida kyo moonlight
moonlight wasn't even on my radar when i looked at the discovery set, but i absolutely fell in love with it. it's easily tied for #1 with dulcet. moonlight gives me cozy, moody rainy day vibes. this would also be perfect in cooler weather or on a snowy winter date. the pear and green apple notes keep the rose light and fresh but the fragrance is also grounded, understated, and sensual.
moonlight wasn't even on my radar when i looked at the discovery set, but i absolutely fell in love with it. it's easily tied for #1 with dulcet. moonlight gives me cozy, moody rainy day vibes. this would also be perfect in cooler weather or on a snowy winter date. the pear and green apple notes keep the rose light and fresh but the fragrance is also grounded, understated, and sensual.
valentino donna born in roma greenstravaganza
this was my second purchase and i wear it frequently fall-spring. it is a clean tea/jasmine scent but the vanilla dry down is too heavy for me in warm weather (it also projects quite a bit in a warm office environment).
this was my second purchase and i wear it frequently fall-spring. it is a clean tea/jasmine scent but the vanilla dry down is too heavy for me in warm weather (it also projects quite a bit in a warm office environment).
juliette has a gun lust for sun
this is the absolute perfect summer fragrance for me. my decant is empty and the only thing preventing me from purchasing a full bottle is my current love of btso candy dust, which is also an iconic summer fragrance for me. lust for sun is a stunning white floral perfume with coconut, freesia, and ylang ylang. to me, it is very reminiscent of elemis' frangipani monoi scent.
this is the absolute perfect summer fragrance for me. my decant is empty and the only thing preventing me from purchasing a full bottle is my current love of btso candy dust, which is also an iconic summer fragrance for me. lust for sun is a stunning white floral perfume with coconut, freesia, and ylang ylang. to me, it is very reminiscent of elemis' frangipani monoi scent.
curious by britney spears
curious was my first full-size fragrance purchase as a teenager. when i recently looked up the notes, i realized that my love of pear, white florals, and aquatic/fruity-floral fragrances has been consistent. i no longer own this fragrance so i'm curious if this would still be in my rotation, but the nostalgia that's linked to this fragrance hits hard, so i would love to have this if for no other reason than having something tangible to remind me of this season of life.
curious was my first full-size fragrance purchase as a teenager. when i recently looked up the notes, i realized that my love of pear, white florals, and aquatic/fruity-floral fragrances has been consistent. i no longer own this fragrance so i'm curious if this would still be in my rotation, but the nostalgia that's linked to this fragrance hits hard, so i would love to have this if for no other reason than having something tangible to remind me of this season of life.
ysl black opium
i initially shied away from this fragrance because the notes seemed too dark/heavy/cloying to me, but then i ended up with a sample decant and fell in love. this fragrance also features pear, one of my favorite notes. it wears beautifully on me; it's a darker/wintry fragrance without being too spicy or intense. the coffee note is present but it doesn't read as coffee on my skin; it simply adds a depth to the vanilla and bitter almond.
i initially shied away from this fragrance because the notes seemed too dark/heavy/cloying to me, but then i ended up with a sample decant and fell in love. this fragrance also features pear, one of my favorite notes. it wears beautifully on me; it's a darker/wintry fragrance without being too spicy or intense. the coffee note is present but it doesn't read as coffee on my skin; it simply adds a depth to the vanilla and bitter almond.
carolina herrera la bomba
a solar tropical with frangipani (and dragonfruit? intriguing.) in a cute bottle? sign me up! this fragrance wears as a warm, solar fruity-floral reminiscent of tiger lily by viktor & rolf on my skin. for me, it is too heavy for everyday office wear, but it's a good fragrance for being active outdoors on the water.
a solar tropical with frangipani (and dragonfruit? intriguing.) in a cute bottle? sign me up! this fragrance wears as a warm, solar fruity-floral reminiscent of tiger lily by viktor & rolf on my skin. for me, it is too heavy for everyday office wear, but it's a good fragrance for being active outdoors on the water.
penhaligon's luna
i purchased a discovery set and fell in love with luna and elisabethan rose. luna wears as a bright, cold citrus on my skin; it reminds me of a forest at night after a heavy snowfall or ice storm, when everything sparkles in the moonlight and the illumination is high.
i purchased a discovery set and fell in love with luna and elisabethan rose. luna wears as a bright, cold citrus on my skin; it reminds me of a forest at night after a heavy snowfall or ice storm, when everything sparkles in the moonlight and the illumination is high.
vera wang princess
vera wang princess was my second fragrance purchase and also a signature fragrance through my late teens and early twenties. on me, this wears as a sweet, white floral gourmand.
vera wang princess was my second fragrance purchase and also a signature fragrance through my late teens and early twenties. on me, this wears as a sweet, white floral gourmand.
carolina herrera very good girl glam
for the longest time, i avoided trying any of the good girl fragrances simply because i disliked the bottle design. i received a sample of very good girl glam in a sephora order and instantly fell in love. it is sweet (not cloying) but warm and grounded, and perfect for cooler weather or date night.
for the longest time, i avoided trying any of the good girl fragrances simply because i disliked the bottle design. i received a sample of very good girl glam in a sephora order and instantly fell in love. it is sweet (not cloying) but warm and grounded, and perfect for cooler weather or date night.
kayali wedding silk santal
i strongly dislike sandalwood, amber, and musk, which is all i smell when i wear this perfume. i was really hoping to love it since it is popular and because i also love yum pistachio gelato and eden sparkling lychee, which are both by the same house.
i strongly dislike sandalwood, amber, and musk, which is all i smell when i wear this perfume. i was really hoping to love it since it is popular and because i also love yum pistachio gelato and eden sparkling lychee, which are both by the same house.
kayali yum boujee marshmallow
since i love d'annam's strawberry mochi, i was hoping to love ybm; however, it pulls sickeningly sweet on my skin and smells very juvenile to me.
since i love d'annam's strawberry mochi, i was hoping to love ybm; however, it pulls sickeningly sweet on my skin and smells very juvenile to me.
burberry weekend
all i smell is powder and sandalwood with this fragrance, which irritates my nose.
all i smell is powder and sandalwood with this fragrance, which irritates my nose.
juliette has a gun pear inc.
pear inc. is a very clean, shampoo/soapy fragrance. the pear is bright and juicy. it is a very simple, straightforward fragrance with little complexity. in comparison, versace dylan purple is also very pear-forward on me, but is more complex on the dry down. this is very office safe for me.
pear inc. is a very clean, shampoo/soapy fragrance. the pear is bright and juicy. it is a very simple, straightforward fragrance with little complexity. in comparison, versace dylan purple is also very pear-forward on me, but is more complex on the dry down. this is very office safe for me.
versace dylan purple
dylan purple was one of the first fragrances i purchased when i started wearing fragrance again and it is continuously in my rotation regardless of season. this fragrance features crisp, juicy pear rounded out with bergamot, freesia, and bitter orange. the dry down is clean and light on me.
dylan purple was one of the first fragrances i purchased when i started wearing fragrance again and it is continuously in my rotation regardless of season. this fragrance features crisp, juicy pear rounded out with bergamot, freesia, and bitter orange. the dry down is clean and light on me.
viktor&rolf flowerbomb tiger lily
i was pleasantly surprised by tiger lily; i expected something a bit more floral and cloying (although in warm weather, this scent is cloying on me). the notes that stand out the most are the tiger lily, jasmine, and mango. this fragrance is soft and warm. it's not an immediate summer go-to but it's one of the top contenders.
i was pleasantly surprised by tiger lily; i expected something a bit more floral and cloying (although in warm weather, this scent is cloying on me). the notes that stand out the most are the tiger lily, jasmine, and mango. this fragrance is soft and warm. it's not an immediate summer go-to but it's one of the top contenders.
valentino donna born in roma coral fantasy
this is my second-favorite dbir fragrance. while greenstravaganza is fresh and warm, coral fantasy is bright and juicy. the top notes are kiwi and brazilian orange; i don't spell those specific notes but the overall impression is a fresh fruit bursting with flavor without being overly sweet and cloying. the dry down is comforting while also retaining the bright energy of the fruit notes. this is on my list to buy a full size.
this is my second-favorite dbir fragrance. while greenstravaganza is fresh and warm, coral fantasy is bright and juicy. the top notes are kiwi and brazilian orange; i don't spell those specific notes but the overall impression is a fresh fruit bursting with flavor without being overly sweet and cloying. the dry down is comforting while also retaining the bright energy of the fruit notes. this is on my list to buy a full size.
kayali yum pistachio gelato
this was my first kayali fragrance and my first gourmand. ypg has such a decadent, nutty fragrance but the middle fruity notes keep it from veering too warm and spiced (angels' share, on the other hand, is a much warmer fragrance).
this was my first kayali fragrance and my first gourmand. ypg has such a decadent, nutty fragrance but the middle fruity notes keep it from veering too warm and spiced (angels' share, on the other hand, is a much warmer fragrance).
givenchy l'interditl'interdit is not a fragrance i would have typically picked out, but i received a decant as a sample and surprisingly loved it. l'interdit is a white floral that leans heavy on the tuberose on my skin. the top notes are pear and bergamot, but i don't pick up on them on my skin. this fragrance is more sensual, intimiate, and fitting for date night.
born to stand out gold juice
gold juice was the reason i purchased the btso discovery set, but candy dust, indecent cherry, and dirty rice are my favorites. it is a juicy, sweet, ripe mango, but it pulls a little too sweet on me for warm weather.
gold juice was the reason i purchased the btso discovery set, but candy dust, indecent cherry, and dirty rice are my favorites. it is a juicy, sweet, ripe mango, but it pulls a little too sweet on me for warm weather.
born to stand out indecent cherry
indecent cherry is a beautiful nighttime fragrance. cherry and almond create a sweet, cozy, disarming atmosphere.
indecent cherry is a beautiful nighttime fragrance. cherry and almond create a sweet, cozy, disarming atmosphere.
acqua di gioia giorgio armani
as far as fresh scents go, my go-to tends to be d&g light blue. however, light blue tends to smell somewhat sharp at first. acqua di gioia, on the other hand, lacks the initial sharpness while retaining all of the freshness. a smoother fragrance, this one is perfect for everyday wear, and it lasted through an entire two-hour hotpot and kbbq dinner.
as far as fresh scents go, my go-to tends to be d&g light blue. however, light blue tends to smell somewhat sharp at first. acqua di gioia, on the other hand, lacks the initial sharpness while retaining all of the freshness. a smoother fragrance, this one is perfect for everyday wear, and it lasted through an entire two-hour hotpot and kbbq dinner.