Scent is a powerful force. Our olfactory system is so strong because it’s essential to our survival as a species, whether that’s through deciding if a food is okay to eat, aiding taste itself, or even identifying the scent of potential partners.
Smells connect us to ourselves, our memories, and each other. Most people have distinct memories connected to certain smells like their grandparent’s house, summer rain, new books, a good friend, or a first date. That’s part of the reason the perfume and cologne industry exists: evoking memories and sensations while creating new memories.
While scent is subjective, there are two fragrances I’ve found that always get me compliments.
First, I have Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette. This is a light fragrance that smells like fresh laundry or spring cotton in the spring without being overly sweet.
The top notes include bergamot, grapefruit, and mandarin orange, which are all bright, citrusy fruits accented by just a hint of tartness. The heart of this perfume is floral, featuring freesia, jasmine, and rose. The musk base also isn’t too heavy, creating an overall delicately floral, clean, and fresh scent.
This is a great subtle option that makes you seem like you have the best-smelling laundry ever.
Second, my absolute favorite perfume right now is Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium Eau de Parfum. While this option is a bit pricier than the Amazing Grace, it also lasts all day long, so you won’t run out any time soon.
Black Opium is a sexy, seductive scent that’s warm and spicy. Whenever I go on a date night with the hubs, he always asks me to wear this perfume.
The top notes are pear, pink pepper, and orange blossom, followed by coffee, jasmine, almond, and licorice in the middle. The base notes are vanilla, patchouli, cedar, and cashmere wood, which all combine into a comforting, rich fragrance.
I would say that coffee, vanilla, almond, and patchouli are the forefront notes, creating a coffee-inspired scent that’s sweet, creamy, and dreamy with an added depth of spice.
I love these two fragrances, and I’m excited to keep expanding my collection as I discover more scents I can’t live without.
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