sardine

This one feels like home. It is a spicy, sweet, bright floral with milk and honey. It feels innocent, whimsical, and comforting, likely because the milk and honey is reminiscent of baby body washes from my childhood. Perfect for spring picnics in botanic gardens, and watching the snails go about their business after a summer shower.

Just received a bottle yesterday! Dark woody sugar syrup, and honey-citrus cough drops. This has great versatility. It is a warm, golden, and clean smell that I would find pleasing and cohesive on anybody.

I only got this one yesterday, but it's too pretty to not talk about. This is a slightly damp but sweet and crisp floral in the bottle. It is subtle and chilling, but lovely and inviting. It does have a funny phase where it smells exactly like the purple shampoo I used to use. Afterwards, it rounds out on the skin and maintains a sugary and green floral. This has a self-assured serenity and sophistication which I assume is imparted by the sandalwood. The wooden note resembles that in my Tam Dao dupe, and The Hunter by I'm Sole perfume, which share cedar bases. This perfectly catches Tomie's enchanting essence.

In the bottle, I get tangy refreshing strawberry with the slightest hint of elegant cherry blossom. The smell for me is akin to Korean Vita500 drinks and makes me think of luminous pink konpeito, red sugar clouds, and pink ribbons. Unfortunately, my skin burns away the bright citrus, leaving behind marshmallow strawberries in a pink feather tiara sort of fashion. It is redeemed and given depth by the grounding amber base. I would still wear it, but wish my skin did not warm it up so much. I only received the bottle yesterday, so hopefully it'll work with my chemistry more readily as it ages.

I have had a bottle for two years. There was some inescapable note at the top for months that I found completely repulsive. I am grateful that it has melted away. This is a nutty and uplifting floral buttercream scent. It is joyous and playful, but not juvenile. This is a wearable and polite sweet scent. For me, it evokes images of white lace frills, shortbread, and wooden cabinets. Something feels weird and unusual but if I search too hard, I lose the trail and am met with a conventional candle or soap scent.

This was the first purchase of my modest collection. I have had the bottle for two years. It is a unique and indulgently luxurious scent. In the bottle, the metal, leather, and liqueur are dominant and sharp. On skin, it captures my childhood memories of the specific incense burnt at my grandparent's Buddhist altar, enveloped in rich and dark cream, spices, and sugar. The depth is incredible. There is a brutal and insatiable quality which makes it difficult to picture a human who'd embody this smell. Other people who I've showed this oil to found it intense and almost nauseating, despite finding the smell indescribably intriguing, and not unpleasant. It starts off as intimidating, but dries warm and comforting. A little goes a long way. I find this one invigorating to smell through the cold winter.