Fragrances for the Current/Upcoming Season
This is mainly going to comprise of unisex fragrances, but there will be a few scents that favor one side over the other. However, these are some personal recommendations that I would like to smell this season. Also, this isn’t a list that you should necessarily buy from; rather, it is just a sense of good overall fragrances that might influence some future, more affordable choices.
Sakura Cherry Blossom - Jo Malone
*This is more for women, but I imagine a fruity man (and I mean fruity) could pull this off
I happened to catch a whiff of this on a whim because I was just perusing the aisles of Sephora. I was pleasantly surprised to find this actually quite enjoyable (unlike Chanel No.5). Instead of a repugnant blast of stinky flowers, I was instead catching notes of fruits (cherries almost?) and a subtle juiciness. As it began to dry down, it the juice was no longer the main note, but rather a supplement to the main scent: the cherry blossom. Now, I’m not 100% sure what cherry blossom is supposed to smell like, but this gave me a very good idea of what it should be. It wasn’t super musky like a rose scent might give off, but instead, quite refreshing. This may be a strange comparison but it kind of felt as if I drank an ice-cold Sprite. Very suitable for the warmer days of Fall and the Spring season.
One thing I was not a fan of (and it seems to be quite common among Jo Malone fragrances) is the strength. This is, in every sense of the word, an intimate fragrance in which you would have to breath down the neck of someone in order to enjoy it. I had to lean in extremely close to the paper in order to catch a sense of what the smell was like. However, what I did smell was quite enjoyable and very accessible to the masses. Someone who is into super complex fragrances probably won’t be screaming in ecstacy when smelling this, but others just might.
2. Bergamot 22 - Le Labo
This is a unisex fragrance so it’s suitable for really anyone. Off bat, you’re immediately hit with a blast of citrus (not just bergamot, but orange and lemon as well) that kind of knocks you off your feet. Afterwards, it begins to mellow out into something a little smoother and rounder than the sharpness of the citrus. It begins to attain a sort of woody scent that pairs especially well with the bergamot and provides a sort of structure for all the citrus to work off of.
Similar to the previous scent, it is sort of weak and slightly overpriced for what you’re getting; however, it does replicate the scent of bergamot quite well and adds a few layers of complexity that complement it further. It works very well in warm weather as it is refreshing to the nose and overall, very pleasant.
Appeal to the masses.
3. Bois de Balincourt - Maison Louis Marie
Another unisex fragrance that I happened to smell at Sephora. When I first caught wind of this, my immediate reaction was that it was a Santal 33 (from Le Labo) duplicate. The sandalwood and vetiver is almost exactly the same as S33 and the darker notes are clear. However, it is distinct in that it does not become more dark but rather, it attains a sort of lighter scent that is less filling to the nose. The sandalwood, in my opinion, is still very pleasant and would work well in colder weather. It is also a very affordable alternative to S33 (which is upwards of $200).
4. La Nuit De l’Homme - YSL
This is a male-leaning scent, but goodness gracious it is a steal. This thing, for the price, packs a lot of punch and you’re getting a lot out of it. It’s like Stronger with You and Azarro Most Wanted had a bigger brother that people liked more than them. It is so much more complex than the aforementioned two, with notes of juniper and spices hitting you first. It mellows into a surprisingly smooth scent that is slightly creamy and powdery. It has distinct notes of wood and a very small hint of citrus which was surprising, but not unwelcome. I thoroughly enjoy this fragrance which works on cold days and special events.
These are just a few of my personal recommendations that are all very versatile. Again, it is meant to inspire and curate your own tastes so that way, you find something you genuinely love. Now dump the Versace Eros and find something.
