The Olfactory Audit: Finding the "Sweet Spot" in My Matured Scent Profile

It’s funny how the nose works. For a few days, I was using my new hair mist, and I couldn't shake this feeling of déjà vu. It was driving my "internal processor" crazy until it finally dawned on me: this scent is a dead ringer for a few of my favorite Victoria’s Secret body mists.

Even more surprising? It is an almost perfect match for my Pink Sugar EDT. If you know that fragrance, you know it’s the ultimate "sweet" baseline: vanilla, caramel, and cotton candy. It’s a nostalgic powerhouse.

But here is where the "Senior Lead" in me has to run a compatibility test.

The "Gourmand Overload" Protocol

While the hair mist and Pink Sugar are a match in heaven, wearing them at the same time feels like a System Overload. In the Malaysian heat, doubling down on that level of sweetness can be a bit much to handle.

Surprisingly, they compliment each other perfectly. The fresh, crisp, floral notes of Tommy Girl act as a "Cooling System" for the sugary warmth of the hair mist. To my nose, it’s a balanced, sophisticated profile that doesn't feel cloying during my 4 AM commutes or post-Zohor refreshes.

The experiment continues as I audit the rest of my perfume collection to see what else can dance with this mist without crashing the system.

Currently, I’ve moved to a "Mixed-Platform" strategy:

●The Hair Mist: (The Sweet VS/Pink Sugar vibe)

●The Perfume: Tommy Girl EDT

Surprisingly, they compliment each other perfectly. The fresh, crisp, floral notes of Tommy Girl act as a "Cooling System" for the sugary warmth of the hair mist. To my nose, it’s a balanced, sophisticated profile that doesn't feel cloying during my 4 AM commutes or post-Zohor refreshes.

The experiment continues as I audit the rest of my perfume collection to see what else can dance with this mist without crashing the system.

My review on perfume Covet from Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP)

I start to wear this perfume again early this week. Thought it will give me headache. Surprisingly not. 

List of notes for this perfume [1]:

• Top notes: wet greens, geranium leaves, sicilian lemon and chocolate.
• Heart notes: honeysuckle, magnolia, mugger and michelia yunnanensis.
• Base notes: musk, vertiver, teakwood and amber.

The look of its box. It is in brown box since it is tester unit.

Got a little bit of stain on the box. Seems like it leaks when it is put upside down accidentally after usage.

Till then, have fun in enjoying green fresh perfume of yours.

Reference:

[1] https://sjpbeauty.com/products/covet-eau-de-parfum-spray-100ml

My review on perfume Gucci Rush EDT.

This is taken in the afternoon of 8 September 2019. It is strong scented perfume. More clean yet fresh and floral end to me. Despite it falls under chypre fruity group or category.

Details from Sephora [1]:
Introduced in 1999, Gucci Rush is a fantasy to be reached through an intoxicating, addictive combination of florals and spices. A sensual burst unlike any other. 
Notes: Gardenia, Freesia, Jasmine, Vanilla, Patchouli. 
Style: This fragrance is euphoric and intoxicating.

My review on perfume Si EDP by Giorgio Armani.

Take from faculty office last afternoon of 17 September 2019.

First impression from the vapoured one on the lid = deep rich aromatic sweet foody scent to me. Some how I was reminded to the smell of asam anggur kering that I used to eat last time.
Nowadays, I just love wearing this perfume during rainy days. Somehow it feels like it suits the weather a lot.

My review on Hard Candy perfume by Hard Candy.

It is a very sweet perfume. I bought it as fromy research it is as same sweet level of Pink Sugar perfume without the burned sugar scent. The rhubard scent is quite dominant.

My review on perfume Fantasy Twist from Britney Spears.

This is taken last 9 August 2019. Pictures of my Fantasy Twist perfume bottle from Britney Spears. I bought it last 2014 after saw the advertisement. Since I feel worth to buy the combo as I am satisfied with the sweetness of Midnight Fantasy perfume scent and intended to test Fantasy perfume.

For me Fantasy perfume is a sweet yet slightly sour kiwi scent. Quite refreshing sweetness as the sour scent mellow the sweet scent from being cloying. Surprisingly it compliment well my body butter Raspberry scent from The Body Shop.
Midnight Fantasy perfume is colder version of sweetness of night orchid with visible black cherry scent. It was like colder and darker version of Fantasy perfume. This scent of Midnight Fantasy perfume are much more richer and higher on elegant side compare to Fantasy perfume.
For me, ladies in their 20s will appreciate Fantasy perfume while ladies in 30s and above will appreciate more Midnight Fantasy perfume.
Both perfume Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy is EDP type. 

Pictures of the Fantasy Twist perfume bottle as below:

My review on perfume Orange EDT from Hugo Boss

For me this is a sweet fresh scent with apple hint perfume. It does have similarities to certain air freshener scent. It definitely have strong resemblence with my Nourishing Skin Cream from Himalaya [1].

Regardless, I love using it since it have calming and cooling effect on me.

My review on perfume Ange Ou Demon Le Secret EDT from Givenchy.

This is taken last 5 August 2019. I was craving for tea scented fresh perfume. But perfume Still by JLo is too strong for me after testing it out the night before [1]. Even perfume Tommy Girl EDT too strong for me at this moment [2]. Which I have to opt for perfume Ange Ou Demon Le Secret Eau de Toilette from Givenchy. It is much milder and fresh tea scented perfume with hints of apple that suits my current olfactory system. More towards angelic scent. The bottle also very pretty like chandelier look. Especially the middle back edge.

Perfume layering using Fancy and Vanilla Lace.

I am craving for sweet vanilla scent last 11 July 2019. Since the weather is hot today (based on observation and weather forecast), I am refraining myself from using perfume Pink Sugar [1]. Since it can get overbearing despite 1 spritz of this EDT perfume. 

I end up using 1 spritz of perfume Fancy EDP from Jessica Simpson before dress up [2]. Where I layer it up with 1 spritz of body mist Vanilla Lace from Victoria Secret after I am fully dressed [3]. I am satisfied with the strength and sweetness of the layered scent. Good enough to satisfy my sweet scent craving without being overbearing and suffocating others. I do find that Vanilla Lace scent is more dominant on my wrist after almost 7 hours spray it on.

My review on body mist Vanilla Lace from Victoria Secret

Been using it alternately with Body Fantasies Signature Vanilla Fantasy since my menstrual last 9 July 2019 [1]. Somehow this month I have vanilla sweet scent cravings.
Bought it last time in 2015 while I was pursuing my Master studies.

Found that I get smell like freshly baked cookies when I first spray it on. Very addictive vanilla cookies scent.

My review on perfume Tommy Girl EDT.

I received the perfume last 20 May 2019 [1]. After almost 6 to 7 years not having it. Since I barter trade my bottle with Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) last 2011 or 2012 [2]. It was my second big perfume in 2005. Where my first big bottle perfume is Deep Red from Hugo Boss.
This perfume does reminded me the scent of ice cream from Wall's. Which is Solero Split Lime Creamy vanilla ice confectionary wrapped in a refreshing lime flavoured sorbet shell [3].

The perfume still smells divine as my previous bottle. Even stronger in sillage and strength compare to my perfume Donna (2011) from Trussardi [4].

Within my fresh citrus perfume collection, it is on the top one. 

The look of the perfume bottle with light from my mini LED light [1].

Without any additional lighting.

My new Tommy Girl perfume bottle.

I place order and make pay last 17 May 2019. By 19 May there is attempt to send by the courier J&T. It was send again in the morning of 20 May 2019.

The look of the perfume bottle with light from my mini LED light [1].

Without any additional lighting.

My review on perfume Fancy EDP from Jessica Simpson.

The look of the bottle perfume Fancy EDP from Jessica Simpson last 28 May 2019. For me it is moderately sweet. This perfume is basically 80% more subtle and mellow than my Pink Sugar perfume [1]. Which make is suitable to be used in hot and humid weather in Malaysia. I also notice that the sweet creamy pear scent in Fancy perfume is last and linger longer on me.

The look of the perfume and its scented lotion. 

My review on perfume FCUK Pop Love Her EDT.

I bought this perfume FCUK Pop Love Her EDT last 2015. But that time I am unable to wear it due to jasmine note in it. Nowadays, I am able to wear and appreciate more perfume with jasmine note.
I prefer to layer it with Dolce fragrance lotion. It does give deeper rich definition and last longer.

My review on perfume Rose Aurore Eau Fraiche L'Occitane en Provence.

This was given to me by my sister last time while I bring my Mum for a planned trip to Sabah. Which is 2 weeks after our house burned down last 8 August 2013 [1].

I like the fresh rose scent with the fresh citrus scent. It is just the right amount. Suitable for daily usage and office wear regardless the weather.

Notes in the perfume: fresh citrusy top notes mingling with white rose and lotus flower heart scents and a trail of tender amber.
Contains absolute rose from the south  of France.

My review on perfume Donna (2011) EDP by Trussardi

Just used it while out for supper today. For me, it is like a very yummy citrusy marmalade. In elegance and graceful mannner.

Maybe that is the effect after yuzu, lemon and fruity top notes mellowed down by middle note jasmine tea towards sandalwood and vanilla. For me personally, it is 2 level up than Tommy Girl EDT. Due to jasmine tea note. As for Marry Me EDP by Lanvin is too fruity for me.
The look of the perfume bottle:

The pretty engraving of Trussardi on the lid.

My review on Black Opium EDP by Yves Saint Laurent.

I am wearing it today. I just love this sweet coffee vanilla scent. I would describe it as intoxicatingly sweet and alluring. Somehow it scent entice me to wear it today. I get a whiff of it scent after bath while rummaging for other perfume.
I only need 2 spray of it. 1 time before dress up, 1 more after fully dress up. That is good enough to last me at least 3 to 4 hours during hot blazing day.

My review on perfume Hypnôse EDP for woman from Lancôme.

I owned this perfume since 2012. I just love the sourness of passion flower with vanilla drydown. This perfume does smells elegant and suitable to be used for formal function and dinner.

Also subtle enough to be used in hot and humid weather condition in Malaysia. Without cloying or even suffocating me and others despite vanilla note is part of it.

Perfume notes [1]:

• Top Note: Passion Flower
• Heart Note: Jasmine, Sunny Notes
• Base Note: Vetiver, Vanilla

My review on Nina Ricci - Nina EDT for woman

I was suggested this perfume by a friend of mine in 2008 when I asked his opinion since he was selling perfume as side income at that time. Trusting his suggestion, I took the risk to get it. It become my signature scent afterwards.

Left 20% after almost 10 years using it.

80 ml EDT made in France.

Close up look.

Notes:

• Top = Calabrian lemon, Caipirinha lime
• Middle = moonflower, vanilla infusion, peony petals, red toffee apple
• Base = white cedar, applewood

For me, it was worth to purchase. I love the combination of the citrus smell coming from top notes. The citrus smell helps to balance the perfume from being overly sweet from the vanilla and red toffee apple.

My review on perfume Jimmy Choo EDP (W).

It start off with strong masculine scent coming from the patchouli note [1]. Despite it stated that top notes are green, pear and mandarin orange. Then it mellows down to soft sweet pear and toffee scent.

Yes, it does have resemblance with Coco Mademoiselle from Chanel and La Vie Est Belle (LVEB) from Lancome. But it have its one unique scent that distinguish it from these other 2.

For me personally, I prefer Jimmy Choo EDP. As it is just the nice balance in the middle of the other 2 perfume.