Cvesperus

Vanilla Mocha Martini Bath & Body Works is a rich, warm, and very sweet coffee gourmand. At first it can seem plasticy or overly alcoholic, but let it dry down for a quick minute and the actual notes will emerge. Yes, after that it reveals itself to be a cozy, light, and creamy mocha cappuccino, albeit not the most realistic representation. There is negligible bitterness or deepness typical of coffee. However, the alcohol note remains prevalent, a sort of bitter soapy synthetic zing in the midst of the velvet mocha. I don’t love that aspect personally, though it’s tolerable the more the fragrance settles. It’s giving a sort of sexy in the obnoxious way, and I definitely wouldn’t get past it if it were stronger. I’m sure it can be mellowed down when layered with a stronger vanilla or something. Speaking of which, the vanilla and tonka bean are present to smoothen the coffee, but not the booze. Doesn’t last terribly long, but still better than some other B&BW products in that respect. This is 100% a nighttime winter leisure fragrance. Holiday parties for adults, sipping on sugary flavored drinks at the minibar as the fireplace keeps everyone feeling cozy and in the mood.

Warm Vanilla Sugar by Bath and Body Works is a classic that is exactly what it sounds like if you ask me. It’s another very nostalgic and gentle fragrance from B&BW. A toasty light brown sugar doused in soft and velvety vanilla extract, wholly comforting and inoffensive. Warm, cozy, and innocent vibes all around. A bit like baking a batch of buttery vanilla sugar cookies. There is a smidge of coconut and tonka bean. The rice does something special— fluffs it out, maybe? There’s a certain comfort and benevolence at work. I’m not sure that I can detect the florals at all. It feels like being a kid wrapped up in a soft blanket and an oversized scarf in front of the fireplace over the holidays. Perfect for overcast winter days, can work for late fall— sweater weather, either way. It does not project nor last very long, so you will definitely need to reapply in less than an hour. It hardly lasts, but at least it’s inexpensive.

Pacifica’s Island Vanilla is a tropical, edible vanilla entwined with prominent honey. The warm honey note is just as strong if not stronger than the buttery alcoholic vanilla. Very, very sticky sweet, creamy, and delicious. Besides that, there’s not much complexity. I imagine it would do well when layered. I don’t really smell any of the tea at all. Maybe there’s a very slight hint of coconut, but I’m unsure. The floral note is very minimal, I hardly notice it. It’s somewhat similar to a few other fragrances by Pacifica— beachy, but not nearly as beachy as Indian Coconut Nectar. If you’re looking for a more refined vanilla, this will probably be too immature and cutesy. Still, I think it’s a fun little fragrance, and you just cannot beat the price. Great for leisurely summer and late spring days, carefree and joyous.

I received a sample of Chance by Chanel EDP recently. This is not normally a fragrance I would seek out by my own accord, but here are my thoughts. I may be the average prole with little knowledge of finer tastes, but this makes me think of wealthy and sophisticated young women in gold and silk sipping champagne. The musk is light and does not overwhelm while still lending allure and sensuality. The florals are very elegant and refined. I don’t typically like pink pepper, but in this case the very light spiciness is here to add a bit of dimension. The patchouli does not stink, if that’s what worries you. A bit fresh and a bit powdery. The vanilla mellows things out. Sweet lovers won’t be satisfied. I don’t smell any citrus either. Overall, it is soft, yet rich. Romantic, yet tasteful. Classic, confident old money, but not stuffy or outdated. I remember going to the mall as a child and trying on this tester. Thus, in my mind, it is the quintessential perfume. Beauty and grace. Liquid luxury. Very well done. Yes, it can work as a unisex fragrance as well. Perfect for spring days (though fall and other seasons could be pulled off), whether it be business or a date. Personally though, a little too mainstream for my tastes.

Gardenia Palm by Good Chemistry is a safe and clean floral, and while not my favorite, the price makes it a good catch. Again, it is very, very clean, and if you’re a big floral fan looking for an elegant gardenia fragrance, you might find that the soapy ozonic note is too overpowering for your tastes. There is a slight bit of sweet waxiness in between the zingy clean and the white floral, and just a small hint of green palm. I think this would be my preferred professional setting scent— not too rigid or serious and not too delicate or free-spirited. Daytime spring fragrance that would also work very well for early summer.