Elin0ra

Yes, I know, I know, it’s a shampoo fragrance. But still, there’s something about it! When the outdoor climate starts feeling oppressively hot and muggy, I crave this scent like I crave air conditioning. Spritzing it on is like sitting down to an outdoor picnic of chilled sparkling rosé and elaborately cut fresh fruit. Clean, musky, bubbly, and juicy. I’m especially fond of how the lychee note comes through—tart and gently sweet without veering into canned syrupy territory.

Would many label this scent as juvenile? Yes. Is this scent the pinnacle of sophistication in perfumery? Most certainly not. But when the juice agrees with my nose I’ve decided it's best not to argue. Also doesn't hurt that it's a decent performer for the price.

The composition of Dear Polly is soft and understated with an undeniable loveliness about it. The initial tartness of the first spray quickly transitions to a subtle backdrop for the unfurling dry leafy heart of the fragrance, which wafts out into the world like fresh steam rising from a just-brewed cup of tea. My nose detects an unusual earthy-yet-powdery facet, a soft sensual smokiness, and a whiff of decay (like crisp sun-dried autumn leaves that crumble away under your feet.) At this point I must abandon my description of the scent itself to say that something sentimental lives in this fragrance. It has a warm intimacy and familiarity to it that makes it feel wearable on an everyday basis in spite of its sophistication. Sits close to the skin but lasts beautifully, like a wistful moment in time you wish you could keep returning to.

I love a scent that manages to smell clean without being dominated by soapy/detergent notes and Ethereal Wave delivers nicely in this category. The scent opens bright with a subtle zesty kick from the citrus and cardamom before enveloping the senses in a dual embrace of dry white tea leaves and warm woods. Traces of delicate, almost pillowy musk linger throughout and stick around comfortingly while the rest gradually fades away.

The notes are distinctly identifiable yet work beautifully in synchrony with one another (although I agree with others who detect primarily white tea rather than black). The fragrance does not project far beyond the skin but it lasts impressively given how delicate the composition is. The gradual evolution of the fragrance is seamless and pleasant. Lovely and wearable.

11:11 is a barely-there skin scent that lingers in my awareness long after application, tempering the harsh edges of my day. It features a harmonious blend of musky notes that manage to be mystical, aldehydic, and a little fuzzy (in a good way). On days when I’m wanting to feel warm, clean, and gently enveloped by a soft protective layer of scent, the rollerball is my go-to. I wore this frequently when I lived in New York because I could walk past piles of garbage on the sidewalk without leaving my cozy scent bubble. It may be a subtle fragrance—the sillage remains intimate—but the perfume oil packs some serious staying power, both corporeally and in my brain! Also makes a great base for layering as others have said.

This wasn’t an overtly objectionable smell, but it reminds me very much of Mrs. Meyer’s lemon scented cleaning spray—which, to be fair, smells great for an all-purpose cleanser, but isn’t really what I’m looking for in a perfume. Unfortunately, my nose did not detect any of the earthy/woody undertones that some have mentioned. All I was left with was a short-lived impression of lemon soapiness.