Gourmandgrl

This is an intensely nostalgic blend for me. My teenage cousin wore this in the late 90s/early 2000s - and as a kid who wanted to be like her, this fragrance seemed to embody all of that.

While I normally shy away from frankincense (it often drowns everything else out with my skin chemistry), this one is my gold-standard. Comparing then and now:

OG blend:
- stronger overall
- more of an emphasis on the musky/lightly-powdery frankincense + creamy sandalwood + warm spices (not listed here but seemed like cardamom, soft cinnamon, and a hint of subtle ginger to me)
- felt resinous, rich, luxurious

Newest re-release (glass bottle with white label):
- lighter overall
- lost some of the depth (less strength in the frankincense, less complexity in the spices, and the creamy sandalwood takes a backseat for more of a slightly-aldehydic "clean white musk" nuance)
- still feels resinous and unique, but creates a "cozy clean" vibe (skin musk + fresh linens + frankincense) rather than anything "rich"

Ultimately, I'm happy to have my newer bottle (purchased a couple years ago) - because despite the clear differences, it still reminds me very much of the original. Still feel like an instantly-cooler person wearing it, thanks to the memories of my cousin. If you enjoy clean skin musk blends but want something with a more unique and elevated lift, this is a classy choice. Warm, inviting, fresh, resinous, slightly-sweet, and effortlessly-pretty. Signature scent-worthy!

Don't discount this one by its cover/label design - actually smelling Belle is enjoyable. To my nose it's a distinctively-custardy tea rose blend, or like a "deconstructed" tea rose-frosted vanilla cupcake (frosting and filling, but no cake itself).

Note breakdown:
[40% tea rose] subtly-powdery, sweet "rose oil" with lightly-fruity nuances (hint of grape or juicy violet)
[25% frosting] buttercream made with French vanilla
[35% custard filling] a buttery-rich custard center to the non-existent cupcake (not buttery in any "popcorn" sense - only in a thick, creamy-dessert context)

While it varies which notes you get throughout wearing, it still remains fairly linear. A touch synthetic, rather simple overall, but I don't have anything else quite like this in my collection. The gourmand elements make it perfect for colder weather, but the floral/lightly-fruity aspects means it would suit spring too.

Projects well, and lasts a long time on my skin: 3-4 hours full strength (decent projection/sillage too!), and about 5-8 hours personal scent bubble; amazing performance for a mist. (If you find it doesn't last on your wrists, try the inner corner of your elbows - that's where I get the best performance for this one!)

Side note: this is a truly-new BBW blend, and not a re-package of any of their other rose-focused fragrances I've tested from them over the years, like:
Whipped Rose & Vanilla
Rose Fragrance Mist
Inspire Love - Rose & Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Rose Water Meringue
Rose Water & Ivy
Etc.

This opens with a strong hit of something indolic. Creamy-yellow florals? Buttery ylang ylang? None listed, yet they feel so present to me. It must be the sandalwood paired with a Tahitian vanilla - making for a rich, delicately-heady vanilla cream.

Then, realistic peach joins in. The apricot here creates the feeling of velvety peach skin (rather than anything focused on the apricot fruit itself) - and the peach is ultra ripe, soaked in the sweet thickness of its own juices.

On paper, it's liquid-y peaches & cream - like homemade peach ice cream starting to drip down the cone, or a spilled puddle of peach milkshake. You'll want to lick this! On my skin, a touch of animalic warmth blooms under the melted gourmand goodness - making it feel even more narcotic.

The notes are so well-done, that it might actually be the best gourmand-sweet peach I've tried (separate from other peach profiles like boozy-peach, fresh peach, etc.).

Feels like a ruffled pastel sundress, blushing cheeks, and the color Pantone Peach Fuzz 13-1023 (https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024). Fairly simple/linear experience, soft projection, moderate longevity - but oh so beautiful.

*Update on longevity/projection:
- 1-2 hour mark: strongest (in strength and projection)
- 3 hour mark: moderate strength (quiet projection but still very present)
- 4-6 hour mark: softens significantly
Still absolutely worth it!

This is the scent of a significant other who treats you with kindness. His hugs smell like safety and and secure masculinity - and when you borrow his sweatshirt, you realize you're catching whiffs of Luna Rossa Sport .

Secure masculinity, why? Because this is lavender-vanilla forward. Some men might not want to smell like anything sweet, which is valid in its own right - but in my opinion, there's an appeal to a lavender-vanilla blend like this one.

The lavender-vanilla is more prominent in the opening - and even with the vanilla, the lavender itself is still herbal rather than gourmand. The juniper berry adds just enough of a masculine, cooling, and woodsy touch to keep the sweetness in check - and the subtle ginger brings an aura of freshness, like the clarity of a soft ginger tea.

The heliotrope is well-balanced with the tonka bean and musk. Not too powdery to veer into cosmetic territory - but just enough to contribute towards the feeling of a slightly-creamy bar of soap. In dry-down, it does become more powdery (with a "cool"/metallic undertone, and a bit of a synthetic quality).

The projection isn't "beast mode" - but that enhances the intimacy. Despite this, it does have an inviting scent trail/sillage. Overall it's somehow calming, comforting, & sexy all at once.

P.S. While I'd love to smell this on someone else, I did spray myself with the tester bottle - and have been enjoying it thoroughly. It feels similar to the concept of Boyfriend Eau de Parfum (Kate Walsh created the fragrance after missing the smell of her boyfriend on her skin/clothes).

So if I had a significant other who owned Luna Rossa Sport , I might steal his bottle from time to time - or possibly just get my own!

I understand many might immediately discount a designer fragrance, especially from Paris Hilton. But after watching Paris Hilton's documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOg0TY1jG3w), I have a lot of respect for her - and this is now my favorite of her fragrances that I've tested.

Pictures make it look alright, but in person it's much worse. Just picking up the tester bottle, my nail caught on the edge of the metal letter and the entire piece lifted. It felt thin, cheap, and fragile - but if you've watched any reviews on this fragrance, you know that already.

Her brand originally claimed this would be an exclusive to her website, and blind-buying is a gamble I'm not often willing to take. Luckily Ulta began carrying it later, so I was able to test in store. To me it's a primarily-floral blend, with a breakdown of:
[60%] ultra-soapy magnolia
[10%] pear blossom (not pear fruit; this is purely green floral)
[10%] lightly-powdery white musk
[20%] raspberry/peach blend (super subtle background players, that give more of a "generic fruity shampoo" vibe than anything distinct)

It's fairly linear when wearing. The fruity notes are more prominent in the opening, then fade quickly to the back for the rest of the wear - but it remains magnolia-forward throughout.

I can't place my finger on it, but I swear I've used a magnolia-based shower gel/body wash before that smelled exactly like this. Could pass for a handsoap too - but I actually really enjoy it. No complexity here, a touch synthetic... but still pleasant, and not trying to be anything more than it is.

Inoffensive, soapy magnolia-forward blend that's perfect for spring, the office, or anywhere you can't quite make up your mind on what to smell like - but still want to feel fresh. Must love magnolia to enjoy!