Liebelainey

I have to admit, when I first bought this I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t as sugary sweet as I had expected and that I couldn’t discern any cotton candy note. It smelt nice but was just that. Nice. And nothing more.

I revisited my bottle after a few months and I’m not sure if my bottle has had time to develop or my tastes have simply changed over the seasons but White Magnolia has won me over. It’s a gorgeous floral cotton candy scent that is so beautifully blended together. It’s sweet and sophisticated without being juvenile or cloying. I’m glad I held onto my bottle.

I had come across photos of this perfume online many years ago and fell in love. I was disappointed that I couldn’t sample this as it wasn’t available to buy where I lived at the time. Who couldn’t fall in love with this adorable crescent moon bottle? Years later I was finally able to buy it. I was so excited to finally try it and thought the notes would be general crowd pleasers- florals, peach, vanilla… boy was I wrong.

It opens up with a blast of very masculine woodsy notes that can be very overpowering. Where did that come from? Once the perfume settles and has been on the skin for a bit I do smell peach and vanilla but sadly it’s not what I had hoped this perfume to be. Definitely more of a unisex scent but the opening is just too much and contrasts greatly with the other notes. I wouldn’t recommend blind buying this.

I thought I would love Rochas Girl with its jasmine, neroli, orange blossom and sandalwood notes just calling my name. Unfortunately, I think it’s a bit too sweet and juvenile for my liking. It’s a grape bubblegum like scent that feels like it’s gotten stuck to the bottom of your shoe and just won’t come off no matter how much you try to scrape it. Could that be the black currant overpowering everything else here?

I think my younger teenage self would’ve enjoyed this but sadly, it’s just not for me. But don’t let my review stop you, it could be a lovely summer scent for you. I do appreciate that there are refill bottles available and they are very affordable. Rochas definitely deserve a few extra points for that.

I stumbled upon Sana Jardin when I was visiting a boutique in London. I had been searching for a perfume that ticked the following boxes: it had to be feminine, floral and with a slightly hippie vibe. I immediately fell in love with Incense Water, a gorgeous watery yet lush rose scent with patchouli, musk and sandalwood to ground it. Though the notes may sound old lady or basic, to me it smells gorgeous and expensive. I’ve since tried other scents from the brand, but Incense Water remains my favourite.

Energetically New York is from the collaboration between Jo Malone x Zara. A clear nod to Le Labo’s Santal 33, it would be my second pick out of the lot with Elegantly Tokyo taking out first place.

Energetically New York lacks the depth of Santal 33 and leans ever slightly more feminine but overall remains a unisex scent. It still has this refreshing tangy pickle juice sort of scent which is what makes Santal 33 so unique in the first place. For the price point I wouldn’t sleep on this scent by Zara. If you love Santal 33 but want to save your money, give this a try.