Shepilein

I can hardly believe that I am so taken with a Zara fragrance. So much so that I now MUST find a dupe for this scent. The combination of fruity and peppery is simply perfect. Luckily, the pear is not as sweet as other fruits and has something matte about it. Together with the pink pepper, this has turned out particularly well. Fresh, fruity, and peppery at the same time sounds perfect. It’s just right for those who don’t like cologne. Moreover, it’s not particularly soapy either. To smell clean or well-groomed, there is indeed this way, which I like the best! I could also refer to You by Glossier here, but the pear really makes the difference for me. I am really sad that I didn’t stock up.

First association with the title: construction debris, metal, and plastic cables. Not necessarily what you would want to have clinging to you. I find that many notes do not reflect what the perfume actually smells like. I must honestly say that I am really positively surprised. To say it upfront, part of the name is really reflected in the scent. At first, I like it the most. I think it smells like milk. But rather fresh, natural, and not vanilla-like. Maybe a bit peppery, but those are really just small accords. It doesn’t take long, and the scent on my skin transforms into an unusual fragrance. Something metallic, balsamic, and indefinable. Now that I think about it, it does have the smell of rubber or plastic. But somehow in a pleasant way. I can hardly describe what it really is; it has a toy-like quality, nostalgic in a way. The name doesn’t seem so badly chosen after all. Metal and rubber somehow create a conduit or a cable. Despite the unusual scent composition, it is a wearable fragrance. The fragrance pyramid only mentions woody-spicy, which for me is not quite the realistic representation. The scent is rather creamy with woody undertones. Frankincense is well discernible in the middle part, but it is not what defines the fragrance. For me, the milky note that hovers permanently in the background is a main aspect. This note also makes the fragrance wearable. Together with the “cable” scent, the combination is interesting and makes the fragrance quite unique. An unusual new discovery, for which I might consider buying a 10ml bottle. Definitely something completely different.

I have to say, I'm not a fan of such highly hyped perfume houses. The price alone makes me gulp. With so much praise, my disappointment is usually even greater when the perfume only smells mediocre. Unfortunately, this was the case with some perfumes from this house. So much for Parfums de Marly.

However, Valaya scores points with me. It starts with very fruity, yet light notes. At first, you don't suspect that it can become even lighter and more refined. The peach is the initial star and opens the show. Cool and not too sweet. Exactly my thing. However, the middle part becomes really exciting. Valaya transforms into a fine, luxurious body lotion. It reminds me of the scent of pearls. If pearls even have a scent. Additionally, Valaya already smells a bit like soap.

If one had wondered in the past how magical creatures might have smelled, it would be like this. A scene of fine pearl dust over a lake covered with all sorts of flower petals. As cheesy as that sounds, so is the perfume. Just the name screams Barbie Fairytopia. The scent catapults me into its own magical, refined world.

I am a bit shocked that no one else perceives the scent the way I do. I have decided to try fragrances directly on my skin right away to be able to judge them better. Just testing them out. 50/50 chance of discovering a new favorite.

My arms were already full of perfume, so my boyfriend had to step in. The fragrance notes were on the back of the bottle, so it can't be anything too terrible. Mandarin and incense sound good. My worst nightmare is musty perfumes or cleaning product scents. Luckily, there’s no musty smell and no glass cleaner. More like a vegetable??? It immediately reminds me of pimientos (small, green roasted peppers with sea salt). Somehow a sexy roasted pepper. Sexy vegetables... with a bit more roasting aroma. My boyfriend nods in agreement when I say it smells like a Spanish vegetable. I can't really say more than that. The association is in the way. By the end of the day, the pepper is somewhat wrapped in incense. The scent remains a tasty vegetable. A gourmand fragrance, in a completely unexpected way and yet somehow wearable. Still totally strange and special.

That evening, we had roasted peppers.

Inspired by a promising review, I simply couldn't resist trying this fragrance. Because obviously, the name here is just sound and smoke. All Saints has always impressed me with powerful scents like "Incense City." Such intense notes are definitely my thing, but every now and then my heart longs for comforting fragrances - creamy, powdery, and sweet. And that's exactly what this creation promises to be.

The naming of such fragrances probably puts many off. Perhaps the marketing department wanted to entice those who usually lean towards "hardcore scents" that smell of leather and tobacco. Maybe one should discover the powdery, sweet side within themselves without immediately being seen as a softie. A marketing strategy that skillfully lures everyone into new territory.

At first, the fragrance presents itself as woody and light. Yet, the floral note already flashes through. You can immediately tell that "Metal Wave" is a delicate little work of art. The papyrus note gives a dry paper texture that makes the whole thing interesting and feather-light. Over time, the fragrance becomes much sweeter and creamier, reminding me of an improved version of "Milky Musk" by Molton Brown in the dry down. Powdery, dry, and sweet. The only downside is that the woody paper note doesn't remain consistently present. Nevertheless, a beautiful, powdery, and almost milky scent lingers. Really well done, especially when considering the price aspect.

It slightly reminds me of a mix between L’eau Papier and Milky Musk. A lovely rounded affair.