SoDashwood

I bought this fragrance during the Christmas season two years ago because it reminded me of a festive room scent that was unfortunately sold out, so I thought I couldn't go wrong with this one.
I sprayed it a few times in my apartment and initially liked it quite a bit. However, it quickly became quite annoying to me... I thought I would use it again during the following Christmas season, but I only did that once and then really became very bothered by the scent.

In the drydown (which develops very quickly), it smells quite outdated to me. Very musk-heavy.
How this fragrance or its big inspiration Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette can be considered ultimately sexy is a great mystery to me.

But yes - I keep coming to the realization: Tastes and scent perceptions are indeed very individual... and this is no exception.

I really struggle to categorize this scent. Hence, no rating in numbers...

I became aware of it because I was looking for scents reminiscent of Angélique Noire... in other words: green herbaceous vanilla scents. Unfortunately, Lalique Le Parfum Eau de Parfum does not smell like that to me at all. Scent perceptions are indeed very different.

I must say I somehow like "Lalique Le Parfum (Eau de Parfum) | Lalique," but at the same time it feels a bit too... Yes, too what? I can't quite put my finger on it. Something about it doesn't fit me... something squeaky. Something that wants to stand out at all costs. This scent wants too much.
Vanilla is supposed to be very present here, but it is initially overshadowed by a heavy, sticky jasmine that lacks lightness. After 6 hours, the vanilla finally makes an appearance. That feels a bit too long for me. Moreover, it tends to become quite soapy, which gives off a certain grandparent vibe.
What I do like about the scent is the simultaneous softness it brings... like a cream... or like the soap at my grandparents' bathroom. Softness seems paradoxical when I say it is squeaky, but those are the two components I perceive simultaneously for a long time.

The oriental category usually refers to different scents here at Parfumo, but to me, this scent smells very opulent and oriental.

It stayed on my wish list for a long time, then on my watch list for a while. Today, I was ready to make the decision that I don't need it for my collection. Other people smell good in it - not me. And that's okay, because it works quite differently on others, and it smells good. I, on the other hand, feel like I'm wearing the wrong outfit with it. We simply do not match.

The longevity is very good. The scent lasts a really long time and changes only very slowly, allowing for prolonged enjoyment of the different scent phases, as long as you like them.

Unfortunately, for me, this is an inconsistent fragrance.
On one hand, the vanilla here is not what you usually expect from Guerlain.
Somehow it smells different, and combined with the aquatic notes that this fragrance brings, it just doesn't work for me.
Maybe it's also the eucalyptus that shouldn't be mixed with such a vanilla?
In principle, I find vanilla mixed with green notes very good, but here something is off.

Overall, it also somehow smells a bit like sweet artificial mandarin.

It seems to me that there were different noses involved who couldn't agree on which direction this should actually take.

With all the vanilla hype I've been caught up in lately, I was at Zara looking for the latest Vanilla Collection.
A bit frustrated that there wasn't a variant that fully appealed to me, I continued browsing and discovered more fragrances away from the regular perfume shelf.
"Into The Floral - Number 1: True Amore | Zara" blew me away right from the start.
I quickly checked Parfumo to see if it was inspired by a more expensive original and saw that Delina Eau de Parfum is listed among the similar ones. And yes, it does remind me of that; at least the scent felt familiar. I'm not a Delina expert, but I've certainly sniffed it a few times, always found it very nice but didn't purchase it due to the price since it's "just" a floral scent and I've already explored that direction.
Maybe that's why this one hit me even harder, because I haven't embraced a floral in a long time. Vanilla scents are lovely and provide a cozy feeling, yes. But the effect a good floral has on me... that's very different. You smell it, and it's as if your eyes are being opened. As if you've been kissed awake (from the cozy vanilla sleep).

So I quickly picked up "Into The Floral - Number 1: True Amore | Zara." The scent really lasts a long time on my skin. The next day, it's still noticeable. And for the price, you really can't go wrong.

Like all fragrances I haven't encountered yet, I initially tested Vanille Patchouli Eau de Parfum on a paper strip.
I wasn't particularly fond of the opening: there was something peppery and licorice-like that never really appeals to me. Initially quite skeptical, I decided to wait it out. However, after some time, the fragrance changed, became softer, and a beautiful vanilla developed.

So my first conclusion is: it's okay, but the development until it smells wonderfully of vanilla takes a bit too long for my liking.

The next step was to apply it on my skin to see how it reacts with me. The development didn't take nearly as long as it did on paper. There was no peppery or licorice note, just the beautiful vanilla, which was then accompanied by a slightly smoky note that I really like.

So what can I say?
Final conclusion:
Interestingly, a fragrance that is okay on its own, but unfolds wonderfully in connection with my skin. A dream team, indeed.
I now love this scent! The vanilla is simply amazing and truly reminds one of vanilla pods.
I also find the performance good. I can apply it, and 20 hours later it's still noticeable when I sniff at the spot.