Scent of the Day

 I do not wear scent in a neutral way.

There is nothing wrong with doing so, of course, but for me, scent should be another level of communication. Scent is a statement, an introduction, perhaps a couple of questions.

For this reason, I rarely wear just one scent at a time. I prefer to stack scents to create something new, something else.

This is my basic formula:

Mysterious: I want something that wakes up the imagination, something that opens a memory or perhaps makes you consider something that you cannot quite put your finger on.

Genderless: I want something neutral, almost masc leaning, something rich and textured with liquors and the scent of rain on stones, pepper or cedar or fun spices.

Femme: My flower layer, my sweeter citrus layer. Traditional, yes, but given everything else, it is tradition with a massive bend to it.

Provocative: This is the layer for all the scents that are there to excite. The scents that make you smirk for just a second. The scents that intrigue.

So what does that mean for today?

Mysterious: Korres Kyma spray

Top Notes: Lime, mandarin, and orange Heart Notes: Marine notes, watery accords, and pepper Base Notes: Cedar, vetiver, and nutmeg

Kyma has been my find of the summer. It is honestly my favorite scent at the moment. Somehow the citrus top notes and those watery middles combine to become something that evokes watermelon on a summer day. It makes me think of dragonflies and butterflies. I truly love it.

Genderless: Heretic Nosferatu spray

Top Notes: Lilac, Ambrette Heart Notes: Petrichor, Violet Absolute, Orris Concrete, Cypriol Base Notes: Vegan Ambergris, Oud, Labdanum

Normally I do my genderless layer with a rollerball, but I only have this in a spray. It works out just as well, though I am sure this would be an amazing rollerball scent. This is a rich mix of very beautiful things, but what stands out on my skin is the petrichor and the vegan ambergris. Petrichor, for me, is sunlight on wet stones after a storm. Vegan ambergris is an ethical chemical compound that to me is the basis of everything I love about gender neutral scent. Like the first layer, this layer is wet and sunny and fun.

Femme: Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue spray

Top Notes: Sicilian Lemon, Crisp Apple, Cedar, Bellflower Heart Notes: Bamboo, Jasmine, White Rose Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Amber

If I am honest, I will admit this is a layer with more practical intentions and less aesthetic intention. I have a small sample of the D and G that I have promised myself I would get through this month. It is one of three very small samples that I have. They need to be used, enjoyed, and moved on.

Having said that, I am not upset about how this layers with everything else. I have a running citrus theme with a lot of the rest of this, and other elements like the cedar, musk, and amber also layer well. The bellflower adds a sense of dewiness that works with the other water layers I have going on, and the apple adds a fun, crisp contrast. I think I liked that the most.

Provocative: Skylar Lime Sands rollerball

Top Notes: Lime, Sea Salt, Verbena Heart Notes: Lily of the Valley, Coconut Water, Orange Flower Base Notes: Driftwood, Vanilla, Musk

In this case, my provocation layer is about lime and salt. Add the vanilla, coconut water, verbena, which is lemony, and the orange flower, and you get something heady and sour-sweet in all the best ways. Driftwood adds a layer of sun-bleached wood and earthiness, plus extra salt to support the sea salt. Lily of the Valley is sweet but still lemon-leaning, giving this whole layer a very cohesive theme.

In the end, what do I get?

A watermelon margarita by the lake on a sunny day after a rainstorm. A relaxed, happy, lazy day where the sun casts pretty highlights in your hair and makes your skin feel glowy and good. It is a lovely, rich stack and I am deeply pleased with it.