february favorite fragrances

SOPHIE’S PICKS

‘REPLICA’ Lazy Sunday Morning by Maison Margiela
Never has a name more perfectly captured its scent than Lazy Sunday Morning. Though the description cites notes of Pear, Lily of the Valley, Iris, and White Musk, I don’t smell any of that. To me, this fragrance smells like waking up late with nothing to do; like picnics in the park, driving with the windows down, or lounging in the sun with a good book. It’s incredibly balanced - not too floral, not too woodsy - and subtle without being forgettable. If you’re looking for something relaxed and versatile, this is a great place to start.  

Tea by Commodity
Another light, airy scent, Tea depicts notes of oolong tea, Egyptian basil, and warm tobacco to “convey a comforting, relaxing afternoon tea experience.” And, since it’s unisex, it’s composition is quite neutral: not too abrasive for daytime, yet striking enough for the evening - resulting in an easy-to-wear scent that is perfect for every occasion.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne
It is very rare for me to gravitate towards fruity scents since I am not big on sweet smells, but the notes of Bay Leaves and Cedarwood add a certain warmth to this Blackberry cologne that makes it one of my all-time favorites. It’s fresh, it’s earthy, and it’s feminine all at once - the absolute trifecta of scents, in my mind. I prefer to wear this more so during the winter or a night out, though, since it is a little on the heavier side.  

Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules
After reading endless, positive reviews of this perfume, I was super eager to give it a sniff. But, upon spritzing myself with it at Scent Bar in DTLA, I was disappointed to find that I couldn’t smell anything. Defeated, I continued my day, not thinking of it again. Then, a few hours later, I reached up to push some hair out of my face and caught a whiff of my wrist. To my surprise, it smelled incredible. I legitimately could not stop sniffing my own wrist. People were starting to stare. That’s because this unique unisex fragrance showcases a single note: the magnetic Iso E Super aroma-molecule, which is known for its sweet sandalwood scent and pheromone-like qualities. Now, I can’t confirm that this will make your love interests feel more attracted to you, but the sultry, spicy fragrance will definitely make YOU feel hotter. Which is a win in and of itself, right?  

Maison Louis Marie No. 04 Bois de Balincourt
This is my most complimented perfume of all time. People stop me on the street, at sushi restaurants, in line for the bathroom at bars, asking me what I’m wearing and the answer is always Bois de Balincourt. A cedarwood & sandalwood fragrance supplemented by a spicy cinnamon nutmeg complex, it smells very similar to the Le Labo Santal 33 fragrance that accurately describes itself as “where sensuality rises after the light has gone” – but it’s a fraction of the cost! Which means, you get to break necks and pinch pennies: every woman’s dream. Opt for the roll-on perfume oil as it is longer-wearing than the spray version.

Diptyque Do Son Eau de Parfum
I used to go crazy for the floral fragrances in my younger years (shoutout to Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flowers, the honeysuckle-scented-nectar that got me through middle school). But, once I hit high school, I started my slow transition into sultrier perfumes, and kissed the petals goodbye. Or so I thought. As soon as I smelled Do Son, flower power took control of me once again. I absolutely had to have it. Because, as the product description says, “anyone with blood in their veins will succumb to the irresistible temptation of this insolently seductive white flower.” And, my veins are rich with deep red blood. Not to mention, the bottle is an absolute work of art, and definitely kicks my vanity game up a notch.

SARAH’S PICKS

Carlen Parfums
These five scents are earthy, sultry, and very 2018 (in a good way). I love them all and feel like each one perfectly describes a different personality. Aztec Noir is definitely the most popular and my go-to… because if you bottle palo santo, I’m already sold. Plus cedar (light, woodsy) and amber (sultry honey) are two of my favorite scents as well. Butch Femme is my next favorite: it balances sweet neroli, sweet/sour grapefruit, savory basil and pepper, and sexy sandalwood; talk about smelling like a snack. Coco Flor is what I use on days when I feel like a serene earth princess: the incense and patchouli keep it grounded but all the other notes are soft and sweet.

Everyday Oil
Not a perfume but I often use it like one. This is the perfect scent (and all-purpose moisturizer) for – you guessed it – everyday. I put it on the dry ends of my hair before I leave the house, on my face before bed on dry nights, and sometimes all over if I’m feeling myself and wanting to be silky for a special occasion.

Saint Rita Parlor’s signature scent
If you’re looking for something unique and a bit heavier, this one is perfect: bourbon, tobacco, and roses. It’s handmade by a cool funky dude in Downtown Los Angeles who named the brand after his grandmother Rita. The travel size is perfect to start because this one is potent.

Tokyomilk’s Dark/Light collection
Light + sweet. I have the Light Transformation No. 3 because I smelled it once and liked it but also just honestly loved the bottle with the snake on it. Sucker for pretty packaging, as always. This is the one where I have to tell you that I love to mix fragrances. Occasionally I make a weird mistake in the mixing but usually it surprisingly ends up well. I always have to mix this one with something earthier (I usually also put on Everyday Oil, listed below!) because I love the scents of Mandarin orange as well as tuberose florals but sometimes sweet perfumes can lean a bit too reminiscent of teenage visits to Victoria’s Secret for the modern age.