THE WORST:
Ylang-ylang Espresso
The ylang-ylang is a stand-out in the top notes, but the immediate dry-down is ghastly. The poorly blended espresso note smells like leftover coffee grounds. It smells dirty (like actual dirt) and acrid, like a goblin’s cave.
After a few hours on the skin, the floral notes open up revealing hints of jasmine and violet. But we can’t say it’s worth the wait.
Black Lotus
This is bad. Really, really bad. We wouldn’t even recommend it as room spray.
Black Lotus’s leather notes are extremely overpowering. Imagine suede cleaner dusted with eraser shavings. BAD. The leather never really dissipates out, either. There’s no florals here, even several hours after dry down it still smells cheap and leathery.
Neon Rose
A basic rose fragrance that smells like a cheap body splash. Bath and Body Works has more complex rose fragrances than this. So synthetic it’s headache inducing.
Iris Goddess
If Play-Doh and a Lush boutique had a baby, it would smell like Iris Goddess. The leather and suede notes in the dry-down are reminiscent of cleaning supplies or potpurri.
THE BEST:
Chypre Sublime
The opening notes will be very familiar to you if you’re a fan of chypres — soapy and aldehydic. The dry-down is rosy and lightly floral — not too sharp and not too sweet.
Wild Vanilla Orchid
“Yummy and happy” are words that come to mind. This is unlike any other vanilla fragrance out there — it’s definitely not sweet, but it’s not earthy either. It smells like a really inviting coffee shop.
London Poppy
An inoffensive floral with excellent performance. Basic and a bit boring, but would make a lovely travel fragrance for a midday touch-up.
Wonderland Peony
A very pretty floral that smells like a rainy spring day. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in sillage and performance.