Tag fragrance

Beguiling Osmanthus

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

© valerypetr, 123RF Free Images

Osmanthus is a flowering plant belonging to the genus Osmanthus, which is part of the olive family (Oleaceae). Native to East Asia—particularly China, Japan, and the Himalayas—this evergreen shrub or small tree is best known for its small but incredibly fragrant blossoms, which appear in shades of white, pale yellow, or orange-gold.

🌸 Fragrance of Osmanthus

The fragrance of osmanthus is what makes it truly enchanting and prized in perfumery and tea blending. The scent is:

  • Sweet and fruity, often compared to ripe apricots, peach, or plum.
  • Laced with honeyed, creamy, and slightly green floral notes.
  • Sometimes subtly leathery or reminiscent of tea leaves when dried.

It’s an aroma that manages to be both delicate and persistent—soft, comforting, and refined.

✨ Spiritual and Cultural Significance

In Chinese Culture

  • Osmanthus, or guì huā (桂花) in Mandarin, is deeply revered in Chinese tradition.
  • It blooms in autumn, and is strongly associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, where it symbolizes reunion, harmony, and longevity.
  • The osmanthus tree is often linked with the moon. Chinese legends tell of Wu Gang, a man condemned to eternally chop down an osmanthus tree on the moon—a myth that adds a sense of the plant’s mystical endurance.
  • Osmanthus is also a symbol of nobility, love, and romantic longing, sometimes evoking nostalgia or homesickness.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

  • Osmanthus flowers are used in herbal remedies to ease coughs, improve skin health, and support digestion.
  • It’s believed to cleanse the body and mind, representing purity and serenity.

In Perfume and Tea

  • Osmanthus is a luxury note in high-end perfumery, loved for its unique fruit-floral profile.
  • In tea, osmanthus blossoms are often blended with green or oolong tea, creating a beverage that is as aromatic as it is soothing.

🌿 Interesting Qualities

  1. Rare Fragrance Profile: Few florals combine fruit and flower in such a balanced way—osmanthus stands apart from heady roses or indolic jasmine.
  2. Cultural Depth: It’s not just a pretty flower; osmanthus is woven into poetry, myth, and ritual across centuries.
  3. Seasonal Beauty: Unlike many spring-blooming flowers, osmanthus blooms in autumn, offering unexpected beauty and fragrance when most other flowers have faded.
  4. Versatility: It’s used in food, tea, perfume, skincare, and spiritual practices—a true multi-sensory botanical.

In essence, osmanthus is a plant that quietly stuns—with a fragrance that whispers rather than shouts, and a cultural legacy that touches everything from ancient moon legends to modern luxury.

Scented Candle Love

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

A new favorite, Bergamot Tangerine from APOTHEKE

Luxury scented candles have a special way of enhancing a space that goes beyond just fragrance. They offer an affordable touch of indulgence—unlike many other luxury items, a well-made candle can be had without breaking the bank, yet it delivers a surprisingly rich sensory experience. As someone who enjoys scented candles from brands such as Voluspa, Archipelago Botanicals, APOTHEKE, and Nest, I know firsthand how affordable they are, as well as how much joy they bring me.

When lit, scented candles create an immediate shift in ambience. The flickering flame casts a soft, warm light that’s both calming and flattering, making any room feel more intimate and inviting. The scent adds another layer—evoking emotions, memories, or simply providing a gentle background aroma that makes a space feel cared for and curated. Whether it’s a woodsy blend, burst of fruit, or a complex and inviting floral, the right fragrance can transform a mundane evening into a soothing ritual. I light candles on a daily basis, and base my candle selection on what kind of mood I am in, as well as what kind of weather we are experiencing. For example, today was a warm, sunny day, so I opted for a refreshing grapefruit candle, and since it was in a smaller vessel, I opted to place it on my candle warmer instead of lighting it. Later tonight, after it gets dark, I will light a candle which fits my mood, settle onto the sofa in the living room, and enjoy the beautiful glow and inviting fragrance of the lit candle.

There’s also a practical bonus: by using candles for light, especially in the evening, you can reduce reliance on harsh electric lighting. This not only contributes to a more relaxing atmosphere but also supports energy conservation. It’s a small but meaningful gesture toward sustainability—proof that luxury and eco-consciousness don’t have to be at odds.

Candle Obsessed

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

My good friends are all well aware of how much I adore scented candles, because there is an assortment of them throughout my home. I am definitely not talking about candles from TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, or Yankee Candles, which are made with paraffin wax and soy wax and look and smell tacky. Thanks to my cousin Rose, who gifted me with two Voluspa candles on Christmas Eve 2020, I got swept up into the world of candles. Rose also inspired me to develop a nightly ritual in which I select a fragrance which resonates with me at that moment, light the candle, and enjoy the soft glow and wonderful aroma while winding down for the late afternoon into evening.

I have sampled other candle brands, but I keep coming back to Voluspa, which features eco-friendly and clean burning coconut wax. In addition, the vessels which Voluspa uses are absolutely gorgeous, so much so that it seems a shame not to repurpose every single one once the candle wax has completely melted. Lastly, the fragrances are outstanding, and they continue to add incredible new scents to their collection. At this point, I have ten favorites in their lineup, and two of them are relatively new:

Mind you, this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape or form. I simply love Voluspa candles, reed diffusers, diffuser oils, and room sprays, and intend to continue to feature their products in my home. What I love about Voluspa fragrances is that they are distinctive, unique, complex, and beautiful, similar to fine body fragrances. These aren’t cheap, flat scents, but layered, elegant, and deep olfactory journeys.

Crazy For Candles

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I have to admit that I have become a huge fan of scented candles in the past few years, preferably from Voluspa. There is something incredibly enjoyable about lighting a favorite candle each afternoon or evening and allowing the fragrance to permeate the room, evoking a certain mood. Since I don’t always want to smell the same aroma, I have numerous different scented candles nestled in various parts of the house, and will even ask guests to select a fragrance which resonates with them.

The reason why I prefer Voluspa candles is because they are of excellent quality, the vessels are beautiful, and many of the fragrances are absolutely divine. Whether I decide to experience a scrumptious fruit melange, an exotic woody bamboo, or a magical spice, I absolutely love the nightly ritual I have developed of lighting a candle and enjoying the illumination, the beauty of the candle jar, and the bouquet which these candles impart. Voluspa candle jars are so incredibly gorgeous and versatile that I have cleaned many of them and repurposed them to store things like cotton balls, makeup brushes, etc. There is even a suggestion from Voluspa to repurpose their 5-wick hearth candles into champagne buckets, which actually makes perfect sense.

If you want to fill your home with delicious fragrance, I would highly recommend checking out Voluspa, and no, this is not a sponsored post. That’s how much I appreciate candles from this master candle making house.

Captured By Fragrance

drstaceynaito Leave a comment
Copyright: svl861

Several months ago, I read a book entitled The Emperor of Scent by Chandler Burr, which mainly explores the life and work of scientist Luca Turin. Luca Turin has made an indelible mark on the world of scent theory because he believes in a different concept of how we smell, and backs up his belief with hard science. What I did not expect while reading this book was that I learned how deeply immersed Turin is in the world of fine fragrance, to such an extent that he wrote a well respected perfume guide.

As I continued to read The Emperor of Scent, I became intensely curious about several fragrances which have been touted the world’s best scents. Turin’s description of Chamade by Guerlain captured me so intensely that I blind purchased two tiny vintage bottles of the extrait, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed, because the fragrance is sublime.

“Une note de départ verte et anodine donne le coup d’ envoi à un miracle qui se produit sur plusiers heures, voire plusiers jours. A green and somewhat nondescript top note launches a miracle that happens over several hours, even several days. As soon as the initial fog dissipates, a splendid form appears, all of one piece, smooth and seamless, a strong white note, powdery and sculptural, that strengthens without losing complexity until complete evaporation. Typically Guerlain in its flattering and tender character, Chamade is nevertheless a haughty perfume, pure and distant and miles away from the slightly catty chic of Jicky and Shalimar. Its tenacity is prodigious, and one would believe it conceived to be smelled two days later. Put it on at least two hours before asking it to have its effect.

A masterpiece of elegance and poetry. One of the greatest perfumes of all time.”

How could I pass up an opportunity to obtain Chamade after reading Turin’s description?

I became obsessed with finding other vintage fragrances, such as Diorissimo (Dior) and L’Interdit (Givenchy), and also found other lovely scents which are currently being produced. However, I always try to get the vintage versions, because the newer iterations are never exactly the same as the originals. I also try to get the extrait or the eau de parfum instead of the EDT because of the staying power of perfume formulations.

I ended up finding a vintage bottle of Diorissimo EDP, which is a gorgeous expression of lily-of-the-valley, but sadly, it doesn’t last on my skin. I kept a bottle of the original L’Interdit (1957) which my mother had in her collection, and I have noted a difference between the vintage version and the bottle which I recently purchased. Nevertheless, the modern take on L’Interdit is absolutely lovely when mixed with my body chemistry.

I also found other fragrances during my recent foray into the world of scent, and stumbled upon the lovely floral Mon Guerlain (Guerlain), and the intense Sublime (Jean Patou). I revisited Byblos (Byblos) which I had kept from my mom’s collection, as well as J’Adore (Dior). Another fragrance which I absolutely love is a brand new offering from Givenchy called Irrestistible Fresh, which is a beautiful light fruity/floral.

The one mistake I made was in blind purchasing Joy (Jean Patou) based on the fact that it is the most expensive fragrance in the world. When I received the bottle in the mail, I spritzed some on my pulse points, and immediately became concerned because I could smell an imminent funk from the mixture. In addition, it was heady stuff, very grandma-esque, and just not my style. I waited for a half hour for the fragrance to meld with my body, and all I could think of was how much I wanted to jump in the shower to wash it off! The clincher for me was when my kitten approached me, took one whiff, and made swipes with his paw on the sofa as if to cover the results of a recent potty session. I took another sniff, and realized that Joy had turned into something that smelled like cat urine on me, thanks to the civet which is part of the base of the legendary scent. I returned it immediately.

Now I am just experimenting with the various fragrances I have in my collection, and will switch up my scent depending on my mood, the weather, or what I plan to do later that day. And though Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Eau So Fresh is still my go to daily fragrance, I am truly enjoying the variety which the new additions to my fragrance collection are providing.

Scent Beauty Has Incredible Fragrances!

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

 

I’ve been working with Scent Beauty as one of their brand ambassadors for several months now, and I absolutely love the fragrances they sell.  So far, I have seven scents from their line:

  • Intention, Transcend, and Balance from the Phluid Project
  • Rise and Shine, I Am Bright, and So Serene from Scent Organix
  • Cher – Fragrance Foundation’s 2020 Awards Winner

Here are links to the fragrances I just mentioned:

https://scentbeauty.com/collections/house-brands

https://scentbeauty.com/products/cher-eau-de-couture

 

So you may be asking, do I actually use any of these fragrances?  The answer is a resounding YES.

Intention by The Phluid Project

 

Intention from the Phluid Project is the perfect blend of spicy, floral and sweet, with the following scent profile:

–

SCENT PROFILE
Pink Pepper, Rosebud

TOP

Cherry, Saffron

HEART

Tonka Bean, Cedarwood
BASE
Intention has only a hint of sweetness which comes from the cherry, but is well balanced with the other tones.  I love this fragrance and wear it often.
—-
I also love the dual phase feature of all three fragrances in the Phluid Collection.  They are just gorgeous!  All you do when you need to use a Phluid Collection fragrance is to shake the bottle to mix the phases, then spray onto your skin!

Transcend by The Phluid Project

Then there’s Transcend, which is mildly reminiscent of Prada Candy, but is a much softer expression, a tropical beach with hints of fruit and sea salt and sultry warm notes like vanilla.  It is my current favorite!
–
SCENT PROFILE
Dragonfruit, Pineapple Leaf

TOP

Tiare Flower, Sea Salt

HEART

Palo Santo, Vanilla Orchid

BASE

Balance by The Phluid Project

In stark contrast, Balance is a very clean, crisp fragrance, and one which to me is a men’s fragrance, despite Scent Beauty’s claim that all of its scents are unisex. Here are the notes:
–
SCENT PROFILE
Cardamom, Iced Grapefruit
TOP
Black Tea, Clary Sage

HEART

Vetiver, Atlas Cedar

BASE

Rise and Shine by Scent Organix

Rise and Shine from Scent Organix is a beautiful, light, clean fragrance which just makes me happy when I smell it. Here is the scent profile for Rise and Shine:

–

SCENT PROFILE
Tangerine, Lemon Spritz

TOP

Hibiscus

HEART

Peach Blossoms, Orange Zest

BASE

I Am Bright by Scent Organix

I Am Bright from Scent Organix, while also light and fresh, has more of that tropical citrus vibe.  This is more fruit-forward than Rise and Shine, but not in an overt fashion.  I love it as well!

–

SCENT PROFILE
Juicy Pineapple, Salted Coconut

TOP

Tiare Flower

HEART

Orange Flower, Lemon

BASE

So Serene by Scent Organix

Then there is So Serene, which I love to wear when I go into the office.  It is very subtle, and no note overpowers any other.  It imparts a relaxing vibe which keeps me at an even keel.
–
SCENT PROFILE
Mandarin, Violet Leaves

TOP

Wild Freesia

HEART

Green Tea, Lime

BASE

Cher Eau De Couture_Icon

The last scent I have in my Scent Beauty collection is Cher Eau de Couture, which is a very intense, smoky, deep and complex fragrance.  It’s as commanding as Cher is!  It just declares itself, as a sultry, clove-dominant scent. I do love it, but I don’t think I would ever dare wear it during the day.  This is something I can imagine someone of either gender wearing on a steamy date night!
–
SCENT PROFILE
Bergamot, Clove, Neroli

TOP

Jasmine, Rose, Orange Flower

HEART

Vetiver, Sandalwood, Vanilla Orchid

BASE

 

To order any of these amazing fragrances, please use the following link so that Scent Beauty knows that I referred you:

 

Review of Skylar Fragrance Sample Palette

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Skylar Sample Palette

I love beautiful fragrances, but I have to be careful with what I wear because I don’t want to set off a patient’s allergic response. Enter Skylar, a wonderful fragrance company based in Los Angeles, California. Skylar fragrances are all hypoallergenic, made from real flowers, fruits, and botanicals, resulting in fragrance mixtures which are fresh and natural. There are no harsh chemicals in these mixtures, no synthetic dyes, no phthalates or parabens, and Skylar fragrances are never tested on animals.

Skylar’s Sample Palette is a fantastic way to try all six of their featured scents. This way, you don’t have to commit to a full bottle of one fragrance until you are absolutely sure which one is your favorite. There’s plenty in the sample bottles to experiment quite a bit. What’s even better is that you can create new fragrance experiences by layering the scents.

The 6 scents included in the Skylar Sample Palette are:

Arrow – Spicy, warm, and seductive
Capri – Sparkling, zesty, and sweet
Coral – Fruity, floral, and flirty
Isle – Clean, dewy, and fresh
Meadow – Floral, elegant, and beautiful
Willow – Woodsy, lush, and cool

Arrow has this rich, exotic vibe which is just gorgeous. Skylar calls Arrow its most seductive scent, and I would have to agree. This scent blends jasmine, one of my absolute favorites, with rose, another personal favorite. Arrow also features neroli flower and labdanum flower, and brings in more “foodie”, enveloping elements like vanilla and tonka bean, while the tarry quality of birch tar, the musky sweetness of patchouli, and the spicy sweetness of schinus molle add a deepness which rounds out the blend.

Capri is the scent to turn to if you want a delicate floral. I’m a big fan of bergamot and use the essential oil in my bathroom to freshen it, so I am thrilled that it is featured in this fragrance. The lovely lightness of neroli balances the crisp bergamot beautifully. It’s a simpler blend than the other fragrance blends in this sampler collection, but it certainly stands its ground with its understated, refreshing scent which is perfect for cool spring days. It’s beautiful.

Coral is described by Skylar as a “very clean, fresh citrus fragrance”. However, the sandalwood, patchouli, and benzoin resin come through very prominently on the top notes for me, and only hints of black currant and apple blossom peek through in the middle. It’s definitely heavier than Capri, more complex, and it doesn’t read like a fresh citrus fragrance. That said, I love this mixture as well.

Isle is definitely reminiscent of an ocean breeze, fresh, gentle, and clean. The sharpness of the bergamot is balanced out beautifully by the mellow spiciness of cardamom and the exotic woodiness of sandalwood. This is like summer in a bottle, very nice. If you like crisp, summery, clean fragrances, then Isle is a great choice. I do like this alone, but it transforms when into fairy tale dreams when it is layered with Meadow. More on that later.

Meadow is a very elegant, almost lofty fragrance which reminds me of teatime on a temperate day. This blend features soft tuberose, rose, baie rose, and cistus flower, so it is definitely a more floral fragrance, yet the patchouli complements the florals nicely and tones them down somehow. I could definitely see wearing this by itself for more formal affairs, but with Allure, it’s phenomenal.

Willow is definitely a woody, earthy fragrance, yet it isn’t too heavy like other members of this scent category. It features the woodiness of cedarwood and the green quality of galbanum, balanced by the cozy aroma of the benzoin tree. I personally am not a big fan of earthy scents, so Willow wasn’t my favorite in this set. But if you like earthy fragrances, you’ll love this one. I will say that the combination of Meadow with Isle (the Daydream Duo) is utterly divine.

Scent Duos from Skylar

So then I began experimenting with combinations, starting with a combo which a reviewer on the Skylar website suggested. I spritzed Isle + Capri and experienced a very light, fresh fragrance combo, reminiscent of a spring breeze. It was lovely.

Then I tried the Getaway Duo (Isle + Coral). If Isle alone is the ocean breeze, the Getaway Duo is a tropical trade wind, carrying hints of the local flora with it. Just delicious. I even love the description of this combo on the Skylar website:
“A luminescent combination of fruity and fresh will whisk you away to white sand beaches. The soft sandalwood of Isle pairs beautifully with the hints of apple blossom in Coral.”

Next was the Enliven Duo (Capri + Willow). I personally was not fond of this combo because it was too crisp for me, and it ended up smelling more like a men’s fragrance when it mixed with my body chemistry. Again, though, if you like woody, earthy fragrances, then this is great for you.
“Brighten any day with this playful and cheerful layering combo. The fresh, citrusy notes of Capri aligns with the green woodiness of Willow. Playful yet grounded, this is the perfect pairing to rejuvenate and refresh.”

When I tried the Allure Duo (Arrow + Meadow), I fell onto a bed of lush-smelling blooms. This duo is definitely very floral, which I usually don’t like, but this combo is so tempting, so inviting, that I can’t get enough of it.
“This layering combination will lure you into a world of glamour and temptation. Our full bodied floral scent, Meadow pairs beautifully with the spicy and warm notes of our most seductive scent, Arrow.”

The last combo I tried was the Daydream Duo (Isle + Meadow). I love how lush and intoxicating this blend is, yet it somehow manages to be undeniably light and fresh at the same time, and so very feminine. For me, it’s a toss up between the Allure Duo and the Daydream Duo, but since I love Arrow so much on its own, I may end up with Arrow and Meadow.
“Let your mind wander. The dreamy layering combination of heady white flowers in Meadow blend with the dewy, sheerness of Isle to create an exotic floral scent.”

I’ve got nothing but love for Skylar, and I love the fact that they are nestled in my hometown of Los Angeles. From the small batches they mix, to the packaging which features original hand-painted watercolor artwork made exclusively for Skylar Body, this company pays attention to the details.

Oh, and by the way, Skylar also makes candles with their featured scents!

I also think that the Scent Club is an amazing opportunity to try new fragrances. If you join, Skylar will send a different new, limited-edition, travel-sized roller fragrance each month. Right now they are having a promotion, so you can sign up for $20 per month (instead of $29 per month). Shipping is free, and you can “Change, skip, swap or cancel anytime”. How awesome is that? It was so irresistible that I signed up for the Scent Club while writing this blog post!

Here’s a link to Skylar’s website:

https://skylar.com/collections/fine-fragrance