Category: Fragrance Posts

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Knowing by Estée Lauder

This one’s an exciting little mystery—like you’ve just stumbled on a secret no one else knows about, and you feel very in-the-know. Let me tell you why.

First off, this is not your average safe, blind-buy, crowd-pleaser. Nope. This is a complex, grown-up kind of fragrance. It reminds me of my mum, who swears by classic chypre-floral perfumes—the kind of woman who has a signature scent, a strong opinion on handbag quality, and a fabulous coat collection to match.

Knowing is sophistication and complication in a bottle.

Crafted by Harry Fremont (yep, the same nose behind CK One—wild, I know), this is a deep, woody-floral experience where every note feels intentional. It’s not florals fighting florals—it’s florals conspiring with florals, scheming in harmony.

Now for the notes, and fair warning—there are a lot:

• Top notes: Aldehydes, mimosa, rose, coriander, green notes, tuberose, plum, and melon—an opening that feels bright, textured, and a little mysterious, like you’re being pulled into something intriguing.

• Middle notes: Patchouli, cardamom, orris root, cedar, bay leaf, jasmine, orange blossom, lily-of-the-valley, and pittosporum. It’s vintage elegance with a spicy, green twist—think velvet, but with an edge.

• Base notes: Oakmoss, patchouli (again!), civet, vetiver, spices, sandalwood, orris root (again!), amber, and musk. This is where the magic happens.

The dry-down is the star of the show. Imagine wandering into an enchanted forest—you’re not sure why you’re there, but with each passing minute, it starts to make sense. It’s earthy, a little moody and vintage, and entirely captivating. You don’t want to leave.

Packaging? Well… the black lid throws me off—it feels disconnected from the rest. The liquefied plastic-looking base is oddly cool, but that gold band in the middle? Unclear vibes. Stylish chaos. Somehow it all works? Kind of?

At the end of the day, Knowing is alluring, mysterious, unapologetic. It doesn’t try to please—it just exists confidently in its own world.

A bold 4.5/5, especially if you love a scent with real presence, personality, and a whisper of drama.

 
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Good Girl by Carolina Herrera

This has got to be one of the best perfumes that doesn’t neatly fall into the usual stereotypical categories—it’s not just gourmand, floral, or spicy. It’s more like a bold blend of all of them, in the best way possible.

Created by master perfumers Louise Turner (yes, the same nose behind Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry) and Quentin Bisch (who brought us Amouage’s Guidance), Good Girl was designed to embody every side of femininity—from light to dark, softness to strength.

But let’s be honest, you don’t really care about all that. What you want to know is: what does it actually smell like?

Imagine moody confidence bottled up. It opens with bold top notes of almond, coffee, bergamot, and lemon—a sharp, slightly sweet, and roasted kind of intro. Then it transitions into a heart of jasmine sambac, orange blossom, and tuberose, giving it a creamy floral twist. Finally, it grounds you with a deep base of tonka bean, cocoa, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, and honestly, about a dozen other notes—because yes, it’s one of those fragrances (shoutout to our beloved Fragrantica for the full note breakdown).

As for the packaging: you already know. It’s the iconic black stiletto. Bold? Yes. Recognizable? Absolutely. A little tacky? Definitely—but in a charming way.

At the end of the day, Good Girl is effortlessly sexy. If you’re looking for something that gives you confidence and a sense of control to take on your day (or night), this is it. And if you can look past the heel-shaped bottle, it’s an easy 4/5.

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