FRAGRANCES: Scent Swatch 'Anise' EDP (Jo Malone Vanilla and Anise) + Bondi Blue Sampler

Scent Swatch 'Anise' EDP (Jo Malone Vanilla and Anise)

ANISE
by Scent Swatch

Inspired by: Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise

Concentration: Eau de Parfum

Made in the Philippines

Retail: PhP 390.00 (60mL) + Shipping

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

"People who love vanilla should find this fragrance an interesting addition to their collection. This unisex scent isn't exactly sweet but has just the right amount of it. The spicy components add a unique type of warmth to the deep notes of vanilla, tonka bean and vetiver. Best worn during colder months of the year for that extra cozy feeling."

NOTES

Accords - spicy, vanilla, woody

Top - star anise, neroli, bergamot 

Heart - clove, jasmine, tuberose, orchid 

Base - vetiver, tonka bean, amber, vanilla

RATING

Packaging - 4/5

Concentration - 5/5

Sillage/Projection - 5/5

Longevity - 5/5

Value For Money - 5/5

Personal Like/Expectations - 5/5

THE REVIEW

Scent Swatch is a local brand of perfume that makes inspired-by eau de parfum. One of their unique features is their colorful way of identifying specific variants. I've used several variants -- Anise, Bondi Blue, Old Rose, Laurel, Musk, Vanilla, Marigold, and Blue. I am judging this perfume based on its impact and performance, not based on how close it replicates the inspiration scent.

Bottles come in several sizes. The typical 60mL sells for PhP 390.00, but I can get the smaller 30mL if I'm not sure about liking the scent. The prices look reasonable in proportion to its volume and performance.

The 'Anise' was inspired by Jo Malone's Vanilla and Anise. This is a two-faced perfume opens with a beautiful floral character that smells like powdery floral (jasmine and tuberose). The floral blast fades in half an hour, then it begins to show an opposite personality, that of spices and herbs. You get star anise and vanilla as the main spices, but you also get something like onions and chives coming out of your armpits (if you know what I mean!).

Sillage and lasting power vary among the variants. For example, Anise is super strong sillage, reaches far, and lasts very long up to 12+ hours. I am judging this perfume based on its impact and performance, not based on how close it replicates the inspiration scent.

Summary/Conclusion:
Opens with a beautiful powdery floral accord (jasmine and tuberose).
The opposite personality puts star anise to the front.
Monster sillage, good lasting power.
Good value in terms of price, performance and quantity/volume
I bought my second bottle of the Anise, which means I liked it
The scent may be a turn off to some people, particularly the spicy aspect
Looks like a scent that will be loved by people aged 20+

[BONUS: They included a small vial to sample the Bondi Blue variant, inspired by D&G Light Blue. It's a beautiful citrus-marine scent and will be loved by most people but not my type. The sillage is also strong with good lasting power.]

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