ESCENTRIC MOLECULES Molecule 04 Eau de Toilette

Wore this for the first time yesterday. Partner got whiffs of it throughout the day, as did I. Couldn't smell it on my wrist. Applied at 11am, partner still commenting on it around midnight. It's sweet, satisfying, and super easy to wear. Looking forward to seeing how my use develops over time.

I REALLY like this stuff, but buyer beware: this can be insidiously NUCLEAR. I own beastmode stuff, but this goes beyond that. 4 sprays of this can EASILY and generously fill an entire two storied home. For days on days (months???).

If you're a sandalwood lover, get this. Trust me. BUT, if or when you do get this, 1 spray is more than sufficient. And avoid putting it on clothing. The wash will not get this out. Altho it blends beautifully with laundry detergent, I find.

Anywho, that's my 2 scents.

I have a substantial decant and I wish it were larger 😍

At first, I was sunk, because it took me 5 minutes to smell it on my skin. I quite literally pouted to myself, and became frustrated with my anosmia. I cannot smell Molecule 01 more than appx 25% of the time, and I had concluded that Escentric Molecules just isn't my brand.

However, I was STRUCK after it began to dry down. Absolutely *stuck*, by warm, poofy, clean (albeit synthetic...I'll address that in a moment) sandalwood. It began to waft into, and nearly tangibly warm my nostrils. I don't understand why, but this one is a creeper and the scent takes a few beats to present itself. Maybe it's just me and my weird nose?

I have a bit of sandalwood essential oil, and I gotta be honest, I prefer this. It's smoother, more plush, and doesn't have that distilled essential oil herby undertone that most of them do (you know what I mean if you have a few of them). Synthetic doesn't necessarily entail inferiority, and if I needed to be on people being more drawn to javanol or santalum album EO, I'd put money on the majority choosing this. I adore EOs, but sometimes synthetics are more pleasing overall.

The longevity of this is outstanding, and the sillage (that I can discern) seems a few feet, with a considerable scent trail. I personally think it's slightly more masculine (but I've always thought sandalwood leans ♂️). My husband thinks it's feminine however...so we're at a stalemate. I suppose I'll chalk it up as it fitting my chemistry. I don't care though, I can do the whole "tomboy" thing and it doesn't begin to bother me in the slightest (I actually kind of like it, and I think it's almost more alluring).

This is lovely, and the potential for layering this with other (especially warm/woody) frags is limitless. I like it much more than Molecule 01. I've learned with all frags, but with this brand in particular, that the perceptions of everyone are so insanely varied that one cannot speak in absolutes. I get that other people can't smell it, or that many dislike it. I don't think it's the fault of anyone at all, it just is. But, I'm thrilled to be lucky with this one <3 Absolutely thrilled! This is a full bottle contender for me to purchase eventually (or just to be an idiot again and again repetitively getting decant because I don't want to pony up...either way haha)! I'm keeping this around at all times.

one of my most complimented perfumes, it's soft, alluring, I adore sandalwood and despite this been synthetic I think is beautiful. Sometimes I can't smell it but other people can and when I smell my clothes it's there alright.

Love. Love. Freaking love.

So does it smell like REAL sandalwood? Well, no. Unlike most people my age, I've had the pleasure of smelling real sandalwood extract, and in comparison, Javanol is very different, (like a cartoon character of a real person) but still, it's divinely enjoyable. Real sandalwood, is much more woody, has a bit of a woody smokiness to it, like oud, but without the acrid notes of oud. The real thing is sweet, but equally dry and woody, with a touch of smokiness. I think most importantly, the real thing, procured naturally, is more than just one molecular compound. But still, I enjoy this note a LOT. Even by itself.

I can't get this smell out of my nose when I wear it. It's SO STRONG and SO NOTICEABLE which is a huge difference to the ingredients of Iso E Super and Ambroxan in Molecule 01 and 02. It'll take you by surprise... but it's smooth like cashmeran and reminds me of the combination of salted butter and sugar in cookie dough. It doesn't smell like that, it's just that it has that same perfect ratio of salty, sweet, and savory.

The only negative? I can't get this smell out of my nose when I wear it. It's ADDICTIVE! And being a single ingredient, I feel like I'm cheating on my collection when I wear it! So many masterfully crafted concoctions, and yet so many are overshadowed by this one beautiful note... I'm sorry, collection, but you're gonna have to share the stage...

This is a win.