I Heart Unicorns

Scented soft plastic My Little Ponies from the 1980s - the ones that smelled like berry ice cream cones. WONDERFUL. From Elle: 'A Beautiful Life launched its I Heart Unicorns perfume in 2010. "I Heart Unicorns is an ode to your teenage years," said founder Anthony Arthur, "inspired by myth and the power of belief. It's where Barbie dolls and blacklight posters co-existed in your boudoir." It smelled like Sweet Tarts, and Urban Outfitters couldn't keep the $54 bottles in stock. At the time, PopSugar's beauty blog was incredulous, musing, "I <3 Unicorns may not seem like the winningest handle for a perfume, especially given the fact that most fragrances trade on exclusivity or sexiness to sell." That lack of sexiness was kind of the whole point-by harnessing memories of childhood play, instead of abstract (and probably unfulfilled) adult desire, pro-pony beauty hauls allowed young women to explore ideas of girlhood and fantasy separate from sex and the traditional male gaze-and more on their own terms.'

In cooler weather, you get a no nonsense blast of unsweetened lemon and something medicinal (but NOT in a disinfectant sort of way, more like smelling tea tree eo straight from the bottle). I would say it smells like something out of a jar from a no frills spa. Very linear, unusual but not unpleasant. Trying again in the summer, the lemon gains some fruity, very abstract bubblegum sweetness from the pomegranate, and I can now detect nag champa in the background. There is something vaguely reminiscent of a LUSH store—could be the sandalwood. In the summer/early fall I would say this would be perfect for a girls relaxing weekend trip scent. Go do some morning yoga/meditation in the mountains, have a nice lunch and wine tasting at a nearby vineyard, and top off your afternoon with a hot stone massage...

I love perfumes partly because I love stories. I love that they conjure up images and feelings and possibilities. So when I read the little backstory of this perfume, the nostalgic teenage bedrooms of the 80s and 90s, when rock musician posters, barbies and incense existed in the same space, I had to buy it. I do like this fragrance for the story and the images that it gives me, but I do find the lemon scent (which is unsweetened, not really juicy) a tiny bit on the cleaning product side of things which can be a little overpowering. Perhaps my bottle is just extra lemony. The peppermint and nag champa is a lovely mix though and I've finished my bottle.