I Don’t Know What

So, my nose loves synthetics! Iso E Super, ambroxan.. yes please!! I own and love Molecule 01. I was literally blown away the minute I smelt it and sprayed it. An ever elusive Love at First Whiff! To my nose, Molecule 01 smells like a super fresh and bright woody, purple and white floral.. I’ve popped my review of it below as a reference; https://www.reddit.com/r/FragranceStories/s/K2p3QyxhZs So I was defo excited to sample DS&Durga’s *I Don’t Know What* with its combo blend of synthetics. There’s bergamot in the top, but then Iso E Super and Vetiveryl Acetate in the middle, and in the base there’s Ambroxan, Civettone and Firsantol. I’m also fascinated by how differently people’s noses process synthetics, with some people not being able to smell them at all... so here’s how yesterday went! This opens with a fresh, green citrus, but not sharp, which disappears very very quickly. I was expecting something sweet and bright with Iso E Super but I’m not getting that at all. It’s a soft, less sweet, much woodier Molecule 01, zero floral, with a very faint whiff of Vetiver. When I say faint, it’s like my OHs beard the morning after he’s worn Guerlain Vetiver the day before. It’s very woody, powdery, very slightly green citrusy and I’m feeling an absolute pang of disappointment here as it hangs around like this for a good while and I feel it’s not going anywhere special. I only did one spray on my arm, as you need to be cautious when sampling super synthetics and I’ve a sensitive nose. So I was about to go back and do another spray... when, BOMP!! 25 minutes in.. oh holy momma!!! The firsantol and civettone has arrived, dancing with the ambroxan! Oh yes please! Maybe it took a while for my olfactory processes to let my brain know what was going on, but it is going on now. This is exquisitely beautiful. Radiant, warm, ambery, sweet, musky, creamy, blooming sandalwood, minus the fruitiness. This firsantol is superpowerful! There is something comforting and familiar in this sweet, creamy, ambery woodiness yet it’s very sophisticated, intoxicating and addictive. There’s no faecal stankiness with the Civettone, but it’s bringing a sweet, animalistic musk. It’s super super sexy! No joke, if I whiffed this off my OHs beard I think I might have to rip his clothes off! Wow, this is so good. Hours and hours later and it hasn’t gone anywhere. One spray! This has some serious staying power! My only draw back is that with it being so warm, creamy and ambery it was a bit too much for me during the day when it was hot and muggy. There’s no freshness here. It’s not dirty, but it’s not clean either.. it’s warm and worn, ‘lived in’ maybe is the word I’m seeking? But it’s extremely enjoyable in the evening when it started cooling down. And even better when I climbed into bed. So good, so addictive.. my nose keeps being drawn to my arm to sniff it in deeply. And this morning when I awoke, I could still smell it. ‘I Don’t know What’ is meant to be used as a ‘fragrance enhancer’, sprayed along side a perfume to increase longevity but, for my nose, I imagine this warm, creamy, ambery woodiness would drown out anything that’s it’s layered with? I wanted to try again this morning to see if I would process it differently.. one spray on the opposite arm this time, and yep.. it only took a minute this time for my nose to take me to the warm, creamy, ambery, woody goodness and the Vetiver is a bit more present. Absolutely fascinating!! **Collection Status** this is honestly, so so good! Buuutttt.. it doesn’t smell like me, I can’t imagine me wearing this at all. I’m going to do a few retests in autumn/winter maybe. And maybe try it layered with something. However, I do think I need to convince my OH to fall in love with it, maybe get him a bottle for Christmas, I don’t think he’d be disappointed with the potential side effects whenever I get a whiff of this on his beard!!

I Don’t Know What by DS & Durga I found this by accident. I was in LA, TSA made me toss my bottle of Le Labo Santal 33, and I was heated. Ended up in a small boutique inside the hotel lobby, started smelling around, and landed on this. Instant recovery. This is one of those scents that doesn’t announce itself loudly but pulls people in. It sits close, almost like it’s part of your skin, but something about it keeps catching attention. I’ve had more men ask me what I’m wearing than women, which says a lot. Guys don’t ask unless they’re serious about buying it. It opens clean and soft with a kind of airy brightness, almost like warm skin after a shower. As it settles, you start to notice a smooth, musky woodiness with a slightly salty, radiant quality. The base is where it really lives. It becomes this transparent, almost glowing skin scent that just lingers and quietly projects. Notes are built around Iso E Super, bergamot, vetiver acetate, civettone, and a subtle fir balsam. That combination gives it that diffusive, almost magnetic effect. It doesn’t smell like a traditional cologne. It smells like you, just better. I went through multiple bottles before realizing it’s marketed as an enhancer meant for layering. I’ve never layered it once. It stands completely on its own. Performance is steady rather than loud. It stays on skin for hours with a soft but consistent trail. This is not about projection. It’s about presence. This is clean, unique, and quietly addictive. More understated than flashy, but it leaves an impression. Easily one of the most complimented scents I’ve worn. Grade: A+ Projection: A+ Longevity: A+ Compliments: A+ $: ~$250+

I always get compliments on this perfume, but today I got two compliments that I thought were worth sharing to people thinking about buying this perfume. 1) While on my way to an apartment tour, I sense that someone is running up behind me. Then, I feel a tap on my shoulder. It’s a young man about my age. At first, I was worried he was going to hit on me (not into men), but immediately he goes “I’m so sorry but what are you wearing? you smell so good”. We end up chatting for two blocks before parting ways. 2) I am waiting for an uber outside of my apartment. My roommate, on his way back from the gym, comes up to me and says “oh my god, you smell so good. I could smell you down the block.” The first guy was a straight black guy who grew up and lives in Brooklyn. My roommate is a gay man from Miami who really only keeps to Manhattan. Super different people, but both loved the perfume. The silage is super strong (especially if you douse it like me). However, longevity is meh and probably my only qualm. However, I think this perfume beats out molecule 01 in both categories + other people tend to notice/appreciate “I don’t know what” more. I think the price tag is reasonable in the context of similar brands and scents, but it is by no means a steal.

IDKW is a stellar fragrance. When I sprayed it on a test strip, I thought 'this might be perfect.' It was so good and I was so excited to try it on. My only concern was how fresh it is, since that's not usually a quality I gravitate towards, but I was excited to see how it worked with my skin. Once I smelled it on me, I knew I needed a bottle. I can understand how it would be stellar for layering, and reminds me of Molecule 04 a little bit in that way. I am a little concerned about growing anosmic to it (which can happen with synthetic notes). I tried layering it with my all-time favorite fragrance, Moonmilk, and it did nothing. So I am intrigued to see what in my collection it pairs well with. While it is fresher than what I usually go for, I think this is a perfect summer fragrance for me, because the heavier, warmer fragrances I tend to love can be a bit much in the summer heat.

I'm not usually into these second skin, not a perfume type scents but this one knocked my socks off. This is a woody but fresh and clean scent that somehow also has a slightly astringent quality which, all together, just smells really sophisticated, attractive, and well-composed. I get mostly get the vetiver and sandalwood off of this, but the bergamot also stays present for longer than I anticipated. Think laundry drying on a clothesline right next to a forest. The sillage was impressive for a fragrance of this type and this lasted 13 hours on me which is absolutely incredible. I'm sure this would be great for layering but it's also just a star on its own. This is the perfume that comes the closest (for me) to tricking you and others into thinking you have your life together and just naturally smell good.

After being disappointed by my sample of rose atlantic, I was willing to try anything that might be suitable for layering so I wouldn't have too many smells going on. IDKWhat obviously reminded me of Not A Perfume, but this one has a lot more to it. While it's versatile enough to layer, I feel like it holds it own and can be worn by itself. I really love the brightness of the bergamot and think this would pair beautifully with Debaser. So far it has lasted nearly 6 hours, and is still going pretty strong. Full disclosure, I'm a huge iso e super enjoyer and love how it smells on me, but I know for that reason this also may not suit everyone. I wish it wasn't so dang expensive bc IDKWhat is definitely one I'm very interested in buying a full size of. It has the potential to be signature scent in my book.

Very refreshing and clean with a bit of dirtiness. Opens too strong with bergamot and iso e but quickly diminishes where the Vetiver opens up with earthiness. On the dry down your base notes combine with the slightly fresh top to create this perfectly balanced fragrance where all the notes you see is what you get. You could wear this for any occasion and season, but more masculine and a stand alone scent imo. 8.5/10 only because I don’t LOVE Vetiver, it’s a perfect scent regardless, especially for the price you can get on fragrancenet. Will most likely pickup a full bottle to throw on in between my favorites. I would also love to gift this to someone who is used to designer scents as this would be something a little niche and standout from your typical Macy’s wears.

I have tried to leave a review of IDKW a couple times and for whatever reason (Fragrantica being buggy, but I'm taking it personally) it never sticks. It's a damn shame-- as far as I'm concerned I've found my holy grail in IDKW. I'd marry this fragrance if I could, it's that good. I'm so in love that I often spray it on my pillow, that's how much I adore it. I've made a decent dent in my 300ml bottle, and I regularly use all of its "peripherals" - the lotion, the body wash, all of it. I rarely pair it with anything or use it for its intended purpose because to me it is perfect on its own. I'd gladly part with the rest of my collection if IDKW was the only fragrance I could have. They're gonna need to spray this one on my ashes when I'm dead.

This shit is fire! It isn’t super complex, but also isn’t like anything I’ve smelt before. I haven’t gotten a chance to layer it yet, but on its own it’s a musky woody bergamot scent. It is very addicting and I can’t stop smelling my wrist. Year round scent for sure. It’s unisex, but I could see how some might think it’s masculine leaning because of the woodiness in the dry down. Could very much give hot lumberjack on the right man, but could also see a hipster in silverlake wearing this. It’s supposed to be a fragrance enhancer and I’m a layering queen, but I prefer this one by itself. I got a high partial bottle from a reseller, personally couldn’t see myself paying full price for this.

Wow wow wow. I wanted to try a sample of DS' new scent 'Black Magenta' so bought a four pack and added 'I Don't Know What' in there because I had never smelled it. On one hand, I wasn't too excited because the name doesn't invoke much and the reviews seem ok. On the other hand, DS&Durga hype it up quite a bit and expanded the fragrance to their soaps and lotions. I sprayed it and was instantly in love. So fresh and bright and clean. Hours later it still smells just as strong and lovely as the beginning. arilaney in their review mentions the expensive hotel lobby scent and it's very much that. There's an elegance to it. Will absolutely be buying a full bottle of this.

just bought my third bottle. i consistently receive compliments for this fragrance: from women at the grocery store, my obgyn, older father figure gentlemen at my engineering job, uber drivers, baristas, servers, my homeboys from college, front desk ladies at every salon or doctor's office i visit... they all ask me why i smell so good when i wear IDKW. on my skin it is light, shimmery, transparent ambrox/iso e super with a sunny bergamot top note that develops beautifully in warm weather. equally good for layering as it is on it's own. lasts for a full work day and skin and clothing, and most importantly doesn't choke me out or trigger my allergies.

You're on a balcony overlooking a river in a posh, leafy part of town. You've got a G&T in your hand. There's mint and cucumber in it. You're fancy as f@%K. Everyone thinks you're fit. Super addictive. When I first tested it on paper, I thought it was interesting but maybe not for me. I wore it out once and just couldn't get enough of it. It's light, it's fresh. Definitely a cool scent. It's very strong. Sometimes I find it almost headachey a few hours in. I only ever use one light spray. Someone here described it as screechy and I don't entirely disagree, but I do think it's an amazing skin scent. One of the best I've tried.

I would say I don't understand the hate for this but I didn't like Another 13 for reasons similar to what people are saying here. Just can't really smell it, and what I do smell is average at best? But this one for me is special. Like others have said (who like it), this totally stands on its own. I wear it and have this pleasant scent bubble for a few hours. Layer it with something that makes sense, and the je-ne-sais-quoi element comes out. I'm surprised musk isn't in the note breakdown but maybe it is in there, or maybe this house's version of Iso E Super has musky nuances? Idk but it smells slightly funky in a good way.

I discovered this perfume while randomly smelling niche perfumes at a store in Paris called Nose. I was baffled when I first smelled it. It smells kind of plasticky, artificially sweet and has an addictive side to it. With time there is a musky side that appears too (due to the synthetic civet note probably). Actually this is the perfume that made me discover what Iso E Super is. I can understand that this is not everyone's cup of tea, so you definitely shouldn't blind buy it (especially at this price point lol). Btw I tried layering this with Guerlain's Oud Nude, the result is CRAZY. Try it out.

Perfect moniker bcz I don’t know what I’m smelling. Vaguely chemical yet mildly pleasant nothingness. Literally. But I am anosmic to iso e super, so... Anyway, wanting to experience the magic of Firsantol, I layered it over my current obsession (Penhaligon’s Halfeti Cedar) & lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy, loo! The magic was magical! 🪄💨 Currently layering it over & under my fave scents daily & I Don't Know How to verbalize just how supremely magical this I Don't Know What is. Everything it touches turns to olfactory gold. If King Midas were a scent, this is he! All Hail the King! 👑🙌🏼

This one is wild. I love it... but some days I don’t. It’s got a metallic *funk* that sometimes hits just right (and sometimes doesn’t). I think it’s the civetone, since it’s not a note that I recognize from Molecule 01/02/03. It’s a chameleon scent that seems to hit everyone’s nose differently and can sneak back up on you when you least expect it. I think it’s too complex to layer with most fragrances (pairing with Grapefruit Generation works for me). Spray lightly because it lasts forever and has strong sillage, that activates with body heat. Don’t wear to yoga class like I did :)

I feel like this is what I’ve been looking for as a “your skin but better” scent. It’s the very good iso e super smell but with an animalic musk added to it (in a really good way, not a dirty way). I own Another 13, Not a Perfume, Molecule 01 etc and I Don’t Know What doesn’t smell like any of those!! It’s definitely it’s own fragrance!!! And that’s just wearing it alone! Wearing it with another fragrance for enhancing purposes is far superior to what I expected!!! The longevity is shockingly so good wearing it alone and with another scent!!! Very satisfied with this fragrance.

It’s so...familiar...comforting...known. Synthetic, yes! But warm. Smells like the tinny metallic left on a man’s skin after he showers + remnants of a cologne that didn’t scrub off. Clean, but lived in. I usually wear it alone and I love it (and oh my god layered with a spicy gourmand? I just had a violent chill shoot through me). I get compliments on it frequently. So grateful to have received this as a gift because as enjoyable as it is, I would never shell out the $$ for a bottle of it. DSD has not only the audacity but also the gall when it comes to pricing.

The first fragrance I tried and purchased from DS and Durga after a long and persisting love affair with their candles. My favorite “skin scent” fragrance. Invigorating bergamot, fresh and bright pepper, mingled with lovely musk. Perfect scent to wear on its own to feel and smell extra clean and fresh from the shower. Adds new dimension to other fragrances on your shelf that you want to reinvigorate with a little “I don’t know what”. I receive so many compliments when I layer this with Rose Atlantic. An extremely versatile bottle to add to your collection.

a standout member of the "second skin" style fragrances! it is definitely woodier and more aromatic than some of the typical Iso E Super powerhouses thanks to the fresh hit of vetiver and sharp yet creamy sandalwood base. i was very pleasantly surprised at the longevity- around the 6-8 hour mark on me! it's clear that DS & Durga is very thoughtful about the composition and wear of their fragrances- this one just gets better as it wears imo, and would be great for layering of course. projection is also surprisingly strong for a skin scent!