Molecule 01 + Guaiac Wood

I love woody fragrances, so it was no surprise that I loved this when I tested it at Scent Bar a few years ago. I got a dabber sample of it and would put it on my wrist whenever I wanted a cozy feeling. Flash forward to the other day, I put it on and realized I should should purchase a FB. Well, it arrived today, and I immediately sprayed it on my left upper arm. Wow! Having the atomizer, rather than using dabblers in this case, is not my favorite thing. It’s so much stronger than I expected, and I immediately got the smoky, mesquite-bbq wood that a lot of people associate with the smell of meat. I don’t get meat, but I can understand the association. Typically, with my dabber, I do a line across my wrist, and then get whiffs of creamy, smoky, guaiac wood whenever I move my arm. But with the atomizer, so much more juice is released, that it’s like my dabber on steroids. I almost can’t handle it. Maybe if I had sprayed my wrist, I would be better off, but since I sprayed my upper arm, it’s projecting so much closer to my nose, that I’m almost getting a headache. I’m plus, the weather isn’t helping. It’s over 80F outside, and I learned my lesson. This is not a good warm weather fragrance. I think I’ll try this again on a cooler day, and spray my wrist. If it still gives me a headache, I’ll let it macerate for a while and test again. If all else fails, I’ll just decant it for myself into dabbers and avoid the atomizer. I do love this fragrance, but I may have learned that I only love it in gentle whispers at a wrist length, rather than 10 inches from my nose.

I think Guaiac Wood is one of my favorite notes of all time. This is such a beautiful, warm, smoky scent, yet not too overpowering. It's subtle enough to be worn every day, and smoldering and sweet enough to evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia. It is just beautiful! Memoirs of a Trespasser is M01 + Guaiac Wood but turned up to an 11 and much more nuanced and layered if you're looking for something along this line but with a little more kick to it. And Memoirs is one of my most loved fragrances. Highly recommend both of these if you're a smoky & woody lover like me. Someone below me said that "few females will be able to pull this off" - gtfo with that lmao. I am a woman who wears intense, smoky scents constantly. They're my favorite scent category. Just another reminder to wear what you want, when you want, no matter who you are. 11/10 - love love love this. I will be purchasing a full bottle sometime!

Initial spray is ultra smoky, like ash, makes me think of lava or a campfire that's just been put out. But, it doesn't last very long and it starts getting sweeter, the sweetness of the guaiac starts to emerge, slowly, but surely, and it becomes less smoky and more woody. And of course, just when you think it's gone, you can't smell it anymore, you move around a bit and suddenly you get a whiff of it, hours later. These molecules love to play tricks on the nose.

Le Labo gaiac 10 without the extortionist price tag or ridiculous exclusivity. I love gaiac 10 but know the smokiness is not everyone’s taste and longevity is fleeting. Molecule gaiac lasts really well becoming softer after the initial smokiness. I’ve had nothing but complements when wearing- plus you can get a decent travel size from Escentric to try before you buy

Initially SO meaty — how could this not involve birch or cade? My boyfriend said he wanted to bite my arm like it was a burger. Quickly mellows into an incense, but just slightly ugly. These Molecule +’s are impressive but ultimately demonstrate why a balanced list of ingredients creates a more resonant, round experience.