There are sensible things one can do with perfume. Spray it, admire it, carry on with one’s day. Then there’s layering Liquid Brun Limited Edition with Vega Vanilla No. 3, which is where sensible behaviour quietly packs a bag and leaves.
I thought I’d give it a try. Nothing dramatic. Just a little experiment.
Five minutes later, I was sniffing my wrist with the concentration of a detective who had finally cracked the case.
Liquid Brun Limited Edition opens with citrus, lavender and cardamom, giving it a fresh, aromatic start with a touch of spice. The heart brings orange blossom, rose and guaiac wood, before settling into dry amber, vanilla, tonka bean and oakmoss.
Then Vega Vanilla No. 3 joins the party with orchid and jasmine on top, followed by tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli in the heart, and amber, sugar and musk in the base.
On paper, this sounds like a fairly ambitious meeting. In reality, they get on rather well.
Liquid Brun gives the blend structure, freshness and a little woody sophistication.
Vega Vanilla No. 3 softens the edges with creamy vanilla, tonka, sugar and musk.
The result is warm, smooth and sweet without becoming unbearably sugary.
Think vanilla latte, cashmere jumper and your favourite jeans. Comfortable, polished and just indulgent enough to make you feel considerably more organised than you actually are.
The really entertaining part is what happens afterwards: You spray it. You walk away. A few minutes later, you smell your wrist. Then your sleeve. Then your wrist again. At some point you realise you’ve spent ten minutes doing absolutely nothing except investigating your own forearm. Still, there are worse ways to waste an afternoon.
What I particularly like is the balance. The citrus and lavender stop the sweetness from becoming heavy, cardamom adds warmth, the florals keep it elegant, and the woods and oakmoss give Liquid Brun some depth. Vega Vanilla then adds the delicious bit: vanilla, tonka, sugar, amber and musk.
It’s cosy without becoming childish, sweet without smelling like a confectionery shop, and polished without feeling overdressed.
Basically, it smells like someone who has their life together.
Which is unfortunate.
Because I don’t.
There are unanswered messages, questionable laundry decisions and at least three things I’ve been meaning to do since Tuesday. Yet after putting on this combination, I suddenly feel as though I should be discussing property prices over an espresso.
That, apparently, is the real magic. Not merely smelling good.
Smelling like you’ve got your life sorted when you absolutely haven’t.
Liquid Brun Limited Edition + Vega Vanilla No. 3. A surprisingly brilliant pairing.
And possibly the most productive form of delusion I’ve discovered this year.
I have eyebrows to tint and coffee to sip. Until later!
