Mainstream Monday – Sniffing a Popular Perfume
I haven’t spent much time at all with the Aerin Lauder perfumes. I’ve sniffed them in store a few times. I don’t remember much about them other than I think I like the rose and lilac one. I get the impression that they are sort of Jo Malone London-ish – sheer, light and feminine. Maybe they’re meant for layering? Waterlily Sun is one of the newest launches in the collection. Honestly, I didn’t expect to like it since I don’t do well with “watery” florals. That’s a genre of perfume that has never worked for me. But, since this one is new, it’s the Aerin perfume that is being pushed right now, so I was given a sample in store.
Waterlily Sun opens with a sharp blast of bergamot and green tea. And then it gets these squeaky clean “green” florals that remind me of the sort of lily of the valley commonly used in functional fragrances. Waterlily Sun has this bitterness to it that I don’t know if it is intentional or some unpleasant reaction with my skin. But, every time that I sampled Waterlily Sun, I was left thinking to myself, “OMG, am I done yet? I’m so sick of wearing this!“. On my skin, the heart turns to an unpleasant, slightly plastic-y green tea with hissy florals. Waterlily Sun lasts longer on the skin than I expected (or even wanted). It eventually dries down to a “green” and clean vetiver musk.
My instincts were right. I didn’t expect to like this one and after sampling it a few times, I didn’t like it. These sort of florals never work on my skin and they frankly get on my nerves. This genre has been popular since the 90’s and apparently this style of perfumery never went out of style. Waterlily Sun is proof of that. I can see this working for some people, but it doesn’t work for me. And I’m OK with that¹.
Notes listed include bergamot, green notes, water lily, jasmine and musk. Launched in 2014.
Give Waterlily Sun a try if you like watery florals. Or if you like perfumes like Tommy Hilifiger Tommy Girl, Clinique Happy Heart, Alfred Sung Shi, Jo Malone London Lotus Blossom & Water Lily, By Kilian Water Calligraphy and/or Bvlgari Eau Thé Vert Extreme. Honestly, I think Tommy Girl is the best from this sort of genre and it’s probably one of the most affordable as well.
Projection and longevity are average. On a side note, I think that all of the Aerin scents would make better home fragrances than they do personal fragrances. They remind me of candle scents.
The 1.7 oz retails for $110 at Nordstrom.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Squeaky clean green tea floral. For over 20 years I haven’t been able to wear this genre and that’s not going to change with Waterlily Sun.
¹I’ve suppressed a rant about how much I hate watery florals; I should probably save that for another day because it’s not just Waterlily Sun. I have a long history of dislike for these sort of scents.
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I’m not sure if I like this genre, or if I would like this perfume in general, but I love un-positive reviews. They just seem way more real to me. Can people really LOVE EVERYTHING?!?! Cuz I really dislike 90% of the stuff I try and based on the blogs I generally see, you’d think most people like 90% of what they try… maybe I’m just a grump. 🙂
I can’t wear stuff like Clinique Happy without getting a headache. “Hissy” is how I describe those citrus-watery florals. Saying that, it’s a popular genre and it has to work on people or it wouldn’t sell. I think I “turn” these sort of florals.
Personally, I like reading all sorts of reviews, negative included…as long as someone can say why they dislike it instead of “ewww gross!” There’s something to learn from it. And I like discussion. And I know that what doesn’t work for me works for others and vice versa. It’s never an attack on someone’s tastes.
Oh, and scent twins and evil scent twins 🙂 Knowing someone’s dislikes is just as good as knowing their likes!
I was looking at Sephora, which I assumed would have all ‘mainstream’ fragrances. However, the have Brands such as Atelier Cologne, Comment des Garçons, and L’Artisan Parfumeur and high end brands like Tom Ford. I think it is great that once niche brands are more accessible. I never judge a book by its cover and just because a fragrance is ‘mainstream’ I don’t immediately disregard it and because a fragrance is independent or niche I don’t automatically love it. It is good to keep an open mind.
I agree with you. I think it’s great that more “mainstream” places are broadening their selection. More people can now sniff in person!
And I think it’s good to try stuff in lots of “categories”. I think so many people assume that niche is better due to accessibility and price – and that’s not always the case. There are gems (and duds) in all of these categories.
[…] a really great lilac for the money. I recommend it if you like perfumes in the Jo Malone London or Aerin Lauder lines. It’s overall feel is carefree, joyous and […]