The Mainstream Monday: Sniffing A Popular Fragrance

Bath and Body Works P.S. I Love You is defined as a “modern blend of the rose-the universal symbol of love”. P.S. I Love You is a fruity rose fragrance with a sweet amber drydown. (Did we really need another “modern” rose?) It isn’t a terrible fragrance, it just isn’t for my taste. That being said, there are people out there that like these type of florals. This is a great deal for under $30. I have sniffed parfums from Rosine that I have liked lessed that P.S. I Love You.

I think I dislike P.S. I Love You because I feel too much is happening too soon with the fragrance. At first it is sweet in a fruity way. The fruits are hard to identify, they just come across as alcoholic. Riesling is a listed note. I do see this. There is a “grape” wateriness to this. The fruits aren’t “too young” or like a fruity body spray by this company. It is mixed with florals. These florals could be described as roses. They are a bit powdery. At the same time you pick up a heavy incense smokiness. All of these notes are fighting for attention. In a short time, everything seems to mellow out. It becomes a warm “musky” rose. This is very pretty. It “sniffs” like a classic powdery rose fragrance, but it is light and wearable. Sometimes when I wear this, I feel the “muskiness” over powers the rose, other times I pick up more of the powdery rose. The dry-down has a bit more incense and amber. But, really, by the time the fragrance has reached the dry-down, I can’t smell it. It’s very light because it is an EDT.

I would of liked this more, I think, if the fruity top was left off. It sounds good on paper. But, I feel it is there to attract a “younger” crowd, or to convince the B&BW customer base that rose is wearable aka not “old lady”. I think by adding the fruits used in this blend, something just went wrong. This being said, I like richer rose scents like Fredric Malle Une Rose  and “old lady” Guerlains. “Light” roses aren’t my thing unless they are “green”. I like the mid and dry down. This competes with lots of mainstream rose fragrances on the market but these other mainstream rose fragrances can’t compete with the P.S. I Love You price.  The EDT (the one I’ve reviewed) doesn’t have great wearing power, about 2 hours in the summer. This is decent for an EDT. You get what you pay for, but it could be reapplied throughout the day without coming across as too heavy.

Notes listed include fresh citrus, lychee, peony, yellow rose, sparkling Riesling, scarlet velvet rose, orchid, purple lilies, jasmine, hypnotic incense, creamy sandalwood, patchouli, golden amber, and musk.

Give this a try if you are looking for a soft rose/musky rose scent or if you like fragrances such as Bvlgari Rose Essentielle, Jessica Simpson Fancy Love, Givenchy Very Irrésistable EDT, Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One, Vera Wang Truly Pink,  Chloé Chloé, Emporio Armani Diamonds,  Ralph Lauren Romance  and/or Lily Pullitzer Wink. If you like these scents, this Bath and Body Works one is worth sniffing. Especially, if you are looking for a budget replacement or if you want body products to layer with any of the scents listed. I may not be adding a bottle of this to my collection, but I can see how it could appeal to others.

A 2.5 fl. oz spray retails for $29.50. Other body products are available. It can be purchased at Bath and Body Works. (UPDATE – It’s been discontinued).

Want more reviews? Try…

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*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from the brand.