Smell Bent is a brand known for their jaunty perfumes and cheeky names. And this can sometimes distract from the constitution of the actual perfumes. I think this is something that has happened to Bollywood or Bust.
First things first, I wouldn’t describe Bollywood or Bust as a very “Bollywood” perfumes. So let’s get rid of that little assumption. Let’s just go into this thinking of it as an indie perfume with a reasonable price point. Bollywood or Bust opens with a sour, woodsy sandalwood and a hint of rose. With time it turns into a full-blown rose. It’s a spicy rose with a hint of dry woods that dries down to a creamier sandalwood with a savory saffron.
For me, it doesn’t conjure up the energy of Bollywood (now Neela Vermiere Bombay Bling does) and even though the origin of the notes may be Indian, the perfume itself doesn’t scream “Indian” to me. Really the painting with it’s rich colors below and her mellow composure sum up my feelings of this fragrance better than my words.
Notes listed include red rose, sandalwood and savory spices. Launched 2010. PERFUMER – Brent Leonesio
Give Bollywood or Bust a try if you like woodsy rose scents. Or if you like perfumes like L’Artisan Parfumeur Safran Troublant, Le Labo Rose 31, Tom Ford Café Rose, Lancôme Magnifique, House of Matriarch En Tendre and/or Guerlain Samsara EDT. Bollywood or Bust is unisex.
Projection and longevity are average for an EDT.
The 1.7 oz EDT retails for $50 at Smell Bent. A smaller size and samples are also available for purchase. It’s also available in an oil, but I’ve only worn the EDT.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Sandalwood and rose. For something in this price point, I think it is really good.
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I have a sample of this one and Iike it a lot, although I agree that it is not very Bollywood. My husband didn’t like it, saying that he detected a urine note. (????????) He often smells things I don’t and I’ve thought about starting a perfume review blog where I give my opinion then have the husband’s word. Examples: CDG Avignon “mmmmm….sexy nun”; Pleasant Promenade by S Poncet “did you forget to clean the litter box again”; Pacifica Mediterranean Fig “Comet cleaner”; Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal “smells like those moist toilet wipes”. He certainly brings me back down to earth with a bump sometimes when I think I have discovered the most heavenly scent ever. Good job I wear perfume mostly for myself!
Haha, sounds like mine. The things he says….yep, good that I wear it for myself and not him!
Now I want to try that S Poncet, lol.
I love the colors in the painting! Great image. The only Smell Bent I’ve tried was St. Tropez Dispenser, which I got from Olfactif. I loathed it immediately, although I love beachy things (I thought it smelled too chemically). So I have a prejudice when it comes to this brand. I’ll have to try something else from them!
I’m not a fan of St. Tropez Dispenser as it is just the scent of Banana Boat. But, you know, I get so many searches a week of people actually wanting to smell like that. I mean, I do wear Bain de Soleil as perfume so to each their own.
Don’t dismiss the brand on that one alone. I actually own/like quite a few from the brand. They’re hit or miss but most brands are.
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This is the only Smell Bent fragrance I own, but, oddly, I loved it so much when it came out, I bought both the oil and alcohol versions! What! It’s pretty strong to my nose so I have enough to last an eternity.
Although it’s not the sandalwood I wish it was (rich full Indian Mysore), it’s pretty good compared to many other sandalwood-focused scents, which usually end up having too much cedar focus. The rose is also pretty. Agreed that the name is misleading. Overall, the scent isn’t complex but very enjoyable!
I debated between the oil and EDT with this one but ended up with the EDT. I like the oil too.
Ugh, Mysore Sandalwood. I wish I didn’t know what it smelled like because I know that NOTHING is like it. And I’m not going to find it in modern perfumery 🙁 I try so hard to not think about it because nothing will be that good.
It’s simple but pretty. And I think it’s good for the price. Stuff at Bath and Body Works sells for this much and I don’t think the B&BW stuff is near as good!