I have been working with Perplexity and now Gemini to create a spreadsheet of all the fragrances I have. Additionally, listing designer and niche compares to my existing items which make it easier for me to recognize recommendations here and whether that dupes something I have. Now I have been using them to recommend fragrances to look at further to narrow down my next potential purchase and expand my knowledge. Gemini just researched fragrance specific to high heat compared to my current collection. It identified these gaps: high-heat citrus, a modern metallic-botanica (learned about sclarene)l, and a high-luxury tea-based signature. Additionally it is providing the physics behind molecular volatility and the reasoning when I asked it to omit anything with Patchouli used as a note/ingredient and how that can work against high heat fragrances by being heavy or inky. I use this to cross reference here and other places to hone on on what to look out for and keep a watch for sales. Strategy... Meets Technology and humanity.

Kind of self explanatory all. What’s the top three that is in this house? I’ve got: Oud wood Italian Cypress Plum Japonaise All oddly discontinued. All 10/10. Yet Tom Ford as a business model is absolutely shit. You have a Ferrari and replace it with a Honda. Or not replace it at all and simply put out crappier frags. wtf.

Preparing for the summer and MAXAROMA has it on sale for $139 so I picked up a bottle. Interesting thing I have been avoiding patchouli notes in fragrance due to not liking the scent since I was a kid going into Spencers stores (remember those?). Anyway, this arrived today and neither Maxaroma, Fragrantica noted patchouli in this fragrance. But the reason I bought it is for warm weather wear since we get about 6 solid months where it can get in the 90's and several months more in the 80's. Also the lime note is a favorite and just a little different. It filled a scent accord for hot weather between Versace Man Eau Fraiche and Roja Perfumes Elysium. It is supposed to be a linear scent which also appealed to me as having at least one in the collection.

This is one of those patchoulis that tries to convince you patchouli is “classy,” and honestly… it kinda succeeds. It doesn’t go earthy or dirty on me. It goes smooth + slightly sweet + creamy, like patchouli got a makeover and now hangs out with amber-vanilla instead of incense and dirt. If you’re expecting a dark, skanky patchouli bomb, you’ll probably be disappointed. If you want “niche but safe” patchouli that still smells expensive, this hits. Performance is strong, and it’s the type of scent that gets “you smell good” without people saying “why does it smell like patchouli in here?”

Curious if others are experiencing this as well, but when I first got into the hobby it wasn't uncommon for me to find Niche brands like Mancera, designers like Versace and Dolce and Gabbana and even YSL at the local rack store quite often. Some of my early posts on this site were of the bottles I picked up there. In the last few months it's been almost all the same Middle Eastern clones and the odd gem like Michael Mulal. Since my local rack store is a TJ Maxx, wondering if others are noticing a similar as well? Is it time of year and it'll pick up once holiday stock gets put out to discounters? I'm still pretty new to the hobby so I'd be curious what others who have more experience might have to say on this topic. Like is it just cyclical or is there been a noticeable decline in selection and quality of late where you are as well? I've been noticing similar declines in just overall selection and quality of goods. Gone. Are the days where you could buy $50 Tom Ford candles there that's for sure.