A lot of the time, no, not the way influencers make it sound on video. I think what happens is a mix of experience, memory, suggestion, and sometimes just knowing the listed notes before they even start talking. Most people are not actually smelling every single note one by one like they are reading ingredients off a label. A lot of the time they are picking up the overall scent profile, recognizing certain familiar qualities, and then translating that into note language. To me, smelling fragrance is usually more about catching the main impressions. You might clearly get something fresh, fruity, woody, musky, floral, spicy, smoky, or creamy, but that does not mean you are truly isolating ten different notes with total accuracy. A lot of perfume is blended in a way where things overlap, so what you are really smelling is the composition as a whole more than each separate piece. I also think once someone reads the note breakdown, it becomes a lot easier for the brain to “find” those notes. So if the brand says fig, incense, suede, or vanilla, people start looking for those exact things. That does not always mean they would have pulled all of that out on their own without seeing the note pyramid first. In my opinion, people with a trained nose can absolutely get better at recognizing certain materials, styles, and accords, but even then, I do not believe most people are naturally smelling every note the way some videos make it seem. Sometimes it is real experience, and sometimes it is just review language. That is why I think it makes more sense to focus on what a fragrance actually smells like to you overall. Is it green, sweet, clean, dark, airy, creamy, smoky, resinous, or fresh? Does it change over time? Does it lean high quality, synthetic, natural, dense, or transparent? That tells me more than somebody listing twelve notes in thirty seconds. So no, I do not think most people can smell all the notes in a perfume the way influencers claim. I think most are picking up the main character of the scent and then filling in the rest with experience, comparison, and sometimes a little bit of performance, because even experienced master perfumers cannot tell all the notes in a fragrance.

This weekend, I had the chance to open and try my travel bottle of Bergamote 22 by Le Labo, and here are my thoughts on this fresh scent. From the first spray, the fragrance opens with vibrant notes of bergamot and grapefruit, creating a fresh and tart profile that's perfect for a hot day. It’s the kind of invigorating scent that can really uplift your spirits. After about a minute, a sweet, green floral note emerges, beautifully complementing the citrus initial punch. Within five minutes, a subtle creamy wood aroma begins to weave itself into the mix, rounding out the scent. To me, this fragrance embodies the essence of a classic men’s cologne — bright, fresh, and consistent, with little transformation after that initial burst. In terms of performance, Bergamote 22 has a solid scent bubble for the first 30 minutes post-application, which is great for those looking to make an impression. However, around the three-hour mark, the scent begins to fade significantly, and by the four-hour point, it’s entirely gone, even from clothing. While this is somewhat disappointing, it’s somewhat expected from a fresh citrus-based fragrance. If you ask me whether I like Bergamote 22, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s a delightful aroma I’d happily wear on warm days. But here's the catch: is it worth the price tag? In my opinion, no. Given what Le Labo charges for their bottles, I struggle to see how it makes sense for most people to invest in a full-size bottle. Unless money is no object, feel free to overspray to maximize its presence. Nonetheless, it’s a refreshing scent that is definitely worth trying, especially for those who appreciate citrus fragrances.

what’s your take on this are we “Chopped” or Nah? Jokes aside, this is what it looks like when we try to belittle others for peacefully engaging in their hobbies. What’s your take on it fellow Brothers & Sisters?