Join My Substack (Ad Free)
[unpaid/sample] I’m kicking off the week with the most tricky thing to write about – Escentric Molecules fragrance. I’ve read several articles explaining the art of binding fragrance molecules with pheromone-like compounds to make a scent that creates more of an emotion than a smell. Escentric Molecules 1, which sparked the notion that perhaps it’s true that a single molecule fragrance is the very thing to keep sap rising, so to speak. The molecule in Escentric Molecules 1 is chemical composition, Iso E Super, which without an accompanying ‘lifter’ will smell either of woods or nothing at all, although you will, apparently, smell particularly lovely to others. Given that you may well not be able to smell it all on yourself, you have to believe, otherwise, no point in bothering. But so many did believe, at the time of its launch, that it became an immediate success – so much so that we are now on version 5. Think of Escentric Molecules fragrances like a gin and tonic – individual alone but better together.
While Molecule 1 makes no sense to me because I am one of the people who can’t smell it at all and with social distancing, can’t even lure in innocent bystanders with my secret olfactory attractiveness as a result of blending the Iso E Super molecule with my own skin chemistry. However, 5 is a different matter all together. After really struggling to understand the need for two fragrances in order to make one spectacular smell, I absolutely do get it now without necessarily fully understanding the method. If you’ve been to the cinema to see Tenet, it’s a similar mind-bending experience – you understand enough to enjoy it but are also aware that there’s a lot that went right over your head :-).
The fragrance molecule in Escentric Molecules 5 is cashmeran which, unlike Molecule 1, I can smell as a dry, woody composition. Escentric 5 is a blend of bergamot, laurel and rosemary, with a resinous twist from mastic. It’s somewhat sparkling at first spritz turning to crisp before drying down to balsamic woodiness with an after note of sports rub. The first spritz is the best of this (for me) because the citrus is so vibrant. It takes a while to settle which is lovely – I like the phases of this fragrance that keep it interesting.
Similar to this
You don’t need both together – in this pairing, one without the other is fine, but as I say, think of your gin without the tonic which at times is something you might prefer and at others you can’t imagine them apart. My advice would be to go for the ‘portables’ – 30ml for £46 HERE which are shown with their cases in the post. The refills are £36 but to be honest, you don’t really need the case if you are curious but not committed and don’t want the outlay (full size is £80) – you could quite easily just get a refill to give it a whirl.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
6 comments
I have 1-4 and I get comments everytime I wear them, especially 01, so this one I need to hunt down!
Everyone who wears it says they get noticed more!
It might be tricky Jane but you are really good at describing notes/fragrances! I enjoyed this article. Thank you. I really like the smell of Iso E Super and I can smell it and so I enjoy Molecule 01. I have Escentric 05 too. But PLEASE would they stop with this story about how their fragrances bind to individual’s pheromones and smell different on everyone. They don’t, and they don’t. They sit on, and project from, the skin like every other fragrance and Iso E super always smells like Iso E super. I’ve heard so many people repeat that it smells different on everyone. If that were the case how is it that if you can smell Iso E Super you can tell straight away if someone is wearing Molecule 01? It’s a load of old marketing tosh. If it smelled different on everyone why would anyone want to buy it based on liking how it smelled on someone else? I mean really…….Give your customers some credit Escentric Molecules! Incidentally if you like Iso E Super have a wee sniff at Terre D’Hermes which has a good dose, and I think that my bathroom cleaner does too. It’s cheap, smells great and is very common in all types of perfumed products.
Thank you Lynn! I appreciate that because it’s a struggle 🙂 So, it’s possibly my misinterpretation re the pheromones but it was my experience that I couldn’t smell 01 the first time (the second time I could) – I’m wearing it now and can’t smell a thing – and yet others find they can smell it. Given how complex the olfactory system is there has to be some variance in how people smell it and therefore how others smell it on you which is possibly where the ‘different on everyone’ thing comes from. Actually, the same could be said of all sorts of fragrances – what smells divine on one can smell off on another. I try to skirt around marketing speak but when I don’t really understand the concept in the first place it’s difficult to separate off – give me a mascara any day of the week and I’m on safe ground :-). Appreciate your thoughts and thank you for them x
My daughter has only ever got me to buy for her the first molecule, so i would be really interested if this one would suit her better .if you could send me a sample bottle .
I’m not a retailer Kerry so don’t have samples. x