Tuesday 5 November 2013

Molecule 01 - a scientific scent

I am a very fragrance driven person. Scent is extremely important to me and if I'm trying to decide between two very similar products the scent can sway me one way or the other. I'm also open to trying most scents even if they might sound a bit odd e.g. grass or tobacco, and I'm very rarely confused about a scent, but in this case I am. The fragrance that has managed this is the cult scent Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules (£65.50 for 100 ml).

There are currently three different scents in the Escentric Molecules range which has taken an innovative and scientific approach to scents aiming to create a very individual scent based on your natural pheromones. As you probably know pheromones are chemicals that humans and animals generate that can change or trigger different behavior in others e.g. reinforce attraction, and since pheromones are individual this means that the Molecule scents will smell different - and also at least in theory incredible on everyone.
 
But building on natural pheromones is only one part of the Molecule 01 concept. The other part is about the use of one single aroma compound called Iso E Super, which is traditionally used as a base note to perfumes, i.e. it will ground and enhance a fragrance rather than make a bold statement by itself.

So with the science bit out of the way - what does this actually smell like? Well - it's really difficult to say (I bet you never expected me to say THAT about a fragrance) since Iso E Super doesn't really have a distinct scent, but there is a vague note of smooth, dry, balmy, slightly sweet and peppery wood. It is a VERY VERY subtle scent, and after that initial spray I can't smell it at all - I could bathe in this scent and I still wouldn't be able to detect it. Being so focused on scent I enjoy being able to pick up even the most subtle aroma of what I'm wearing or to pick up a jumper the day after and smell the perfume, but that doesn't happen at all in this case.

They say that Molecule 01 is all about the effect it has on others, and that it acts like a "natural sexy aura", and I have heard from others who've tried this fragrance that they get lots of compliments for it. I haven't had a single reaction from anyone when I've worn this scent - and it's not the compliments (or lack of) that I care about, but when Him Indoors can't smell it, and I can't smell it - then I have to ask: What's the point?

I have some fairly sophisticated and unusual scents in my fragrance collection but with this one, and I apologise to all Molecule 01 lovers out there - I don't get it. A scent that is a non scent, without any clear identity, hmmmm - maybe it's all just too scientific for me...

62 comments:

  1. This is the first negative review I've seen about this!! Everyone seems to love it! But yeah if you can't smell it at all it seems kind of pointless! Xx

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    1. Well, I don't dislike it but to be honest, when I can't smell it myself and noone else can, then for me there's no point. Maybe I'm a physical anomaly and it just doesn't work on me :o). Xx

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  2. wow..£65.50 for a non-scent scent... :P
    I have heard of this scent...a friend of mine who lives in Southampton mentioned it to me...infact pretty much raved about it..
    I was almost tempted...but thanx to your honest review (and for not following the general hype) , I'll try a samplr first
    :)
    xoxo

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    1. Hiya Shubha - I hope I didn't put you off getting it. The little I can smell is nice, but it's so subtle and disappears almost immediately that for me I feel like I'm not wearing anything at all... Xx

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  3. This is what I'm afraid of, that I'd spend SO much money on this only to be disappointed. I don't know if I believe all the scientific stuff either. I mean you could say that water smells different on each person too couldn't you? I'll think I'll spend my money on a Jo Malone instead then, thanks for the honest review :) x

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. Hey Claire! Maybe it smells stronger on others, based on skin temperature etc I don't know, but when there are so many other beautiful scents that I love and can actually smell - it's an easy choice for me :O). Xx

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  4. Ah pity this was a disappointment!! Sounds a bit of a mad idea!

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    1. It was nice to have tried it and it actually took me a long time to make up my mind what I thought about it. I really wanted to like it, but the fact that I don't get any pleasure from it, is a big thing for me. Xx

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  5. Wow there its so much mix review about this product, yours its well done. I posted my beauty tag come and read.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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  6. Hi Charlotte, i might admit I never heard off this but after reading your review i now want to try this, i like their a science part behind this. But i do agree - it doesn't really look appealing.

    http://www.annanuttall.com/

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    1. It might work better for you than for me :o). Xx

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  7. It sure is so expensive and if u cant smell it, then i guess its not worth it! Nice review Charlotte!

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    1. Thanks a million Garima - very nice of you as always :o). Xx

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  8. it looks great ;))) very very nice post ;)

    come to see my new post sweety..
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    1. Thank you very much, that's so nice of you! Xx

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  9. I would like to try this perfume myself, quite intriguing

    xo


    WIN a piece of your choice with OASAP

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    1. If you do - let me know what it's working for you :o). Xx

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  10. I have a bottle of this and I must say, I don't think I get it either! I can't smell it when my mum wears it and on me it smells like mosquito spray - not nice!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. Hiya Jennie - LOL, well at least I'm not the only one wondering what all the fuss is about :o). Xx

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  11. yeah, hard to see what the point of this one is! :(

    writingwhimsy.com

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    1. Yeah - I would never discourage anyone from testing it, but unfortunately it just doesn't work for me. Xx

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  12. I agree with you. For that price I definitely want to have a scent.

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes - call me old fashioned or unscientific - but THAT's what I like :o). Xx

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  13. Great honest review! Want to try it for myself and see if I can smell much haha!

    www.notanotherbeautyblog.co.uk

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    1. I hope I've given a balanced and fair review of my personal experience of it, but you should definitely try it - you might actually love it :o). Xx

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  14. Great and interesting post!! It sounds amazing!

    XOXO!

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  15. Hmmmm I might give this a miss

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    1. I completely understand that - after all, unless you can get hold of a smaller bottle - then it's a lot to pay for something that you might not even sense yourself... :O). Xx

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  16. Ooo, this actually sounds interesting to me! I'd check the scent out :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks a million - I hope it works better for you than for me :o). Xx

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  17. i've heard such great things about this perfume, now i'm super intrigued and will have to check it out!!!

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    1. You absolutely should, after all - this is how it worked on me, and since the concept is all about the individual scent it's bound to smell different on you :o). Xx

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  18. It sounds like a very interesting concept but might need a bit more tweaking in their implementation in order to have a stronger scent. Maybe at least have a bit more of a scent AND work with your natural pheromones? I dunno. And that is a very steep price for something that is so subtle, I'd be pretty bummed out!

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    1. Hi Stephanie, great points and if the scent was a bit more distinct in itself I would probably get it again - being an eternal optimist, perhaps one day my other half would also notice that I smell good LOL. Xx

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  19. This sent sounds intersting, nice review
    http://glamupyourlifestyle.blogspot.de/

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    1. Thanks for visiting and for your lovely comment! You should definitely try it, since it smells different on everyone, maybe it'll be a great one for you :o). Xx

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  20. Nice review. Pitty that it doesn´t suit you. For 65 pounds it should. :)
    fashionhappenss.blogspot.sk

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    1. Thank you that's really nice of you - it is a shame, but it just doesn't do anything for me... Xx

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  21. I have to try it, I am just so intrigued about this scent.I have heard the most craziest stories that happen when you where this perfume!!

    http://welldressed25.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Sounds intriguing and a lot more interesting than what I have to report from wearing it :O). Xx

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  22. Hiya Charlotte, I've just done the procrastinating beauty blogger tag and decided to tag you as one of the people I'd like to see do it! Obviously you don't have to, but would be cool to read! xx

    http://ashleighrhiane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-procrastinating-beauty-blogger-tag.html

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    1. Hey Ashleigh, that's very nice of you - thank you so much! There are quite a few other tags I need to do first, so it may be a while before you see the responses, so please just be patient with me :O). Xx

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  23. Replies
    1. You should definitely try it on, and perhaps bring someone with you to tell you what they can smell, since it's infamous for not being noticed by the wearer :o). Xx

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  24. It seems so weird but I can't stop imagine if you buy the perfume and figured out after you stink ahah

    Enora from http://remainreverie.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hello Enora - oh you made me laugh so much!!! Maybe it's a good thing that I didn't notice anything at all then :o). Xx

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  25. Olá!!!, Deus te abençoe boa tarde, amiga post maravilhoso
    esse perfume deve ser uma delicia, sucesso amiga.
    Blog: http://arrasandonobatomvermelho.blogspot.com.br

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    1. Muito Obrigado! That is so nice of you, you should definitely go and test it, who knows, it might be fantastic on you :o). Xx

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  26. So glad to read this especially I'm due to write a very similar review. I had impressions that whilst wearing this it would be similar to the Lynx effect and men would be chasing after me in the streets but sadly not and no comments on it at all when I wear it.

    Victoria
    FlorenceandMary.com

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    1. LOL - maybe we should be lucky that we didn't get that effect, but I wouldn't mind if I got to enjoy a bit of it at least :o). I*m really looking forward to reading your review now :o). Xx

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  27. I've never heard of this before but I definitely would not buy it haha. I'm always wary of beauty products that have so much "science" surrounding it. Most of the time, it's there to generate a buzz and make everyone try it out.

    IAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. That's a good point and they've definitely succeeded in this case since this is considered a cult product! Xx

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  28. I've never really 'got' this product. It freaks me out that it's supposed to smell differently on everyone. I mean, what if you've got a naturally horrible scent - will this just make you stink even more?! After reading your review I'm definitely steering clear of it lol

    Louise x

    Confessions of a Secret Shopper

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    1. LOL - It does make me wonder about the other two scent, which you never see mentioned. One of them might work better for me :o). Xx

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  29. I'm very curious, T've to try it! Great review!!!
    Kisses
    The Indian Savage Diary

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  30. I've sniffed this on others and thought it was delish but after reading this I'd definitely need a sample first before I even thought about purchasing. Like you say, if you can't smell it, what's the point?!?

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    1. Absolutely, or at least get someone else to tell you what they think it smells like on you, so you don't get disappointed :o). Xx

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  31. Great review!! Clarins is a good brand! Hope you are having a wonderful day! And thanks for visiting my blog!
    -Jyoti
    Style-Delights Blog

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  32. Oh my goodness, I absolutely MUST get my hands on this!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. I hope you'll enjoy it and that it's more noticeable on you :o). Xx

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