To say I am a perfume enthusiast barely scratches the surface. I have explored everything from high-end classics to the most modest oils, and in doing so, I’ve come to understand fragrance as more than a surface adornment. It is an extension of the self, a subtle articulation of mood, memory, and desire.
Fragrance communicates in ways words cannot. How one smells can reveal intentions, shape perceptions, and convey a presence before any conversation begins. Some days, I reach for scents that are warm, comforting, and indulgent; other days, I seek crispness, lightness, or even an enigmatic complexity.
I am drawn to perfumes that are layered, nuanced, and lingering. They unfold over time, interacting with the body and revealing dimensions of identity that shift as we move through our day. A truly compelling fragrance is not static; it evolves, reflecting the wearer’s subtleties and contradictions.
Perfume becomes a medium of self-expression, an invisible language capable of evoking memory, eliciting emotion, and asserting individuality. Choosing a fragrance is not just about what smells good; rather, it is a deliberate act of curation, a reflection of how we wish to be felt and remembered.
In the series that follows, I will share the fragrances that resonate most deeply with me: scents that are complex, and capable of leaving a lasting impression. Think of this as an introduction to the world of fragrance as I experience it: personal, intentional, and unapologetically indulgent.
Next, I’ll share the scents that truly speak to me, the ones that feel like comfort, indulgence, and a little playful luxury. Think of it as the sweet side of fragrance.
2025 was my year of learning about my skin. What products work, and what products simply aren’t worth the hype. In a world of oblong-shaped containers and bubble letters, I had to sift through and find products that were effective in the long term. Personally, I damaged my skin barrier terribly in the last few years, and so I was more prone to breakouts, rashes, redness, hyper-pigmentation, and irritation in general, so my goal was to repair my skin barrier and then slowly incorporate the other serums. And I must say, I have come a very long way. Even with the occasional breakout, my skin has shown significant improvement. When searching for products for both my body and face, I aimed to find quality items that were still affordable enough to repurchase. The product listed ranges from $13-$30
10. Byoma Milky Toner
On my journey to healing my skin barrier, I tried a few milky toner variants, from Laneige to Thayers to Pixi, and this is hands down the best toner I have ever applied to my skin. This toner is lightweight but packs a heavy punch, as it’s filled with barrier-repairing ceramides. I’m someone who was always at the dermatologist, and my face always felt tight after every wash. After a week of consistent use (morning and night), I noticed a significant improvement in the texture and tone of my skin. The toner works exactly as intended, hydrating the skin, and it penetrates deeply enough that the glow lasts all day. This is a skin-first product, and it can be used in your makeup prep routine, but I wouldn’t bank on it to show through 6 steps of full coverage. This toner is ideal for individuals new to skin care, and especially beneficial for those with dehydrated, dull skin. one bottle from June 2025 lasted me until January 2026, you get 5 ounces in the $15 bottle and it is still not quite done. 10/10!
A pimple patch hates to see me coming. Before discovering this product, I would go through two boxes of the Good Molecules Patch per month, which is equivalent to 120 pimple patches. Aside from being incredibly wasteful, the patches are ineffective for all types of acne. If you have a deep cystic pimple, a little patch can’t help you until it becomes a whitehead, and then you risk trapping the bacteria inside, which can make it three times worse. I needed a fast-acting spot treatment, and I found one! These Kiehl’s drops are essentially just a liquid pimple patch. It goes on clear and dries tacky after about 6 hours; the spot should be reduced in size and ultimately dried out. Because it’s clear that you can use it day or night, the shine will be more noticeable the larger the spot is, but it beats walking around with a full pimple patch. One last disclaimer: this product is very strong, so apply it no more than twice a day, morning and night, to avoid burning or overdrying the area. For $30 you get a lot of product, because one drop goes a long way. 9/10!
8. Weleda Skin Food Ultra Rich Moisturizer Cream
This product is unavoidable. I finally got tired of seeing it and purchased the moisturizer during a Whole Foods Sale. I rushed home to try it and was not disappointed. The first thing I noticed was the scent, it’s like a luxurious vegetable aroma, or like a hotel hand soap. I was worried about using a product with fragrance, but it does disappear after a few minutes, and apparently, the ingredients that give it that initial smell. Next is the texture. This is an incredibly rich, thick cream-like hand cream. if you’re soemone with acne prone ski or your pores clog easily I woud be mindful of how much you apply at once and maybe consider the Weleda Skin Food Ligh ( i will def switch in spring/summer). When I bought it, I didn’t know that there were other variations. All of that to say, I do love this product, especially for the fall and winter time. It’s great for daily use and aids in barrier protection repair. Also, this pairs well with the byoma toner. 9/10!
7. Inkey List Oat Cleanser
An absolute staple in my night routine! This product has no irritants or fragrance, so I can use it with eye makeup without worry. My favorite aspect of this product is its effectiveness. It’s one step, and you’re done. I dislike how micellar water requires a cotton pad or another item to actually apply the product. With the Inkey Oat, I just work the product into my face using my hands, and it breaks down EVERYTHING, including SPF, waterproof tubing mascara, any lip combo, brow gel, all of it gone after 30 seconds, and then you can rinse it right off and follow up with a regular face wash. On a no makeup day, I will still use it, and it does a good job of removing the gunk from the pores. For $13, I get 5 ounces, which can last me for about 3-4 months each time. Absolutely worth it. 10/10!
In addition to healing the skin barrier, I also wanted to work on my hyperpigmentation. Any skin specialist or dermatologist will tell you you need some kind of SPF daily in order to achieve either one of those things. Prior to finding this, I hated SPF, and it was definitely my least favorite step. This SPF is light enough that you don’t feel it, and there is absolutely no white cast. I apply it right after my moisturizer, and that way I keep the glowy look and still get the protection I need. I will say that the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral One LSF 50+ is my all-time favorite, but I wanted to try a cheaper alternative still within this brand, and I am satisfied with this as a substitute. This SPF is $21, and it lasted me an entire year, and that’s with daily use on face, neck, and chest. 10/10!
5. Tend Skin
If you’re someone who waxes or shaves regularly, this should be part of your routine. I discovered this product 5 or 6 years ago, but I wasn’t consistent with use, so I would consider this a rediscovery. This eliminated ingrown hairs and any sort of texture from those areas. I used to use it only after my initial hair removal, every 4 weeks. Now, I’ve upped it to every day in summer or every other day in winter, and it allows me to maintain smooth results. It does have a very alcoholic scent, but that goes away after about an hour. It costs $20 for 4oz, and the product lasts approximately 2.5 months with daily use. Because this product works so well, I would say the price is worth it, and using it 3 nights a week will make it last longer, if you could get the 8oz. 10/10!
4. Cetaphil SA Face Wash
HOLY GRAIL FOR ACNE! Anything with salicylic acid is bound to treat acne in some way. This wash is strong and effective, results within a few days Even though the packaging says sensitive skin I would be mindful about how often you use it. Twice a day, at most, but I think one application is enough, so you don’t risk over-drying the skin. I think this is the perfect everyday wash to keep acne at bay. And if you do have a breakout, it helps reduce redness and irritation. That said, I took a month off from using this product after using it for 5 months straight, and my skin didn’t appreciate that. I found that my acne was a bit harder to manage, and my skin has grown accustomed to it. Now I use a hydrating cleanser in the morning and salicylic acid at night, and my skin handles it well. 9/10!
3. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
I came across this wash in TJ Maxx, looking for something completely separate, and now this is a non-negotiable part of my makeup prep. This water cream is the perfect gel moisturizer. You get the dewy look without the heavy. This reminds me of the ELF Hydrogrip primer, but with nutrients for your skin. This comes after toner and before primer, allowing each product to adhere to the skin. It uses this in place of the Weleda if I’m going for a more full-coverage look. One more thing to add I would not get this too close to the eye if you are sensitive in the area but everywhere else it works as intended. 8/10!
2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7%
This toner started popping up on my fyp a few months ago with claims that it helped reduce hyperpigmentation and also stopped body odor. My main concern was hyperpigmentation, and I can say it helps with brightening and improving texture. As someone who already has active ingredients in my routine, I found that this was too much for my face, but I wasn’t about to throw away a product, so I started using it on my chest and under my arms, and I am impressed. Instead of my Dove spray deodorant after a night shower, I pat this into my underarms, and there is no smell. However, it does make the areas feel a bit tacky, but because I use it before bed, it doesn’t bother me too much. As for the lighting, it takes time, but after about a month and a half of consistent use, the difference is very noticeable. 8/10!
The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash
Just buy it. I cleanse first with a regular sensitive skin body wash and then follow up with this a few times a week, and it has made a world of difference. I don’t struggle with body acne too much, but the occasional chest pimple or back pimple can occur. This product can be a bit pricey if you intend to use it every day. For me, I would go through two a month, and that’s not happening. So I use this product selectively when I know something could cause a breakout, like after a wax, wash day, sweating, or exposure to more germs than normal. I typically let it sit on my skin for 2 minutes post-lather to make sure it all gets in, and I have a lot of success with this wash. 10/10!
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