The elusive '90s perfume oil is having a moment, and we wanted to see why.

Obviously, we don't have the original to compare it to, but I found this blog post about the fragrance from over a year ago, where a commenter wrote that it smells exactly like the ones they remember buying in the '90s. 

So, I wouldn't say I'm a "fragrance freak," but I do love having a small rotation of scents to choose from. While I'll reach for something bold every now and then, in my day-to-day life, I tend to stick with softer, cleaner skin scents, like Byredo's Gypsy Water and my current obsession and go-to, Henry Rose's London 1983. I had read a while back about Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's love for Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil, and at the time, I didn't think much of it. But after watching the first few episodes of Love Story, I ended up going down a full internet rabbit hole because I realized this was probably something I would really, really love.

When I first smelled it, it hit me in a nostalgic way, not like a CK One kind of nostalgia, but in that familiar "I've definitely smelled this on someone before" way from growing up. Even smelling it straight from the bottle, it was subtle, with a soft, powdery, almost soapy note and just a hint of musk. Since it's a pure oil, a little goes a long way, and I probably applied more than I meant to, but even then, it never felt overpowering. It wears differently from alcohol-based fragrances, too, taking a bit longer to really settle into your skin.

After about an hour, it shifted, and I couldn't stop smelling my wrist because it became kind of intoxicating, slightly stronger but still close to the skin. I completely get why people call it a "white T-shirt" scent. It's simple and clean, like a freshly laundered cotton shirt that's been left out to dry in the sun. If I had to compare it to what I already wear, it leans closer to London 1983, but less sweet and even more understated. It also lasts forever. I could still faintly smell it on my skin even after showering. Am I going to wear it again? Absolutely. It feels elegant, more unique (at least to me), and just nails that clean, subtle skin-like scent I'm always looking for.

Let me start by saying that I don't usually wear perfume because I am EXTREMELY picky. The scent can’t be too strong, too sweet, too floral, too "clean," too "grandma," the list goes on. I was extremely curious whether this would finally be the one to wow me, and I haven't watched Love Story yet (I know, I know), so I had zero point of reference.

Upon putting it on, it smelled subtle on my skin, which I really liked. The scent felt nostalgic and pleasantly reminded me of the '90s in a way I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It smelled clean, but not in the "clean sheets" way I often hate. Brian described it as "soapy," which I agree with! It also didn't hurt my nose the way other perfumes usually do. As time wore on, the scent became a lot more potent, and I couldn't stop smelling myself at my desk! After a few hours, the potency and smell faded, but there was still a faint scent on my wrist, which I could even detect at the end of the workday. I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought! A unique scent I haven’t really experienced before.

The scent started off somewhat subtle, but I felt that it built a bit throughout the day. It also lasted for a long time; I could still smell myself around 5 p.m., and I applied around 10 a.m. I really enjoyed the scent; it felt both subtle and strong, but I also felt that it somehow enhanced my natural scent. I can be quite sensitive to fragrance; in fact, I actively avoid it. I don't have a signature scent because most modern fragrances give me a headache within 10 minutes. This scent did not have that effect. It smelled real, not synthetic, and was easy to apply. Overall, would I wear this scent again? Absolutely yes — 5 stars!