Further.
Think aaaaaaaall the way back to February.
That's when I was testing fragrance oils for Bramble Berry's S.O.A.P. Panel, which gave me the opportunity - along with seven other soapers - to preview, test, and help select some new scents for Bramble Berry to carry. None of us knew what the mystery scents were or how they would behave. Our job was to try out each FO and provide feedback.
You may have been curious all of this time to know what fragrances are what, and which fragrance oils Bramble Berry chose to carry based on feedback from the S.O.A.P. panelists. I've been super curious myself!
Well, be curious no more! Here are the mystery scents revealed!
Scent #1
To me, this scent smelled like Balsam & Citrus with notes of orange and fir. It strikes me as a slightly masculine scent with a hint of sweetness. This FO was revealed to be Autumn Fig Harvest, a scent that combines apple, lemon, and ginger with earthy fig, caramel, and cinnamon. I'm happy to see that Bramble Berry is carrying this FO - it was my third favorite of the eight S.O.A.P. Panel mystery scents.
Scent #2
Out-of-the-bottle, this scent smelled like watermelon with a hint of apple. After soaping it, I thought it smelled more of watermelon exclusively. The FO is actually Pear & Goji Berries.
Scent #3
This scent smelled like straight-up Honeysuckle to me. It sticks well and behaved beautifully for me. Turns out, it is honeysuckle! (Score one for my nose!) Bramble Berry has decided to carry Heavenly Honeysuckle, which I am thrilled about since it was my second favorite S.O.A.P. Panel scent.
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| The Mystery Scents |
I thought of a green apple Jolly Rancher when I sniffed this scent. It smelled to me like sour apple with perhaps a bit of pineapple or pear. Out-of-the-bottle, it was sweet and sugary, but the sugariness seemed to mellow after soaping, allowing the sour apple to come forward. Another score for my nose, because this FO is called Apple Pickin'.
Scent #5
This scent was the only one of the bunch that I didn't care for. I thought that it was supposed to be some kind of garden scent. It had notes of grassiness and fresh dirt (two things I usually like), but it also smelled damp and musty and it kinda reminded me of canned corn. Turns out, this mystery scent is Yerba Mansa. I didn't know what that is, either. After consulting the Googles, I discovered that Yerba Mansa is an herb native to the southwestern U.S. and northwest Mexico. I tried to find out what Yerba Mansa smells like, and I read descriptors such as "musty," "pungent," "warm," "spicy," and "clean." One site said that it smelled like a combination of wild ginger and eucalyptus. I found this particular FO to be more on the musty, pungent earthy side.
Scent #6
Initially, this fragrance made me think of Sweet Tarts. It smelled sugary with clean, sharp notes of grapefruit. After soaping this FO, I thought that it smelled sweeter and more like pomegranate. If I had to name this one, I would have called it Sweet Pomegranate. It is actually Guava Citrus.
Scent #7
I thought that this scent smelled like delicate Baby Roses. The FO is Cherry Blossom, though.
Scent #8
I loooooooved this scent! It was my most favorite of all of the mystery FOs. It is a sporty, masculine scent that smelled to me like an Abercrombie & Fitch cologne. This scent is called Mahogany, and Bramble Berry has decided to carry it. Yay!
In closing, Bramble Berry is adding what happens to be my top three favorite mystery scents to their lineup - Mahogany, Heavenly Honeysuckle, and Autumn Fig Harvest.
You may remember that Bramble Berry decided to do two S.O.A.P. Panels this spring, so another group of soapers got to try more mystery fragrances. Last week, BB sent me some full-sized samples of the three scents mentioned above as well as Mandarin Oasis and Lavender & Cedar from the other S.O.A.P. Panel, which was a very nice surprise!
Once again, a big thank you to Bramble Berry for allowing me to participate on the Panel! It was lots of fun testing the mystery scents and helping BB choose which scents to include among their products. And another thank you to Bramble Berry for the generous fragrance oil samples! (And I must say an additional thank you to Brittany at BB for all of her help and support!) I am looking forward to soaping with three of my new favorite FOs, and I can't wait to try the other two scents!
Indeed you've got a great nose, Jenny! When you were testing for the soap panel review, I was amazed at how detailed you were with your descriptions and how you were able to pick up the different notes in each scent. You were still pretty spot on with most of the other scents you didn't guess correctly. Names don't necessarily reflect what they are especially with general scents like some tropical or citrus fruits, flowers, etc.. Usually it's marketing because a great name does help sell. Great job Jenny! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Silvia! I felt like I did pretty well with the mystery scents even if I didn't get them spot-on. I know what you mean about a fragrance having notes that you wouldn't expect - I thought that the Heavenly Honeysuckle smelled like straight honeysuckle, but it also has tuberose, nectarine, cherry, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, and musk notes as well, according to BB's description. All I picked up on was the honeysuckle, which I guess is okay since it's a honeysuckle scent! It is interesting, though, to see the combination of scents that go into creating an overall fragrance profile.
DeleteYou did grate job Jenny! It was not easy task at all to participate at panel like this but you are really talented and have nose for this :) I am glad that your favorite FO will be included in BB portfolio!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gordana! I am so happy that BB is going to carry my #1 favorite mystery scent, and my second and third favorites, too!
DeleteGreat job, Jer! Good noses have always run in our family. ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks, Mom!
DeleteBB did well in choosing you to be a tester since you've obviously got the nose for it. :) Sounds like some great scents will be added to the lineup and I can't wait to go and smell them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Monica! It was fun being a panelist. I love the scents that BB has decided to carry from the two S.O.A.P. panels!
DeleteYou actually had done a good job with testing and reviewing their frangrances, I'm not surprised that they decided to award you. I actually wonder why don't they hire you full time to test their scents (Hmm, I've told you this before, haven't I?).
ReplyDeleteAlso, your sensitive nose was a good detector,Jenny, great.
Thanks, Maja! Being an FO tester for Bramble Berry would be a dream job!
DeleteI think you do a great Job Jenny :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Krissi!
DeleteWow, Jenny, you are so good at it! I am surprised about how detailed and how deep your review is! You made a serious work of it! Chapeau!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalia! It was fun being on the panel and playing with all of the mystery scents. I got pretty into it!
DeleteWow..how fun! Sounds like you do have a great nose! Personally, I think mine is getting a little lazy from smelling soap so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy! I guess noses can get burnout, too!
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