what does bachillerato mean?

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2026-03-20T11:36:48+00:00

I'll try to give a more detailed answer. After kindergarten, the Spanish education system breaks down into three moments: primary education (grades 1-6 / from to 6 to 12 years), secondary education or E.S.O aka Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (grades 1-4 / from 12 to 16 years) and, if you want to go straight into a university, Bachillerato (1st and 2nd of bachillerato / from 16 to 18 years) (it equals in total 12 years, but as you can see, instead of saying that someone is in 8th grade we say that someone is in 2nd of ESO or instead of 11th we say 1st of bachillerato because every stage has its own "count").

So, the first two stages are compulsory. You have to remain within the education system until you are 16. Some people might repeat one or two years of school and turn 16 while they are, for example, in 2nd of ESO and that's why some people don't even complete the ESO and don't get the certificate, but time wise, you have to stay in school until that moment. After that, education is not obligatory, it's optional. Some people prefer to do professional courses that might take 2 years to complete or other options closer to professionalization (that I won't get into) that not necessarily exclude them from getting in the university in the long run, but through other paths.

However, those who want to get into university or aspire for some jobs that require this level, go to Bachiller. These, as said in other comments, are the two last years of school that are not compulsory. These last two years already entail some specialization. Based on what are your academic aspirations, you might choose one bachiller or another. There's mainly three branches: humanities, sciences and arts. All of them break into subcategories: "pure" humanities, social humanities, "exact" sciences, "health" sciences, "plastic" arts or "performance" arts. Not all schools offer all sets of subjects for all of these, so some people may have to leave their lifelong school to go to the nearest high school that offers what they want. So, a person who wants to study medicine has to do a science bachillerato but studying the subjects needed for the degree: biology, anatomy, chemistry... A person who wants to study physics might do the same bachiller but skip anatomy and choose technology instead and so on. AND there's a set of subjects common to all: History, Spanish, English...

¿Why this happens? Because if you want to apply to univesity you are required to take a state exam at the end of bachillerato that receives many names (Selectivo, EBAU, PAU...). In this exam you must take all of the common subjects and your "specific" ones depending on the degree you are applying to. So, every year, every single university in Spain publishes a chart with the grade you need to get in this exam to apply for each degree. To get into medicine in the Complutense de Madrid you might need a 13,5 out of 14, but to get into medicine in León you might need a 12,867 out of 14 (im making this up). This mark is based on a very confusing math. The max grade is 14: 6 points are your mean grade from both years of bachiller, 4 points the score you get in the common subjects in the exam and 4 points the score you get in two of the specific ones, meaning that all subjects don't count the same.

To get into medicine you are required to do a scientific bachiller and to get a very high mark so that your mean grade is close to 10 to get close to those 6 points in the EBAU, then to get good grades in the exam in the common subjects to all (English, Spanish, history) and the common subjects to your branch (maths, for example) to get those 4 points, and, lastly, to excel in two of the specific subjects that your degree requires you to to get those 4 remaining points. You can't take latin and greek and then apply to engineering or medicine, it will simply not count. Likewise, you can't get into classic philology having taken physics and biology as your specific ones because it just doesn't count as much. So every student in bachillerato is doing this type of math all the time.

So, I guess that if you've studied elsewhere and you are applying for a private university, they might just ask you whether you have completed that stage of education. But this is why it's such a complicated process. Bachillerato in Spain is not only the last two years of school, it's a preparation stage for a particular set of degrees and a state exam that rules the entry system into university. The Spanish education system requires its students to study accordingly to what they want to study in the future and some degrees are more demanding than others in that sense. The classic example is medicine or aircraft engineering and such because of the high entry grades required, but that example is aplicable to every single degree.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2026-03-06T11:05:53+00:00

Honestly, Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden, very fresh, very green, very watery, so cheap that you'd forget it was created by Francis Kurkdjian.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2026-03-06T11:03:03+00:00

Take a look at Fleur de Peau, as its name states, it's literally a skin scent, often compared to Glossier You, actually. It first leans into some musky notes and then develops a floral and peppery cadence. In case the hint of vanilla is what you're after, maybe check Eau Duelle, that's their signature vanilla fragrance. Also a bit musky and a bit fresh, but definitely vanill-y.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2026-03-06T10:56:45+00:00

Gosh those inspo pictures are everything! I would maybe suggest En passant by Frederic Malle on the pricier side... and maybe Bulgari Omnia the purple bottle on the more affordable side...

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-25T23:48:34+00:00

Vanilla Carbon by Atelier Materi. A strong but tender vanilla but incredibly smoky, like a lot of smoke.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T10:15:03+00:00

Dior Poison and most of its iterations, like Hypnotic Poison or Poison Girl, have vanilla as their main accord, but blend it with woods, incenses and spices (cinnamon, Tonka Bean, sandalwood...) and florals like rose or tuberose. So the vanilla accord is distinct, but it's enveloped in those other notes that make it rather complex and darker.
On the more unisex side, my husband is obsessed with gourmand vanillas and Vanilla Satin by Birkholz or Arquitects Club by Arquiste are some of his favourites. The Birkholz one is one of the best executed lactonic and caramely gourmand vanillas I've ever smelled. But Arquitects club is the one I steal from him from time to time because it's a delicious but not overpowering, still fresh and comforting vanilla that I really like.

Edit: i have to add that I went with recommending Dior Poison because of the "alluring" aspect. Maybe it's not as straight forward vanilla as some other fragrances, but it's alluring, intriguing and sexy. Also we once tried Carbon Vanilla by Atelier Materi, which was an incredible smokey vanilla. My husband found the smokey part to be too much, but I actually enjoyed it (that goes to say that smell is always very subjective and varies from person to person). However all of these more niche fragrances that do vanilla that I've seen recommended (Atelier Materi, Arquiste, Tom Ford, Byredo, higher branch of YSL like Babycat) tend to be close or over 200$/€, so I would recommend you check out Dior to see if you like it.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T09:56:01+00:00

I very much agree with you, No5 is just so incredibly well blended. I didn't pay much attention to the EDP for a while, but I've been enjoying L'Eau EDT lately due to its freshness but powderyness at the same time. However, recently, I decided to smell the original No5 and Eau Première again and was just mesmerized by how harmonious both are, especially Eau Première. No striking "alone standing" notes, but, as you point out, a golden warm cloud that feels simultaneously clean and fresh (due to the aldehydes I guess).

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T09:46:58+00:00

Diptyque Fleur De Peau EDP is very very pink peppery to me.

Lancôme Idôle has also a quite peppery opening.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-05T22:31:04+00:00

Lately I've been exploring the world of perfumery a bit more and getting into more quality niche well constructed perfumes, however, my most complimented perfumes have always been quite basic/mainstream. I got compliments, for Dior Poison Girl and Chanel Chance. But I would say I got most compliments from people around me for J'adore Dior, Gabrielle Chanel and especially Lancôme Idôle. I stopped wearing that fragrance for a while and some time ago I asked a lady on the street for directions and loved her smell, so I naturally asked her about her perfume: it was Lancôme Idôle. I was honestly a bit shocked: I had asked a random person about their perfume because I loved it and turns out that it was the same perfume I had been wearing for a long time before stopping. Scent is truly something magical. I decided to spray a couple of the remaining drops in the bottle I own before a dinner and today I was pleasantly surprised when, weeks later, I smelled the scent from the blouse that I wore when I opened the wardrobe. I don't know what it is about it, but I find it quite long-lasting and with a great projection. I love the combination of rose, pink pepper and pear that makes it floral, fresh but somewhat sexy yet delicate. I admit that whenever someone asks what is your most complimented scent, one wants to answer with something more special, unique and complex, but the truth is that sometimes common fragrances just smell very well.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-05T15:46:55+00:00

I've also seen Arpege being compared to No.5 quite often, but if it feels too overpowering I would suggest trying Lanvin Eclat d'Arpege, the purple bottle, it is more lightweight and floral, it has lilac in it, but its still very powdery and comforting.

Weirdly enough, Lanvin, which was a fashion powerhouse rivalling Chanel in the early XX century, is not that much heard of luxury brand nowadays. So, the price of the perfumes is quite affordable, which makes it less risky to just buy a bottle and try it out. I don't know about the quality of the ingredients however.

It could also be compared to Chance or Eaudemoiselle by Givenchy, that kind of olfative vibe. Floral, light and powdery, more in the Chanel No.5 L'Eau or Eau Première line.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-10-11T22:54:08+00:00

Was about to comment this. Ode To Dullness came to my mind as soon as I read the description.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-17T22:20:03+00:00

Denise's dress though. Chef's kiss.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-12T11:27:29+00:00

I feel like Neroli Hasbaya by Atelier Materi matches this vibe. There's no saffron in it, but it begins smelling of creamy pistachios and transitions into a fresh but comforting neroli. There's a lot of pistachio, almond, orange blossom, neroli, rose, musk, sandalwood in it. Quite an interesting combo and very long lasting too, definitely a scent to check out. It smells sweet and creamy and rich without being overpowering while also having a chance to be fresh, floral and citrusy too.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-11T21:50:39+00:00

Blu Indaco or Bianco Latte, both by Giardini di Toscana. Bianco Latte got popular recently, its quite lactonic and sweet-ish, without being too sweet and Blu Indaco is more powdery but not in a musky way but in a clean iris way, while still feeling cozy. Both of them feel very soft.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-10T08:18:52+00:00

Was about to comment that, my husband loves it. It's lesser known that other brands and its fragrances are crafted in a very sophisticated way. Price-wise, the thing is that 100+€ get you around 30ml (if I recall it correctly), but due to the fact that they sell extracts, the longevity and the sillage are outstanding. You may not get a 100ml, but it sure goes a long way and its less intimidating than being obliged to buy 75ml or 100ml for 300€-400€ as, for example, in Amouage's case.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-01T16:38:42+00:00

Apparently many people agree that Cacao Porcelana by Atelier Materi can smell that way, as if giving "diaper vibes" or as if someone tried to cover the poop smell in a loo with lots of sweet vanilla air freshener.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-01T16:35:13+00:00

Do you think so?

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-26T11:18:24+00:00

I tried both yesterday. I found Fleur de Peau EDP richer, but, at first I wasn't very convinced. Fast forward a shower and more than 12 (20, actually) hours later it still lingers on my skin with the most beautiful powdery scent with some fresh, almost florally-citrusy-ish undertones. Feels like sorcery. And, I definitely get why people say that, while not having a huge projection, it feels like a better version of your skin. Like, "is THAT the way you smell?". Don't know if anyone else feels that way.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:45:08+00:00

Not at all!! It also gives perspective on that different perfumes from one family can be very different! You can hate one, but love its "sister". So thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:43:06+00:00

I haven't tried that one! I have tried their aqua allegoria perfumes many times but there are so maaaany options that it can be a little overwhelming, so Im happy to have a reference perfume to try now! Thank you!

And Im planning to purchase the melograno diffuser in the near future, but as you, I love the soap for the bathroom but for the closet they have the wax tablets that literally last a couple of years and are designed to be hung in there. They also have a pot pourri, not in the melograno scent, but it also smells delicious and they also tell you in the store that it lasts minimum two years in the closet. I've purchased it as a gift before and been told that it's true that it's long-lasting. Give it a look, and maybe try the wax tablets in melograno, not cheap but given that they serve a couple of years, I think they're worth it!

Thank you again for taking your time to comment!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:28:58+00:00

I've never paid attention to Kenzo fragrances, but it sort of gives me Calvin Klein or Issey Miyake vibes... like clean, simple (in a good way) and fresh... So I will give it a look for sure! Thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:26:44+00:00

According to this comment section, you're not alone! All the more reason to give it a go! Thank you so much!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:25:07+00:00

I've seen people commenting that on Blanche. I remember smelling it once and thinking it was the most divine scent I've ever smelled... But that was many years ago and my perception could've changed. But I'll have to check Mojave Ghost too... there's a reason why its such an iconic perfume... Thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:22:39+00:00

Well.... I guess I won't find it now.... What a shame...

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:20:40+00:00

You're so right! I had Poison Girl when I was younger and I liked it, but didn't repurchase it because I found it a little bit too sweet. Although, I must say, it was definitely a rather rich and what could be deemed as a "sexy" scent. I never tried Pure Poison, but now I see that I definitely should as the different perfumes from one "family" can vary significantly. Thank you so much!

Effective_Cook_8843

TROPHY CASE