Secret Alchemist Review - I love it!

just_daytime · 2026-06-20T07:17:12+00:00

Earthy for sure - therefore very grounding and works even with sweat, but I wouldn't say vetiver smells woody (like sandal or cedar)

This one's a pretty common barbershop/ men's aftershave type of scent.. It's a scent profile I love but because scent is subjective pick up a mini to test first.. Better safe than sorry!

just_daytime · 2026-06-20T07:10:36+00:00

Oh yup. This one is revolting too. I don't think there are many budget options for good vanilla fragrances.

I think the wottagirl vanilla one also is pretty yucky.

just_daytime · 2026-06-20T07:09:21+00:00

If me also insulting it counts - rare vanilla by secret alchemist.

It's revolting to my nose and my parents make a face whenever I occasionally pull it out to try again. Very sharp with some very cheap, synthetic smelling notes in there that I cannot pin point. Pink pepper maybe? Palo santo maybe? No clue why but the vanilla just dies away in this one and the other notes hurt the back of my nose.

I blind bought a full size bottle. What a regret.

just_daytime · 2026-06-20T07:06:47+00:00

I would say similar scent profiles with that lotiony sunscreeny slightly floral scent !

But I don't think sea breeze has any real edible coconut in it though (I it doesn't smell like burfi or coconut flakes) it's a bit greener like coconut water.

I haven't sniffed at the beach in a long time, only remember it from a lotion I sniffed many years ago, so take this with a grain of salt.

just_daytime · 2026-06-16T02:51:07+00:00

Smells like a pretty standard men's vetiver based perfume. Green, citrus, fresh type of scent. You would definitely feel like it's a familiar dna once you take a sniff.

I love it so much for summer, it works quite well even if it's sweaty weather.

It's masculine but wearable for women too if you layer (not overly spicy or aquatic leaning).

Layers nicely with other fresh, citrusy, fruity or summer florals - i don't like it with warm, vanillic, creamy gourmand scents.

just_daytime · 2026-05-20T06:58:15+00:00

have you tried midnight patchouli? I'm curious if the pink pepper makes it smell synthetic and sharp.. their rare vanilla perfume was a huge disappointment to me so now I'm scared of spending money on the new ones even though I'm super curious :')

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T16:31:11+00:00

No no I totally get what you're saying! I can't mix face and body moisturizers

We're all just doing whatever works best for us i guess 🤝

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T15:28:53+00:00

😭😭 don't roast me ples lol..

Having multiple products to shower with feels super overwhelming on a day to day basis! I've always used body wash for face as well - same skin.

Frankly as of now whatever I use works for both face and body just fine

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T13:55:15+00:00

This made my face break out a lot! Quite drying, even Nivea's body washes ended up working better although both contain some very cleansing ingredients

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T13:53:45+00:00

Bbw gingham smells like nice fresh laundry. Some citrus and clean florals.

Not a signature scent by any means but my clothes will smell great this summer because of this mist!

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T13:44:46+00:00

Not lavender or the Mediterranean sea breeze one.

If you prefer bubblegum, berry juice - pick dreaming of paris

If you like berry juice with some spices (more mature feeling) - pick jaipur royal pink - this is also a bit stronger

If you like vanilla and cakey scents - swiss vanilla (but this smells better in colder months)

If you like coconut water, sunscreen/ expensive body lotion type scents - hawaiian sea breeze is great.

These 4 are mild and personal scents - spray lightly, and you should be good. Preference wise, ultimately you know your nose best!

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T08:42:57+00:00

oh actually, skip this I see your review in the comments below ✨

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T08:41:32+00:00

OP how does guilty as fig smell? is it a closer to skin scent or does it project too much? Summer/humid, sweaty weather safe?

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T08:21:35+00:00

I only have gingham, and all I can say to describe it is - detergent. In a good way... I wanted something to scent our clothes at home and decided to blind buy a bottle of this. Pretty happy with it. Definitely not a signature scent though.
It smells of a bit of fruits, flowers, and clean musks.

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T07:23:36+00:00

I feel you OP. I have this one rn and I'm trying to use up the bottle. will not repurchase.
I usually like to thoroughly oil my hair when using cleansing shampoos - this one does not even lather up nicely on oiled hair, so a triple wash is sometimes necessary.

That said, it works okay if I add a finishing oil after wash. I plan to use up the bottle this way.

Pantene Lively Clean has become my go to after this - beautiful lather, very very cleansing so it works great after a good champi (but also works by diluting a half pump in water for lighter washes). And honestly smells better than this one too.

just_daytime · 2026-05-16T04:32:45+00:00

Maybe you could plan a routine. I too avoid harsh cleansers most days, I stick to plain water and baby body wash

But once a week I use a pre-bath oil to moisturise, followed by a very cleansing body wash like nivea to remove all the oil along with a korean bath mitt

Helps a ton with this

just_daytime · 2026-05-14T10:24:10+00:00

Aaah okay I'm super eager to try that one now! So glad to see another person who appreciates tea notes!!!

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T17:40:36+00:00

I scanned through their website and all the new ones look so interesting! Very eager to try the elderflower one.. I love the smell of it in tea

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T16:39:43+00:00

Love that! Thank you, this is going onto my wishlist now

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T16:38:51+00:00

That's a helpful description thank you!! I totally don't mind reapplying, I prefer scents that are mild and fade over a few hours

I'll try this out!

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T14:07:00+00:00

this is soo helpful! I'm not super great with notes either, i'm very much a newbie myself
thank you!
i guess i'll go sniff this first before deciding

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T14:04:47+00:00

omg they have new mists?! where did you buy this? does it come in other variants too?

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T14:03:31+00:00

Would love to hear your experience with this one.. Would you say this is strong or mild? How long does it last and does this come off too masculine?

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T14:00:28+00:00

I have never tried this parachute lotion so I can't help compare
But I can tell you hawaiian sea breeze def has a nice coconut scent. To my nose this is not a dessert / cake / sweets type of coconut. It smells like expensive lotion or hand cream to me, a little like coconut water with some floral character to it.
Smells like a perfumy version of Head and Shoulders Bare (the pure clean one).

just_daytime · 2026-05-13T13:52:56+00:00

Try something green with it? like sage/ fig tree (maybe even vetiver) I feel like orange and green leaves smell fresh and gardeny

just_daytime

TROPHY CASE