a study in pink (review)

I'll always love matching my scents to my nails, and the theme I wanted to convey was an elegant, rich pink aesthetic, to match the monotone pink and red ink floral design! I think there are always scents that just burst with color, and I love the various shades of pink from all these scents. 

Cherry Blossom Alchemy (Alkemia) - A springtime haiku of cherry blossoms, sakura tea, delicate floral musk, and warm cherry wood.

If you're looking for florals but they're decked in sugar, look no further. Cherry Blossom Alchemy is a frivolous burst of sugar syrup, steeped in cherry tinged white tea, drizzled on top of a bouquet of cherry blossoms and a a pinch of gardenias and tuberose, held up by a modest string of oaky twine. This scent is unapologetically sweet - think of your typical feminine floral scent, but thoroughly drenched in the sweetest puff of sugar. 

What shade? This is a gorgeous, pale sheer pink, fluttering in the warm spring breeze.   

Bloom and Pucker (Stereoplasm) - Delicate strawberry blossoms, sour lemon candy, strawberry sugar and frosted daiquiri.

Pink lemonade in the way it was intended to be - a delicious punch of grenadine and sprite, a fizzy zesty kiss of lemonade, hard strawberry candy, pink starbursts, strawberry sorbet and an explosion of sugar right around that rim of the glass. It's almost too toothachingly sweet, but it's just the right amount of cold and refreshing for a hot summer afternoon. It hits just right when you need a little sugary pick me up, and I need a lot of sugar. 

What shade? The gradient of a pink lemonade, a translucent rich pink, its almost red at the bottom, but its translucent at the top with all the bubbles floating up. 

Five of Hearts (Luvmilk) - merlot, raspberries, rose petals and a splash of hibiscus tea. 

The best of a fruity floral mixture - it's like if you had merlot, but candied merlot. The blend of rich, fragrant raspberries here is layered with jammy turkish rose petals, rounded out with a swirl of meditative herbal hibiscus tea. It's a deeper, more thoughtful version of the lighter, flighty scent of the 'ispahan' macaron, threaded with the sticky darkness of the red wine, but it's no less attractive. 

What shade? Deep dark pink, magenta, jammy pink. Think of freshly plucked raspberries, rhubarb jam and steeped hibiscus tea. 

Cherry Blossom (Kousaido) - Playful and feminine cherry blossoms scent. Enticing fragrance inspired by the blooming Sakura cherry tree and images of Spring days. Hanami creates a refreshing, positive and uplifting atmosphere. 

I picked this up in Kyoto, and truly, what better place makes a sakura scent than Japan? This is just the prettiest, sweet sakura scent - with this gorgeous juicy peach aspect to it, like peach blossoms in addition to the soft floral waft of the cherry blossoms. The sweetness is much like biting into a slice of peach, it's rich and just the right amount of ripe. It's a scent that gently flutters around you, inviting you for a little picnic just under a blossoming sakura tree. 

What shade? I know this is a cop out answer, but sakura pink. cherry blossom pink. any variation of it. 

Parisian Pink (NCD) - My other favorite color. Peony petals, a suede settee, osmanthus, silk tree, spun sugar, Margaret Merril roses, pink grapefruit, and antique sandalwood.

A cloud of fruity floral pink, topped with strands of cotton candy and a dusting of sugar. Parisian Pink is an unapologetic bouquet of peonies and roses, artfully arranged to compliment the new pink chaise lounge, all newly upholstered with smooth suede. While it has peeks of sweetness, this scent is grounded with the musky, earthy base of sandalwood, giving it a smooth richness that the others lack - it's a mature and chic pink, because she owns that new chaise lounge, and the apartment it's in too. 

What shade? Rococo pink. It's almost peachy pink, gilded with gold edges, and it's an approachable pink that matches anything you try to pair it with. 

Nail Products Used:

Kokoist - Rose Tea Toffee, Rogue Red and Non wipe matte top coat. 

Disclaimer: With the exception of Parisian Pink (which was sent as a press sample), all other products were purchased by me.