The Journal

Warm, golden, a little mysterious. Let's talk about one of the sexiest notes in perfume.

What does sandalwood smell like? Creamy, woody, a little sexy. A perfumer's guide to one of our favorite perfume notes: how sandalwood compares to vanilla and cedarwood, what it does in perfume, the scents it pairs best with, and our favorite sandalwood perfumes.

What is niche perfume, and how is it different from designer fragrances? Discover what makes niche fragrances so special, from rare perfume ingredients and unique scent combinations to small-batch craftsmanship, independent perfumers, and one-of-a-kind scents. Plus, explore the best niche perfumes to try.

Vanilla pudding, warm caramel, soft suede, and rainy-day amber. Explore the West Clay notes we’re wearing for fall 2026.

Little rituals, herbs, moon magic + everyday ways to make October feel a bit more enchanted.

A clean, cozy version of you. How West Clay creates plush skin scents, plus the differences between 333, Cashmere Bunny, and Kitten.

Pistachio. Rice milk. Matcha. Toasted sesame. Gourmand perfume has moved beyond vanilla, and I’m here for all the creamy, salty, nutty places it’s going.

Fall perfume can be cozy without the pumpkin spice. Cardamom, pear, skin musk, black tea and soft woods make a case for the quieter, stranger, sexier smells of fall.

Warm fur, milky musk, soft vanilla. A look at the kitten perfume trend and the very real cat who inspired our own cozy pear-and-vanilla fragrance.