Spicy

Black pepper smells sharp, dry, and almost peppery—obviously—but not like the dusty spice in your kitchen cupboard. Imagine biting into a fresh peppercorn: there's an initial brightness, almost citrusy, followed by a warming, slightly woody heat that tingles your nostrils. It's spicy without burning, with an almost piney, green undertone. The sensation is crisp and energising, like inhaling cool air that somehow feels warm simultaneously.

Woody

Vetiver smells like freshly turned earth after rainfall, mixed with dry hay and a whisper of smoke. Imagine walking through a sun-baked field where roots and soil still hold morning dew—that's the grounding, slightly dusty quality you'll encounter. There's an almost savoury, mineral-like character, with hints of cedarwood and green tea. It's simultaneously earthy and arid, never sweet, with a faint green-wood quality that feels both calming and deeply natural. Think of it as the scent of resilience and stability in olfactory form.