Spicy

Star anise smells like liquorice meets warm spice—imagine biting into a fennel seed but sweeter, with peppery heat underneath. There's an almost medicinal clarity to it, reminiscent of pastis or ouzo, that sharp anise character paired with subtle warmth. It's simultaneously cooling and warming: fresh like a winter morning, yet with creeping heat that builds gently on your skin. Not cloying or artificial, but deeply aromatic and slightly narcotic—the sort of scent that makes you want to breathe deeper.

Gourmand

Vanilla smells like warmth wrapped in sweetness—imagine the comforting aroma of freshly baked vanilla sponge cake, or a warm bowl of vanilla custard on a winter's evening. It's creamy and soft, almost edible, with subtle woody undertones and a hint of spice that recalls cloves or nutmeg. Pure vanilla is surprisingly complex: it's not aggressively sweet, but rather enveloping, like condensed caramel with a touch of earthy depth. It smells like indulgence and safety simultaneously.