Floral

Tagetes smells like a peculiar marriage of bitter herbs and sweet flowers—imagine crushed marigold petals mixed with petrol and anise. There's a sharp, almost peppery greenness, with whispers of carnation and clove. It's not immediately "pretty," rather it's pungent and slightly medicinal, reminiscent of crushed tomato leaves on a summer's day. Some detect honeyed undertones, but it's fundamentally an acquired, sophisticated scent that feels more botanical than traditionally floral.

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.