By Tara
There is something pleasing about a trilogy; you get a beginning, a middle and an end. When taken together, this trio of Eau de Parfums by 4160 Tuesdays tells the story of a burgeoning relationship. As usual, indie perfumer Sarah McCartney has given these fragrances tempting and inventive names.
The Sexiest Scent on the Planet. Ever (IMHO)
Notes: Bergamot, Woods, Vanilla, Musk, Ambergris
As you would expect, this is the heart-pounding, lust-filled early days of a new affair. It may not be a multi-layered perfume but then The Sexiest Scent did start out life as a base for a bespoke fragrance event in 2013. It got a very positive reaction, with one participant declaring that it was “the sexiest scent ever!”. The name is most definitely tongue in cheek.
The Sexiest Scent opens with sugared lemons but thereafter is all about sheer, slightly sweet, slightly fuzzy, woods. It’s a skin scent so sillage is limited – it’s supposed to be an intimate experience. Of course, what people find sexy will vary and Iso E Super is not everyone’s friend but if soft, silky woods are your thing, it could do it for you.
Sleep Knot
Notes: Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Sandalwood and Black Pepper
Sleep Knot is comforting and softly sexy with puffs of jasmine and the creaminess of ylang-ylang. The effect mirrors the dreamy feeling of connection experienced when the limbs of two lovers are entwined to create a “sleep knot”.
I struggle with jasmine perfumes and while it’s still rather sweet for me here, it does strike a nice balance in that It’s not super skanky or scrubbed clean. It lies somewhere near the centre of the indolic spectrum.
The notes seem to weave together in a knot-like fashion, with even the pepper’s added spice failing to disrupt the sense of satisfaction.
Originally created earlier this year for a hotel to spray on its pillows, Sleep Knot was refined for New York blogger Carlos Powell’s Peace, Love and Perfume Project.
Pillow Talk
Notes: Yuzu, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk, Black Pepper
Similar to Sleep Knot, Pillow Talk was created as a Valentine’s Day special for a London hotel. It also has a similar soft jasmine core to Sleep Knot but the beginning is more zingy thanks to the citrus of yuzu and the heart is made even more plush with orange blossom.
This is about the emotional intimacy stage of the romance. You lie face-to-face in bed making the kind of gooey eye contact that only comes with someone you’ve recently fallen for. Secrets are confided and hopes and dreams are shared. It’s my favourite of the three.
Do you have a favourite sexy or romantic scent?
Olfactoria's Travels 
I always thought the sexiest scent on the planet sounded the most intriguing when I first heard of it. (and Tart’s Knicker Drawer! :)) But after reading your reviews, I think Pillow Talk is calling my name the most..:) I love the fun, whimsical feel of this brand. And the name!! (4160 Tuesdays).
Hi Lavanya,
Sarah sure has a way with words!
The Sexiest Scent is an attention grabber but Pillow Talk shouldn’t be overlooked, so I’m happy to hear it calls to you the most.
I had just tested these once when my samples were stolen along with my luggage. If they promote a bit of a love in in the districts where the theft most likely occurred there could be some consolation in that. A case of getting Coseley and Tipton the Velvet.
From memory, these read quite sweetly clean musky on me rather than what we have come to think of raunchy – even the jasmine was pretty wholesome – but they were nice and I would definitely have enjoyed spending more time in a retrial. Instead, it was more of an abruptly ended one night stand with them!
LOL at “abruptly ended one night stand” and “Tipton the Velvet”.
I don’t find them raunchy either but I see Sarah explains the wholesomeness of the jasmine below.
What a lovely surprise to read this on the bus this morning.
Funny thing is that the jasmine in these is full on 100% natural jasmine absolute, totally untampered with. Smack in the face indole as you take the lid off the bottle. Pure aphrodisiac unleashed. Blend it with vanillin and it goes all fluffy on you. (But it’s there, tooth and claw, for when you need it.)
That’s really interesting, Sarah. Thanks for explaining the resulting effect of combining the natural jasmine with vanillin.
I like the sexiest a lot, but for me it’s not so much the sexyness of the first days of a relationship, but the more tender embraces after a few years. Pillow talk and Sleep Knot sound intriguing… but, can it be that you have a hotel room theme at the moment, my dear?
I think my romance perfumes are mostly those that my husband bought for me at various stages of our marriage.
Ha! Yes, I do seem to be rather preoccupied with hotel room trysts what with last week’s post and this 🙂
I see the Sexiest Scent similarly to you – more fuzzy warmth than hot and heavy.
I can totally see how the meaning behind the perfumes given to you by your husband would make them the most romantic.
Hey there Tara,
Romantic fragrances? Shalimar is the one whose romantic story grabs me.
What do i wear for romance? Vanille by MdO, Le Male by JPG and Jazz by YSL have all been good choices through the years. Interesting that they all have 3 letter contractions too.
Portia xx
Thanks for sharing the fragrances you’ve worn for romance over the years, Portia. I bet they bring back some fun memories 🙂
HA! Now that you mention it…….
😀
Hi Tara – long time no see ! We need to change that (in January latest 😀)
Well, thinking – but errr… no, I have no sexy scent. If I’d need one it would be Liz’ Salome 😉
The romatic one is Nabucco’s Amytis, with all that smooth Almond and Vanilla…
It’s good to know I will see you in January, if not before. Though it was great to meet up in Vienna over the summer.
I remember sniffing Amytis on you in London and though it’s not my kind of thing, it was SO good on your skin.
Three *is* a magic number isn’t it. From fairy tales, over religion and triptyques and dramatic developements, there’s something satisfying in 3. I’m not sure any of these are for me; Iso E, jasmine, orange flower and yuzu, even if you make them sound lovely none of them sound like my idea of romance.
I do love the names, as Lavanya points out, the whimsical of it is really what speaks to me.
Three is a magic number!
Yes, the names captivate me more too. Sleep Knot is clever and Pillow Talk really appealed to me. The Sexiest Scent is guaranteed to pique people’s interest too.