Product Review: Harajuku Lovers' fragrances

If you're under 30, no explanation is required. However for those over 30, and for those who've been living under a rock the past few years, then here's a quick low-down for you. Gwen Stefani, formerly/presently of 90s ska band No Doubt, created the quirky fashion line christened Harajuku Lovers, in 2005 after being inspired by Japanese street fashions on her first visit to the fashion-forward nation. The line is geared towards Stefani's younger fans and features affordable clothing and accessory lines. Recently Harajuku Lovers came out with a series of 5 unique scents, each named and based upon a different personality in the "band." As a whole, these scents are totally affordable at $25-45 and each come in the most adorable packaging I've ever seen! The scents last all day, to the point where I would almost recommend not spraying the scent directly onto skin. My favourite scents were Love and Music for their light, refreshing scent. I tend to like clean, pure smells and these two fit the bill. However, don't just take my word on it, I also conducted a totally informal survey of those around me by shoving samples into their faces! The results, in order of popularity, are:

Music: a not so delicate floral with a hint of citrus

• Top notes: pear, clementine
• Mid: sweet pea, jasmine sambac, honeysuckle
• Base: sleek woods, vanilla, skin musk
• Comments: "A good light scent" (Male, undisclosed), "Slightly citrusy and you can kinda smell the alcohol in it" (Female, 23)
  

Love: a light, fresh, floral scent for the girlies

• Top notes: pink pomelo, bergamot, and bamboo leaf mist
• Mid: rose, watery peony, and Egyptian jasmine
• Base: creamy vanilla orchid, sensual musk, and blond wood
• Comments: "Fresh and flowery" (female, 50+)
  

Lil Angel: spicy innocence ripe with fruity freshness

• Top notes: pineapple, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry
• Mid: candied violet, pear blossom, sugared rose
• Base: lollipopa coord, hinoki wood, crystal amber
• Comments: "Too sweet" (female, 38)

G: tropical passion for the go-get-em types

• Top notes: coconut, mandarin, apple
• Mid: jasmine sambac, freesia, magnolia
• Base: cotton woods, coconut cream, white sandalwood
• Comments: "Too flowery" (female, 35), "Tropical in a good way, not like sunscreen" (female, 24)

Baby: a powdery musk for the sweet romantics

• Top notes: white rose, bergamot, freesia
• Mid: orange flower, tiare flower, jasmine petals
• Base: white musk, soft woods, vanilla, violet
• Comments: "I don't like vanilla, so this smells musty and cloying" (female, 50), *cough*!! (male), "Too stinky" (female, 38)
  

Whatever your tastes, there is sure to be a Harajuku Girl for you, so get yours today!


Love or hate? Share your thoughts on these funky new scents in the comments!

Got a product you want me to try? I'm your personal beauty product guinea pig! Email me with your review ideas at mizzjblog at gmail.com!