Day 4’s Advent SOTD is an odd one: it is Monoscent G, from A Lab On Fire. It is literally a wearable version of a synthetic scent molecule, Galaxolide S, in a denatured alcohol solution. A Lab On Fire first launched it as a stand-alone fragrance in 2015 or 2016, then re-launched it in 2019 with different packaging and in a larger size. Galaxolide S is an IFF “captive molecule”, i.e. IFF created it and owns the rights to it (as well as the original Galaxolide). I really can’t explain it any better than A Lab On Fire‘s website:
BACKGROUND
The original Galaxolide® was discovered by IFF’s Dr. Beets in 1957. Trying to simulate the odor of Nitro-musks it took many years of research to get from an idea to a commercial ingredient. The resulting Galaxolide® proved to be an outstanding musk with a very good price performance ratio.FUN FACT
The 1990s launch of Trésor, which marked a turning point for the personalization of perfume, kickstarted galaxolide’s worldwide success.AN EVOLUTION OF THE EPONYMOUSLY NAMED SYNTHETIC MUSK
Introduced internally at IFF in 2007, the Galaxolide S molecule is an evolution the long-lasting and clean properties that made the original the most popular fragrance in the world. It boosts product quality by offering tremendous performance in all categories. Particularly in fragrance, it is able to fill out fragrances.
Interestingly, Fragrantica quotes a study as saying that about 3 in 10 people are anosmic to this molecule, i.e. they can’t smell it. I’m not one of those people, I can smell it on my wrist. Apparently it is used to add “bloom, lift, and longevity” to a wide range of fragrance accords.
I’m actually quite happy to try a sample of this, because I’ve been somewhat curious about these so-called molecular scents, but I’m afraid I don’t really get it. I’ll have to wave my wrist around my husband’s nose to see if 1) he can smell it, and 2) he perceives it as an appealing scent. I may also try layering it with something else, maybe one of the light Zara Emotions line, to see if it has any effect.
Have you tried any of the scents that are basically a captive molecule in solution? What do you think of them?
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
I bet layering that would enhance a lot of your other perfumes. I have tried Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume (Cetalox, but I’ve also read that it’s not actually a single-molecule fragrance) and Molecule 04 (Javanol) – these are all larger molecules that have some complexity of their own so could work as a minimalist fragrance. But if I’m going to do that, it’s probably much more economical to buy the molecules and dilute them. 😉
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I’ve never tried any of the “Molecules” line or any other single molecule that I know of. Perfumery is my hobby & is in appreciation of the art & beauty of the whole composition. Smelling individual notes might spoil the magic for me
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That’s interesting. Sounds similar to D.S. & Durga’s Debaser, that I have used as a base layer for some other fragrances. I love Debaser alone, too.
My SOTD is Teo Cabanel’s Alahine. I love this one so much. It’s swoonworthy for me. I’m wearing it while burning my Cire Trudon Bayonne Christmas candle. A match truly made in heaven!
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It sounds like it! What does the Christmas candle smell like?
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I was absorbed in ScentXPlore and eBay selling yesterday so I’m late responding. Sorry! The candle is beautiful. I was afraid it would be too sweet since it has a chocolate note, but it is amazing. It smells very woody, with notes cedar, pine, resins, some incense and a dark dry chocolate note. Everything blends perfectly. The chocolate smells woody and it works wonderfully. I want to know the perfumer behind the Cire Trudon candles because whoever the perfumer is, they do a wonderful job of blending all the notes and it’s clear they use top quality ingredients.
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Sounds great! BTW, what is your eBay name? Some here might want to investigate!
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I sell on eBay under the seller name rebarco, similar to my handle here. I do have a couple of perfumes listed and I may have some samples listed later on in the week. I’m mostly selling some of my fashion doll collection. I do love my mini couture ladies and gents, but there are too many of them. I now have grandchildren who may want them, but I think they will want only a few, so some are being re-homed.
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I’m sure they will find loving homes with people who will cherish them! Collecting is fun.
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I can’t really smell JHAG Not a Perfume, so I never had any interest in the molecule type perfumes. My current SOTD is SJP Stash – which is my good luck scent for my son’s football team (it worked – they won and will play in the PA state championship next Saturday.) When I get home I’ll be spraying my Advent Calendar perfume which turned out to be Pharrell Williams Girl.
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Hurray for your son — and SJP Stash! I wish him and his team the best of luck!
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