Considered.
Then recommended.
A good recommendation has a story behind it.
Perfume profiles and similar scents
Our fragrance profiles distinguish the house’s published notes from our editorial interpretation. We identify the concentration and source, and show when the information was checked. A note pyramid is not a complete ingredient formula. Where a perfumer is not credited in the checked source, we say so.
Similar scents are starting points for discovery. We compare shared published notes, giving more weight to the heart and base and requiring at least two notes in common. The result is not a measured smell match or a promise of identical performance. Read how matching works.
Community snapshots
External community votes are attributed to their publisher and the date captured. They are not MASSO reviews, live polls or our own audience data. Vote totals can differ by question. We do not reuse them as our own aggregate-rating search markup.
Experience comes first
A review starts with documented personal use: who tried it, for how long, in what conditions and what changed their mind. We explain where a product works and where it falls short. We do not present an untested product as a personal recommendation.
Five stars, with context
Ratings are the reviewer’s judgment, supplied after use. They are not customer averages or paid placements. A high score does not mean a product is right for everyone.
Half-star ratings are available when the reviewer’s experience falls between two descriptions. Essays, guides and untested edits do not carry ratings.
Facts, clearly separated from opinion
Ingredients, specifications, brand claims and booking details are checked against primary sources when relevant. We identify those sources and date material updates. Prices and availability can change; the retailer is the source for the current offer.
Original photographs and illustrations
Real product photos document the product we used. Editorial or generated images are identified in captions. A generated image is never evidence that we tested a product or visited a place.
Commercial relationships
Affiliate links are disclosed near the recommendation. Gifts and paid partnerships are identified in the relevant story. Commission does not determine the verdict, and we do not sell a star rating.
Research and editorial tools
AI may assist with research, translation, structure and drafting. Personal experience comes from the reviewer, and the final story is checked against that account. Health-related stories describe personal experience rather than offering diagnosis or medical advice.