Kristina Kybartaite has been into perfumes since early childhood, and even at a very young age had a small drugstore perfume collection. Around ten years ago, she began diving deeper into perfumery – learning the history, studying the notes, reading about perfumers, and smelling new things every day. She started talking about perfumes non-stop at work, and as a natural progression from that created an Instagram account dedicated to perfume. As her account took off, she began writing about fragrances for the biggest news website in Lithuania, and later founded a website specifically dedicated to perfume news – PlezuroMag. Now she continues telling scented stories on social media and on her website. Kristina also works in the fragrance industry as a communication and PR specialist. One thing is certain – perfume is her life.
Instagram: @kristinakii.scents
TikTok: @kristina.kii
Website: www.plezuromag.com
Author and photos: Kristina Kybartaite
I still vividly remember my first encounter with Sarah Baker and her perfumes – it was a few years ago at the perfume expo, Esxence. Even though the fair was considerably smaller than it has been in recent years, there were still hundreds of brands presented, yet the perfumes from Sarah Baker managed to stand out to me. They are all very unique (I know this word is overused lately, but it really describes the perfumes best) and they offer a challenge to an industry that has been flooded, lately, with copy-and-paste creations. How I loved the idea of scripts written for every perfume too!
The scents themselves are thought-provoking, artistic, and tell stories – and yet are very wearable. They make you pause and immerse yourself in a fragrant journey, turning the perfume into an experience from the very first second it touches your skin, lingering and evolving for hours. Just when you think you’ve figured out a perfume, it smiles mischievously and reveals yet another facet. This playfulness and unexpectedness is exactly what draws me so strongly to these creations.
Choosing a favorite was a challenge. I’ve spent quite a lot of time with Rococo Pie, a delicious powdery take on gourmand perfumes. But recently, a strong contender arrived – Velvet Vendetta. From the first sniff I was fascinated, and the more I wore it, the more I fell in love. It’s warm and sweet, and I’ve been wearing it a lot now that the weather is getting chilly. So for the moment, I have to go with Velvet Vendetta as my favorite.
Vanilla perfumes have been my soft spot for the longest time, and I’ve smelled tens, if not hundreds, of them throughout my career as a fragrance lover. Just when I thought vanilla was done and nothing new could be created, Velvet Vendetta proved me wrong. Never have I smelled vanilla like this!
The scent opens with smoky gunpowder blended with the sweetness of dried fruits. It immediately has that surprise factor that awakens your curiosity. Just when you might think the fragrance could be too dark or smoky, it’s sweetened with Bourbon vanilla and a touch of boozy warmth. Yet it never becomes too sweet, thanks to the sour nuance of the imaginary black olive note.
The fragrance keeps teasing with smoky tobacco, then sweetness again. I pick up something suede-like and leathery, and then the deep, resinous, velvety vanilla returns. But it never stops being warm and enveloping, and that’s what I truly appreciate.
