So, I wanted to talk about Penhaligon’s Luna today. It wasn’t some grand discovery, really. I think I first stumbled upon it browsing online, maybe saw a picture of the bottle, you know how it is. Looked nice, sounded interesting. Mythology, moon goddess, all that jazz. Didn’t rush out to buy it though.
First Sniff and Hesitation
Fast forward a bit, I was actually in a department store, killing time. Walked past the Penhaligon’s counter. Remembered the name, Luna. Thought, why not? So, I asked the lady there, gave the tester strip a sniff. First impression? Okay, nice. Clean. Very citrusy upfront, like a bright lemon, but softer, maybe some floral stuff behind it? Definitely different from the heavier, woodsy things I sometimes lean towards.
I didn’t buy it then and there. I’m funny like that. I need to let things sit. Sprayed a bit on my wrist, walked around the store for another hour. Sniffed it again. It changed a bit, got less sharp, more rounded. Still wasn’t totally convinced it was ‘me’. You know, sometimes you smell something nice, but it doesn’t feel right to wear? It was a bit like that.
Giving It a Real Go
But it stuck in my head. A few weeks later, I was looking for a gift for someone, ended up back at that counter. Saw Luna again. This time, I thought, okay, let’s actually give this a proper try. Got myself a small bottle. Not the big one, just in case.
Started wearing it occasionally. Mostly daytime. It felt like a sunny day scent, even if it’s named after the moon. It’s got this bright opening, like I said, lemon, maybe bergamot? Then some floral hints, maybe rose or jasmine, but very light, not overpowering. And there’s this clean, almost watery feel underneath. Juniper, I think they say? Smells a bit like a fancy gin and tonic without the booze, if that makes sense. Very crisp.
- Initial Use: Daytime, warmer weather.
- Feeling: Clean, bright, refreshing.
- Noticed: Doesn’t last incredibly long on me, maybe 4-5 hours tops. Becomes a soft skin scent.
Where It Fits In My Life
It’s funny how scents attach to memories. I wore Luna quite a bit during a period where I was trying to simplify things in my life. Decluttering the house, streamlining work projects. Everything felt a bit chaotic, and Luna felt… uncomplicated. Clean. It was like a mental reset button in a smell.
I remember one specific weekend, I’d spent all Saturday sorting through old paperwork, felt totally drained. Sunday morning, put on some Luna, went for a long walk just as the sun was properly up. Everything felt fresh and clear. The scent just seemed to fit that moment perfectly. It wasn’t making a loud statement. It was just… pleasant. Easy. Like it wasn’t trying too hard.
Sometimes you need those kinds of things, right? Not everything has to be complex or dramatic. That period of simplifying things, it actually helped me figure out some priorities. Maybe the scent was just a coincidence, but it’s tied to that feeling for me now.
Still Around?
So, do I still use it? Yeah, I do. It’s not my ‘signature scent’ or anything dramatic like that. It’s become my reliable choice for when I want something light, clean, and inoffensive. Good for work, good for casual weekends, good for when I just want to smell fresh without thinking too much.
It’s not the most unique smell on the planet, probably. Lots of citrusy florals out there. But it does what it does really well. It’s well-blended, smells natural, not synthetic or harsh. Just a solid, pleasant fragrance. It found its little niche on my shelf, and it’s likely staying there. Simple as that, really.
