As a former low-maintenance-turned-high-maintenance girl, I never understood when people said they didn’t enjoy getting their nails done. For years, I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure on my birthday because it was an hour of relaxation—until I switched to hard gel and my nail salon appointments now last two hours or more. Suddenly, I dreaded picking out a polish color, sitting in a salon chair for hours on end, and the astringent scent throughout the salon, which is why I was so triggered and perplexed—yet admittedly intrigued—when Snif launched a nail-polish-scented perfume.
I know some people genuinely like the acetate scent, just as some enjoy the smell gasoline emits. But never did I think a brand would indulge the niche subset of customers who enjoy the scent of nail polish. Even more, never did I expect to enjoy the scent of Snif’s new Lychee Lacquer fragrance.
At the top of Lychee Lacquer is a nail polish accord (yes, really) that reads as slightly synthetic, glossy, and a bit sweet, mimicking the wetness of polish. To add to the sweetness is a lychee note, which emits an immediate fruitiness that masks an acetate-like note and makes it much more balanced than you’d expect. Airing out the nail polish accord are rose, jasmine, and vanilla, which add to the floral and sweet layers of the scent. Lastly, musk cuts through any astringent notes.
While the nail polish accord gives the scent a sharp, chemical-like edge, the musk keeps it translucent and airy. Quickly after I smell the nail polish accord, sweet lychee comes through, so it’s not completely overwhelming and, dare I say, addictive to whiff. Plus, there’s a powdery element that pares the lychee back. I don’t typically gravitate toward overly fruity scents, which I would categorize Lychee Lacquer as, but I think that the nail polish accord, when paired with the familiar musk, makes the juicy scent more wearable.
The scent bottles the best feelings of getting a manicure—feeling fresh, feminine, and glossy—without leaning too literal. If you’re on the fence, this is one scent you need to go sniff in person next time you’re beauty shopping (or on the way to the nail salon).