Smoky & Earthy

Harshness is the acrid, almost burning sensation you experience when inhaling smoke from a freshly extinguished candle—sharp, slightly metallic, with an underlying bitterness. Imagine the charred edges of burnt toast, the metallic tang of iron filings warming on a stove, combined with the peppery bite of black smoke curling through cold air. It's deliberately unpolished, confrontational even, lacking the smooth sweetness of other smoky notes. There's an almost medicinal quality, like antiseptic meeting ash.

Citrus

Italian bergamot smells like someone's just peeled a fresh orange in bright sunlight—but with a crucial twist. It's sweeter and more floral than regular citrus, almost creamy, with a subtle spiced edge underneath. There's a delicate bitterness too, like biting into the white pith of the fruit. Imagine honeyed sunshine with a whisper of jasmine and a peppery finish. It's citrus that feels luxurious rather than purely zesty—less "cleaning product," more "Italian Riviera morning."