SASHA SPIELBERG IS STUCK IN [PERFUME] TIME.

Sasha's perfumes of the moment.

Sasha Spielberg, A.K.A ‘Buzzy Lee,’ is an LA-based musician and artist known for her dreamy vocals and introspective lyrics. Last year she toured with and opened for HAIM, and currently, she’s working on finishing her 3rd album.

Sasha and I originally spoke in late 2021, on episode 30 of Perfume Room. This past week, I reshared that episode. Now, two and half years later, Sasha is back on The Other Room to share what she’s been up to, what she’s smelling, and what she smells like. Enjoy! xx Emma

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Sasha, since we last spoke, what’s been going on for you (personally, professionally, and/or perfumely)?: 

Let’s start with perfumely seeing as how this is Perfume Room.  Perfumely, I recently went full manic; full Srebecca on Fragrantica loop, obsessing over the idea of finding a new perfume for the first time in four years. I’ve been ordering Luckyscent samples, reading reviews on Fragrantica AND Reddit AND Tik Tok, going to ScentBar like once a week, shoving my wrists in friends’ noses asking, “DO YOU LIKE THIS?” and making acquaintances hug me so I can follow up with, “CAN YOU SMELL IT? IS IT GOOD?” AND frantically emailing Steven Gontarski. You were also on the receiving end of these texts. A three-month-long search for my new favorite scent.  Did I find it? Read to the end to find out.

Professionally, I’m almost done with recording LP3; I’m still writing movies, still painting pets. 

Personally, I’m still so in love with Harry my husband. My love for him has only grown since the last episode, which I didn’t even know was possible.  He’s a perfect perfume review: enormous sillage (he’s in my thoughts when he leaves and enters a room), and eternal longevity.

Is srebecca still thriving on Fragrantica? What’s she loving right now?

Srebecca no longer comments, but is obsessed with the divisiveness of Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder and constantly reads the reviews for it. 

Are you still doing 3-month perfume rotations? Who’s the current scent of the moment?

The current scent is still Sophia layered with Elisabeth, both from by 1509. As I mentioned, I went on the hunt for my next scent. I bought Jovoy Musc Pallas; it reminded me of Madame Bovary and I wore it out, but didn’t receive any compliments (even after the forcing my wrist on various noses). I am a validation addict and I need to be stopped and asked what I’m wearing. This is why I just keep coming back to 1509 Sophia and Elisabeth. I don’t know if I’ll ever abandon them. I won’t abandon them.

Most memorable scent(s) you’ve smelled of late?

I really get sucked into Sayat Nova by Bortnikoff; it’s a boozy apricot that I love dearly and I’m always amazed by its seduction. (Also, boozy + apricot is the wildest combination to me.) I recently smelled the purest honeysuckle which I hear is very impossible to achieve in a perfume: Caswell-Massey Honeysuckle. I love the bottle too. Unfortunately it doesn’t last very long on me. And lastly, hear me out, I was floored by Phlur Missing Person.  I didn’t even get it from Tik Tok! My very sophisticated nose of a friend sprayed it on me, and I was in love. Still am. Sorry!

Are there any perfumes really blowing up right now that you just can’t get on board with?

Blanche Bete. On me personally it’s extremely bland and I really want to understand the appeal! Also, any mint scent. I just… I don’t know, it’s all Listerine on me. Oh, and Narco Oasis by Narcotica; I wish it smelled on me how it does on other people!

Any that are currently under the radar we oughta know?

Jovoy Musc Pallas I guess, is that under the radar? [EDITOR’S NOTE – I still think so!] Regime Des Fleurs Toor Toor on my bff Emily Goldwyn is beautiful. On me, it’s fine. On you it may be glorious. 

Have you smelled any ‘fumes out in the wild that were so good you had to inquire?

Byredo De Los Santos. I can’t believe how incredible it smells. I have yet to personally try it though. Also anytime someone’s wearing Neroli I always find myself asking about it (which is unfortunate because Neroli sits weird on my skin).

Last full bottle purchase (for you or someone else)?

Bought my mom Vanilla Powder. She adores it. I did warn her that it’s extremely divisive, but she didn’t care because she loves it and that’s when I knew I didn’t inherit people pleasing from my mom. 

Take us through some of your [perfume] picks for different life moments below:

WEDDING GUEST: 1509 Sasha —  the scent she made for me and my wedding guests!! In Sophia’s words, “It’s light with a hint of gardenia, lukewarm tuberose, garden-preserved jasmine created in Topanga, white musk, and a purified neroli refined with powder.”

WEEKEND STROLL: Caswell-Massey Honeysuckle, Rogue Jasmin Antique, or Nishane Tuberoza

SPECIAL OCCASION: Because of my three to six month [perfume] rule, I can only wear my wedding scent once a year on our anniversary. But I also wore it on New Year’s. Oops. 

BEDTIME: Okay I think I mentioned it before but my FAVORITE bedtime pastime is to wear Versace Bright Crystal, Twilly D’Hermes or Dior Addict Eau Fraiche and get under the covers and feel like I’m in bed with someone else—someone cooler than me; probably a smoker, probably British. I used to drench myself in airport Duty Free perfumes to become someone else (though I’ve stopped since meeting Harry as I don’t want him to wake up and think he cheated on me with… me.)

FOCUS: 1509 Sophia scent when I must not have distractions. Here’s the saddest thing: I can’t even smell it on myself. (I guess it’s for everyone else and I’m just really…selfless?) There are few times though, like maybe once a week, where I am able to smell it just as I did the first time I ever put it on. And I’m home! 

A NIGHT OUT: Jovoy Musc Pallas

A NIGHT IN: Matiere Premiere Neroli Oranger. Even though I just mentioned how HORRIBLE Neroli smells on me, I think this one isn’t HORRIBLE and is actually quite nice. I’d wear it for a night in because it’s not outstanding/showstopper-y on me. So I’d just subject my husband to it, who said VERY CLEARLY on May 14 2022 “till death do us part,” so he better love me in a neroli!

The people need to know: did you ultimately find your new signature?

In closing, no, I didn’t find my next scent. I got very close with Phlur, but then I missed 1509. It almost happened with Musc Pallas…but then I missed 1509.

I believe this is what we call *finding a signature scent and not being able to time travel past fall 2020.*

You can listen to Sasha’s original Perfume Room interview here.

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