Sunshine & Pancakes 4160 Tuesdays for women and men

Not a sweet gourmand, nor a photorealistic one, Sunshine and Pancakes is more impressionistic--I think of it as a sandalwood perfume first. Imagine a sunny breakfast scene with the emphasis on a freshly polished table--and the scent of lemony/orangey/waxy polish, like Orange Glow--on which rests the titular breakfast items. The window is open, there is a breeze, and you only catch little whiffs of pancake batter and zesty citrus. At least this is how I experience this perfume.

I really appreciate that this perfume doesn't charge straight into the land of Big Vanilla. I love me some vanilla, but I have so much already (if I really want vanilla, I'll wear my Bois 1920 or my SDV, you know?) and it's not like there isn't enough out there; I think a significant percentage of new launches are still (sigh) vanillas. It's not even a straightforward vanilla-orange, of which there are also soooo many out there already. The clever, kind of savory sandalwood angle provides its unique personality. I recognize this compositional move from Tart's Knicker Drawer, where Sarah McCartney takes a similarly familiar accord (in this case a powdery makeup violet/rose) and adds a deliberate twist of wood, including just enough cedar to give some aromatics. It's kind of her thing.

If I were Luca Turin, I would take this moment to point out how wonderful it is that we now have citrus accords that last, and last, as this one does-the orange seems to get juicier the longer I wear it. I also appreciate its clever placement in the composition, as the citrus disguises any metallic facets there might be in woody ambers in the sandal base. S & P really is a fun perfume to wear, very much in keeping with this house's aesthetic and attitude.

Has a really nice drydown; might get a full bottle...

Looking for a full bottle of this...swap anyone??

I really don't enjoy the opening of this. The "lemon" note is very bitter, almost galbanum-like. A reviewer down below likened it to the Indian condiment lime pickle, and I think that's a great description for it.

After about half an hour it thankfully fades into the ensemble, and the jasmine and rosewood shift to the front of the stage. There's a touch of honey, but it's a tiny drop to just sweeten the mix. The sandalwood is also in there, adding some creaminess to the mix.

This was an expensive blind buy for me, and I don't like it like I thought I would. (Mrs Gloss and the Goss is my #1 scent from 4160 Tuesdays, but was out of stock, so I thought I would take a chance and try something new!)

Is it unfair to be disappointed that a fragrance doesn't live up to its name? I'm glad I read the reviews before getting a sample, but I'm still a little sad this isn't a full on fluffy pancake and syrup affair. It's mainly like lemon and honey in hot water, with a bit of creamy woodiness and/or musk beneath it all, very slight and barely there within a few hours. I'm eager for more depth; I'll apply more heavily next time.

Ah, this is a miss for me. It's a pleasant 'cleaner' fragrance, bright and citrusy without being harsh, overwhelming or boring. It's bitter and tart. Smells like a clean kitchen. Even if it's not tasteless, it's not my taste. 5/10

No luck on this one. I don't know why I got a bad eccentric vinegar in the opening, I just couldn't get past it and wait to smell it dry down.

Perfumer really need to be careful when choosing a name. I was expect something more full body gourmand. There is a bit of spice and sweetness but it’s hidden by a crispy lemon. More like a cleaned diner after brunch.

More sunshine than pancakes on me. I was hoping for a gourmand fragrance - I just want to smell like breakfast food, for those days when nothing is going right - but, alas, this was not what I was hoping for. On me, it smelled like citrus. Not freshly peeled, not lemonade, this is window cleaner citrus. That said, I feel I should add that I went into this sample blind. I usually try to do that so I can have a more personal reaction to the fragrance. The review by 4160 Tuesdays below has illuminated some of the fragrance to me, so I can appreciate it at an aesthetic level even if it isn't concordant with my American preference for sweet, fluffy pancakes :)

Just put on my Luckyscent sample...a HUGE rush of familiarity. What is it???

Aveda Shampure. Straight up.

I've always liked the smell of Shampure. I even have a oil blend from Aveda that has the same smell.

If you love this scent...then here you go!

EDIT: Layering Sensi on top makes this heavenly!

super nice;)

It being the third warm day in a row, I am continuing my themed perfume reviews. As I live in England (and we had snow here less than four weeks ago), I feel obliged to maintain and confirm the stereotype that all Brits talk about the weather all the time. It is even warmer today (upper 20s), so I can guarantee that we'll be complaining about the heat in a day or so and there'll be a hosepipe ban in East Anglia by the end of April.

So - Sunshine and Pancakes: I will echo Kmam (two reviews below); this is a "summer go-to" for me, too. It's not summer, but it's hot enough to be summer (see what I did there?), so I'm wearing it today.

Pancakes are traditionally served with lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar in England, so it makes sense that, on first spraying, there's a burst of lemon citrussy goodness - the juice, that is. I can smell orange too, but it's more like the slightly oily residue which remains on your skin, after you've rolled the orange between your hands, to loosen the skin from the pulp.

Sometimes honey can be a little urinous on my cool skin, but this doesn't happen when I'm warm. So I have a delightful honey note coming to the fore (it's especially evident if I breathe warm air onto my skin and inhale immediately), after my lemon and orange have retreated a little. This adds a little sweetness to SaP; jasmine may be contributing a little floral sweetness too, but I can't smell flowers at all. I love the smell of jasmine, but it can overwhelm other notes - great if you want a soliflore, not so much if you want something more complex.

On drydown, there is a creaminess to SaP, which I attribute to a combination of sandalwood, vanilla and benzoin. I feel this creaminess is the sole contribution of vanilla, though; this is not a cupcake vanilla. To be honest, I wouldn't have thought vanilla was in SaP, if I hadn't looked at the pyramid. I can't pick out sandalwood either, which I normally find very distinctive.

Sillage borders soft/moderate and longevity is also moderate.

I don't ascribe to gender assignation in perfumery, but SaP can easily be worn by anyone - it's truly a unisex perfume and a lovely choice for a warm, sunny day.

Sunshine & Pancakes to me has a strange tobacco feel to it, with intense lemon. Then there's a lovely vanilla/ sandalwood creaminess. Having only really smelt rosewood in certain things, I only really was able to detect that after realising the notes on Fragrantica. Honeyed orange rind and a dusting of sugar. The oils of orange and lemon just make this feel like peeling the two fruits and getting some of that oil spritzed into your face... softly. Very, very beautiful. Concept fragrance in a modern classical style.

This is a summer go-to for me. It opens with fresh lemon but within minutes starts to open up with smooth honey and vanilla. There's an earthy, almost dark scent that runs underneath for a while before the drydown - this is my favourite part. It lasts for quite a while (even the citrus in it does, which is a treat for a citrus scent) and stays quite close to the skin, which I like.

Refreshing and comforting.

One of my very favourites from 4160 Tuesdays. It is such a happy fragrance. It smells like a lazy Sunday morning in spring - a bunch of cheerful daffodils on the table and pancakes with lemon and a touch of sugar for breakfast. It makes me think of the happiest days of my childhood and also times with my daughter - particularly the warm skin accord of sandalwood and jasmine. Whenever I wear it, she says I smell beautiful! I find it lasts very well on my skin. It's a truly idiosyncratic and very British feeling fragrance, I can't think of anything else quite like it.

This is a wonderfully feel-good, golden fragrance that starts with a big hit of candied lemon peel, but rapidly dries down to honey, rosewood and a much gentler sherbet lemon.


Its unusual in that it doesn't feel like a typical 'summer fresh' citrus, but also manages to steer away from that ghastly syrupy interpretation of lemon.

The longer term dry down develops with a slightly salty edge on me and smells like the end of a glorious day at the beach - expensive sun tan lotion and sunshine-warmed skin.

Projection is very light after the initial citrus blast, longevity is good.

I like to wear this in the colder months as it transports me from dreary grey London to sunny climes and golden sands. Lush.

A perfume with an amazing energy ...! The strong note of early lemon soon calms down and evolves into something soft and comfortable. Remember a summer start, carefree days.. The drydown i love, the rosewood highlights the other notes ... I like it! Not bad.

Sillage: 6/10
Longevity: 7./10
Scent: 7.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

For me, this is the one that should have been called What I Did On My Holidays. A difficult opening - like most from this house on my skin - that is a little sharp and overly lemoney. But then it dries down into a warm, ozonic smell of a sunny day at the beach with possibly a little hint of gin and lemon in there. A scent to make you smile. Sadly, it doesn't last that long on my skin so I need to frequently re-apply.

For me, this is the one that should have been called What I Did On My Holidays. A difficult opening - like most from this house on my skin - that is a little sharp and overly lemoney. But then it dries down into a warm, ozonic smell of a sunny day at the beach with possibly a little hint of gin and lemon in there. A scent to make you smile. Sadly, it doesn't last that long on my skin so I need to frequently re-apply.

This fragrance smells exactly like pancakes, which then fades to something like what I imagine 'yellow flowers' (I could not say which flowers, precisely) should smell like. It does not last particularly well, and I don't think anybody else could smell it (thank goodness). I am very glad I only bought a sample.

This one was just about the most wearable in a tester set called 'Fresh Outdoors', though I may give Flora Psychedelica another try.

They say you should always go to bed in a good mood, so whenever it's time to hit the sheets- i wear this. On my skin it's a burst of sugary lemon that makes me think of summers spent by the beach and cold glasses of lemonade. Then i get notes of orange and a cute swirl of honey and vanilla drizzled on top. The sandalwood comes in an hour after the fragrance has settled and sort of brings everyone together- kinda like a big group hug. If you like lemon or fragrances that are happy and optimistic- then i highly recommend this

The lemon is very strong, sour and artificial. It smells like washing-up liquid on me and I don't want to smell like a cleaning lady. Thankfully it was just a sample.

Was impressed initially, but have gone of this totally, it just smells like a candy floss which has been burnt.

Not surprisingly the citron notes hit you first but its not really sharp but there is a real kick which think might also come from the rosewood. That quickly fades and then its all delicious honey and vanilla. I can detect the musk, rosewood and sandalwood holding everything beautifully together. The woods giving this fragrance depth. Please dont think this is a sickly sweet fragrance. Its warm, like a big hug. I think of comfort food and going for a walk on a sunshiney crisp autumn or spring day. I love it. Moderate sillage and longevity.

Going by the description and the reviews, I was expecting this to be a potent lemon scent. I was surprised to find that on my skin, it's a lovely warm sandalwood hug.

There's a burst of honeyed lemon that lingers throughout, but I find it to be subtle. The sandalwood is what's most prominent on me. It was a lovely surprise because I love the smell of sandalwood, but it's becoming a rarity to find a perfume that goes all out with it. Many species of Sandalwood trees are now endangered (thanks to our love of the smell) so I really shouldn't complain about it not being used so often.

Although I'd happily wear this in spring/summer, I feel it's well suited to colder months too because on me, it's very warm.

The dry down is a gorgeous, deep and creamy vanilla with a whisp of muskiness.

I got a sample of this from the site (they sell very generous samples),and I'll definitely be getting a full bottle soon.

What I Did On My Holidays is my favourite from this house, but I think Sunshine & Pancakes could fight it for the top spot.

Soft sillage (from a sample bottle, I haven't sprayed it) and amazing longevity. I get at least 10 hours from a couple of dabs.

This is the first 4160 Tuesdays scent that I haven't instantly disliked. That said, I won't be rushing to buy a bottle any time soon.

Sunshine & Pancakes is an interesting take on the idea of a freshly made, English pancake, which, as others have noted, is traditionally served with a generous dose of lemon juice and sometimes a sprinkling of sugar. I can understand the concept - a super fresh, overpowering citrus opening, followed by the woody notes to mimic the earthier smell of dough, and then the sweeter notes.

However, the overall impression is still a bit thin, somehow, and for a while I racked my brains to figure out which perfume this was a paler version of. Then it came to me: the drydown is similar to Eau de Shalimar's, which I already have and is way better. Back to the drawing board with this house...

This smells like a freshly snapped Thai Basil leaf on my skin at the opening. Weird, not at all what I was expecting! (Must be mix of lemon + palisander?)

Lots of lemon, indeed... I get a lot of fresh citrus with a slight hint of maple in the drydown...
Here in the US, I suppose we're accustomed to thick batter pancakes with lots of butter and a heady maple syrup, so this one threw me for a loop...

I find the notes to overlap rather than a seamless symphony, but very identifiable.... I get the lemon for sunshine and the maple for pancakes...

I believe this is one to truly experience for yourself.

Hello, I'd like to declare that I made it. I don't enjoy stating "notes" because I hardly ever meet anyone who agrees what mine smell of. I can state what I put in, but what your brain detects is based on your own experience.
But I do it because I get asked and as I don't do focus groups or the like, I just say what I put in.

I've learned that British pancakes are very different from US ones. For starters there's no sugar in the batter, and we squeeze fresh lemon juice on them. Does that help to explain?

How do you capture sunshine? I went for its effect on my skin. The name came from a request for a scent to make someone I know happy by reminding her of summer at the British beach. She likes it. It's great if other people like it too. It has the name she gave it. So what I was after is the smell of warm skin at the end of the day at the seaside. I make that with Atlas sandalwood, which I find to be very animalic and smooth with sharp edges. I'm thinking that it's probably this plus jasmine which is the decider. If you don't like that heart accord it might make you feel uncomfortable. If you embrace it's slight dirtiness, then I think that might be what tips the scales in its favour. As well as lemon, there's quite a lot of orange. I didn't put caraway or cumin in it. :-)

I'm always interested to read what others think, and I worry that the name might have mislead some of you. That's why I write up the story on the website. Anyway, I hope this helps.

I've Kinda warmed to 4160 Tuesday's after being very cynical at first about the name of the house and some of the creations.
Well...actually...the quirk factor has drawn me in to try more and what other place to start than sunshine and pancakes.

This to me opens with a very strong lime zest and curry smell similar to some caraway or cumin?
I'm so surprised that those notes are not listed because they are so apparent, positively pungent in the opening. This bizarre to me.

I don't know about pancakes but S&P reminded me straight away of LIME PICKLE! That's right the condiment you get in curry houses with your poppadoms! As it dries down it becomes less invasive and quite close to the skin retaining some citrus but not impressive enough at this price point.

Just to give some insight into my reviews I write them in lots of different ways. This one was one I wrote in draft form a while back and then re-wrote now. I sometimes write a review over time after sampling heavily, sometimes I don't need to.
Sunshine and pancakes is so out of wack I think I need to resample it incase there's been some huge mistake.

UK frag members are on a 4160 bender at the moment.. the second review for Sunshine and Pancakes today. Out of Sarah's two holiday inspired fragrances I'd have to say "What I did on my holidays" is my favourite. It's all mint rock, ice cream, sea breeze, and lotion. It's a Great Yarmouth special. It should be in the database... but I digress. I have an 8ml of S&P, and I was forced to pour it into a decant bottle to spray it for full effect. It is a little bitter on contact. It's the feeling of pith. When you squeeze the lemon on your hot pancake over the sugar, it's not the exact smell but the impression. It mellows nicely into a honeyed orange which is lovely, and the last little bit is a slightly soapy orange cream... trouble is by the time I get to that point I'm aching to respray so I can enjoy the holiday over again. Like a lot of Sarah's creations it's a bit of my own life experience in a bottle.

I'm not very good at writing reviews but I did want to say that I find this to be a lovely scent!

I find the lemon to be refreshing but not sharp and perfectly suited to the cooler summer day that we so often get in the UK. the sweet floral/woody/honey/vanilla drydown is so lovely, I've been getting gentle wafts of it throughout the day.

the note that accompanied my samples says: "in perfumers' terms, Sunshine & Pancakes is an Oriental fragrance, with a benzoin & vanilla base, soft but not that sweet. But is doesn't smell the slightest bit eastern. Oh no. Sunshine & Pancakes is the scent of the end of the day on a British beach, when you're packing packing up the buckets & spades and walking to the pancake shop. It has a heart of rosewood, Australian sandalwood & sacred jasmine, to capture the scent of warm skin. The the pancakes: lemon & orange and real honey absolute for a fresh, tasty top note that makes you lick your lips"

I love to support new perfume houses, but this fragrance is totally not to my taste. The citruses smell very bitter and almost like moldy rotten citrus on my skin. I don't get anything sweet. The very dominant scent on my skin is an overwhelming anise note with some caraway in the background. It reminds me of a medicine they used to give children for stomachaches called paregoric- it smelled just like this- lots of bitterness and anise notes with no sunshine or pancakes anywhere to be found!

I forced myself to wear this for some hours and the anise note and the awful bitterness finally began to fade but there was nothing left- it was like I was wearing absolutely nothing on my skin.

This is a beautiful light scent just made for a hot sunny day.

This opens with lemon, vanilla and honey and a slight, faint almost woody note, albeit an incredibly gentle one. Despite the lemon vanilla and honey this does not smell to me a gourmand fragrance at all. The jasmine here is very gentle and clean.
The lemon is very light and not at all overpowering, I really like here how lemon can be a dominant note and yet also so gentle.

I am repeatedly finding that 4160 Tuesdays are deceptive - they appear, at first glance at the notes and at first sniff, to be very simple...they aren't.
These notes are played with and constructed in such a way as to seem almost effortless, as if Of COURSE these notes are together! What else?!
Yet the apparent simplicity is done with such care and skill that a concept and notes list that could have been a screeching cloying disaster instead manages to smell like clean skin after a day at the beach in the sun.

This is very much a skin scent. I have read reviews before where people say "this smells like skin, only better", well now I get it. This really does smell like my skin after being in the sun, just better! Cleaner! It is lovely.
You could possibly enhance longevity and projection by layering with a simple but warm amber or salty amber - it would become more sultry but would work well I think.

Overall this is a lovely scent, not one to shout to the crowds, one to wear for yourself, inhale, and be enveloped in beautiful sunshine*.

*and pancakes??! If these are pancakes they are those little small round ones that you can make or can buy in a pack of 6 to put in the toaster and spread with butter

ETA - mine is from a dab on sample bottle not spray, so spraying may increase sillage. Might decant my sample into a spray bottle to try.

I love the name!