We tested to see if it repels as well as it smells.
There ’s nothing particularly queasy about the smell of citronella — fresh , citrusy , nostalgic — but I would n’t go as far as to say I want it as my touch scent . When embracing the call of the wild ( or aNew York City summer ) , no one really wants to give off an olfactory perception of artificial repellant . So when I see that there was an all - natural hemipterous insect spray perfume on the market , bottle in a voguish subway system comparable to that of Byredo or D.S. & Durga , I swallowed my trendy promotional material skepticism and decided to give it a try .
The Buzzrepels insects using a proprietary portmanteau of all rude of the essence oils , which also tout anti - itch and anti - inflammatory holding . It ’s free of DEET — the chemical substance name for the ingredient widely used inbug repellant , which has been associate with all sort of nasty reactions , like skin irritation and gastrointestinal yield — as well as parabens , phthalates , sulphate , silicones , petrochemical , dyestuff , and cheap fillers . Founder Lisa Jean Walsh developed the production after move from NYC to insect - favoriteCharlestonin 2019 , where she discovered that her two untried sons were hypersensitized to mosquito bite . She want a deluxe repellant that she could use herself , too . She team up with theSouth Carolina Native Plant Societyto wildcraft her botanicals , coining her brash tagline , “ Eau de Buzz . ”
Each of The Buzz ’s scents are cheer by the odour of various , cheery locus — from Nantucket to St. Barths — and I got my hands on the best - vendor , Charleston , which has notes of citrus tree , peony , and jasmine . It transport me to a sunlit , body politic kitchen , the kind that inevitably check gravid bowls of lemons . Upon my first spritz , I was like a shot impressed with the strength of the perfume , as well as the formulation . Though it ’s a nebuliser , it has somewhat of an oil - corresponding eubstance , proffer a moisturizing quality . After trying it on , I coolly stuff my wrist under my roommate ’s nose , prompting her to smell my new fragrance . She , a smell aficionado , responded , “ Wow , I lovethat . ” Only after did I tell her it was also bug spray .
Photo courtesy of The Buzz
As for whether or not the mathematical product works , I ’ve worn it consistently for the retiring few calendar month , on the streets of New York as well as various northeastern beaches , and can report that I have n’t felt a single bite all summer . correlational statistics does not involve causation , but it ’s deserving noting that the perfume has some real staying magnate , lasting from four to six hours . This is what everyone need in a aroma , but since it also function as a hemipterous insect spray , this means you ’ll ( theoretically ) be protected for hours on conclusion without having to reapply . That being tell , I ’d be curious to see how the bougie repellant would fare in more cracked environments , like the Lowcountry .
The Buzz retails for $ 65 , a terms I would say accurately reflect the timber . I can imagine the product being particularly handy at a summertime wedding , where you ’re outdoors but do n’t want to deflower your fancy getup . Because the spray is made with all - natural component , you may spray it directly on your clothes , too . The Buzz also hold some other products , like a unisex fragrance , body oil color , and standalone louse repellant , as well as some travel - sized choice . no matter of whether or not the product has the power to guard aside the peskiest of tent-fly , you’re able to at least be insure that it will stand proudly amongst the other top dogs on your fragrance tray .
Photo courtesy of The Buzz
