The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Claire Baxter conceived Dear Maria, Count Me In in Sixteen92's Fort Worth studio as part of the Summer 2025 Mix Tape collection. Named after the beloved emo-pop punk anthem, the fragrance translates youthful musical energy into olfactory form through an unconventional structure. Rather than following traditional fragrance architecture, Baxter chose to eliminate the opening phase entirely, moving directly from application into the heart. The perfumer recognized that a green, aromatic narrative honoring pop-punk sensibilities demanded immediacy and authenticity over polite sequential reveal.
Baxter's choice to center Dear Maria, Count Me In on tomato, mint, and green notes reflects the Mix Tape collection's playful yet sincere approach to fragrance creation. The pairing of tomato with mint is deliberately unconventional, echoing the genre-blending nature of its musical name sake. Woody notes ground what could become an overly vegetal composition, while musk ensures wearability. The structure asks wearers to embrace immediacy, to accept a fragrance that does not politely apologize with a gentle opening before revealing its character.
The evolution
The experience begins the moment the bottle opens, with no hesitation or preamble. Tomato vine and green notes arrive simultaneously with mint, creating an immediate impression of crushed garden herbs and sun-warmed vegetation. As the wearer moves through the first hours, the woody notes subtly reinforce structure while musk adds human warmth. This is not a fragrance that evolves dramatically from phase to phase; instead, it maintains its aromatic heart character, with the green notes gradually softening while woody and musky elements become more perceptible against the skin.
Cultural impact
Part of the Summer 2025 Mix Tape collection, Dear Maria, Count Me In channels the nostalgic energy of emo and pop ‑punk anthems, resonating with a younger, rebellious crowd. Wearers describe it as a garden‑fresh soundtrack for summer afternoons, bridging niche storytelling with a fresh, youthful vibe that stands out among Sixteen92’s darker catalog.
