Slut Aaron Terence Hughes 2019

Whoa! So here it is, one of the first creations by Aaron Terrance Hughes. Sure, the name could be provocative, but is that important? Not really, as we all know, it’s the content that matters. After all, names like "Putain des Palaces" by Etat Libre d'Orange are extravagant too.

I personally own two bottles. I bought my first one directly from ATH's website about a month ago and the second one recently from eBay. I've noticed that ATH has slightly adjusted the design of the bottle. The cap and sprayer are now of higher quality. Additionally, the juice is a stronger yellow color. The eBay bottle was probably from the first batches - but both smell and last the same. Just a side note.

SLUT! Yes, that really sounds intrusive and aggressive, and theoretically, the scent could be like that too. Aaron describes this as the first fragrance in his "Sex-Range." A scent that fills the room, is meant to attract attention, and is also perfect for clubbing. And I must say: yep, the perfume is strong, especially for a fresh scent. Clubbing? I don't know. Of course, due to the current situation, you can't really test it anyway. But for clubbing, it might not be sweet enough. But that's purely a hypothetical claim.

When you first smell the bottle and sprayer before spraying, I believe most will perceive the scent in a way that is not what they expected. No, this DNA was completely unfamiliar to me as well. The smell initially reminded me quite badly of medicine or cough syrup. At least at first. In the second moment, I immediately realized that I had imagined something completely different. Nevertheless, I noticed, even before I had removed the cap, that the scent was already perceptible. So it was clear - this thing has power as promised.

The sillage after spraying is strong, very strong indeed. So I ventured outside into the warmth for a walk to find out how the scent behaves. Neroli and bergamot in the opening do not come across as citrusy as one might believe or know from other fragrances. Here they really seem very natural and bring their green facets to the forefront. Unlike many mainstream designers, who come across completely synthetic with a punch in the nose, the top note of SLUT, after a short settling time, is soft and balanced. You can tell that SLUT is not a mainstream citrus perfume, but rather follows a very clear own line. The first minutes are totally pleasant, mainly green, floral, and slightly citrusy. The "Slut" in SLUT is definitely still to come. As I stroll through the park and the wind gently swirls around, I constantly perceive the sillage of the perfume. And it just smells perfect for this time of year.

As time goes on, darker floral notes of patchouli and jasmine sambac (Arabian jasmine) come through, giving the scent more depth and maturity. I think this darker progression in the heart note is exactly what Aaron describes as "Filth" and "Dirty." The "Slut" is now somewhat present and leaves its traces. With the fading nuances of the top note, a great interplay arises. You simply smell different from "the others," it gives confidence. With this scent, I feel completely comfortable outside. Even after hours, SLUT is still around me, always a "Whoa" in my head, which I did not expect. SLUT has probably captivated and seduced me. Overall, there was over 9 hours of longevity. However, I'm not quite sure how I should smell "dirt" in the base note...

Back to the topic of where one might best wear the scent: Date? No, maybe not safe enough. Fancy dinner? No, too strong. Leisure? Yes, especially outdoors when it's warmer. Club? No idea, I can't say. Office? Maybe, because I basically believe it depends on the DNA. You smell fresh, clean, but if it's the office, then be careful with the dosage. Overall, it's a scent that definitely works more casual than formal.

Aaron also suggests in a video that you can layer SLUT with Animalix to bring those dark nuances even more to the forefront. I had ordered Animalix back then to test exactly that. In itself, Animalix is an absolutely dangerous beast. Used sparingly and carefully dosed, paired with SLUT, you essentially have a completely new scent that emphasizes the animalistic character more. This creates a completely new composition that fits best in the fall. This combo is worth it. But here too, less is more!

So, I am really convinced by the perfume. Although I expected something different, I am even positively surprised by what Aaron has created here. Nevertheless, on the other hand, I am not surprised that he can implement his knowledge very well in the creation of his perfumes. Just the way SLUT has turned out, that’s exactly how it should be. I suspect that these dark tones run through his entire collection. At 55 British pounds, it is also not particularly expensive in my eyes. It essentially delivers everything you want: unique DNA and very good performance for a fresh-floral scent.