Perfect notes, finely tuned - But something still isn't right
The notes here are very finely tuned to each other. A creamy date sillage and a pleasant sweetness play the composition here. Simply grand! It suits both me and, as I think, any lady interested in an elegant yet present fragrance. Up until the dry down, I was even considering getting it for myself, but I'll get to that shortly.
As the "Oriental Enigma" (the name is classy) develops, especially in the first 10 minutes, it takes on a gourmand quality, beautifully rounded off with tonka and dates. One of the best date fragrances in my opinion, because you can clearly perceive the notes right from the opening. It does resemble "Angels' Share | Kilian" and "Angelic Elixir | The Dua Brand / Dua Fragrances," but in my feeling, it is much more balanced. "Angelic Elixir" always seemed a bit too sweet to me, but this one manages to maintain a pleasant lightness without sacrificing projection or longevity. I know I'm comparing dates to apples, but some of the fragrance notes here drive me to do so. Well, so far it’s an excellently good fragrance.
For me, the Oriental Enigma is perfect for home, ideal for the cold season, suitable for evenings or when the sun is just setting. It has something seductive and delicious about it that I find very sexy. But then comes the turning point in the dry down: the fragrance becomes more intense, which I initially like, but soon the sweetness becomes too dominant for me. Cinnamon comes in, and suddenly I feel like the fragrance is drifting towards "old lady scent." Although I still admire its complexity and beauty, it ultimately isn't quite my thing.
My conclusion: The Oriental Enigma initially seduced me with its perfectly tuned notes and finesse, only to later leave me behind with its overwhelming sweetness. This precise observation has once again shown me how personal and subjective my world of fragrances is. What seemed promising at first (a solid 10) has changed significantly over time and with the development of the fragrance on my skin. Nevertheless, this is a really great scent!
