Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
12/11/2021
Elysium
790 Reviews
Elysium
2
A Sign Of Fate
Do you believe in the signs of fate? Do you pick up on when the universe seems to send you a message through an event? I knew about the release of this novelty at CK, but strangely, I didn't pay it the proper attention. It will be one of the many flankers of CK One, I said to myself, or something trivial, boring, and crowd-pleasing, with a lot of ambroxan as has been fashionable in recent years. And so, I avoided it until a few weeks ago. Then, I got some perfumes bought online, and among them is a pack of Defy, not required, replacing another one. I wrote to the support; they did the necessary checks, apologized for what happened, and asked me to do the replacement. I accepted. I sent the package back and waited for the sought-after perfume to arrive. A week went by. It's December 8th. The courier rang, and I ran to collect the package. I was excited, couldn't wait to smell the perfume and write my first impressions right away as it's a holiday in Italy, so I had some free time to do it. I opened the package and noticed that they had sent me Defy again to my enormous amazement mixed with regret. Why Defy again? But hell, what's going on? I immediately got in touch with the support, explaining yet another mistake. "There must be some problem with the warehouse. Let's check and let them know," they told me. The next day they informed me that, given the recurrence of the inconvenience, I could keep Defy as a token of their apology and that they had issued a new order for the perfume I had ordered, with no extra cost. Maybe it's a sign of fate or simply a coincidence. Defy had to be in my collection, at any cost. And wearing it, my opinion of it changed.
So, let's dive right in. Defy starts with an energizing coolness but quickly switches to seductive woody warmth with a hint of dry, salty smoke. We should note that, in addition to the three keynotes mentioned almost everywhere, namely bergamot, lavender, and amber, there is more to the blend. I would classify it as an aromatic, fougére, and semi-aquatic colony. I immediately get the hint of bergamot and mandarin, which gives it a sweet and fresh start, but the fragrant lavender provides a herbaceous tone already at the opening. The citrus is subdued, not as strong as typical citrus fragrances intended for summer or sport. Plus, the tangerine peel and citrus leaf make the opening a little greener and fruity but not too tart or acidic. Because of the blend of bergamot, lavender, and a warm, musky undertone that is clear from the first spritz, I get an atmosphere that belongs to the fougére family. There is something immediately familiar to me, and that reminds me of several popular fragrances for men out there. The initial blast is pleasant, no doubt. However, I don't find it innovative or disruptive. There are few edges in common with Sauvage Eau de Toilette, but Defy is more citrusy and less woody and spicy, with an open-air and perhaps oceanic taste.
The heart, formed mainly of purple lavender and herbaceous vetiver, gives a touch to the fragrance that comes out dry and woody. Briefly, bitter puffs rise from the sage leaf. My nose is sensitive enough to detect this bitterness inherent in clary sage. Moreover, if you know the aqueous chord, you will catch the aqueous atmosphere of the violet leaf as I do. These are the undertones I get, and it's a proper purplish, herbaceous kind of smell in the heart.
The base moves into a more decadent and seductive territory, with the scent of amber that warms it. A powerful woody and musky background contrast with the crisp freshness of the beginning. The musky and musty tones are heavy. I can hear them clearly if I bring my wrist close to my nose. Deep, earthy, animalic. Although Defy has many other notes, it is the purplish ones that shine and dominate. Not a bad thing, especially if you like amber types of fragrances rich in lavender and violet.
My last word, Defy, didn't take my breath away, as I assumed, but I think it's a pleasant scent, so it's fun and non-polarizing. It is a rather versatile fragrance, but I would prefer to wear it during the day rather than at night, in the warm seasons, a good perfume suitable for the office because it is harmless. When I need to reach for a scent to smell good but subtly, this would be a contender. The projection is average to good. I feel it, and those around me should do it too. It has a fresh shower smell. It is very refreshing, with a hint of woodiness and mossiness. The only doubt is, does it take three perfumers to build a fragrance with such ordinary and lackluster notes? It will remain an unknown secret ...
I base the review on a bottle I have owned since November 2021.
-Elysium
So, let's dive right in. Defy starts with an energizing coolness but quickly switches to seductive woody warmth with a hint of dry, salty smoke. We should note that, in addition to the three keynotes mentioned almost everywhere, namely bergamot, lavender, and amber, there is more to the blend. I would classify it as an aromatic, fougére, and semi-aquatic colony. I immediately get the hint of bergamot and mandarin, which gives it a sweet and fresh start, but the fragrant lavender provides a herbaceous tone already at the opening. The citrus is subdued, not as strong as typical citrus fragrances intended for summer or sport. Plus, the tangerine peel and citrus leaf make the opening a little greener and fruity but not too tart or acidic. Because of the blend of bergamot, lavender, and a warm, musky undertone that is clear from the first spritz, I get an atmosphere that belongs to the fougére family. There is something immediately familiar to me, and that reminds me of several popular fragrances for men out there. The initial blast is pleasant, no doubt. However, I don't find it innovative or disruptive. There are few edges in common with Sauvage Eau de Toilette, but Defy is more citrusy and less woody and spicy, with an open-air and perhaps oceanic taste.
The heart, formed mainly of purple lavender and herbaceous vetiver, gives a touch to the fragrance that comes out dry and woody. Briefly, bitter puffs rise from the sage leaf. My nose is sensitive enough to detect this bitterness inherent in clary sage. Moreover, if you know the aqueous chord, you will catch the aqueous atmosphere of the violet leaf as I do. These are the undertones I get, and it's a proper purplish, herbaceous kind of smell in the heart.
The base moves into a more decadent and seductive territory, with the scent of amber that warms it. A powerful woody and musky background contrast with the crisp freshness of the beginning. The musky and musty tones are heavy. I can hear them clearly if I bring my wrist close to my nose. Deep, earthy, animalic. Although Defy has many other notes, it is the purplish ones that shine and dominate. Not a bad thing, especially if you like amber types of fragrances rich in lavender and violet.
My last word, Defy, didn't take my breath away, as I assumed, but I think it's a pleasant scent, so it's fun and non-polarizing. It is a rather versatile fragrance, but I would prefer to wear it during the day rather than at night, in the warm seasons, a good perfume suitable for the office because it is harmless. When I need to reach for a scent to smell good but subtly, this would be a contender. The projection is average to good. I feel it, and those around me should do it too. It has a fresh shower smell. It is very refreshing, with a hint of woodiness and mossiness. The only doubt is, does it take three perfumers to build a fragrance with such ordinary and lackluster notes? It will remain an unknown secret ...
I base the review on a bottle I have owned since November 2021.
-Elysium
2 Replies
PedroCabral
Elysium
JMWeed
