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Top Review
Winner of My Heart: Samsara Extrait. But the EdP Holds Its Own...
8 AM: I'm on my way to the home office (a very short journey, indeed) and decide to pit my freshly acquired Samsara Extrait against Samsara Eau de Parfum (the current version). I've had the EdP since last year and I love it.
So I apply a spritz of the Samsara EdP to my right wrist - just one, and probably applied rather cautiously - and for a brief moment, a cheeky cloud rises, a hint of nose-fresh lemon, paired with the matte floral and slightly dusty bergamot and the wonderful Guerlain peach (everyone always talks about the famous Guerlain vanilla, which is indeed done very well, but has anyone noticed how well Guerlain does peach - a fragrance direction that often tends to veer into the synthetic-squeaky peach gummy direction (sour)?). The accord quickly turns medium-dark - I can only catch the fresher notes with my nose on the skin after just a few minutes. By the way, it’s different when I spray on clothing, as the lighter notes remain noticeably longer. But I want to test it on skin.
On my left wrist, I swipe a hint from the cap of the Samsara bottle, the Extrait. Just a hint, but it's a statement: The subjective scent impression of this almost homeopathic application is at least as present as that of the sprayed EdP. Here, I almost search in vain for the fresher notes; the Extrait starts (when sprayed, it probably appears a bit fresher) right with the actual statement, and that is: sandalwood. Strong, dark, spicy sandalwood; the other notes are mere embellishments and wonderful accessories, I can still detect the iris powder as a single note.
9 AM: Both fragrances are neck and neck and have developed into a rather similar soft, dark, colorful scent impression. The warm sandalwood dominates; the Extrait now seems spicier and perhaps denser, softer, a bit velvety, while the EdP is a bit more floral; the jasmine has made good use of its opportunity, I would say. The projection of both fragrances is quite noticeable - sandalwood-tinged spicy clouds puff up repeatedly, and I can't tell whether they ultimately come from my right or left wrist.
10 AM: There's really nothing new to report yet. I'm sitting blissfully in this matte floral-spicy sandalwood cloud, sniffing left and right, and hardly noticing a difference.
11 AM: Look at that, the Extrait seems to be weakening a bit. The EdP is now clearly ahead in terms of scent intensity, a surprising turn in a competition where the winner seemed to be predetermined.
12 PM: All clear. The EdP has ignited the last stage and is slowly sinking back towards the base note couch.
The Extrait, on the other hand, still seems very rested; the heart notes smell present and it seems to have gained some strength again: it is also more noticeable from a distance.
And: I finally find an expression for what I have felt throughout the entire scent journey with both, namely, security. Softly spiced vanilla, sandalwood embrace, powdery peace.
1 PM: The EdP is resting and will do so for many hours to come, and the technical winner is clear. It is the Extrait; it has more endurance, even though the floral notes are slowly becoming quieter.
2 PM: The Extrait also begins to retreat. A buttery soft glide into the base notes begins, which approaches completion around
3 PM.
Around 4 PM, both versions are back on equal footing. Both base notes smell wonderfully comforting, embracing, peaceful, warm, and cozy, and I sniff left and right, knowing from experience that I will be doing so for a long time. And a small miracle: completely unexpectedly, even now, a sandalwood cloud puffs up from time to time - even the base notes still have a certain outward effect.
Conclusion: Both have performed fabulously on my scent-eating skin - many other perfume-tested scent monsters have given up much earlier in many tests.
The Extrait scores with maximum scent development at minimal dosage - a tiny swipe has sufficed for the entire day, and it smells a little softer, gentler, more comforting, and slightly darker than the Eau de Parfum, which presents itself a bit brighter and a touch sharper.
However, the EdP costs only a fraction and is - on its own - a wonderful soft-woody, velvety fragrance of great beauty.
My heart's winner remains the perfume. Because it - aside from this brief 11 AM dip - always had a nose advantage and because it is capable of making the world - and especially this dreadful, gloomy, and rainy pre-autumn day - a little bit more beautiful.
Lastly: I will publish this text verbatim for the Eau de Parfum, as it pertains equally to both versions. So don't be surprised. And: If this contradicts any rules, just let me know, and I will delete one article.
So I apply a spritz of the Samsara EdP to my right wrist - just one, and probably applied rather cautiously - and for a brief moment, a cheeky cloud rises, a hint of nose-fresh lemon, paired with the matte floral and slightly dusty bergamot and the wonderful Guerlain peach (everyone always talks about the famous Guerlain vanilla, which is indeed done very well, but has anyone noticed how well Guerlain does peach - a fragrance direction that often tends to veer into the synthetic-squeaky peach gummy direction (sour)?). The accord quickly turns medium-dark - I can only catch the fresher notes with my nose on the skin after just a few minutes. By the way, it’s different when I spray on clothing, as the lighter notes remain noticeably longer. But I want to test it on skin.
On my left wrist, I swipe a hint from the cap of the Samsara bottle, the Extrait. Just a hint, but it's a statement: The subjective scent impression of this almost homeopathic application is at least as present as that of the sprayed EdP. Here, I almost search in vain for the fresher notes; the Extrait starts (when sprayed, it probably appears a bit fresher) right with the actual statement, and that is: sandalwood. Strong, dark, spicy sandalwood; the other notes are mere embellishments and wonderful accessories, I can still detect the iris powder as a single note.
9 AM: Both fragrances are neck and neck and have developed into a rather similar soft, dark, colorful scent impression. The warm sandalwood dominates; the Extrait now seems spicier and perhaps denser, softer, a bit velvety, while the EdP is a bit more floral; the jasmine has made good use of its opportunity, I would say. The projection of both fragrances is quite noticeable - sandalwood-tinged spicy clouds puff up repeatedly, and I can't tell whether they ultimately come from my right or left wrist.
10 AM: There's really nothing new to report yet. I'm sitting blissfully in this matte floral-spicy sandalwood cloud, sniffing left and right, and hardly noticing a difference.
11 AM: Look at that, the Extrait seems to be weakening a bit. The EdP is now clearly ahead in terms of scent intensity, a surprising turn in a competition where the winner seemed to be predetermined.
12 PM: All clear. The EdP has ignited the last stage and is slowly sinking back towards the base note couch.
The Extrait, on the other hand, still seems very rested; the heart notes smell present and it seems to have gained some strength again: it is also more noticeable from a distance.
And: I finally find an expression for what I have felt throughout the entire scent journey with both, namely, security. Softly spiced vanilla, sandalwood embrace, powdery peace.
1 PM: The EdP is resting and will do so for many hours to come, and the technical winner is clear. It is the Extrait; it has more endurance, even though the floral notes are slowly becoming quieter.
2 PM: The Extrait also begins to retreat. A buttery soft glide into the base notes begins, which approaches completion around
3 PM.
Around 4 PM, both versions are back on equal footing. Both base notes smell wonderfully comforting, embracing, peaceful, warm, and cozy, and I sniff left and right, knowing from experience that I will be doing so for a long time. And a small miracle: completely unexpectedly, even now, a sandalwood cloud puffs up from time to time - even the base notes still have a certain outward effect.
Conclusion: Both have performed fabulously on my scent-eating skin - many other perfume-tested scent monsters have given up much earlier in many tests.
The Extrait scores with maximum scent development at minimal dosage - a tiny swipe has sufficed for the entire day, and it smells a little softer, gentler, more comforting, and slightly darker than the Eau de Parfum, which presents itself a bit brighter and a touch sharper.
However, the EdP costs only a fraction and is - on its own - a wonderful soft-woody, velvety fragrance of great beauty.
My heart's winner remains the perfume. Because it - aside from this brief 11 AM dip - always had a nose advantage and because it is capable of making the world - and especially this dreadful, gloomy, and rainy pre-autumn day - a little bit more beautiful.
Lastly: I will publish this text verbatim for the Eau de Parfum, as it pertains equally to both versions. So don't be surprised. And: If this contradicts any rules, just let me know, and I will delete one article.
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