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Cape Heartache Imaginary Authors 2013

7.2 / 10 457 Ratings

A perfume by Imaginary Authors for women and men, released in 2013. The scent is woody-fruity. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Woody

Fruity

Resinous

Green

Sweet

Fragrance Notes

Strawberry

Forest accord

Hemlock fir

Pine resin

Douglas fir

Mist note

Vanilla leaf

Perfumer

Josh Meyer

Ratings

Scent

7.2457 Ratings

Longevity

7.6354 Ratings

Sillage

7.0350 Ratings

Bottle

7.5316 Ratings

Value for money

7.0200 Ratings

Submitted by Franfan20 · last update on 01/30/2026.

Source-backed & verified

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Reviews

50 in-depth fragrance descriptions

03/11/2024

8.5Scent 6Longevity 5Sillage

DressUpWitch
50 Reviews

DressUpWitch

3

Truly as described

This is one of few fragrances from Imaginary Authors that truly matches every note listed. It comes in with strong forest notes and then dries down to an accord that somehow does evoke both sweet strawberries and fog. It is artificial smelling from end to end. It's not a cleaning solvent sort of forest smell, thank goodness, but it's far removed from real trees. The artificial quality makes it feel very girlish to me, I think because it reminds me of plastic toys, but this is definitely wearable as a gender neutral scent. I wear this fairly regularly, paired with plaids and flannels and my strawberry earrings, but I like it best layered with either a stronger, tangier woody scent or a sweeter, softer floral to give it more umph in one direction or the other.

08/02/2025

7.5Scent

motherofpugs
6 Reviews

motherofpugs

3

Strawberry shampoo meets forest mist

In the time this has been on my arm, I’ve gone back and forth I think four times on whether I like it or not.

I do not like sweet/gourmand scents, and I was aware of the “synthetic strawberry” everyone mentioned prior to testing. It’s definitely there… but once it dries down, it’s much less of a punch in the face.

As per the title, that’s really what I’m getting here. I think I’d like this SO much more if the woody/green side was winning out over the strawberry shampoo.

Unfortunately, strawberry shampoo is winning out.

Both are still there. I don’t hate it. If you want to smell like a vial of strawberry flavoring starring in the “what are you?” scene from Twilight, this is probably perfect.

01/20/2021

Wayofscent
62 Reviews

Wayofscent

3

Fruity walk through the woods!

Imagine this.. It's early autumn and you and your loved one just woke up in a wooden cabin deep in the woods and decided to go on a hike through the old pine forrest after short rain. You guys already have your favorite route where you can pick and eat wild strawberries along the way and feel the fresh breeze of Douglas fir tree on your sunkissed face. After awhile you're back in your cozy cabin, relaxed, optimistic and full of energy, planing together some new ventures while eating those few leftovers of freshly picked wild strawberries!
Because this scent smells THAT GOOD!

I am really digging this musky, fruity pine combo with a bit of smoke in it!

02/07/2025

7.5Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Pennantis
147 Reviews

Pennantis

2

Weak strawberry VS Opulent sweet wood

I blind bought it as I hoped to get more strawberry-ish vibes, but it looks so similar to the beautiful Chipmunk - Zoologist.
I feel odd, since I'm about to describe Cape Heartache while such words can be transferred to a Chipmunk review.
Anyway, I smell of a very resinous sweet wood.
This parfume somehow brings me to a steam room where someone just finished to cook cookies/cakes. :-) Can you picture this image I have in my head? I do hope so, becuase it's a very relaxing yet bold feeling!
As for strawberry.. none of a hint of strawberry on me! What a pity
Even if it is SO good, I would swap/sell it, since it is not what I was looking for :-)
Just contact me if you're interested!

Updated on 02/07/2025

12/23/2025

8.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

xtermn8
194 Reviews

xtermn8

2

I don't wanna wear it, but I can't stop smelling it.

Personal: 8.5/10 – I don't like it on skin, but on paper, there's something about the dry yet resinous evergreen notes that isn't just interesting, it's captivating.
Mass appeal: 7/10 – More approachable than it sounds, but still divisive. Woods lovers may enjoy it; fruit skeptics may not, despite the strawberry not being in the foreground.
Performance: 7/10 – Decent longevity with moderate projection. It lasts long enough to make its point, though not as long as I'd expect for something so woody.
Value: 6.5/10 – Fair niche pricing, but it feels like something you sample and appreciate rather than commit to. That said, it's something you should absolutely sample if you enjoy woods.
Uniqueness: 9/10 – Pine forest with a sweet strawberry twist is genuinely unusual and memorable.

SCORE: 76/100

Full bottle buy? NO, interesting and artistic, but not something I want to wear.
Blind buy? NO, photorealistic pine and strawberry together is a risky combination.
Recommend? YES, for people who enjoy outdoorsy fragrances with a creative twist.
Date night? NO, too quirky and situational to feel romantic, unless your date loves Christmas trees.
Office safe? YES, but overspraying would make you smell strange fast.

Pros: Very unique concept, realistic pine accord, evocative outdoors imagery, artistic execution
Cons: Strawberry can feel artificial, contrast may clash for some, situational wear, not very versatile

Cape Heartache smells like walking through a pine forest with a pocket full of strawberry candy. The pine note is excellent, photorealistic, dry but resinous at the same time... I'm in love with it. The strawberry itself is leaning synthetic, but I feel that almost plays into the charm. The duality of hyperrealism with the evergreens, with whimsical sweetness from the strawberry. Unique doesn't even begin to describe it. To some noses, the contrast is charming and playful, to some the contrast may be distracting or out of place. I find it to be charming, though I can't help but wonder if the strawberry were to step back, and the only accord on display were the evergreens, how much more, or less, I would enjoy it. Nonetheless, I'm captivated by how truly unique and experimental this fragrance is, without being nasty. The only thing holding me back is how strawberry evolves on my skin. I know the evergreens would evolve beautifully and I would love every moment, but strawberry tends to sour on me (as was evidenced in my early Phlur reviews), so wearing it isn't for me. Sampling it every now and then, though...

That said, this is Imaginary Authors doing what they do best, in telling a story. Cape Heartache is evocative, distinctive, and thoughtfully constructed. It's worth smelling, appreciating, and enjoying, regardless of how you feel about the strawberry presence. Because even if you hate it, you gotta admit, this is one of a kind.

Review #174 in my fragrance journey – this fragrance I own as a decant

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