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Helpful Review
Euphemisms in Perfumery
What are your expectations towards a fragrance that has “Power” as part of its name? Do you expect a sillage monster? A stinker? An overly complex and demanding perfume? Or even a sweet and pungent oriental with never ending longevity?
Kenzo Power is nothing like that – at least on first sight – and it takes some consideration to find out in how far this name could be justified.
Other than the fragrance pyramid indicates I could not detect much of a top note. To me, the fragrance's development consists of two parts: The “Abstract flower accord” is actually a dry dark animalic musk note with rosy and maybe woody aspects. As a background, there is another type of musks which provides a powdery, creamy and almost dry vanillic appeal. This second type is also present from the beginning but completely takes over after about two hours.
The first, animalic part can be described as reminiscent to Keiko Mecheris wonderful Musc, or simply one or the other traditional musk oils. The second part is more like white musk – something you find in a body butter, hand cream or other cosmetic products. I guess there are not many perfumes that bring together these two very different facets of musk.
However, both accords provide only faint whiffs of fragrance. Kenzo Power is so weakish that it will surround you with a kind of aura rather than a discernible scent. Being weak is actually the main characteristic of this “Power” fragrance.
So, is Kenzo Power a disappointment then? I would not say that. It just covers a very special niche – and people seem to like it. Just have a look at the column on the right side next to this review. I think many people feel comfortable with a musky scent experience they remember from soothing body creams. Who knows - it may have to do with early childhood experiences.
Diminishing the strength of this perfume towards near nothing is a rather intelligent move. It avoids users getting fed up soon with what is basically an everyday scent. And it helps Kenzo Power retain something like a secret. There are not so many perfumes that are considerably weaker than the average, but they are appreciated for just that: The Gendarmes line from USA, most of Cartier's Eaux, and a few Annick Goutals.
Kenzo Power is something you might want to wear whenever you are not in the mood for a regular perfume. People will not note it as such as it simply smells more or less like a typical hand cream.
So, what about the power of this weakling? There is but one reason that justifies the name: no matter how cautiously creamy-powdery musks are being used – not only do they have a powerful longevity, they also stick to the skin. Water and soap are of no use if you want to get rid of it. All you can do is wait or try to cover it with something else.
I am not sure if Kenzo Power has been discontinued but offers can still be found on the net. Look out for the silver flacon and do not confuse it with Kenzo Power Cologne which is a different perfume and comes in the transparent bottle. I think Kenzo Power is a good addition to a wardrobe full of sophisticated and eccentric perfumes – just for the difference of it.
Kenzo Power is nothing like that – at least on first sight – and it takes some consideration to find out in how far this name could be justified.
Other than the fragrance pyramid indicates I could not detect much of a top note. To me, the fragrance's development consists of two parts: The “Abstract flower accord” is actually a dry dark animalic musk note with rosy and maybe woody aspects. As a background, there is another type of musks which provides a powdery, creamy and almost dry vanillic appeal. This second type is also present from the beginning but completely takes over after about two hours.
The first, animalic part can be described as reminiscent to Keiko Mecheris wonderful Musc, or simply one or the other traditional musk oils. The second part is more like white musk – something you find in a body butter, hand cream or other cosmetic products. I guess there are not many perfumes that bring together these two very different facets of musk.
However, both accords provide only faint whiffs of fragrance. Kenzo Power is so weakish that it will surround you with a kind of aura rather than a discernible scent. Being weak is actually the main characteristic of this “Power” fragrance.
So, is Kenzo Power a disappointment then? I would not say that. It just covers a very special niche – and people seem to like it. Just have a look at the column on the right side next to this review. I think many people feel comfortable with a musky scent experience they remember from soothing body creams. Who knows - it may have to do with early childhood experiences.
Diminishing the strength of this perfume towards near nothing is a rather intelligent move. It avoids users getting fed up soon with what is basically an everyday scent. And it helps Kenzo Power retain something like a secret. There are not so many perfumes that are considerably weaker than the average, but they are appreciated for just that: The Gendarmes line from USA, most of Cartier's Eaux, and a few Annick Goutals.
Kenzo Power is something you might want to wear whenever you are not in the mood for a regular perfume. People will not note it as such as it simply smells more or less like a typical hand cream.
So, what about the power of this weakling? There is but one reason that justifies the name: no matter how cautiously creamy-powdery musks are being used – not only do they have a powerful longevity, they also stick to the skin. Water and soap are of no use if you want to get rid of it. All you can do is wait or try to cover it with something else.
I am not sure if Kenzo Power has been discontinued but offers can still be found on the net. Look out for the silver flacon and do not confuse it with Kenzo Power Cologne which is a different perfume and comes in the transparent bottle. I think Kenzo Power is a good addition to a wardrobe full of sophisticated and eccentric perfumes – just for the difference of it.