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Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
03/17/2023
Elysium
814 Reviews
Elysium
4
Minty But Ain't No Mint
Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania's big wave surfing break, is considered one of the wildest and most dangerous places to surf, thanks to waves up to 10 meters high, equivalent to a four-story building. That said, when I tested the four brand new scents of the CHAPTER No. 2 collection, Surfing Shipstern Bluff immediately struck me for its mentholated facet, even if I did not include it in the choice of purchase that day, although it remained imprinted in my mind. Once I left the shop, my skin amplified that minty balsamic note more and more, which I wouldn’t define as ordinary mint, for instance, that one used in a long drink like a mojito, but instead a gentle mint. I searched and found a very delicate and floral variety of mint known as “mentuccia romana,” “nepitella,” lesser calamint, or pennyroyal. Of course, I’m unsure, but I suspect this mint note is deeply hidden in the concoction. Recently, when I returned to ZARA, I smelled the tester again and convinced myself to buy it. I am glad I did, and now I am describing it to you.
Surfing Shipstern Bluff greets me with a blast of aromatic, slightly boozy, and citrus accord. In no time, a deep and bitter taste of mint takes over and expands forcefully. Sniffed very close, I smell a shy lavender, but I doubt it could be its flower, leaves, or stem that gives rise to that mentholated nuance. I smell mint or something strongly mentholated. How come?
The more the citrus part subsides, the more the aromatic and bitter nuance emerges that reminds me so much of the smell of marigold. It takes on a more balsamic appearance on the skin, while on the paper, it releases that bitter green nuance typical of the marigold flower and leaves. If you’ve ever touched marigolds, you know what I’m talking about. This unexpected facet is dominant, and I would say it overwhelms the lavender one, so tame that I hardly perceive it. Amid all this balsamic and mentholated clamor, a sweet tangerine appears and carries on the opening citrus notes with its semi-sour aspect. I would not classify it as an aquatic but rather an aromatic and woodsy perfume.
While the menthol notes fade without ever disappearing completely, the sweet and velvety aspects of the white musk and the slightly earthy tones of the patchouli give life to the grand final that remains glued to the skin. The perfume maintains a fresh, balsamic, aromatic, and musky aspect for the entire duration.
All in all, Surfing Shipstern Bluff doesn’t look like any other ZARA fragrances that have been released in the past. It is almost linear and an ideal scent for warm spring and summer days. It is suitable for the office since it is not offensive, and for going out with friends but above all for leisure time when I stay home while it’s raining outside, reading a book, watching TV or surfing the internet. As an introvert, I need to take my time to recharge, which gives me a sense of protection and confidence. Its balsamic facet is relaxing and calming. I don’t have enough data to judge the performance, which is moderate at the moment, a half-day duration with a limited projection.
I’m basing my impressions and reviews on a bottle I’ve owned since March 2023 (BC 30161)
-Elysium
Surfing Shipstern Bluff greets me with a blast of aromatic, slightly boozy, and citrus accord. In no time, a deep and bitter taste of mint takes over and expands forcefully. Sniffed very close, I smell a shy lavender, but I doubt it could be its flower, leaves, or stem that gives rise to that mentholated nuance. I smell mint or something strongly mentholated. How come?
The more the citrus part subsides, the more the aromatic and bitter nuance emerges that reminds me so much of the smell of marigold. It takes on a more balsamic appearance on the skin, while on the paper, it releases that bitter green nuance typical of the marigold flower and leaves. If you’ve ever touched marigolds, you know what I’m talking about. This unexpected facet is dominant, and I would say it overwhelms the lavender one, so tame that I hardly perceive it. Amid all this balsamic and mentholated clamor, a sweet tangerine appears and carries on the opening citrus notes with its semi-sour aspect. I would not classify it as an aquatic but rather an aromatic and woodsy perfume.
While the menthol notes fade without ever disappearing completely, the sweet and velvety aspects of the white musk and the slightly earthy tones of the patchouli give life to the grand final that remains glued to the skin. The perfume maintains a fresh, balsamic, aromatic, and musky aspect for the entire duration.
All in all, Surfing Shipstern Bluff doesn’t look like any other ZARA fragrances that have been released in the past. It is almost linear and an ideal scent for warm spring and summer days. It is suitable for the office since it is not offensive, and for going out with friends but above all for leisure time when I stay home while it’s raining outside, reading a book, watching TV or surfing the internet. As an introvert, I need to take my time to recharge, which gives me a sense of protection and confidence. Its balsamic facet is relaxing and calming. I don’t have enough data to judge the performance, which is moderate at the moment, a half-day duration with a limited projection.
I’m basing my impressions and reviews on a bottle I’ve owned since March 2023 (BC 30161)
-Elysium
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