Néh

Nèh?!

Zeromolecole 2011

Thanks to Parfumo, I have a new hobby: trying out fragrances and writing comments about them. For the seasoned fragrance enthusiasts here, this may not sound particularly original, but for me, it’s truly a fantastic discovery. Applying the fragrance, smelling it, taking notes, letting my thoughts wander, doing any necessary background research, and then actually writing a comment - I haven’t been able to relax so well with something in a long time and stay focused on it for an extended period.

But now to Nèh?!:
After going through my untested samples, I hold Ambre Gris and Nèh?! in my hands. Which of the two will hopefully sweeten my early evening today? After a quick sniff of Ambre Gris, I already think the choice has been made. Still, I open the small sample of Nèh?! ... and am left speechless.

I cautiously dab some on the back of my hand. Indeed - it seems I haven’t overestimated it. At first, I think I perceive the very pleasant scent of baby powder. But the second sniff tells me something different: cream. And not just any cream, but the cream from the blue jar. The one I had to have smeared on my face before going outside in winter as a child. The one I always carry in mini format on every trip. The one that gives me a sense of security, no matter where I am, and caresses my soul.
My wrist smells as if it has just been freshly creamed. Or powdered? The association "baby powder" still lingers in my mind, and the fragrance pyramid, which I only looked up afterward, reveals the reason or reasons: talcum, iris, violet. THESE are what create the wonderful powderiness, a powderiness that doesn’t feel dusty but gently hugs the moisturized skin.

I confess: At this point, Nèh?! has already won my heart, and I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t develop any further.

But "Nah!" thinks Nèh?! (it was too tempting, and I promise this will be the only pun attempt*) and soon lets a sweet almond note rise to my nose. Almond? Confused, I skim through the comments and see that I’m far from the only one with this association. On the manufacturer’s page, the fragrance pyramid matches the one on Parfumo. However, ALzD also lists almond in the heart and white musk in the base (which doesn’t surprise me, as the scent radiates a wonderful cleanliness).

The almond increasingly gains sweetness and intensity, without making the scent sticky. It continues to convey a powdery-fresh creaminess, and in the background, I can still smell the Nivea cream.

Gradually, the almond then recedes, leaving behind a pleasant sweetness that is caressed by the iris and violet. I ponder what this sweetness reminds me of, and then DonJuanDeCats' comment comes to mind: cotton candy (even if I smell it elsewhere)!

As the sweet notes slowly fade into the background and are eventually only detectable as a hint, it remains powdery-creamy, and now I also perceive the scent of musk more distinctly. From now on, the fragrance hardly changes anymore (it becomes creamy-sweet again at the very end), but that’s fine by me. I am already smitten.

Nèh?! is a scent for snuggling and feeling good. Yet it still comes across as very fresh (thanks to the powder) and conveys a sense of pleasant cleanliness. I also find it very clear and have hardly been able to distinguish the individual elements in any other fragrance as well.

I would estimate it as rather close to the body, but it’s not out of the question that someone passing by a person wearing Nèh?! could catch a whiff of it. By the way, I might even wear it in summer, as it feels so carefree.

As for me, I am smitten and believe I can say: It was indeed love at first sight/sniff.

Sadly, I look at the sample: Only so little left.

My poor heart.

My poor wallet.

* Okay, okay, the one in the title unfortunately had to be included too...