Andreas1900

The new Roja fragrances are really having a tough time at the moment. Especially with the prices, it's almost clear that people are particularly critical. Understandable, I mean, we're talking about over 1000 euros for a perfume.

Still, I find it a shame that many fragrances are dissected out of principle, without really looking at what’s behind them or allowing oneself to engage with the scent.

Lost in Paris is a good example for me. I think it's an incredibly exciting gourmand fragrance. Right from the start, it's truly exceptional: a fresh, fruity cocktail where you can almost taste the bitter orange, blood orange, and this Curaçao directly. It has a slightly alcoholic touch from the rum, which I find quite intriguing.

Then, quite quickly, this caramel, buttery sweetness comes through. I know many might find that too much, but that's exactly what makes it interesting for me. It's somehow bold that Roja is taking a slightly different direction here than what one is usually accustomed to.

Once the opening settles, it becomes really creamy and warm. The heart of the fragrance is full of these gourmand notes - butter, caramel, and sugar. It's sweet, but not sticky or annoying, rather inviting and soft.

And then the base! That’s what truly makes the fragrance special for me. While in other fragrances (e.g., PdM) only a hint of soft vanilla remains, here it keeps evolving. It's as if you discover a new layer every time you smell it. Deep down at the end, you can also smell the typical Roja DNA, which reminds one of the old Guerlain fragrances.

For me, definitely one of the best Roja releases of late. Of course, the price is high, but let's be honest: If you don't want to spend the money, then just don't. These discussions about prices have been had many times here. However, those who want to afford the fragrance will definitely not be disappointed. It has depth, boldness, and constantly evolves.

As with many other fragrances, the naming, the bottle, and the story behind the perfume influence the perception. When I first smelled Cyber Sex in Barcelona, I was immediately fascinated by how one could encapsulate the scent of a mattress that had hosted more than just two people indulging all night into a fragrance. My imagination kicked in after just a second. In this regard, the scent is very well crafted. On the smelling funnel, the fragrance comes across as quite sweaty, synthetic, and yet with a certain freshness. The scent also has a hint of stale air, like in a room that hasn't been aired out for a long time, making it unpleasant to breathe in. Among the X SÉ series, I find it the most intriguing fragrance, which has stayed in my memory long after my vacation. However, it was not a candidate for purchase back then. When I discovered a decant in the souk, I had to order it immediately. I simply wanted to own the fragrance to occasionally take a whiff. I find it fascinating what effects perfumes can have. Freshly sprayed, Cyber Sex starts off distinctly fresher, and the sweat notes only emerge after about 30 minutes. When I conducted a small survey among my colleagues about the scent (without mentioning the name of the perfume), the feedback ranged from "smells nice and fresh" to "Zara polyester T-shirt after a night of dancing." One person, however, hit the nail on the head. The scent reminded this person of a sex club in Paris, where the audience was indulging in every conceivable corner. Depending on one's experiences, the fragrance, like many others, will evoke corresponding memories. Anyone who can be excited about scents in this direction should at least have a sniff of it.

When I first smelled the sample, I briefly thought, wow, this really comes close to Elysium. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there is a significant difference when applied to the skin. As many others have rightly described, the original is much softer, rounder, and more pleasant. Supernova comes across as zesty, synthetic, and very fruity. I personally found the scent to be very intense and almost bothersome within the first hour. After about 2.5 hours, the fragrance was only close to the skin. I find this price too high for a dupe with such longevity. The bottle is visually quite dreadful, but somehow fits the scent. Loud, garish, and not particularly tasteful. I would definitely not buy this fragrance blind. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a sample in the souk. Those who have the money to spare should definitely go for Elysium, even though I don't see this scent as the "masterpiece."

When I wake up in the tent, I am alone. I reach beside me and still feel the warmth of the recently deceased body that was lying here just moments ago. However, only a faint stain remains on the ground. The sun penetrates from outside with only a few rays through the tent fabric and sparkles. Since the zipper is stuck, I am forced to breathe in the air, whether I want to or not. I feel nauseous and the stomach acid slowly creeps up my esophagus until I can taste the bitter flavor in my mouth. Again and again, I have to smell my hand, which just moments ago brushed against the floor of the tent. The scent is not very intense, yet it feels as if something bad has happened to me, as if I have done something terrible. Despite all my efforts, I cannot pinpoint what the scent specifically reminds me of. I feel very uncomfortable; I would prefer to wash myself for hours, to rid myself of the undefinable badness. Why on earth did I decide to wear this perfume in over 30-degree heat? The bottle was intriguing and unsmelled. On the skin, this scent develops into a monster that follows me into the evening hours. Despite multiple washings, sunscreen, and chlorinated water, there still remains a sweet residue that is enough to trigger a certain nausea in me. The scent is certainly intriguing and so far no fragrance has had such an intense effect on me. However, I would still think twice about applying the scent.