Exploring New Scents #5| Zoologist: T-Rex

Top Notes: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Fir, Laurel Leaf, Neroli, Nutmeg
Heart Notes: Champaca, Geranium, Jasmine, Osmanthus, Rose, Ylang Ylang
Base Notes: Resins, Cade, Cedar, Civet*, Frankincense, Leather*, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla

I finally tried the infamous T-Rex from Zoologist. I had heard about the overblown dramatics online from reactions videos of those trying this bold scent. I understand that this is mostly for views, but was there any truth to the rumors of this bold scent? I was about to find out.

As you know, scents are very dependent on your own personal chemistry, so I had no idea what to expect from this beast of a fragrance. I had used pepper based scents a few times and know that they sit firmly on my skin, but are not too cloying, so I wasn't worried. 

Oh how young and naïve I was. I always spray one spritz on my wrist and another on my clothing to see how fragrances wear. Of course clothing tends to smell exactly like the fragrance does inside the bottle. With T-Rex, this was a huge mistake. BIG.

The punch of pepper, ash, and gasoline enveloped me quickly and with little mercy. Seriously, this  was beast mode strength and not in a good way. Within the first 30 minutes, the black pepper was making my nose and lungs burn thanks to spraying too high on my shirt. Bad move. Especially as my head slowly began to ache. Still, I pushed forward.

After about 45 minutes, the scent on my wrist began to morph into a spicy, peppery flower--a mix of dark Jasmine and Ylang Ylang. Better, but still not great. As for the spray on my shirt, it mellowed a bit but was still adding to my headache. Not good. 

After 4 or 5 hours, the scent was still on my wrist but not overwhelming by any means. The spritz on my chest was still haunting me, so to clear my head, I changed my shirt to remove the cause of my pain. The scent never morphed, it remained the original scent of the blast zone, but not nearly as strong. Four days later, the scent is still on that shirt and going strong. I hope the wash will get it out of the fabric, I can't live with that scent, it's too much. 

T-Rex was rough and not something I would like to live again. I will applaud Zoologist for encompassing T-Rex and its final moments so well. This wasn't the daily life of this predator, but rather its final moments. This wasn't the T-Rex who was destroyed on contact from a meteor, but rather the unlucky T-Rex who was just far enough from the meteor blast zone to not get obliterated, but close enough to get charred to oblivion and is smoking like a cigarette butt. 

This scent encompasses what it would be like if you went to a cheap BBQ house in Texas to grab a bite, only to walk away disappointed. This BBQ is know by locales to use cheap meat with a horrible pepper rub. Instead of using wood, the owners use gasoline to smoke the meat cooking it too long and hot causing it to burn. No problem, the owner advises their workers to just brush the ash off and serve. 

If Hades from Greek mythology was to have a signature scent, this would be it. Dark, smoky and peppery. The good news is, he wouldn't be able to sneak up on you, because you would smell him coming. If there is a Hell, this is its signature scent, especially the initial blast. 

Yes, T-Rex was too much for me. Remember chemistry is always big when it comes to fragrances, so always try a sample of controversial scents first. I can't express this enough with T-Rex. This isn't a blind buy! For me, the pepper and ash notes were way too strong and just not balanced enough. It just wasn't enjoyable in any way for me.

This is a statement piece fragrance. The sillage is strong and the staying power is crazy, especially on clothing--it will last for weeks, so one spritz will do you. I think for most, this will be a difficult one to use, but if it works for you kudos! I am impressed and love your style!

This is a hard one to rate as it wasn't for me. For strength and uniqueness, I would give this a solid 9.5. For a personal scent for me personally, I am giving this a 1.5. If a scent is burning my nose and lungs and causing headaches, this is a big "nope." Still, I'm glad I tried this at least once. It was worth the bragging rights to say I survived a T-Rex attack!