Emto
Reviews
Emto
A Masterpiece
This is an extremely biased review, Stash is my favorite fragrance, possibly of all time. I think it's masterfully composed, punches far above any expectations for a celebrity fragrance, and was way ahead of it's time.
The opening is bright and slightly astringent, it announces its presence with a punch of citrus peel, sage, and pepper. The sage and pepper will stick around for the entire ride, but fade into supporting characters quickly, allowing the real stars to take the stage: pistachio, patchouli, and woods.
The pistachio isn't a sweet desert pistachio, it's unapologetically nutty, borderline savory. Laurent Le Guernec absolutely nailed the textural elements in this note. There is a clearly detectable waxy, fatty, creaminess to the pistachio that gives the whole fragrance weighty and smooth body. Alongside the pistachio is an overload of woods: creamy, soft, green, sharp, dry. The interplay of massoia, cedar, frankinsense, and vetiver is a shimmering tapestry of resinous woody goodness.
I find myself craving Stash in the first few months of the year, when it's coldest. The general vibe is dark, mysterious, sensual, and unapologetic. To imagine it, picture a renaissance fair on a golden, dusty, and slightly sweaty afternoon, where an imperious woman beckons you to a magic booth with dark and witchy wares nestled among crystals, tea, tarot, and dainty silver daggers. That's what Stash smells like.
The opening is bright and slightly astringent, it announces its presence with a punch of citrus peel, sage, and pepper. The sage and pepper will stick around for the entire ride, but fade into supporting characters quickly, allowing the real stars to take the stage: pistachio, patchouli, and woods.
The pistachio isn't a sweet desert pistachio, it's unapologetically nutty, borderline savory. Laurent Le Guernec absolutely nailed the textural elements in this note. There is a clearly detectable waxy, fatty, creaminess to the pistachio that gives the whole fragrance weighty and smooth body. Alongside the pistachio is an overload of woods: creamy, soft, green, sharp, dry. The interplay of massoia, cedar, frankinsense, and vetiver is a shimmering tapestry of resinous woody goodness.
I find myself craving Stash in the first few months of the year, when it's coldest. The general vibe is dark, mysterious, sensual, and unapologetic. To imagine it, picture a renaissance fair on a golden, dusty, and slightly sweaty afternoon, where an imperious woman beckons you to a magic booth with dark and witchy wares nestled among crystals, tea, tarot, and dainty silver daggers. That's what Stash smells like.
Gone too soon
Though I find the performance mediocre at best, this scent is a love for me.
It's getting up early on a rainy morning to read in a comfy chair before you have to start your day. There's the signature IA musty-ness - a nuance of dusty attic in an old house. The tea is earthy, bitter, smoking, and grounded. Floating over it is orris that announces itself as shortbread cookies: buttery, flaky, dense, rich. Sandalwood is present as a sweet creaminess that lingers among moss in the drydown. This is the most comforting scent I own, and I bring it out exclusively for cold and rainy days.
Unfortunately, the longevity is seriously lacking. It becomes a skin scent after an hour or two.
It's getting up early on a rainy morning to read in a comfy chair before you have to start your day. There's the signature IA musty-ness - a nuance of dusty attic in an old house. The tea is earthy, bitter, smoking, and grounded. Floating over it is orris that announces itself as shortbread cookies: buttery, flaky, dense, rich. Sandalwood is present as a sweet creaminess that lingers among moss in the drydown. This is the most comforting scent I own, and I bring it out exclusively for cold and rainy days.
Unfortunately, the longevity is seriously lacking. It becomes a skin scent after an hour or two.
Punches far above it's price point
I've had this bottle sitting around for a year. I remember not loving it when I first received it, but in the time since either my tastes have changed, the juice has macerated, or both, because now I find it absolutely intoxicating. Juicy, mouth-watering plum and red berries, creamy sweet musk, vanilla, and decadent florals, this may not be ground-breaking or unexpected but it is delicious. It also projects decently well and lasts all day plus some. For $20 on amazon, it's a no brainer.
Also, I've spend the last few weeks wondering why some of my clothing smells so freaking good, and I finally realized: Indi, after a couple days on fabric, smells almost exactly like Clean Reserve Skin. I've been spritzing my sweaters before I put them away and it feels like it's some kind of cheat code. They come out of the closet smelling like they've been slept on by a dozen clean, cozy, cuddling kittens.
Also, I've spend the last few weeks wondering why some of my clothing smells so freaking good, and I finally realized: Indi, after a couple days on fabric, smells almost exactly like Clean Reserve Skin. I've been spritzing my sweaters before I put them away and it feels like it's some kind of cheat code. They come out of the closet smelling like they've been slept on by a dozen clean, cozy, cuddling kittens.
