Fadenseidn

Backstory:
Recently, I have been very interested in coffee scents, so I have already been able to test a couple. In the realm of spices (whether in the kitchen or in perfume), cardamom is currently my favorite. Thus, "Cardamom Coffee (Perfume) | Lush / Cosmetics To Go" has been on my testing list for quite some time.
However, this fragrance now belongs to the Black Range at Lush and is not directly marketed in Germany. Souk offers are also rather rare. Fortunately, I found it at a Lush store and was able to test it there. The salesperson explained to me that the store imports the fragrance directly from the UK, which is why the price tag of €200 for a 100 ml bottle is so high.

Fragrance description:
Lush works with essential oils. According to the ingredient lists, it consists of the following oils:
Cardamom Oil
Olive Leaf Absolute
Rose Oil
Colombian Cocoa Absolute
Oudh Oil
So just as it is listed here among the fragrance notes on Parfumo.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room:
Is it an authentic coffee scent? I wouldn't describe it as such. Shortly after spraying, you get the association of coffee beans. As the fragrance develops, the smell of espresso comes through more often. It behaves quite differently here than, for example, "Coffee Addict | Theodoros Kalotinis," which for me now smells more like cheap Nestlé coffee with a lot of (gross) powdered milk from a machine and a hint of Starbucks. Follow is a bit more to my liking than the latter, although it is also too sweet for me.

So what is "Cardamom Coffee (Perfume) | Lush / Cosmetics To Go" then? For me, cardamom clearly dominates the entire fragrance development. When sprayed, it appears authentic and slightly spicy. However, when I compare it directly to my glass of cardamom pods, those are significantly sharper and more biting than the perfume. Here, the rose and cocoa act as softeners. Compared to "Cuirs Nomades - African Leather (Eau de Parfum) | Memo Paris," the cardamom is much more pronounced and remains prominent. In "Gris Charnel (Extrait) | bdk Parfums," the cardamom is depicted much softer and creamier. The cocoa is very similar to "I'm Home (Perfume) | Lush / Cosmetics To Go."
The notes are carried on a sweet and woody base. For me, it shouldn't be any sweeter.
Overall, the fragrance development is rather linear.

Longevity and sillage:
Both are perfect for me. Not too short and not too long, yet sufficiently strong. I am not a fan of fragrances that last longer than 24 hours.

Bottle and value:
The bottles at Lush all look the same. The sprayers are okay, but the caps are subpar. I like the bottles from the Black Range the most, as the label is black with gold/copper lettering. The perfume itself is also very dark. Overall, the bottle is okay.
The price of €200 is, in my opinion, completely exaggerated. Especially considering that other Lush fragrances cost only €80.


Overall result:
The fragrance completely captivated me. While I haven't found my coffee grail here, I have found perhaps the most authentic cardamom scent ever. This led me to purchase a bottle.

The theme is well executed here. Imagine an evening by the fireplace. The fire is lit, the fireplace door is still open, and some smoke is wafting out. Chestnuts and hazelnuts are being roasted on the mantel. A not too Christmas-like punch is served alongside. Once everything is devoured, it becomes a bit cozier and everyone huddles together. From here on, it’s just cuddly, warm, vanilla, and sweet.

For the scent evaluation:
I could wish for the smoky and nutty notes to last a bit longer. When I applied the fragrance, it immediately sparked my appetite. It starts off really delicious. The base feels a bit too linear sweet for me, with (for me) a bit too much vanilla.


*Evaluation of longevity and sillage is still pending. I suspect it will last around 18 hours on my skin.

Here I am at my first review on this platform - it can only be about Irish Leather by Memo. But let's start from the beginning:
About three quarters of a year ago, I had no interest in perfumes. In fact, quite the opposite, I found them almost repulsive. But then I met a perfume enthusiast who proudly showed me parts of his collection. For my nose, there were all sorts of extravagant scents. I smelled authentic spices, herbs, fruits, woods, incense, and more. I had never perceived anything like this in perfumes before. My association with perfumes up to that point was (mostly younger) women with an overwhelming scent (usually a sticky, indefinable sweetness) that felt like it was knocking me over from across the street. At some point, I then became aware of the beautifully designed Memo bottles. I sniffed my way through the bottles and got stuck on one. This scent awakened something in me - I had never smelled anything like it before. It evokes an association of a nature-like freshness, sunshine, wind blowing through my hair, freedom, fine leather, and gin, which I enjoy drinking.
One day, the moment came, and I held my own Irish Leather in my hands. Since then, it has excited me almost daily. The dark bottle with the artistically crafted golden horses not only looks beautiful, but also every time I open the cap and smell the spray head, a feeling of happiness washes over me.
I find the longevity and sillage nearly perfect. The scent remains perceptible long enough without bothering others. Especially when moving, it can be smelled by others (the difference between sillage and projection?). I rate the scent a 9.5. The opening and the heart deserve an 11 in my opinion, but the drydown doesn't quite maintain that high level. The scent remains pleasant and likable here, but the special quality is missing.

I look forward to my further fragrance journey and the perfumes, associations, and memories that I will still discover. Perhaps there will eventually be a 10 in there too.