Killishandra
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Journey from Antartica to France in a Bottle
Last December, I embarked on the vacation of a lifetime to Antarctica and returned utterly captivated by penguins. I was aware of the existence of Zoologist's Penguin fragrance, and initially contemplated a blind purchase before my trip (for that perfect scent association)! But I'm very glad I waited. Now, eight months after my Antarctic adventure, I finally ordered a collection of Zoologist samples, including Penguin.
Upon the first spray, I was instantly transported back. The smell brought me to the pristine landscapes and all of the playful penguins and seals. The fragrance opened with a crisp, fresh air scent that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the Antarctic. It was as if I was standing on the ship deck, inhaling the purest air imaginable, with the scent tinged with hints of water, ice, wet animal fur, and snow. The aquatic air note is remarkably authentic, a testament to the fragrance's complexity.
About half an hour later, the initial aquatic air scent began to fade, making way for a distinct leather note. This leather scent leaned more luxurious jacket than new car, yet it wasn’t entirely to my taste. It was also slightly more masculine than I usually prefer. Fortunately, this phase didn’t last long.
After another 2-3 hours, the leather subsided, revealing a sublime musky scent. As a teenager, I adored The Body Shop's White Musk, and this fragrance evoked a similar allure. It also reminded me of Chanel 1957, though Penguin's unique top and middle notes are very different than either of those. The transformation from oceanic salt air and wet leather to an exquisite white musk was nothing short of extraordinary.
Zoologist's Penguin fragrance took me on an incredible journey, from the refreshing sea air of Antarctica to a Chanel-like white musk. I fell in love with both the initial and dry-down phases, each offering a distinct and captivating experience. As I continue to explore the rest of my Zoologist samples, I look forward to discovering more scents that are equally complex and transformative!
Upon the first spray, I was instantly transported back. The smell brought me to the pristine landscapes and all of the playful penguins and seals. The fragrance opened with a crisp, fresh air scent that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the Antarctic. It was as if I was standing on the ship deck, inhaling the purest air imaginable, with the scent tinged with hints of water, ice, wet animal fur, and snow. The aquatic air note is remarkably authentic, a testament to the fragrance's complexity.
About half an hour later, the initial aquatic air scent began to fade, making way for a distinct leather note. This leather scent leaned more luxurious jacket than new car, yet it wasn’t entirely to my taste. It was also slightly more masculine than I usually prefer. Fortunately, this phase didn’t last long.
After another 2-3 hours, the leather subsided, revealing a sublime musky scent. As a teenager, I adored The Body Shop's White Musk, and this fragrance evoked a similar allure. It also reminded me of Chanel 1957, though Penguin's unique top and middle notes are very different than either of those. The transformation from oceanic salt air and wet leather to an exquisite white musk was nothing short of extraordinary.
Zoologist's Penguin fragrance took me on an incredible journey, from the refreshing sea air of Antarctica to a Chanel-like white musk. I fell in love with both the initial and dry-down phases, each offering a distinct and captivating experience. As I continue to explore the rest of my Zoologist samples, I look forward to discovering more scents that are equally complex and transformative!
Smell & picture the orange
This is a strong, bright mandarin orange scent. On initial spray all that comes through really is the orange, a really photorealistic, 'I can see myself standing in an orange orchard' kind of scent.
Within half an hour, the orange was nearly completely gone and I was left with a nice, but very very subtle basil, sandalwood, ambery skin scent. If you are a skin scent kind of person, it's lovely. I am not, so I was very disappointed with the performance.
If someone is looking for a similar scent where the mandarin sticks around I highly recommend checking out Atelier Cologne Clementine California. It isn't as natural, or juicy as this, if you compare the two it's very obvious why the Guerlain is simply a 'better' or higher end perfume, but it is still a great, long wearing scent with serious orange siliage if that is what you are looking for.
Within half an hour, the orange was nearly completely gone and I was left with a nice, but very very subtle basil, sandalwood, ambery skin scent. If you are a skin scent kind of person, it's lovely. I am not, so I was very disappointed with the performance.
If someone is looking for a similar scent where the mandarin sticks around I highly recommend checking out Atelier Cologne Clementine California. It isn't as natural, or juicy as this, if you compare the two it's very obvious why the Guerlain is simply a 'better' or higher end perfume, but it is still a great, long wearing scent with serious orange siliage if that is what you are looking for.
Okayish fig.
don't love this fig. The fig scent is there, but it's also heavily influenced by a bitter, black tea scent - like a deep deep over steeped black assam very tannic tea.
It also has terrible siliage and lasting power, which is probably to be expected with a body spray, but even on my hair (which usually holds on to scent forever) or clothing it just does not stick around.
I will get through the bottle eventually, but that bitter note is killing me and prevents me from using it as a bedtime or cozy hangout spray...it just isn't cozy at all.
...I received this as a gift from a friend who knows I love figs, and will not/would not repurchase.
It also has terrible siliage and lasting power, which is probably to be expected with a body spray, but even on my hair (which usually holds on to scent forever) or clothing it just does not stick around.
I will get through the bottle eventually, but that bitter note is killing me and prevents me from using it as a bedtime or cozy hangout spray...it just isn't cozy at all.
...I received this as a gift from a friend who knows I love figs, and will not/would not repurchase.
Skin Scent for those who don't like skin scents
I like big strong perfumes that you can smell all day and that slap you in the face. A close worn, skin like scent is the complete opposite of that.
This is a good mix of the two. It is a strong, long lasting scent that has a fair amount of siliage, but it's not terribly overpowering and doesn't broadcast I'M WEARING PERFUME. It's more I HAVE AWESOME LAUNDRY DETERGENT.
...which is lovely! I purchased this a few years ago as a vacation scent and have found that I continue to reach for it on summer, hot days, the clean scent fits hot sticky weather perfectly.
This is a good mix of the two. It is a strong, long lasting scent that has a fair amount of siliage, but it's not terribly overpowering and doesn't broadcast I'M WEARING PERFUME. It's more I HAVE AWESOME LAUNDRY DETERGENT.
...which is lovely! I purchased this a few years ago as a vacation scent and have found that I continue to reach for it on summer, hot days, the clean scent fits hot sticky weather perfectly.
Hotel Lobby Fig
Absolutely lovely.
I struggle a little with the perfect words to describe this scent. It is fig, and really mostly fig, but it also still isn't a one note fig. To me, it invokes memories of hotels in Croatia, and the roadside stands where I'd buy cartons of juicy ripe figs for next to nothing. It is an easy scent to wear, and works just as well as a daily work scent as it would for a night out - it is going to be my go to scent all summer.
My only negative is that I wish it lasted a bit longer, I get 3, maybe 4 hours out of it on the high end, but since it is so light and fresh it's an easy reapply, overspraying just isn't a thing with this perfume.
I struggle a little with the perfect words to describe this scent. It is fig, and really mostly fig, but it also still isn't a one note fig. To me, it invokes memories of hotels in Croatia, and the roadside stands where I'd buy cartons of juicy ripe figs for next to nothing. It is an easy scent to wear, and works just as well as a daily work scent as it would for a night out - it is going to be my go to scent all summer.
My only negative is that I wish it lasted a bit longer, I get 3, maybe 4 hours out of it on the high end, but since it is so light and fresh it's an easy reapply, overspraying just isn't a thing with this perfume.
