LeDuftSuchte

Today I went to a perfumery to try out another latte of designer fragrances. Knowing that the first few minutes of a fragrance are actually irrelevant and that my nose can't tell the difference between the various scents after the second or third scent anyway, I left the store with a handful of labeled test strips.

After about 20 minutes, I stood there in the pedestrian zone and let all the test strips pass my nose. Many 08/15 fragrances went into the "Ok, quite nice, but nothing more" pile - the pile that is about to go into the next garbage can. But then ... wait ... what is this: I was pulled into a room with walls of stacked logs around me. I'm standing there in my bathrobe, relaxed, exhausted and looking to relax. The warm, fragrant air from the recent "forest walk" infusion still wafts from the sauna next door and mixes with the scent of the fire bowl crackling in the middle of the room, finally landing in my nose with a deep breath.

Oh wow ... what was that? Another deep breath through my nose: resinous coniferous wood, slightly smoky, slightly sweet, somehow warm, but also somehow fresh at the same time! Not loud either, but comfortingly pleasant and embracing! Still masculine, noble, edgy, wicked! Totally unusual! Compared to all the other designer fragrances on my test strips: completely out of line. What depth! Not artificial - genuine and authentic!

Ok, next step, as soon as I "somewhat" like a fragrance: I have to put it on my skin! Good thing there's another store on the way to the car ...

And now I'm sitting here writing this review. A few hours have passed since my visit to the city. Countless times since then I've had my nose on my wrist. Countless times I have noticed the scent by chance, radiating from my skin. The scent remains almost the same throughout (thankfully!): It gets softer, a little sweeter, cools down a little. Each time, the fragrance triggers the same feeling in me, draws me into the room with the fire bowl and the fragrant sauna ... I never thought I'd say this: the fragrance is a masterpiece!

I've had the original Le Male at home for a few days now because I liked Caline's fragrance so much that I used it up in no time and thought I absolutely had to get the original. Unfortunately, I have to say: I am disappointed. I keep trying to convince myself that I like the original better - only to finally come back to the realization that I simply like the Caline fragrance better.

Compared to the original, this one is much fresher at first and reminds me a little of a freshly poured cola. The original, on the other hand, reminds me more of cough syrup or some other medicine - perhaps this is due to the caraway. In my opinion, the drydown is slightly better in the original: the sweetness here is lighter, almost creamy or powdery. In the Caline, the sweetness is somewhat heavier and a little overloaded. Although I never noticed this before - this perception probably only came about through direct comparison.

Then comes the final chord ... no difference. I keep trying to convince myself that the original smells better here ... but no. Depending on which fragrance I smell first after a short pause, this one comes out on top.

As for the longevity: I sprayed both fragrances on one arm. Both reached the heart and base notes at the same time. The original is perhaps slightly longer perceptible - but really only slightly.

Only now do I realize what a first-class fragrance Infinite Navy actually is. I keep trying to convince myself that the original is the better fragrance ... I think it's called post-purchase dissonance. ^^