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Black Aura
The Black Gemstone is one of the few fragrances that I found interesting solely because of its name and the matching bottle. Thus, the scent quickly made its way onto my wishlist. Looking at the notes, it could also appeal to me, so after a few weeks of hesitation, I decided to get a sample.
The Scent
The Black Gemstone starts off extremely, which best describes my reaction after spraying it. In the top notes, I primarily smell the lemon along with woods and myrrh. I've often read comparisons to a fruity cough drop, which I can confirm; that's how I would describe it at first. Overall, this opening was so strong that it was almost exhausting to inhale this scent directly from the strip; with a few centimeters of distance, it was much more pleasant to smell. I've had many strong fragrances under my nose, but this one is truly extreme when it comes to the opening-I've rarely experienced anything like it. Additionally, it is also extremely heavy and fills the air around you, which probably makes it so intense. After a few minutes, this extreme start settles down. When I tested it on my skin afterward, it was more pleasant. Now, this cough drop note smells a bit like dark berries, very nice, but this note fades quickly again. It's a shame; I found it quite beautiful, but I like the next part even better.
After the fruity notes recede, the resinous note comes through strongly. The smoky notes also emerge. The myrrh is really well executed here. The scent has a truly wonderful mystical aura. Now, the fragrance aligns more with its name for me. I now smell a very deep black and resinous note, which is supported in the background by woody and smoky accords. The scent is really very warm. At this point, about an hour after spraying, the fragrance reaches its peak for me. This is exactly the "Black Gemstone" I had hoped for.
"Unfortunately," the tonka bean adds a significant sweetness in the dry down. It becomes a bit brighter now. It remains warm, but it also becomes a bit softer and more balsamic, with the dark resinous notes still in the foreground. I actually find the dry down nice, but it doesn't fit as well with the name and presentation. Of course, the resinous-smoky-woody notes remain, but the sweet note is still noticeable. I had hoped it would truly stay as dark and mystical. After 6-7 hours, the smoky aspect disappears, leaving behind a sweet-resinous scent. It's nice in itself, but I didn't really need this sweetness here.
Comparisons
I know few fragrances that are similar to this one.
In the top notes, two fragrances remind me of this cough drop note. Both work with honey and are significantly sweeter. One is Mamluk by Xerjoff and the other is Back to Black by Kilian. However, this similarity is only briefly perceptible and only relates to the cough drop note.
The incense note somewhat resembles the smoky notes from Amouage fragrances, but no scent is really similar enough for me to mention here.
The Black Gemstone does have a unique selling point.
Bottle
As mentioned above, I find the bottle simply incredible. The quality is right, and the spray head works great. I find the design of the brand's bottles quite good, but with this mysterious black look, the bottle of the Black Gemstone is my favorite from SHL. The packaging is also more extensive than with most other brands.
Longevity and Sillage
It seems to be much more extreme for me than for most others. When testing my sample, I was really surprised; this scent is one of the strongest I have had so far. It lasted all day on my skin. The sillage is also extreme; after 7 hours, I still leave a small scent cloud behind me. I can only say to dose cautiously.
Occasion
Definitely for cooler temperatures and special occasions; this scent will definitely stand out. However, I personally cannot wear it at any other events. I don't see it for everyday wear. In warm temperatures, this scent does not fit at all, as it itself gives off such warmth.
Reactions
So far, there has been little positive feedback; most people find it too smoky and resinous. You have to like this scent direction. When I have heard something positive, it is that it has a particularly attractive effect.
Price/Performance
At €5 per ml, I do expect something. Here, I received a great fragrance, but I find the overall package too expensive. Since the scent is not so versatile, buying a whole bottle seems less worthwhile for me. However, it is high on my shopping list. It is definitely unique. Those who like this scent will probably be willing to pay the necessary money. Unfortunately, I have rarely seen this brand on sale. Hopefully, I will eventually catch a leftover bottle.
The Scent
The Black Gemstone starts off extremely, which best describes my reaction after spraying it. In the top notes, I primarily smell the lemon along with woods and myrrh. I've often read comparisons to a fruity cough drop, which I can confirm; that's how I would describe it at first. Overall, this opening was so strong that it was almost exhausting to inhale this scent directly from the strip; with a few centimeters of distance, it was much more pleasant to smell. I've had many strong fragrances under my nose, but this one is truly extreme when it comes to the opening-I've rarely experienced anything like it. Additionally, it is also extremely heavy and fills the air around you, which probably makes it so intense. After a few minutes, this extreme start settles down. When I tested it on my skin afterward, it was more pleasant. Now, this cough drop note smells a bit like dark berries, very nice, but this note fades quickly again. It's a shame; I found it quite beautiful, but I like the next part even better.
After the fruity notes recede, the resinous note comes through strongly. The smoky notes also emerge. The myrrh is really well executed here. The scent has a truly wonderful mystical aura. Now, the fragrance aligns more with its name for me. I now smell a very deep black and resinous note, which is supported in the background by woody and smoky accords. The scent is really very warm. At this point, about an hour after spraying, the fragrance reaches its peak for me. This is exactly the "Black Gemstone" I had hoped for.
"Unfortunately," the tonka bean adds a significant sweetness in the dry down. It becomes a bit brighter now. It remains warm, but it also becomes a bit softer and more balsamic, with the dark resinous notes still in the foreground. I actually find the dry down nice, but it doesn't fit as well with the name and presentation. Of course, the resinous-smoky-woody notes remain, but the sweet note is still noticeable. I had hoped it would truly stay as dark and mystical. After 6-7 hours, the smoky aspect disappears, leaving behind a sweet-resinous scent. It's nice in itself, but I didn't really need this sweetness here.
Comparisons
I know few fragrances that are similar to this one.
In the top notes, two fragrances remind me of this cough drop note. Both work with honey and are significantly sweeter. One is Mamluk by Xerjoff and the other is Back to Black by Kilian. However, this similarity is only briefly perceptible and only relates to the cough drop note.
The incense note somewhat resembles the smoky notes from Amouage fragrances, but no scent is really similar enough for me to mention here.
The Black Gemstone does have a unique selling point.
Bottle
As mentioned above, I find the bottle simply incredible. The quality is right, and the spray head works great. I find the design of the brand's bottles quite good, but with this mysterious black look, the bottle of the Black Gemstone is my favorite from SHL. The packaging is also more extensive than with most other brands.
Longevity and Sillage
It seems to be much more extreme for me than for most others. When testing my sample, I was really surprised; this scent is one of the strongest I have had so far. It lasted all day on my skin. The sillage is also extreme; after 7 hours, I still leave a small scent cloud behind me. I can only say to dose cautiously.
Occasion
Definitely for cooler temperatures and special occasions; this scent will definitely stand out. However, I personally cannot wear it at any other events. I don't see it for everyday wear. In warm temperatures, this scent does not fit at all, as it itself gives off such warmth.
Reactions
So far, there has been little positive feedback; most people find it too smoky and resinous. You have to like this scent direction. When I have heard something positive, it is that it has a particularly attractive effect.
Price/Performance
At €5 per ml, I do expect something. Here, I received a great fragrance, but I find the overall package too expensive. Since the scent is not so versatile, buying a whole bottle seems less worthwhile for me. However, it is high on my shopping list. It is definitely unique. Those who like this scent will probably be willing to pay the necessary money. Unfortunately, I have rarely seen this brand on sale. Hopefully, I will eventually catch a leftover bottle.
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Multifaceted Surprise
I became aware of this fragrance one evening while clicking through Parfumo. That evening, I was searching for scents that contain grapefruit. Eventually, I stumbled upon Kajal Homme. The few reviews did not provide me with a clear picture, as it is perceived very differently. Therefore, I was quite curious about the scent.
The Scent
I really like the opening. This might also be due to the fact that the first 30 minutes smell exactly like a cocktail I used to drink as a child on vacation.
I also like the top note very much, even without having that memory. As mentioned at the beginning, I was looking for grapefruit scents, and I must say, I can't really smell it in the top note. What stands out is definitely a blackcurrant with a wonderful blend of mandarin. This combination feels slightly synthetic. Nevertheless, it is a fruity and delicious start.
After the fruity notes slowly recede, spicy notes emerge with a hint of orange. Cardamom is less dominant here than the orange blossom.
I don't really perceive the guaiac wood. Cashmeran enhances the floral-spicy heart note a bit. Unfortunately, the cardamom note fades away a bit too quickly.
The scent is particularly special just because it makes a 180-degree turn in the first 60 minutes.
After that, the truly woody aspect, as announced in the Parfumo description, comes through. I can no longer really smell the spiciness in the drydown.
And the scent indeed becomes quite woody again, especially considering how fruity it started. However, the represented wood notes are not very expressive for me. They lean somewhat towards "sweet wood." Not comparable to dark woody notes. Besides the woodiness, I also perceive patchouli and soft musk. The vanilla is rather light in the background.
The heart note and the drydown give the fragrance a bit more class after the fruity-synthetic top note has faded away.
Comparisons
I find it difficult to make comparisons with other fragrances here, as Kajal Homme reminds me of many scents in its transformation and essentially combines them. The fragrances listed as similar on Parfumo do not seem similar to Kajal Homme to my nose. Especially the fruity top note and the woody drydown remind me of designer DNAs that I have smelled more than once.
Bottle
I have never held the bottle myself, so I can't comment on that. But I really like the design. Therefore, this rating only refers to the appearance.
Longevity and Sillage
It's quite good. You can enjoy it for 9 hours. It has a noticeably good sillage for about 4 hours, after which it fades significantly.
Occasion
For me, Kajal Homme is a fragrance for an evening or other social events. I wouldn't wear it at work, during sports, or in everyday life.
Reactions
I have received many positive reactions to this fragrance. "Good, but also somewhat unusual" fits quite well here. I think if someone has only tested designer fragrances before, this one will impress them a lot, even though it doesn't smell particularly special, but has that wonderful scent progression.
Price/Performance
I couldn't find a uniform price online; it is offered at different prices by each retailer. I found milliliter prices between €1.20 and €1.50.
For the H/S and the interesting scent progression, I find the price appropriate. I cannot assess the bottle, but from the pictures shared on Parfumo, the quality of the bottle also looks very good, and the ratings for it are, of course, above average at 8.9.
The fragrance has an extremely wonderful progression for me. It starts off really fruity-citrusy, then becomes spicy and slightly sweet, and in the drydown, it turns woody to slightly oriental/balsamic. This progression truly makes the fragrance special. For that, I would probably buy the bottle if I really wanted this scent. The quality is not the very best; at times, the fragrance also feels a bit piercing. Nevertheless, it is a really interesting scent and definitely worth a test.
The Scent
I really like the opening. This might also be due to the fact that the first 30 minutes smell exactly like a cocktail I used to drink as a child on vacation.
I also like the top note very much, even without having that memory. As mentioned at the beginning, I was looking for grapefruit scents, and I must say, I can't really smell it in the top note. What stands out is definitely a blackcurrant with a wonderful blend of mandarin. This combination feels slightly synthetic. Nevertheless, it is a fruity and delicious start.
After the fruity notes slowly recede, spicy notes emerge with a hint of orange. Cardamom is less dominant here than the orange blossom.
I don't really perceive the guaiac wood. Cashmeran enhances the floral-spicy heart note a bit. Unfortunately, the cardamom note fades away a bit too quickly.
The scent is particularly special just because it makes a 180-degree turn in the first 60 minutes.
After that, the truly woody aspect, as announced in the Parfumo description, comes through. I can no longer really smell the spiciness in the drydown.
And the scent indeed becomes quite woody again, especially considering how fruity it started. However, the represented wood notes are not very expressive for me. They lean somewhat towards "sweet wood." Not comparable to dark woody notes. Besides the woodiness, I also perceive patchouli and soft musk. The vanilla is rather light in the background.
The heart note and the drydown give the fragrance a bit more class after the fruity-synthetic top note has faded away.
Comparisons
I find it difficult to make comparisons with other fragrances here, as Kajal Homme reminds me of many scents in its transformation and essentially combines them. The fragrances listed as similar on Parfumo do not seem similar to Kajal Homme to my nose. Especially the fruity top note and the woody drydown remind me of designer DNAs that I have smelled more than once.
Bottle
I have never held the bottle myself, so I can't comment on that. But I really like the design. Therefore, this rating only refers to the appearance.
Longevity and Sillage
It's quite good. You can enjoy it for 9 hours. It has a noticeably good sillage for about 4 hours, after which it fades significantly.
Occasion
For me, Kajal Homme is a fragrance for an evening or other social events. I wouldn't wear it at work, during sports, or in everyday life.
Reactions
I have received many positive reactions to this fragrance. "Good, but also somewhat unusual" fits quite well here. I think if someone has only tested designer fragrances before, this one will impress them a lot, even though it doesn't smell particularly special, but has that wonderful scent progression.
Price/Performance
I couldn't find a uniform price online; it is offered at different prices by each retailer. I found milliliter prices between €1.20 and €1.50.
For the H/S and the interesting scent progression, I find the price appropriate. I cannot assess the bottle, but from the pictures shared on Parfumo, the quality of the bottle also looks very good, and the ratings for it are, of course, above average at 8.9.
The fragrance has an extremely wonderful progression for me. It starts off really fruity-citrusy, then becomes spicy and slightly sweet, and in the drydown, it turns woody to slightly oriental/balsamic. This progression truly makes the fragrance special. For that, I would probably buy the bottle if I really wanted this scent. The quality is not the very best; at times, the fragrance also feels a bit piercing. Nevertheless, it is a really interesting scent and definitely worth a test.
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Expecting Spicy Coffee, Receiving Sweet Gourmand
Intoxicated was the second fragrance from the house of Kilian that I tested after Black Phantom. The Black Phantom didn't really convince me, so I had high hopes for this one, as I have yet to find "the" coffee scent for myself.
The Fragrance
Intoxicated starts with a relatively sharp cardamom note, which I didn't particularly like during my first test. I'm not a big fan of spices, so this was quite an adjustment for me, but with each new test, I liked the scent more and more. Alongside the dominant cardamom, I initially smell a wonderful and sweet coffee note. Over time, the coffee becomes more pronounced until both notes are relatively equal in strength. I was a bit worried about a coffee note being too sweet, but in this case, despite the sweetness, it has a great quality, and the spicy cardamom helps to temper the sweetness a bit.
As it develops, caramel and cinnamon are added, also in a very sweet variant. Without the cardamom, I probably wouldn't like the scent, but thanks to this spice, the fragrance has a wonderful coffee character. For me, this coffee note leans more towards a coffee-milk dessert, or as often described here, in a Starbucks direction, which is quite fitting. However, the scent does not go in an oriental direction at all.
It's not a strong espresso, but more like a frappuccino with caramel sauce and a decent cloud of cardamom; I enjoy both black coffee and any sweet variant very much, so I'm happy with it. But those expecting a spicy and strong coffee that isn't too sweet will likely be disappointed here. However, the combination of spicy cardamom and sweet coffee layered over strong caramel is just damn good, that's how I would briefly describe Intoxicated.
I also want to mention that a comparison with Starbucks always sounds a bit negative to me, in the sense of "expensive, but little behind it." I certainly don't want to say that here. As I said, I like sweet coffee, even with all sorts of additions, like you get at Starbucks, and this one is basically the culmination of such a drink captured in a perfume to wear. It just smells great.
This is simply brilliant in autumn and winter, a fantastic gourmand. It leans more towards the masculine side, but I would also love to smell it on a woman, so it's definitely unisex.
Intoxicated doesn't really have a drastic scent progression; you get a fairly linear development here, but with a gourmand, I don't expect much more spectacular from the scent progression.
Besides the mentioned and listed notes, one might sometimes think they smell a hint of chocolate, and occasionally vanilla; at least I sometimes have the feeling of smelling that. It would fit with the Starbucks coffee.
I also have to mention that I can't really smell the nutmeg.
Comparisons
Especially in the drydown, Intoxicated resembles A*Men and A*Men Pure Coffee. In my opinion, the Mugler fragrances are much sharper, and Intoxicated has a significantly better quality.
The coffee note of Black Phantom, in contrast to Intoxicated, seems darker and more chocolatey, but here the rum note is far too sweet for me. I find Intoxicated better balanced. Black Phantom has no spicy counterpart for its sweet coffee note.
Those who were expecting a strong and spicy coffee scent should take a look at Cafe Ambre Noir, which goes much more in the dark coffee direction; however, it is also much more oriental, but that's where I found the coffee note I would have expected here. In short: Strong coffee with a wonderful oud note and a resinous background.
Golden Dallah, in contrast to Intoxicated, is significantly more oriental and spicy; here, there are many more spices than "just" cardamom. Additionally, the coffee note is less present and somewhat fruity.
So far, Intoxicated remains my unbeaten fragrance with a sweet coffee note.
Bottle
I don't have the fragrance at home myself, but I have held it several times. Visually, I like it very much. The quality is also well made. I especially like the decoration on the side. The sprayer is also above average. Furthermore, the fragrance comes in a very high-quality packaging, which resembles a small safe. This is among the most compact packaging I have seen so far.
Longevity and Sillage
Are really good for me; the fragrance lasts about 10 hours on me, and there is a solid sillage for about 6 hours, which doesn't fill entire rooms. I would describe it as very pleasant, not overpowering.
Occasion
From the beginning of autumn, I think this fragrance can be worn. It doesn't have to get really cold. As soon as the hot summer days are over and autumn is slowly approaching, Intoxicated is ideal. It's a great scent for going out, but also suitable for work or everyday life.
Reactions
The reactions I received to Intoxicated were mostly the same. Many liked the scent. I was told it smells very good or very delicious. If someone made a negative comment to me, it was more about the cardamom. That a sharp spicy note is noticeable there.
Admittedly, Intoxicated is the best fragrance in my collection, where I received positive comments without explicitly asking how the scent smells.
Price/Performance
The price received a 6/10 from me. If it's not on sale, you pay about 4€ for a ml, which is quite a lot. However, you can almost always find it on sale somewhere. Those who like it will surely be willing to spend this money.
Intoxicated has certainly impressed me a lot. As soon as I finish my decant, a bottle will also find its way to me.
The Fragrance
Intoxicated starts with a relatively sharp cardamom note, which I didn't particularly like during my first test. I'm not a big fan of spices, so this was quite an adjustment for me, but with each new test, I liked the scent more and more. Alongside the dominant cardamom, I initially smell a wonderful and sweet coffee note. Over time, the coffee becomes more pronounced until both notes are relatively equal in strength. I was a bit worried about a coffee note being too sweet, but in this case, despite the sweetness, it has a great quality, and the spicy cardamom helps to temper the sweetness a bit.
As it develops, caramel and cinnamon are added, also in a very sweet variant. Without the cardamom, I probably wouldn't like the scent, but thanks to this spice, the fragrance has a wonderful coffee character. For me, this coffee note leans more towards a coffee-milk dessert, or as often described here, in a Starbucks direction, which is quite fitting. However, the scent does not go in an oriental direction at all.
It's not a strong espresso, but more like a frappuccino with caramel sauce and a decent cloud of cardamom; I enjoy both black coffee and any sweet variant very much, so I'm happy with it. But those expecting a spicy and strong coffee that isn't too sweet will likely be disappointed here. However, the combination of spicy cardamom and sweet coffee layered over strong caramel is just damn good, that's how I would briefly describe Intoxicated.
I also want to mention that a comparison with Starbucks always sounds a bit negative to me, in the sense of "expensive, but little behind it." I certainly don't want to say that here. As I said, I like sweet coffee, even with all sorts of additions, like you get at Starbucks, and this one is basically the culmination of such a drink captured in a perfume to wear. It just smells great.
This is simply brilliant in autumn and winter, a fantastic gourmand. It leans more towards the masculine side, but I would also love to smell it on a woman, so it's definitely unisex.
Intoxicated doesn't really have a drastic scent progression; you get a fairly linear development here, but with a gourmand, I don't expect much more spectacular from the scent progression.
Besides the mentioned and listed notes, one might sometimes think they smell a hint of chocolate, and occasionally vanilla; at least I sometimes have the feeling of smelling that. It would fit with the Starbucks coffee.
I also have to mention that I can't really smell the nutmeg.
Comparisons
Especially in the drydown, Intoxicated resembles A*Men and A*Men Pure Coffee. In my opinion, the Mugler fragrances are much sharper, and Intoxicated has a significantly better quality.
The coffee note of Black Phantom, in contrast to Intoxicated, seems darker and more chocolatey, but here the rum note is far too sweet for me. I find Intoxicated better balanced. Black Phantom has no spicy counterpart for its sweet coffee note.
Those who were expecting a strong and spicy coffee scent should take a look at Cafe Ambre Noir, which goes much more in the dark coffee direction; however, it is also much more oriental, but that's where I found the coffee note I would have expected here. In short: Strong coffee with a wonderful oud note and a resinous background.
Golden Dallah, in contrast to Intoxicated, is significantly more oriental and spicy; here, there are many more spices than "just" cardamom. Additionally, the coffee note is less present and somewhat fruity.
So far, Intoxicated remains my unbeaten fragrance with a sweet coffee note.
Bottle
I don't have the fragrance at home myself, but I have held it several times. Visually, I like it very much. The quality is also well made. I especially like the decoration on the side. The sprayer is also above average. Furthermore, the fragrance comes in a very high-quality packaging, which resembles a small safe. This is among the most compact packaging I have seen so far.
Longevity and Sillage
Are really good for me; the fragrance lasts about 10 hours on me, and there is a solid sillage for about 6 hours, which doesn't fill entire rooms. I would describe it as very pleasant, not overpowering.
Occasion
From the beginning of autumn, I think this fragrance can be worn. It doesn't have to get really cold. As soon as the hot summer days are over and autumn is slowly approaching, Intoxicated is ideal. It's a great scent for going out, but also suitable for work or everyday life.
Reactions
The reactions I received to Intoxicated were mostly the same. Many liked the scent. I was told it smells very good or very delicious. If someone made a negative comment to me, it was more about the cardamom. That a sharp spicy note is noticeable there.
Admittedly, Intoxicated is the best fragrance in my collection, where I received positive comments without explicitly asking how the scent smells.
Price/Performance
The price received a 6/10 from me. If it's not on sale, you pay about 4€ for a ml, which is quite a lot. However, you can almost always find it on sale somewhere. Those who like it will surely be willing to spend this money.
Intoxicated has certainly impressed me a lot. As soon as I finish my decant, a bottle will also find its way to me.
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The Christmas Scent
I discovered Oajan back when I was looking for a slightly more masculine alternative to Angels Share. Since I was already familiar with several fragrances from PDM, all of which I actually liked, I was very confident that I would also enjoy Oajan.
The Scent
Oajan starts with a dense cloud of cinnamon that becomes very sweet due to the honey. The Osmanthus adds a darker touch, which I really like. I find the combination of the three top notes very beautiful. They smell good together, but they don't completely merge into one another. In my opinion, I can still distinguish the individual fragrance notes.
As it develops, a lovely warm note emerges that is slightly creamy and again very dense. The benzoin brings a beautiful resinous and balsamic note, while labdanum and amber contribute warmth. This heart note is an ideal composition for winter. You want to get closer to this scent, to enjoy it, because the heart notes make this gourmand fragrance even more appealing. After the lovely sweet opening, the scent becomes beautifully resinous, warmer, gains more depth, transforms the cinnamon again without overpowering it, and additionally, the heart notes really boost the sillage, at least in my opinion.
From the base notes, I could initially only perceive vanilla and a bit of tonka bean, and that only after several hours. Even towards the end, the fragrance remains complex. After 8-9 hours, when most of the fragrance notes have faded, I can finally smell the musk and patchouli.
Here you really get a top gourmand that is very dense/cloying, very intense, sweet, but also balsamic, delicious, slightly resinous, and has great spicy notes.
I chose the title because the scent reminds me most of the Christmas market, and that is what I associate most with Christmas. For me, Christmas is also a "fragrant" time. I have more scent associations with no other season than with Christmas. And Oajan has so many fragrance notes that smell like Christmas. Whether I think of a candy stand, plum liqueur, cookie pastries, or mulled wine, I can somehow find all of that in the scent. The fragrance is incredibly multifaceted.
I mentioned at the beginning that I actually got Oajan as a substitute for Angels Share. For me, Oajan is not just a masculine alternative, but also simply much better, much deeper, more complex, warmer, and just more wearable throughout its entire scent journey. I still like Angels Share, but Oajan is much more interesting to me.
Bottle
I really like the bottle. The color matches the content very well. Gold and black together already give me Christmas vibes. For me, the PDM bottles are also among the most beautiful I know. The quality of the bottle and the spray head is very good.
The only negative point I have is that the elevation of the horses and the labeling on the bottle is not always equally well done. Unfortunately, you also can't see the fill level, but these negative points are of course not in any significant proportion to the positives.
Longevity/Sillage
Very good. It is perceivable for 10 hours on the skin. As mentioned, the fragrance really intensifies with the heart notes. The sillage is truly impressive. You can fill rooms with it.
Occasion
Here, Oajan is very limited in wearability. For me, it is an absolute winter fragrance. Even though autumn already brings cold temperatures, I would still only wear Oajan in winter. My connection to Christmas is probably too strong here. Additionally, this scent would be extremely overwhelming in summer.
How the Fragrance is Received
I've already talked about this with many colleagues. Most found it very good. In short: If you like sweet fragrances, you will generally like Oajan.
Comparison with Other Fragrances
- As mentioned, I find Oajan to be significantly more complex and masculine compared to Angels Share. In Angels Share, the top notes feature cinnamon and cognac, while in the drydown, the cognac is replaced by vanilla and praline, but the cinnamon remains dominant throughout.
- Ambre Tabac also goes in a similar direction. In this one, of course, the tobacco is in the foreground, but the fragrances are probably similar. Oajan is more wintery compared to Ambre Tabac. It is also similarly sweet.
- Alternatives to Oajan that lean more towards the feminine side and also evoke the Christmas market vibe are Khaltat Night and Arabesque. Both are also super wonderful gourmand fragrances for me.
Price/Performance
It's reasonable. Good bottle, good longevity/sillage, good fragrance. What more could you want? There are many fragrances in this direction, yes, but for me, Oajan is at the top.
The Scent
Oajan starts with a dense cloud of cinnamon that becomes very sweet due to the honey. The Osmanthus adds a darker touch, which I really like. I find the combination of the three top notes very beautiful. They smell good together, but they don't completely merge into one another. In my opinion, I can still distinguish the individual fragrance notes.
As it develops, a lovely warm note emerges that is slightly creamy and again very dense. The benzoin brings a beautiful resinous and balsamic note, while labdanum and amber contribute warmth. This heart note is an ideal composition for winter. You want to get closer to this scent, to enjoy it, because the heart notes make this gourmand fragrance even more appealing. After the lovely sweet opening, the scent becomes beautifully resinous, warmer, gains more depth, transforms the cinnamon again without overpowering it, and additionally, the heart notes really boost the sillage, at least in my opinion.
From the base notes, I could initially only perceive vanilla and a bit of tonka bean, and that only after several hours. Even towards the end, the fragrance remains complex. After 8-9 hours, when most of the fragrance notes have faded, I can finally smell the musk and patchouli.
Here you really get a top gourmand that is very dense/cloying, very intense, sweet, but also balsamic, delicious, slightly resinous, and has great spicy notes.
I chose the title because the scent reminds me most of the Christmas market, and that is what I associate most with Christmas. For me, Christmas is also a "fragrant" time. I have more scent associations with no other season than with Christmas. And Oajan has so many fragrance notes that smell like Christmas. Whether I think of a candy stand, plum liqueur, cookie pastries, or mulled wine, I can somehow find all of that in the scent. The fragrance is incredibly multifaceted.
I mentioned at the beginning that I actually got Oajan as a substitute for Angels Share. For me, Oajan is not just a masculine alternative, but also simply much better, much deeper, more complex, warmer, and just more wearable throughout its entire scent journey. I still like Angels Share, but Oajan is much more interesting to me.
Bottle
I really like the bottle. The color matches the content very well. Gold and black together already give me Christmas vibes. For me, the PDM bottles are also among the most beautiful I know. The quality of the bottle and the spray head is very good.
The only negative point I have is that the elevation of the horses and the labeling on the bottle is not always equally well done. Unfortunately, you also can't see the fill level, but these negative points are of course not in any significant proportion to the positives.
Longevity/Sillage
Very good. It is perceivable for 10 hours on the skin. As mentioned, the fragrance really intensifies with the heart notes. The sillage is truly impressive. You can fill rooms with it.
Occasion
Here, Oajan is very limited in wearability. For me, it is an absolute winter fragrance. Even though autumn already brings cold temperatures, I would still only wear Oajan in winter. My connection to Christmas is probably too strong here. Additionally, this scent would be extremely overwhelming in summer.
How the Fragrance is Received
I've already talked about this with many colleagues. Most found it very good. In short: If you like sweet fragrances, you will generally like Oajan.
Comparison with Other Fragrances
- As mentioned, I find Oajan to be significantly more complex and masculine compared to Angels Share. In Angels Share, the top notes feature cinnamon and cognac, while in the drydown, the cognac is replaced by vanilla and praline, but the cinnamon remains dominant throughout.
- Ambre Tabac also goes in a similar direction. In this one, of course, the tobacco is in the foreground, but the fragrances are probably similar. Oajan is more wintery compared to Ambre Tabac. It is also similarly sweet.
- Alternatives to Oajan that lean more towards the feminine side and also evoke the Christmas market vibe are Khaltat Night and Arabesque. Both are also super wonderful gourmand fragrances for me.
Price/Performance
It's reasonable. Good bottle, good longevity/sillage, good fragrance. What more could you want? There are many fragrances in this direction, yes, but for me, Oajan is at the top.
2 Comments
Translated · Show original
Certainly built on London, but still follows its own path
I dedicate my first review to the fragrance I was most looking forward to in 2021 after its announcement.
Having already been convinced by several fragrances from Widian, I was very excited about the new announcement.
However, when the notes were revealed, I was a bit disappointed. Another raspberry and leather? Well, of course, I had to test it. Fruity-spicy sounds relatively interesting as a fragrance description, something I have rarely read before.
I quickly got my hands on a sample.
The first impression was already good. No, it was even very good; I have rarely smelled green notes combined with leather notes, and they really complement each other well, along with the fresh bergamot, everything is very harmonious in this fragrance.
Upon spraying, I can perceive raspberry, bergamot, and violet, as well as the leather that is quite present early on. I can hardly smell the pink pepper. In summary, the top note consists of fresh, green, and fruity notes and a very good leather, which is quite delicate. The leather is immediately and continuously noticeable, but it is very soft and not strong, definitely somewhat weaker than the leather in London or Tuscan Leather.
I would even describe this green-fresh-fruity-leathery combination as versatile. I would claim that people who do not like leather might find this fragrance quite "pleasant" or at least more tolerable than other leather fragrances, as this leather note is so fine.
In the later dry down, fine tobacco, musk, and some woody notes as well as patchouli join in. Remaining from the top note is the still light and very sweet raspberry. The fresh bergamot and the green notes have faded away.
Now, here comes a small problem with Aswan. This creation noticeably heads in the same direction as London, but is much quieter and more reserved in its presence and, of course, brings other fragrance notes into play. For example, the oud has been swapped for bergamot in the top note, which makes the biggest difference.
But even with this interplay of all the notes, the DNA of London is recognizable. I really like the top note; it is distinctive. Even in the dry down, tobacco and patchouli are present as new notes, but still, the raspberry and leather are dominant, albeit in a sweeter and less leathery form, but they are still the main players. It doesn't smell exactly the same as London, but you can recognize London in it. However, Aswan is for anyone who does not know London or does not own a bottle. In short, Aswan is the fresh and not quite as loud London. Now I will stop comparing the two.
Regarding longevity and sillage, I can only say positive things. It won't fill a room, but it lasts quite long on the skin. The fragrance lasts a good 9 hours on my skin, and the sillage is well noticeable for 5 hours.
I am thrilled with the bottle. How cool is it? Generally, Widian bottles are among my favorites, especially those from the Sapphire Collection. Since the name of the fragrance is written in hieroglyphs on the bottle, it makes it even more exciting. If you were to see the bottle from a certain distance and not know it was a perfume, you might think you were looking at a small piece of art. Visually, it is one of the best bottles I know.
The only downside is that the spray heads from Widian are not perfect, but still good. For me, the amount of spray could come out a bit slower and finer, but that is nitpicking at a very high level.
I have also received positive reactions with this fragrance so far.
The price-performance ratio at Widian is acceptable. You can often find the fragrances online with a decent discount, and then I would say the price is okay. However, the retail price is quite steep when you talk about a price per ml of €4.80. The fragrances do have something to offer, but you still think twice about whether to actually buy it.
In conclusion, I would like to summarize briefly: the fragrance is great, reminiscent of London, just with more freshness and sweetness and less projection than that.
I can still only recommend testing it.
Having already been convinced by several fragrances from Widian, I was very excited about the new announcement.
However, when the notes were revealed, I was a bit disappointed. Another raspberry and leather? Well, of course, I had to test it. Fruity-spicy sounds relatively interesting as a fragrance description, something I have rarely read before.
I quickly got my hands on a sample.
The first impression was already good. No, it was even very good; I have rarely smelled green notes combined with leather notes, and they really complement each other well, along with the fresh bergamot, everything is very harmonious in this fragrance.
Upon spraying, I can perceive raspberry, bergamot, and violet, as well as the leather that is quite present early on. I can hardly smell the pink pepper. In summary, the top note consists of fresh, green, and fruity notes and a very good leather, which is quite delicate. The leather is immediately and continuously noticeable, but it is very soft and not strong, definitely somewhat weaker than the leather in London or Tuscan Leather.
I would even describe this green-fresh-fruity-leathery combination as versatile. I would claim that people who do not like leather might find this fragrance quite "pleasant" or at least more tolerable than other leather fragrances, as this leather note is so fine.
In the later dry down, fine tobacco, musk, and some woody notes as well as patchouli join in. Remaining from the top note is the still light and very sweet raspberry. The fresh bergamot and the green notes have faded away.
Now, here comes a small problem with Aswan. This creation noticeably heads in the same direction as London, but is much quieter and more reserved in its presence and, of course, brings other fragrance notes into play. For example, the oud has been swapped for bergamot in the top note, which makes the biggest difference.
But even with this interplay of all the notes, the DNA of London is recognizable. I really like the top note; it is distinctive. Even in the dry down, tobacco and patchouli are present as new notes, but still, the raspberry and leather are dominant, albeit in a sweeter and less leathery form, but they are still the main players. It doesn't smell exactly the same as London, but you can recognize London in it. However, Aswan is for anyone who does not know London or does not own a bottle. In short, Aswan is the fresh and not quite as loud London. Now I will stop comparing the two.
Regarding longevity and sillage, I can only say positive things. It won't fill a room, but it lasts quite long on the skin. The fragrance lasts a good 9 hours on my skin, and the sillage is well noticeable for 5 hours.
I am thrilled with the bottle. How cool is it? Generally, Widian bottles are among my favorites, especially those from the Sapphire Collection. Since the name of the fragrance is written in hieroglyphs on the bottle, it makes it even more exciting. If you were to see the bottle from a certain distance and not know it was a perfume, you might think you were looking at a small piece of art. Visually, it is one of the best bottles I know.
The only downside is that the spray heads from Widian are not perfect, but still good. For me, the amount of spray could come out a bit slower and finer, but that is nitpicking at a very high level.
I have also received positive reactions with this fragrance so far.
The price-performance ratio at Widian is acceptable. You can often find the fragrances online with a decent discount, and then I would say the price is okay. However, the retail price is quite steep when you talk about a price per ml of €4.80. The fragrances do have something to offer, but you still think twice about whether to actually buy it.
In conclusion, I would like to summarize briefly: the fragrance is great, reminiscent of London, just with more freshness and sweetness and less projection than that.
I can still only recommend testing it.
3 Comments
