Mokka

For days I've been sniffing my skin, spraying my right wrist, then my left. Then again my hand, the inside of my elbow, pressing my nose deep into the pores...
But the Malvs leaves me hanging with growing enthusiasm and budding love, silently pondering.

Today, finally, my journey with him begins and he whispers images into my ear; landscapes unfold before my eyes. On a very early day, my feet carry me out, across the vast meadows, at the end of which stand hedges, shrubs, and trees. The world is still quiet, occasionally a creature rustles, a bird rises into the first light.

The air is fresh, cold, and clear, slightly smoky, mist still hangs in the grass and I am glad to have chosen sturdy and, above all, waterproof footwear.
In the distance, apple trees stand; the harvest has begun.
A hint of pepper lingers in the air.

I prefer to take these steps alone, without the interference of human voices, ringing phones, or worse, the noise of engines.
This tranquility is one of the important refueling stations for my soul. It spreads a dry, soft sweetness over my inner restlessness, minimally balsamic-creamy, warming and soothing. Nothing clatters and shrieks, lashes and pushes.

The path leads back into the house, to the fireplace.
A softly crackling and popping fire welcomes me; grounded again, healed with much joy and a desire for romantic cozy hours.

A scent not only for the beginning autumn days.
Certainly more than exciting in summer heat and soon in the chattering time with frost and ice.
Sillage is acceptable,
on fabric, the Malvs lasts well over a day.

The fragrances I have tested from this brand so far confuse me, leaving me astonished and perplexed. Too much is happening on the skin, it becomes chaotic, my nose is working hard and toiling away like crazy.
Maybe they can't be understood, maybe that's the intention.

With this candidate, I finally managed to grasp a thread. I admit, I need a little order in the scent progression. Anyone could come along with some random lure and throw everything into chaos!

Strawberry Love Pop starts with a synthetically reminiscent marzipan note. Quite quickly, the strawberry takes the lead, but is soon pushed aside by flowers.
From here, both are vying for the front, hoping for first place.

Slightly annoyed, I want to give up. I knew it! A fruity floral compote is really not my choice.
By the way, up to this point, it’s not too sweet.
So I stroll for an hour, or even two, not quite sure what to make of this performance.
Perhaps one could place a bottle with this content in the refrigerator before spraying. That way, at least you get a short-term cooling off from the currently somewhat exhausting temperatures. Even if it’s in little strawberries.

Slowly, a bit of cherry is pushing into the mix. Briefly, the memory of cherry lollipops from my childhood or my children's flashes up. However, this has a hint of a bitter cherry. It seems to have a slightly smoky quality, with acidity mixed in.
This scent twist takes the lead and pushes the indecisive fruity floral aside.



What seemed like a boring fruit-flower compote has now become an exciting fragrance.
Although the first hour certainly has its fans.

All's well that ends well!

*


Sillage moderate
Longevity currently moderate
This could be due to the high temperatures and should be tested again when it cools down.

From the brand I absolutely did not know, Oxford intrigued me the most due to its listed fragrance notes, so I requested a sample.

At first, I couldn't give the opening the attention it deserved and quickly landed on the impression: Ha! Vanilla. I don't really mind vanilla per se, but sometimes it comes off as sticky sweet or as an annoying cuddle monster; then I quickly become bored to stressed by it.

Therefore, further testing was absolutely necessary.
And lo and behold!

It is the opening that absolutely fascinates me and makes me feel delightful.
It is zesty citrus fresh and at the same time wonderfully bitter.

Here, it seems the bergamot has taken the basil to dance and spun a few rounds.
This combination makes my pulse quicken and lifts my spirits.

If there is any jasmine lurking around here, it certainly doesn't bother me.
I simply find this first round successful and fantastic!

Afterwards, a light metallic scent joins in, which in no way disturbs. On the contrary, it adds tension to the dance, the rounds slow down a bit, and the heartbeat becomes calmer.
The metallic scent remains until the initially unsweet vanilla wants to join in.


And the stronger the vanilla becomes, the more the metal recedes.
The vanilla (probably supported by amber and patchouli) takes the lead from here, and the fragrance progression changes.

Gradually, it becomes balsamic, sweeter, but fortunately not too sweet!
It remains a tad bitter.
Whether oud plays a role here or if it is due to the clary sage, I cannot say.

My little sample is enough for at least one more dance, and I am very much looking forward to it.

Conclusion:
I would have liked to enjoy the first round longer.
I find the bitter citrus opening absolutely successful; it is like a freshness kick, unlike any other scents of this kind that I know.

Sillage is not too powerful, receding relatively quickly.
Longevity was enormous in the first test. I tested the fragrance in the evening, and in the morning, the vanilla was still a guest on my arm.

Recently, I became aware of the brand Ard Al Zaafaran.
In a shop, I ordered several perfumes + fragrance oils, the descriptions of which matched my preferences.
The first two tests went completely wrong, as I found - contrary to the scent descriptions in the shop - roses and all sorts of blooming things in the fragrances, which I had to wash off my skin as quickly as possible. I gave the scents to my rose-loving colleague.
These were "Zawarat Al Khamees" and "Oudh Al Abiyedh Khasati". Initially, there was no information about the fragrance notes on parfumo either. Was this added later based on my classifications?

Having become cautious from this experience, I gently applied the roll-on of Rooh Al Oud to my wrist this morning.
Just at that moment, a stable door burst open, behind which were goats, camels, or some other hoofed animal, whose effluents whipped around my ears and nose. These are not cows; I am well acquainted with their odor.
To be sure, I breathed on my other wrist half an hour later with the oil and went to the gym, hoping that no one would look at me strangely because of my "effluents" and perhaps suspect that something was wrong with me. Or wonder where I had spent my night.

But fortunately, that fear quickly dissipated. Upon arriving at the studio, the fecal scent had faded, and there was a light mossy or lichen smell on my skin with a sweetness that could only be sensed. I could not detect any herbs.
During the workout, I kept checking the scent on my wrist. By the end, I was practically inhaling my skin. There was almost nothing left. End?
I offered a fellow gym-goer my wrist to smell: delicate and beautiful.

After three hours and back home, I made another, and this time a damn bold attempt, and rolled a generous amount of oil onto my wrist. And again, the stable door flew open, I was thrown inside, and with tears in my eyes, I went about my activities at home. After 10 minutes, the worst of the stable smell faded (Ha! .....there's a backdoor!), and after another 30 minutes, a woody base became noticeable.
After a good hour, I was rewarded with a well-wearable, soft, pleasant scent. A hint of leather, possibly moss. The sweetness I sensed this morning might come from lichen.

Those who can endure the "little" stable will get a quite decent fragrance.
The sillage is only stronger at first; after that, the scent quickly retreats.
The longevity does not seem to be long. Since I am not yet done with the tests, I will edit the text accordingly later.

Edit on longevity: now it's pretty much gone. I could still inhale a bit. That's it.
And another edit: after 7-8 hours, it flickers back and makes its presence known, softly woody. No stable. The presumed dead live longer. :-)

You can take a hike! What? How stupid is that?
No! I don’t want to discuss it anymore. I’m fed up. Absolutely fed up!
I need to get out ...

And straight into the next Sandarak forest.*
With my fists clenched in my jacket pockets, I stomp off with angry, wide strides.
My head is pounding. I need peace.

I find peace.

Vibrant green welcomes me. The greenest forest, pumping its ethereal breath around my ears and into my lungs. Powerful with strong clarity. I take the first breaths very cautiously.
After a few minutes, the fir forest calms down, and so do I; my heart is no longer racing.
A few steps further, a soothing, slightly fruity-citrusy note makes itself known. Balsam lays itself on my soul.
After four hours, I am recharged, back to myself, and smilingly heading towards the edge of the forest.
With the scent of resin still in my hair, my feet find their way.

Cherie, don’t we still have that delicious red wine in the cupboard?

*to be found, for example, in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria. No distance is too far!

____
The sillage is initially strong, then moderate
Longevity is powerful for 4 hours, then still faintly perceptible for another 2-3 hours