Floral whisper
This is a delicate and pretty floral. It’s airy and buoyant while still remaining close to the skin and, on me, it does not have significant projection. I also don’t get a resinous quality to this scent but rather a soft sandalwood sweetness in the dry-down that feels like a whisper. This fragrance almost feels category-dissimilar to the usual Amouage fragrance DNA. It feels experimental in the context of the brand’s body of work.
Nostalgic
The rhubarb note is fresh, tart, crispy, zingy and photo-realistic. It took me back to my mother’s kitchen where she would prepare the fruit for a slow boiling with sugar so we could finally wolf it down with custard. The green tartness of the rhubarb offsets the sweetness of the rose and the fragrance dries down to a soft rhubarb-rose glow. It’s the perfect fragrance to wear to bed or when you’re feeling nostalgic.
Bal d’Afrique by Byredo
I’m underwhelmed by this influencer-overhyped and overpriced fragrance. For me, Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique is a rather boring and predictable citrus scent. The opening is a slightly metallic neroli jolt followed by a softly cloying floral. I find the silage limited and the longevity on my skin is around 4 hours.
