The Emperor's New Horse

What does a beautiful horse have to do with perfume? Unless it is Dior’s Leather Oud, which smells like a stable, the answer should be “nothing.” Especially when your perfume smells like syrupy cakes and cinnamon.

(photo via Pintrest)

Parfums de Marly is a brand that is not easy to learn about on the internet. There is not as much information about it as about other niche brands and their own website is a weird mixture of bad translation and interrupting music. I don’t like the name either. Reminds me of Miley. A bad bad thought.

For some reason Oajan got stuck in my head, however. Obviously, its comparison to Ambre Narguile was the first draw, but after reading more reviews, I knew it would not be a dupe. I read that the sillage and lasting power were much better in the Marly line than the Hermessence line. But the price! It was more expensive than Ambre Narguile and though the bottle looked nice, my previous sampling of the house left me unimpressed.

Oajan reminds me of a really good honey cake full of delicious cinnamon.

(photo via petitchef)

I feel a very slight sourness in the composition but it is nothing that ruins the effect of smooth cinnamon and honey. The scent will last through the night and does not grate. I could wear this daily. Though I really adore the smell and feel the perfume’s quality, I simply cannot get past the overpriced aspect. Regardless of the horse theme and the fact that there is nothing reminiscent of a horse in this fragrance, it is beautifully crafted. At this price point, it is a luxury that a rich person might buy instead of a real perfume aficionado.