SeStra

Verde Aura is a really lovely summer freshie for me, and the resemblance to the obvious inspiration is definitely there.

I particularly like the opening. Lemon and mint provide a wonderfully fresh, green lightness, with a touch of basil joining in later. The whole thing feels uncomplicated, clean and really pleasant, especially in warmer temperatures. Not a fragrance you have to philosophise about for hours - just spray it on and enjoy.

The similarity to Cactus Garden is definitely there for me as well. So for the price, you really do get a lovely, well-made freshie here.

Unfortunately, the big downside is the longevity. On my skin, Verde Aura fades far too quickly. Especially because I like the DNA so much, I wish I could enjoy it for considerably longer.

All in all, a fantastic summer fragrance with a really lovely green-citrusy opening - unfortunately one you have to reapply more often than I would like.

Jean Lowe Vibe honestly surprised me. Inspirations of major designer or niche fragrances are often a compromise, but here you get a fragrance that captures its inspiration remarkably well while radiating plenty of summery lightness.

The fragrance feels fresh, carefree and pleasantly modern. This airy quality is exactly what makes it a perfect companion for warm days in my view. It wears effortlessly, never feels overwhelming and conveys that relaxed summer feeling you find yourself reaching for again and again.

Of course, clones are widely discussed, but regardless of where you stand on the subject: Jean Lowe Vibe is genuinely well made from a craftsmanship perspective. It delivers exactly what you would want from a fresh summer fragrance, at a price that is hard to beat.

For me, that makes it one of the most exciting value-for-money fragrances of recent times. If you like the DNA and are looking for an uncomplicated summer companion, you get an astonishing amount of fragrance here for remarkably little money.

Iso E Super is a tricky thing. You either love it or hate it - and sometimes you end up stuck somewhere in between. That's exactly where I land with Skrik.

The fragrance opens dry, woody and somewhat cool. Iso E Super is very present for me from the very beginning, lending everything that typical, slightly abstract woodiness. Lavender joins in relatively quickly, and later the tonka bean and vanilla make it noticeably sweeter and softer.

And actually, none of that sounds bad at all.

My problem is simply this: On my skin, it never really comes together. I get the lavender, I get the sweetness and, of course, that dry Iso E Super base. But the individual parts never form that rounded overall picture for me, where I eventually think: Now the fragrance has arrived.

As it develops, Skrik remains somewhat oddly suspended between dry-woody, spicy and sweet. Not unpleasant, not really boring - but also not particularly compelling.

I do understand what Lengling is trying to achieve with the contrast between rough woodiness and soft vanilla. For me, however, it remains more of a contrast than a genuine connection.

An interesting fragrance that I certainly don't find bad. But one where I keep waiting until something finally clicks.

Unfortunately, it doesn't.

Poivre Noir Jasmin starts exactly as the name suggests: with plenty of pepper. And I mean plenty. The opening is dry, spicy and pretty direct.

After a short while, a distinctly synthetic apple joins in. Not unpleasant, but it has little to do with real fruit to my nose. More apple rings than freshly sliced apple. It still gives the fragrance a certain freshness and works surprisingly well with the peppery opening.

Over time, the whole thing becomes calmer and somewhat more floral. The jasmine comes through more and more clearly, taking away some of the fragrance's initial sharpness. I barely get any cedar, though. On my skin, Poivre Noir Jasmin eventually settles into a spicy-floral blend that feels clean and fresh.

There is not much development. The few notes remain fairly clearly separated from one another, and the fragrance is very linear overall. After the strong opening, it settles down quite quickly and then stays there.

It is not spectacular. But it is not unpleasant either. To me, it is a decent everyday fragrance with a pleasant fresh-out-of-the-shower feel and a surprisingly peppery opening.

Not a grand fragrance spectacle - but perfectly wearable for in-between occasions.

I love ginger in fragrances. It’s actually one of those notes that almost always wins me over. These days, though, ginger seems to be everywhere - usually fresh, zesty, citrusy and part of the next summer freshie.

Five O’Clock au Gingembre takes a completely different approach. And that’s exactly why I like it so much.

The ginger here isn’t hot, cool or particularly zesty, but rounded, sweet and almost gourmand. Candied ginger really is the perfect description. At the beginning, the bergamot adds a touch of citrusy freshness, but it soon disappears behind this wonderfully warm blend of ginger and spices.

And then I really do get exactly the image the name promises: afternoon tea on a cool autumn day. You’ve just been out for a walk, and now it’s warm inside with a cup of tea in front of you. To me, Five O’Clock au Gingembre has precisely this cosy, enveloping effect.

It does become sweet, but to my nose it’s neither sticky nor overly gourmand. The ginger remains recognizable throughout and gives the fragrance plenty of spice and character.

For me, a beautiful autumn fragrance and, above all, proof that ginger can do so much more than just provide a zesty summer freshness.

Warm, spicy, rounded - and simply made for snuggling up.