Shepilein

My disappointment with this fragrance is particularly great, as I am actually a big fan of JHAG. The musky notes combined with Ambroxan or ISO-E-Super are for me like the salt and pepper in food - they enhance the natural body scent and give the perfume an individual touch. But then this supposed cuddle perfume comes around the corner, and I miss the usual creativity of the brand.

The name sounds promising: A fragrance for everyday life, a tribute to the bleakness of daily existence. However, what has been created here is not bad, but somehow it feels like a copy of a significantly cheaper fragrance. Jil Sander Softly immediately comes to mind. And please don’t get me wrong, I really like Softly. It radiates that effortless cleanliness and coziness, as if you were wearing a freshly washed T-shirt that slowly takes on the unique scent of your own body - a day at home, a Sunday indeed.

It makes me a little sad that JHAG didn’t try something completely different here. A scent of fresh laundry with cotton and cashmere is nice, but nothing that doesn’t already exist. And unfortunately, I don’t smell any of the announced star anise and sandalwood at all. The fragrance is nice, but I actually expect something original and exciting from JHAG - not just the umpteenth imitation of the term Clean.

After many have raved about Diptyque, I finally ventured into the house's collection. At first, I was skeptical, as fresh and green scents are not really my thing. However, this fragrance pleasantly surprised me, as it unfolds differently on the skin than on paper - an irony that is already in the name.

On the paper strip, the perfume appears significantly muskier and lighter, perhaps even simpler. On the skin, however, a fascinating paper and rice note unfolds, which, combined with woody nuances, conveys a feeling of muted rice in a wooden bowl - in a cozy and clean way.

About 20 minutes after application, a surprising twist occurs as the fragrance takes on a slightly citrusy note. Normally, I am not a fan of citrus scents, as they often smell to me like cologne or glass cleaner. At first, I was inclined to write a disappointed review praising the initial notes, only to report a decline thereafter.

But I gave the fragrance a second chance, and I must say, it enchanted me. This is remarkable, especially for someone like me who usually does not appreciate citrus freshness. The scent has a straightforward progression, with the rice and wood notes remaining and becoming slightly fruitier and floral over time.

The fruity citrus note, whether from the mimosa or otherwise, feels dry, but after a period of adjustment, it no longer bothers me. It’s almost as if a baked, sweet, dehydrated lemon was pressed between the pages of a book, leaving behind a unique, fresh, yet light scent.

Overall, I find this fragrance to be original, refreshing, light, and aesthetic. Simply unique. It is now at the top of my wish list.

I managed to grab a bottle before the scent disappeared into the nirvana of sales. But before we dive into the olfactory world of Liam Grey, let it be said: This drop is not meant to be a duplicate of Gris Charnel EdP, but rather a version as an Extrait (so creamier, with more vanilla and sweetness). So, if you prefer the fresh, more robust variant of Gris Charnel, Liam might not be your "cup of tea."

Now, enough of the sniffing around - it’s time for the main event! Liam Grey presents itself as a truly successful perfume that captures the creamy essence, the robust tea, and spices. However, despite all the praise, there’s a little something tickling my nose. The opening is a bit too leathery for me, a bit too overloaded. Instead of fig and cardamom, the scent opens with an ode to leather. A pinch of smoky, earthy vetiver joins in - a powerful blend, if you ask me.

But up to this point, there’s no trace of Chai to be sensed. Contrary to some opinions, I believe that the start of Gris Charnel was staged more skillfully. Oriental fragrances tend to become overloaded quickly, and Liam seems to be no exception. Marketed as a men’s fragrance, it’s probably not too surprising that Liam doesn’t do things by halves. In contrast, Gris Charnel opts for a subtler, tea-heavy start - not too extreme, but still robust.

Over time, however, Liam becomes softer. After about 20 minutes, the perfume truly transforms into the oriental milk drink. So, patience is required, as Liam takes its time before the spicy, creamy Chai notes take over. And from that moment on, the scent doesn’t change dramatically anymore. It remains a sweet, spicy cream. Fig and iris add an opulent, milky, and powdery note to the mix. With patchouli, black tea, and the main player cardamom, all of which remain very present, the scent is fortunately pleasantly robust and doesn’t become too sticky sweet. For those now pondering the much-discussed synthetic issue from social media: Yes, there is indeed a hint of synthetic presence, but personally, it doesn’t bother me much. This is not a cheap, synthetic fragrance, but rather a cool, powdery synthetic that gives the overall aroma the final touch. Overall, it’s a lovely scent that can hold its own in any collection.

For lovers of Glossier You and JHG Not a Perfume, this fragrance is definitely worth a try. I have a long-standing acquaintance with this perfume, starting with a sample, and my mother swears by it, which is why the bottle is repeatedly purchased. Therefore, I can say with certainty: This perfume unfolds uniquely on everyone and has fans everywhere. The scent notes move in a fresh, sharp, and spicy direction. The beginning is quite intense and alcoholic, typical for molecule fragrances. Here, patience is key. Ambroxan and ISO-E-Super may seem piercing at first, but after about 20 minutes, everything settles down, and the body scent harmoniously merges with the perfume.

A tip: Spraying the perfume directly on the skin allows the components to interact optimally. For me personally, the scent has something unique and almost inexplicable. I wouldn't say it smells like "just showered." More like a chic date with lots of gin and tonic. The exact composition of my associations is unknown even to me, but it almost seems like it has something pheromone-like, as I find it irresistible on other people. It always has the same DNA, but it’s slightly different on everyone - the best version of each with the DNA of Molecule.

A small bittersweet note: After applying, I can only perceive the scent twice on myself; after that, it eludes my own perception, while others around me can still enjoy it. A true crowd favorite that seems more intense to others than to the wearer themselves.

Ah, it is really frustrating that only the top notes are praised in the highest tones, while the rest is neglected. But fine, I'll be brief: This thing is simply a faker. The opening with the high-quality matcha is truly grand. It smells exactly like that wonderful green powder - an authentic, powdery tea note. A fantastic opening! But then, like with so many fragrances I'm currently testing, the lull follows. It turns into a run-of-the-mill scent, developing quite fresh and becoming a bit sweeter towards the end thanks to the vanilla. Unfortunately, the rose is missing here, and instead, there are indefinable floral notes mixed with lemon. My aversion to citrus scents is clearly evident here. Even I can't help but admit that the combination with lemon or bergamot comes off as rather monotonous and could have been executed much more elegantly. In Asia, there are numerous green teas that are refined with fresh lemon, but unfortunately, this experiment turns out to be a failure. The fragrance unfortunately only exudes the hint of an ordinary drugstore cologne, lacking any sophistication or the charm of Japan. A missed opportunity, how sad.