SmellyMan1

I have to be honest: I find it hard to put this scent into words, especially since my experience with it is so mixed.

Before I bought Xerjoff Naxos, I really tested it multiple times.
The price is anything but low, so I wanted to be sure. Several perfumeries, repeatedly testing strips... and each time I thought to myself: Yes, it has something.

What did I perceive?
Tobacco... quite present. Along with a certain sweetness that many describe as honey. Personally, I have to say: To me, it doesn't really smell like honey. It's more of an indefinable sweetness in the background, almost slightly fruity, but never clearly tangible.

I might be a bit particular; I would describe myself as unique.
And that's exactly why I tried to really "understand" the scent before buying it.

The association that kept coming to me was a certain closeness to Mancera Red Tobacco.
Not identical, but this tobacco-heavy, dense, sweet-spicy DNA definitely goes in a similar direction.

At some point, I then pulled the trigger.
A few hundred euros lighter, full of anticipation... the bottle arrived at my place.

Of course, I sprayed it on right away.

First impression on the skin: strong. Really strong.
Performance? Brutal. Projection? Likewise.

And then came the problem.

After about 20-30 minutes, something shifted.
Not necessarily in the scent itself... but within me.

I got a headache. Quite a strong one, actually.

At first, I thought: okay, that can happen. Maybe it’s just the day, maybe a coincidence.
So I gave it several chances. Several days, several tests.

But every time the same result.

I don't know exactly what it is, whether it's certain notes or just the entire DNA... but my body does not handle this scent at all.

And that's a shame. Really a shame.
Because objectively speaking, Xerjoff Naxos is a high-quality, characterful scent.

What I also find a bit disappointing:
The honey accord that so many talk about never really comes through for me.

I believe that’s where my personal “what if” lies:
A Naxos that focuses more on the honey, remains softer, rounder, and a bit airier, would probably have become an absolute favorite scent for me.

As it stands, it unfortunately remains an experience that evokes more respect than enthusiasm.

A scent that I can understand...
but cannot wear.

I bought Blue Talisman blind, simply because the hype on social media was hard to ignore. When the package finally arrived at my door, the anticipation was correspondingly high. Unpacked it right away, hardly had any patience.

First impression: high-quality atomizer, feels good. So everything is ready for the moment of truth.

First spray... and then I paused for a moment.
Interesting. But completely different from what I expected.

When I hear "Blue," I automatically think of classics like Bleu de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, or Versace Dylan Blue: fresh, citrusy, shower gel vibes....
But Blue Talisman goes in a completely different direction.

Honestly, the name "Blue" doesn't fit the DNA for me at all.
Instead: very fruity, very floral, and in my perception, distinctly feminine. Yes, it is marketed as unisex, and many even describe it as masculine... I personally cannot agree with that at all.

Don't get me wrong: the scent is pleasant. Really pleasant, in fact.
Fresh, soft, almost soothing. But while I wear it, I don't feel like it suits me, but rather my dream woman.

What surprised me, however, and what hardly anyone talks about, is a certain latex-like note that comes through after a few minutes.
In the sillage, it hardly stands out, but on my own skin, it is consistently present for me.

At some point, I saw a reviewer who described this accord as a "fruity sex dungeon."
Normally, I don't let such statements influence me... but that particular comment has stuck with me.

Since then, it has become difficult to perceive the scent neutrally.
I smell it, and that comment keeps pushing to the forefront. That's probably more my head than the scent itself, but it completely changes the perception.

And that's where I see the biggest "what if":
If the zesty opening would last longer and the dry down were less floral and less latex-heavy, then it would be a really strong summer scent, easily a 9/10.

As it stands, it remains a solid 7/10 for me.
Still strong, definitely a top pick, especially in summer.