itscoraline

This fragrance is like being tucked into bed by warm, creamy, sweet (but not cloying) vanilla with a touch of coconut.

It’s slightly synthetic in a way that’s hard to place, almost like the perfume version of that vanilla scent they pump into the air on Main Street, Disneyland (no shade, it’s a delightful vibe).

Overall it’s a straightforward gourmand and almost completely linear, so if you like your fragrance to evolve this might not be the one for you.

Projection and longevity are high but not beastly (thankfully). Unisex, although vanilla may read as female coded to some.

Opens with a metallic note that quickly gives way to saffron (think hot plastic + spice), with incense eventually joining the show.

It’s very reminiscent of Ganymede Eau de Parfum — not an exact match, but it has that same synthetic sci-fi vibe of plasticky metal and spice, and if you own one, you probably don’t need to buy the other.

That said, this feels a little more removed and impersonal, whereas Ganymede has a more sensual side. If Ganymede is the hottest guy on Arrakis, this is his sexy but chilly and slightly formal cousin.

Protection and longevity are powerful — the atomiser on my sample was wonky so I accidentally oversprayed and had to wash my arms a bit before leaving for work lest I slay all of my coworkers with my delightful reek. Unisex but leans traditionally masculine.

An opening of lemon and pine (uncomfortably cleaning product adjacent) is joined by cypress after about 30 min. Eventually this fades to a slightly sweet woody incense and that’s where the fragrance sits for the rest of the 4-5 hour wear time.

I wanted so much to love this — it’s highly recommended, Heretic is one of my favourite houses, and the pyramid seemed right up my alley. But I was left just feeling a little…blah. It’s pleasant but utterly unremarkable on my skin, forgettable to the point where I had to repeatedly sniff my wrists throughout the day just to remind myself what I was wearing.

Admittedly, I’m not an incense superfan (with the exception of the chilly gothic Craft ) but it feels a little hollow and like something is missing, even though I can’t quite put my finger on what that might be.

Projection is very mild, longevity is on the shorter side of moderate, and gender is unisex.

Opens with a boom of sweet vanilla incense that quickly smothers any other notes, including a fleeting whiff of orange blossom.

This fragrance was released in 2023 and it very much feels like it, with that heavy, strong, sweet-spicy vibe that’s been so popular for the last few years. It’s certainly not the worst of its genre (it’s nicely blended so might even be better than most?) but it’s also far from unique or even special.

If this is your vibe, I’m not going to yuck your yum — I’ll just say that it isn’t nuanced enough for my preferences.

Projection is on the strong side (this is a 2 sprays max situation), and longevity is on the higher end of moderate. Completely unisex.

Opens with a distinct copper note, accompanied by incense soaked in machine oil, with a hint of new black leather in the background.

The metallic note fades in and out but never leaves, and is both uncomfortable and oddly appealing at the same time.

Overall it’s retro and futuristic and shiny and grubby all at the same time, like a Steampunk workshop filled with incense.

Projection is fairly intimate, and longevity is moderate. Gender is dirigible mechanic.