Liaisons Dangereuses Typical Me by Kilian

Last in the bunch. Liaisons Dangereuses Typical Me from Kilian. Have I saved the best or worst for last? Fruity, sweet, floral, spicy and fresh, it sounds good, but I have been fooled more than once. I have learned not to hold any expectations from accords or notes, it is the house's DNA that sets the tone and I think I have understood the house of Kilian.

Plum, ambrette seeds, blackcurrant, rose jam, vanilla and moss. Liaisons Dangereuses opens like a liquor soaked plum. And it remains that way for some time. As it dries down, the plum evaporates, just like my hopes to ever like a fragrance from Kilian...

Plum gone, blackcurrant never there, rose jam, who?
Liaisons Dangereuses, on my skin, is just a sweet ambrette scent. Not even vanilla makes an appearance. Something about these fragrances just doesn't mix with my skin.
One thing that remains the same, is that Kilian fragrances have a very particular DNA. On my skin, and I do not mean any disrespect, all Kilian fragrances have a very dated profile. I am talking "stealing a spray from your mom back in the 90's", I am talking (and I know I keep using the same reference) Tresor by Lancome from the 90's. I am talking random samples you owned as a teen, because you took anything you could get a hold on like a priced possession.

Liaisons Dangereuses is perhaps the most old-smelling of them all.
I still have it on, but as soon as I'm done with this review, I will be washing it off.

Matter of fact? 
Life's too short for bad fragrances. I'll wash it off now, close this chapter, and wear something I like.

Farewell, Kilian, may we never cross paths again.

Intoxicated by Kilian

I haven't had the best impression of Kilian perfumes. I once received some samples and I might have chosen the wrong ones to introduce myself to this perfume house, however, I have left some pretty interesting ones that I cannot wait to try.

Intoxicated has notes of cardamom, caramel and vanilla. In fact, I usually only mention the most interesting notes, but from the archive of Parfumo, I see only interesting notes. Besides those three, Intoxicated also has mocha, cinnamon and nutmeg. Notes that I absolutely adore!

From first spray, Intoxicated is quite masculine and I am really surprised. I expected something sweet, spicy and gourmand, but I got aromatic, soapy and dry, like a stirred martini.

Closer to skin, Intoxicated has a creeping note of mocha, vanilla and cinnamon. As the perfume dries down, it reveals a new side of itself. The green cardamom note is in fact green, which is why the scent isn't as I initially thought it would be. However, the notes, though they are there, aren't as I expected them at all. At all.

I hoped to be soaked in a warm, spicy and delicious fragrance, but I feel refreshened and androgenous, the scent being an aromatic, elegant and tart experience.

Fully dried down, and Intoxicated is still not what I expected. I wouldn't classify it as sweet. Spicy? Sure. Gourmand, yes, per definition, but I only classify fragrances as gourmand when they have just the hint of sweetness. Intoxicated is just spicy, slightly woody and oriental to me. It is nice, but though I almost exclusively wear unisex fragrances, Intoxicated is just too masculine on me. 

Later that day...
As per usual, I like to add a few words after my initial experience. A couple of hours in, Intoxicated has softened, sweetened a little. It leans more unisex, but the initial time being very masculine, it will never be a fragrance that I would reach for. Though it is nice, a fragrance that should be right up my alley, I found that it was headache inducing and I had to wash it off. An awarded fragrance down the drain...

Huboob by YAS Perfumes

 

Can you tell that I splurged at Sense Dubai?

Whilst on my tropical mission at the perfumeries, I was also recommended Huboob by Yas Perfumes. A perfume with top notes of tangerine and bergamot, heart notes of orange blossom, rose, jasmine and fruity notes, grounded by base notes of musk, amber, vanilla and patchouli. The notes do not scream "juicy fruits", but lets give it a go.

I do not remember trying it back in Poland where it was about 20 degrees Celsius, so I'm curious how Huboob unfolds in the Danish climate of 11 degrees.

Straight from the atomiser, I actually find it quite dated (with apologies, but think Tresor by Lancome). First sprays in the air, and I am a little concerned. It smelled a bit off for a second, but turns into a hefty orange blossom. I suddenly remember that the girl helping me said "it isn't a typical tropical fragrance" and the owner did seem hesitant too, and I must say, I do not agree either. Heavy on the orange blossom, the fleeting citrusy top notes have gone, Huboob becomes very old-school with the base of slight patchouli. It is a floral-powdery scent that has nothing to do with the fruity tropics that I was looking for.
Was it a bad recommendation or is the weather that just isn't as helpful? To be honest, I did fall head over heels in love with Taj from Yas Perfumes when I was in Poland at a time, where the summer was scorching hot and humid. Taj was tropical, juicy, yet very mature. Back in Denmark, it was a peppery mess. Perhaps Huboob is just as sensitive to climate?
It makes sense, since Yas Perfumes is made in the warm climate of UAE.

I haven't spoken much about how Huboob smells, have I?
Well, it is a simple orange blossom scent. What's more to say? If you like orange blossom, give it a go. It is of wonderful quality and with an arabic twist, but it is a very simple scent and I won't care to revisit it again.

Iftitan by Thana

 

It's been a while...

With Easter and Spring just around the corner, and the sun shining finally after days of rain, I was inspired to reach for my limitless supply of samples.

Last summer, I visited Sense Dubai in Warsaw, of course, and they helped me find some fragrances that leaned fruity and tropical, because that was the mood of that visit.

One of those fragrances was Iftitan by Thana.

With top notes of apple, cinnamon and smoke, heart notes of clary sage, moss and tobacco, and base notes of aniseeds and vanilla, Iftitan promises something exciting.

I actually made some notes last summer, where the climate was warmer, but not like that of a classic Polish summer. I wrote "I love the initial green apple note, but it fades during dry down and the anise becomes too prevalent. The scent is sweet and spicy in a candy-like way. The faint smokey note is a juxtaposition. But does it belong here?"

I was sparse with my words, so let's give it a go in the coldish Danish Spring weather...

Iftitan opens with a candied apple top note. Sweet, crisp, green and perfectly tart. As the apple note dries down, some spices emerge, just like they did last summer. However, I am pleasantly surprised that it isn't predominantly the aniseeds. Iftitan remains delicate, fruity and juuust with the creaminess of a little cinnamon and maybe even tobacco.

After drying down completely, Iftitan becomes a predominantly tobacco-forward scent with slight hints of fruitiness. This is a very unique scent that I find difficult to describe. I might also be rusty after a long hiatus...
The smokey note I experienced back then is no where to be found, but I have finally wrapped my head around what Iftitan reminds me of.

It's around 00's, for some odd reason, hookahs are a big thing and whilst catching up with friends, having a beer, someone starts preparing the hookah.
It hasn't been lit yet, you just reach for the flavoured tobacco to smell it and it is juicy, ripe, sweet, fruity, dripping with aromas and with just the ever slight note of fresh tobacco. THAT is Iftitan! This scent has been very nostalgic for me and though I would never find it wearable, it does evoke some positive emotions.