Tonka Cola: A Sweet Delight from Mancera

Tonka Cola by Mancera
Amber Spicy

Tonka Cola is the first fragrance from Mancera I do enjoy. I love Cola-Cola with lemon and Tonka Cola is that, and much more.

So it has cherry, nutmeg, cola and lemon – all my favorite notes in one pot. It is a massive projector and definitely cuts through the cold. The fragrance is warm and comfortable at the same time, nothing intrusive nor offensive. It can be pulled off by perfume beginners. The lasting power is amazing too.

Tonka Cola is a nice surprise by this Middle Eastern house and I feel that many people sleep on it. Beware Instant Crush though. That one really did not vibe with me, but the rest, give it a go and for your opinion. Mancera is a niche house with novelty fragrance which are not going to break you bank. French Riviera next time? Maybe. We will see.

Aura Mugler EDT: Do You Believe in Guilty Pleasures?

Aura EDT by Mugler
Floral Fruity
Olivier Cresp

Aura by Mugler has been gradually vanishing from store shelves globally. I am late to the party and picked up a bottle just in time. I aimed for the Eau de Parfum but as it has become scarce, I was lucky to end up at least with the Eau de Toilette.

So, it has a tart fruity opening. You have pear, rhubarb and strawberry, then a huge potion of greenery grounded with vanilla and musk mallow. It is an unusual step from Mugler and brings definitely more to the table than your typical floral fruity.

I admit I enjoy it. It is not a huge projector but rather a delicate beauty. I just got this perfume and I already made a decent dent. Plus, the jungle advertisement is quite fitting.

Do I recommend it to you guys? Hmmm, although it is not groundbreaking in 2023, if you are a 90’s chick, go and grab it. It is a nostalgic piece which actually does not disappoint. Last but not least, there is a sense of rarity to the acquisition.

Melrose Place: The Essence of Glamour and Intrigue

Melrose Place by OUAI
Floral Woody Musk

It looks I have been on a OUAI kick recently. OUAI fragrances just speak to me. In a frag world where everything is about oud and vanilla, I am in the mood for quiet effortless luxury.

Melrose Place is a friendly zingy sweet scent. It has a champagne note at the top which gives it an effervescent zesty quality. No alcoholic smell whatsoever. It has also litchi and red berries in the opening which brings a lot of yummy sweetness. The heart is in a full bloom of rose, peony and freesia. What a beautiful bouquet!

Interestingly, the fragrance appears neither carnal nor romantic. It is rather playful outgoing and flirty. Gorgina! If you are looking for a pretty girl scent but at the same time, do not want to smell like any other person, check out Melrose Place or its scented body products.

North Bondi OUAI: Quiet and Ultra Clean

North Bondi by OUAI
Chypre Floral

OUAI is a beauty brand founded by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. The brand is known for its haircare products, but it has also expanded into other beauty categories, including fragrances. They released five clean perfumes featuring their most popular scents we know from hair and body care lines : North Bondi, Melrose Place, Dean Street, Rue St Honore and Mercer Street. The fragrances are inspired by the super iconic places around the world.

I have spent a year in Sydney, Australia so the first scent I had to pick up was North Bondi. It is a clean fresh scent with florals and citrus. I especially like the bottles design – classy clean lines with a dope magnetic cap. It is the type of scent you spray when you go to work or before bedtime. Your second skin.

Does it remind me of Bondi beach in New South Wales, Australia? Not at all actually. It has lemon, apple blossom, rose and musk. I would expect something more tropical to represent Sydney but it is a nice blend. I will definitely keep it and spray it to run errands, hanging out with kids etcetera. I want to explore more OUAI perfumes. I appreciate their unassuming easy going nature.

Si Intense 2023: There Is No Escape

Si Intense 2023 by Giorgio Armani
Chypre Floral

Si Intense 2023 is a new fragrance for women in the Si line. It has been the third intense version so far. The flankers seem to be never-ending 🙂 Well, anyway, this new version is similar to the original non-intense from 10 years ago; however, slightly heavier on the vanilla hence sweeter. The lasting power and projection is poorer based on my testing. The original from 2013 is woodier, deeper and it is my preferred version.

The note profile is build around black currant, rose, vanilla and this does not change. It is the essential female sensual perfume, spread around globe appealing to all ages. It is the smell of your friend, neighbor, colleague, relative …

If you want to smell cool and do not care the scent lacks personality, why not! Si Intense 2023 is for you normal people who are not huge on fragrances. I reckon that perfume fanatics are neither satisfied with this version nor Si fragrances in general. Me included. I do not want to smell typical, like any other girl or woman in town. That is that!