Note de Yuzu: A Potent Zingy Citrus Blast

Note de Yuzu by James Heeley
Citrus Aromatic
James Heeley

Eau de Parfum Note de Yuzu is my first experience with James Heeley fragrances. James Heeley is an Englishman and co-owner of Heeley Parfums based in France. He creates natural light and simple scents which are nicely composed and individual. He does every detail of the process in-house, including for example recyclable packaging.

Note de Yuzu is “surprisingly” a yuzu dominant fragrance. Yuzu smells sweet and bitter and in this fragrance, is combined with grapefruit which adds to the bitterness. The opening is a splash of fresh bitter citrus, very refreshing, leaning a tiny bit masculine. It is the kind of Pomelo Paradis by Atelier Cologne burst of zest.

Heeley indeed knows how to make a good citrus scent. If you are a bitter citrus lover, you are going to get crazy over it; however, for my individual taste, it is too much sharpness in one spray. The aroma also sets rather flat from my point of view, there are other notes like sea salt, seaweed, vetiver and musk which are overshadowed by the bright sparkling fruits. Yet still, it makes a powerful aromatic, totally wearable for both sexes anytime anywhere.

Ubar Amouage

I was looking forward to trying something outstanding, different and unique so I decided to go for a niche perfume; however, I soon realized that Ubar Amouage wasn’t the best pick for me.

Photo: http://www.olfactoriastravels.com

Amouage Ubar reminds me of Shalimar – its heaviness and musk is obvious, I can almost smell civet. If I had to choose between the two, I would probably choose Shalimar because it does bring something extraordinary and new to the table. I don’t have the same feeling about Ubar Amouage though.

Ubar Amouage is warm, sexy and very very intense. Unfortunately, it neither fits my personality nor goes with my current state of mind. It doesn’t even fit my taste in perfumes. Even if I try hard, I cannot think of an occasion where I could pull this off.

But wait, if you are looking for something extreme, don’t be afraid to reach for this warm, spicy and glamorous fragrance. You will feel ice melting.

A jewel which heats up a frozen kingdom. For a specific audience only. 10/100

 

Rose Splendide Annick Goutal

Rose Splendide definitely hits you from the first sniff. The rose is so dominant and powdery like an overripe rose, drained by the sun would be. It’s a prominent rosey perfume indeed. I wouldn’t exactly consider it to be a light or spring fragrance but rather a bitter, heavier musk.

Photo: http://www.porownywarka.interia.pl

There is not much sweetness or juiciness to it, just pure raw rose. Although I admire the simplistic and authentic smell, it’s not something I imagine me wearing often. It can be overwhelming, sickening and nauseating.

You won’t smell this niche fragrance on a regular basis everywhere you go. It’s a pure rose to me, naturalistic: beautiful and ugly on its own terms. 20/100