Disclaimer: (I sprayed it, went to do my breakfast, then I couldn’t smell it enough. So, I doubled my spray routine, specifically on clothing, to make sure I will smell it the whole day. We are talking about a dent here, namely over 60 sprays. I had to add a white little bottle on its back to make the letters visible.) A timeless staple since 1990 that I never used before. A classic fougère that opens very subtle and inoffensive, fresh and aromatic, being the lavender upfront accompanied by green and citrusy nuances. As transition, its citrusy mature becomes more prominent while blending with beautifully with the floral nuance of the geranium. The dry down keeps its aromatic nature but now gaining some richness from the woods and amber. It’s still selling for a reason, a classic that remains competitive because doesn’t screams “vintage”. It’s masculine, mass appealing, and very versatile. Protection and longevity are average, but if you are eager to make it projects and lasts (like I did) you can. Just don’t be afraid to spray 😏. Website notes: - Top notes: Mandarin, lavender, and green botanics. - Middle notes: Basil, geranium, and sage. - Base notes: Sandalwood, rosewood, and amber.

One thing I’ve noticed about myself as a fragrance collector is that I’m rarely trying to own an entire house, but at the same time, I also don’t really like owning just one fragrance from a house. If a brand interests me enough to add it to the collection, I usually want to explore it a little deeper. With most houses, I end up with two or three fragrances—the ones I believe represent the best of what that house does. I spend a lot of time testing, sampling, reading, comparing, and researching before deciding what actually deserves a spot in my collection. I’m always looking for the best of the line, not just another bottle. There are about a handful of niche/artisan houses where I own, or have wanted to own, essentially the entire lineup. Those are the exceptions. For a house to get me to that point, I have to believe there is something consistently interesting about the perfumer’s style and that the collection offers enough variety to justify going that deep. As my collection has grown, I’ve become much more selective. Early on, it was easy to chase releases, hype, or completeness. Now I would rather identify the two or three fragrances from a house that really stand out than own ten bottles just because they share the same name on the label. But I also like having enough from a house to actually understand it. One bottle can tell me I like a fragrance. Two or three can start telling me whether I like the house. That’s a big part of collecting for me now: testing, researching, comparing, and curating. I still want to experience as much perfumery as I can, but experiencing a fragrance and needing to own it are two completely different things. For me, the fun is finding those few bottles from each house that make me say, this is where this house really shines.