Adjatay

Opens like a...industrial hand soap? Ok, interesting. I've been wondering for years why they choose that scent for all the mall bathrooms, because nobody seems to like it, but in this it's fascinating. I'm questioning myself because, normally, I don't tend to be swayed by "this is good because of money/brand/reputation" and the smell is close enough that I should be disgusted by it. As soon as that initial blast went away, I tried to bury my nose in my cleavage (where I sprayed) and that was awkward but I kept catching a really fantastic smell that I couldn't get straight on. Like watching something in the periphery of my vision. Smelled like rubber or tar (which someone else mentioned) but again, into it despite that sounding like something I shouldn't like. It dried down into a very strong animalistic smell, I'm guessing the castoreum, with a tinge of tonka. The smell reminds me of getting into my grandmother's already vintage perfumes in the 80s, but manages to stay just this side of "old lady". I never got a whole lot of tuberose as a distinct note, or ylang-ylang - which my skin usually amps. I did get a fair amount of juicy mandarin hovering above the main things I could smell and that was a nice surprise. Longevity was ridiculous. It was still going strong when I woke up the next day. edit: I reread this and realized it sounds like a negative review. I adore this perfume and it's on my to-buy list.

this starts with orange and not much else. then i get some jasmine, heliotrope and sandalwood but it is so soft, i can hardly smell it. i do not get any tuberose, at all and the scent is so close to the skin that it practically disappears. retrying in cooler weather and this time i can smell much more: tuberose, ylang ylang and castoreum along with tonka and something leathery and smoky in the beginning. it's very pretty with a slight woodiness, and wow, now i am loving this.

So I was looking for a scent that isn't challenging but at the same time one that wouldn't offend my colleagues but also sooth my patients. This is it. Two years into my fragrance journey and I think I may have found my signature scent. The jasmine/Tuberose mixed with the styrax makes it warm and inviting whereas the castoreum note gives it character. I have Ylang Ylang in my backyard and the note is so well captured in this fragrance, definitely adds to it's sweetness. This is love at first sniff. It's almost like o can feel it. Stunning. I'm going to have to check Alexandra Money's other work as well now.

At this point, all perfumes remind me of others. In this case, the tuberose/styrax accord of Adjatay reminds me of Sarah Baker's Charade, although this one is sweeter, like gumdrop candies in the background, whereas Charade is more bitter due to notes like oakmoss. I like Adjatay better than Charade. Adjatay also reminds me a little bit of Histoires de Parfums Tubereuse 1 Capriceuce, but only slightly.

This is an interesting one. On the opening it smells just like the brasso my Gran used to polish the brass with but then Shalimar reminds me of Grans wood polish at the start as well! I was expecting a heavy and strong intro but it certainly is not that. Its more soft so man or woman can feel very comfortable wearing this. It is a very sexy, up close and personal type of scent. If you love Hermes Ambre Merveilles then you will love this. It is very well blended and not easy to pick out the floral notes individually. I do get some leather but overall it is a leather/floral/resinous creation. It lasts a long time on me but mostly as a skin scent. I really like it but my skin gobbles up scent so I need heavy hitters.