Al Contrario

I try to love this, but it’s REALLY hard, cause I only get stone powder from this. I have to layer it with a sweet vanilla fragrance (typically Vanilla 28) and/or chocolate fragrance (Choco Musk), to enjoy it.

• There's some parallels with sweet, juicy and fresh citrusy Franck Boclet Vanille, Xerjoff Lira, Jerobam Insulo and Van Cleef&Arpel Orchidee Vanille. • They all are sweet and juicy, but Al Contrario is fantastic because of prominent real cocoa note that makes it warm and soft.

Sprays on with a porter-like malty, hazelnut accord. As it dries, the orchid comes to the forefront accompanied by a waxy but thin, overly sugared chocolate note. The orchid withers throughout the life of the fragrance until you're left with a slightly malty/nutty, waxy chocolate base. Has that "carnival" type of vibe that I get from some L'artisans like Dzing and Amour Nocturne. The gourmand take on orchid draws parallels particularly to Amour Nocturne. Longevity is above average and I get 4-5 hours of self sillage. 3+/5, "Good". Note: A "+" is not equivalent to a 0.5. I use the + ratings organically where I feel a particular whole number would not best summarize a category. Call it a "je ne sais quoi" counter.

This is the perfume I went into Barneys in Chicago (several years ago) thinking I would purchase. YouTuber Jeremy Fragrance had said that it reminded him of Nutella; and based on my love of Nutella, I had thought it would be the one for me. However, when I smelled Tiziana Terenzi's Dionisio, I much preferred it, even though it lists no chocolate. Dionisio is Tahitian and Bourbon vanilla, ambergris, musk, oud, jasmine, and lily of the valley. it also is supposed to contain some type of pheromone, which I believe is from the ambergris. The notes list (except for the vanilla) would have turned me away from Dionisio. It is now my favorite and most prized perfume. Just goes to show that perfumes have to be experienced in person, and that relying on just notes or recommendations can result in missing out on a gem.

This juice is, in my humble nose’s opinion, decidedly decadent. I’ve had this on for about 5 hours now and every time I’m ready to concede that it doesn’t have lasting power and that it’s retreated to being a skin scent… boom there it is, wafts reaching my nose and treating me to a dark chocolate scent that to me is reminiscent of one of my favorite snacks, Lindt dark chocolate with chili pepper. There’s a mild spiciness meets smoky meets deep dark cocoa. I’m not sure this would be a crowd pleaser, but it’s wonderful to me and I’m glad I pulled the trigger on adding this to my collection.