Corallium

Corallium is a fresh scent that offers a great alternative to mass market aquatics. The opening is of orange and green citruses, gradually giving way to water, soft woods, light musk and green herbs. A gently spiced nose feel & floral note that is cooling and fresh is an interesting twist in the heart, which I believe is the goldmoss stonecrop. Corallium becomes rather woody and a little warmer in the dry-down, but never becomes heavy at all. The woods do dry up the scent somewhat, rounding out the fresh and slightly wet top end. The smell, overall, is quite natural, though the individual notes do lack some definition - after the opening, the notes all blend together without much separation. (Not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation.) Performance is decent, though the scent is polite compared with designer aquatics and blues for men. Altogether very fresh and immensely wearable, Corallium is a coastal scent that isn't too salty or drowned in ambroxan. I would consider it unisex, especially in comparison with masculine aquatics such as the modern AdG flankers. A worthy contender for a signature summer scent, and stands out as interesting yet natural smelling in comparison to most calonic water scents.

Cedar is, maybe, the most omnipresent note in low-budget perfumery of today. Also, it's in every deodorant, every aftershave and lots of shower gels and stuff. However, if you really want to try a well-made cedar perfume, Corallium is the one to look for. Naturally, this one is about more than just cedar tree. It opens in a typical Carthusia manner, with a bunch of natural citrus notes, more sweet at first(mandarin orange, I guess) and, later, more bitter and sour due to prominent bergamot. Then, a well-done cedar note joins, along with some herbs like sage and laurel leaf that give this scent an aromatic vibe. The cedar note stays here until the end of the evolution, joined by some more woods and maybe a touch of musk in the drydown. Rather simple and usual, you may say, but the natural quality gives this one a dimension that other similar scents just don't have. I would say that this one is a bit more masculine, but I strongly encourage everyone, especially women, to try this - the notes can sound like a cliché masculine EDC, but it's not. Corallium is an easy-to-wear perfume. It can be worn throughout the year, but I feel spring and summer, maybe early autumn fit it best - it's not sweet/strong/oriental enough for winter wear IMO. Also, it fits every occasion and every outfit within those mentioned seasons. It has perceptible sillage and solid longevity of about six hours or so. Another winner from this very underrated brand. Even if rather familiar and standard, the way it's done is the way this genre should be done. 8.5/10

I've never encountered sedum or stone crop in a perfume before, and here, it really sets Corallium apart (missing from note pyramid above). On first spray, a delightfully soft orange note, then brisk bergamot and herbs deliver a familiar aftershave accord with a balmy combination of light myrrh and musk. Next, a gentle wave of salty cedar and bay deliver a briny, warmth. This is then met with the base of stone crop which offers a note like rosey aloe vera -- very soothing, calming and therapeutic. Corallium and AdP's Mirto di Panarea both capture the beautiful herbed floral and salty spirit of sweet Mediterranean air, with Corallium being a little more delicate and bearing an easy-to-wear elegance. Carthusia offers a beautifully refreshing spa vacation in a bottle.

I often buy fragrances at a nice perfume boutique close to where I work. I don't do blind buys, I prefer to test things properly before parting with my hard earned cash, and I enjoy the process of discovering new brands and their scent-making philosophies. The sales assistants at the boutique already know what I like and dislike, and they often stash some interesting testers for me. This is how I got hold of a 2ml tester of Corallium by Carthusia. This is a very surprising fragrance. The initial burst is much sweeter than I'd expected, courtesy of tangerine and myrrh; but it soon grows in a whole new direction, turning green and spicy with the arrival of cedar, sage and bay leaves. I like it a lot, and if I hadn't already bought FM Lys Mediterranee, I would have gladly invested in this one.

There are perfumes that do not understand, but maybe this is my limit. But it looks like a fragrance without a soul, created with confused ideas. Totally unclassifiable .