Cuirs

Cuirs by Carner Barcelona is a fragrance that contains oud, which I can genuinely appreciate. This oud presents itself as a rich, woody, and resinous blend that I've been searching for. The leather in this fragrance is exceptional and harmonizes perfectly with the oud. Guaiac wood lends Cuirs a well-rounded smokiness, caraway adds spice, while saffron and amber bring about a beautiful sweetness. The longevity and sillage of Cuirs are impressive, as I receive compliments throughout the day from both men and women. Initially, I received this fragrance as a random sample with a previous purchase, but even my extremely discerning father, who dislikes almost everything in my collection except two other fragrances, commented, "That smells really good!" I knew I had to acquire it! Although it was an investment for a full bottle, it was well worth the expense.

I've experienced two uninvited comments while wearing Cuir, both of which compared its scent to that of an elderly or deceased individual. Additionally, I found that the fragrance doesn't complement my skin chemistry well. While I acknowledge that it bears a striking resemblance to Black Afgano, I'm disappointed with the overpowering projection and longevity. Despite scrubbing vigorously, the fragrance lingered excessively, making me grateful it was a free sample. It's crucial to test Cuir before committing to a purchase.

I already possess Palo Santo and Rima XI is on its way to me; this new perfume will be my next acquisition. Among the 7 fragrances in the "Stories" Collection Sample box, only these three resonate with me. I'm particularly fond of leather scents, and this one reminds me of blending TF Ombre Leather and MMM BTF, both of which I have a full-size bottle of and cherish dearly.

I was expecting to be swept off my feet by this perfume, but unfortunately, it didn't quite resonate with me. On my skin, it presents as sharp and metallic, even bordering on unpleasantly pungent when sniffed up close. The oud note dominates the scent for me, giving it a more woody character than leathery one, and I'm missing the tobacco note altogether. I can't imagine this perfume suiting many women, but I do think it could be stunning on the right type of man. In terms of projection and longevity, it's above average.

Unfortunately, the perfume's sweetness becomes overpowering on my skin, which unexpectedly mingles with smoky leather notes to create an unpleasantly contrasting scent. Additionally, it remains fairly close to the skin and disappears quickly, making its value-for-money ratio feel underwhelming.