Elegantly Tokyo

Yesterday when i first wore Incense by Byredo i could only smell strong fresh sandalwood with some jasmine. I didn't understand what would make this clean unisex fragrance a ultra feminine one. The akigalawood i found nowhere. As i interpreted this as such a fresh and kind of light perfume i totally oversprayed it today. I shouldn't have done so it was super STRONG. it lasted hour after hour and left a strong scent trail behind me. I live in a cool climate where most perfumes disappear within a couple of hours. Yesterday i thought it was very linear but it's not. After an hour or so the unisex showed itself as a male-ish patchouli-like scent next to the flowers maybe from oud with a sweet animalic undertone underneath everything else. Actually quite strong too once detected i will probably recognize it faster on my next try wearing this fragrance. I still think this particular Byredo creation has a clean and fresh smell but it possesses more complexity than what first appears making its strength very apparent quickly following wear. It's not really my usual style however it feels much too refined to be authentic old-fashioned yet sophisticatedly grown. Okay, let me break down the key aspects: 1. **Initial Impression:** The review starts by describing the initial scent perception – strong sandalwood and fresh jasmine. 2. **Understanding/Conceptualization Issue:** There's confusion about how a fragrance described as unisex (or later perceived that way) can also be considered clean, fresh, or even potentially feminine in its presentation initially. 3. **Comparison to Akigalawood:** The reviewer finds the specific notes of akigalawood surprising or absent, implying they expected something different based on common fragrance knowledge. 4. **Perception vs Reality (Strength & Complexity):** The reviewer misjudged it as "light" initially due to its clean presentation and perceived freshness, leading to an overdose. This highlights their misunderstanding about the strength of unisex fragrances in a cold climate where even regular ones don't last long. 5. **Scent Evolution:** After wearing for some time (an hour or so), the floral aspects recede, revealing a more "male-ish" or patchouli-like character next to notes possibly identified as oud, with a sweet animalic undertone underneath everything else. 6. **Strength of Evolved Notes:** The evolved scent profile is also noted as being quite strong once detected (even if initially masked), explaining the quick recognition on subsequent wears. 7. **Complexity vs Initial Impression:** Despite perceiving it as linear at first, they now acknowledge its depth and complexity beyond just sandalwood/jasmine notes. 8. **Personal Style Assessment:** The fragrance is not their usual style – they find it too clean or refined for them personally (perhaps expecting something bolder). However, they appreciate the sophistication and feel it represents an elevated, elegant, perhaps even old-fashioned yet grown version of itself ("not necessarily old but grown").

I can really smell grapefruits and lots of citruses. It’s fresh, crisp, slightly bitter, and there's a wooden note too. But it wasn't what I was expecting at all! Still, I'm completely loving this fragrance!

I've given it a shot twice at Zara, and honestly, it was so strong I couldn't stop sniffing myself. After buying it, I accidentally oversprayed, and let me tell you, that wasn't the best experience. The scent is heavy on white flowers with a peppery twist, and in the drydown, it feels unisex to me. Even my coworkers noticed, which made me feel like it was just too much. I ended up taking a break from it. But as the summer got hotter and I started sweating more, I found myself craving it again. It's become my go-to clean scent when I need a pick-me-up—whether I'm feeling too warm, sweaty, or just in desperate need of a shower, this is my beacon of hope. The drydown is clean and dewy with white flowers, plus a touch of peppery-woody elegance that makes it feel unisex. Now, I can't get enough of it.

It's my personal pick among Jo Malone x Zara blends, offering a fresh take on that white floral garden theme with subtle hints of peppered earth (though it leans more towards being understated). However, much like several other Zara collaborations I've smelled before, this one gives me headaches or irritates my senses. I'm not certain if it's a specific component or the fragrance's general character causing this reaction but it feels almost like an allergy for me. Still, I can picture myself enjoying wearing it someone else wore it and perhaps catching its scent from them without realizing where they got it!

A top-tier perfume that's incredibly affordable and comes with a magnetic cap that's definitely a standout feature.