Wazamba

It opens with a bold blend of incense and myrrh, creating a strong masculine presence. It's followed by bright and sparkling notes of apple, with a noticeable lemon zest that adds a sharpness, though the lemons aren't explicitly mentioned. Subsequent notes bring in a definite cypress essence, adding depth and a woodsy character. As time passes, the scent evolves into a richer, woodsy blend infused with warm resins, creating an inviting aroma that I find quite enchanting. This fragrance feels perfectly suited for a chilly evening like the one I'm experiencing. There’s a touch of sweetness, reminiscent of overly sugared apple cider, though it doesn’t detract as much as I initially feared. However, while I appreciate the complexity, I wouldn’t wear this fragrance myself—it feels just a bit too sugary for my taste.

I’ve been really looking forward to trying Wazamba because I’ve heard it’s considered a better version of Fille en Aiguilles, which I absolutely love. It’s one of my all-time favorite scents, especially around Christmas time—it just feels so bright and festive with a wintry vibe. The combination of incense, pine, and dried fruits makes it really unique and appealing. Wazamba does smell quite similar to Fille en Aiguilles, but I can tell it’s also made with high-quality ingredients, which Parfums d'Empire is known for. Both perfumes are excellent, so it probably comes down to personal preference whether you like one over the other. For me, I think I’ll stick with Lutens’ Fille en Aiguilles. While Wazamba is lovely and has a nice drydown, it feels a bit less festive and focuses more on incense with that slightly sour resinous note. It’s still wonderful, just not quite my thing. If I didn’t already know about Fille en Aiguilles, I might have added Wazamba to my wish list right away!

The scent is quite sharp. There’s a particular note that feels like it wasn’t made with feedback in mind. It’s definitely something that needs to be tried in a sample first. If you’re happy with it, though, it might not cross your path again. It’s really just something that would sit better in a collection.

Absolutely fantastic. A blend of resins, smoky incense, and woody notes assault the senses. This scent is dark, smoky, and richly resinous with a weight that's immediately noticeable. The resinous quality isn't as smooth and slightly woody as tree resins. It opens with a surge of smoky incense intermingled with the crisp, pine-like aroma of balsam fir. Soaked in resinous warmth, it feels vividly incense-driven. As the scent develops, the resinous notes become more prominent and are carried effortlessly by the base. A touch of sandalwood adds a creamy, gently sweet woodiness. Cypress introduces a pine-like woody quality that's complemented by an ambergris twist. The base is a rich tapestry of musk, woodiness, and smoke, with just a hint of sweetness to round it out. Good projection and long-lasting (around 6-8 hours on my skin). This is a fantastic fragrance from the brand. Perfect for winter wear with excellent staying power.

When I first applied Wazamba, it felt like one of the most stunning fragrances I’ve encountered. It was glorious—dates, woodsy tones, incense, and plum, exactly what I craved. But there was a twist: as the hours passed, the scent transformed into something unexpected, reminiscent of hashish or cannabis. While I don’t mind the smell itself, it’s not one I’d want to wear all day. My partner joked about it smelling like pot, and sure enough, the fragrance clung to me. It’s a reminder that even the most promising scents can lead to unintended outcomes. Thank goodness I held off on purchasing it online—leaving me to start fresh again.