Suze

I find it overwhelming how many new fragrances are released every month in 2024. You simply can't keep up. If you are a fragrance connoisseur, that's incredibly frustrating. You want to try everything. And you especially want to try everything that is new. The fear of missing out is a real thing in perfumery. That being said, not every new fragrance is worth worrying about-even when it comes to niche or independent perfumery. I will admit that I have given up on most designer releases. The quality is just not there and the structure of the scent itself is lackluster. The artistry has been sifted through and the remaining diluted concoction is nothing more than an analytical retch. Before I continue on, I want to establish the notion of how long it takes me to write a review such as this. It is important for you to know, or for me to know that you know so it highlights the importance of these words that I write. I have indeed been digging through the crates this past summer. It has been exceedingly hot here in Northern California. However, I don't think that is the primary reason why I have been having such a hard time finding a fragrance that I love. Something is missing. I do have a vast collection already in my ownership. It's not a matter of filling the gap for a note I have yet to collect. And it's not that I don't have the right citrus or the right fresh fragrance in my collection. I think what has been missing these past releases is something deeper. I think it is artistry and the courage to execute that vision all the way through. One of the patterns I've been noticing is the redundancy of particular fragrance combinations that are sure sellers. And that's fine. But those are for people who don't find the spirit behind perfumery. In my opinion, it almost brandishes the spirit in a certain way. I don't want that anymore. I want something that has a soul. I want something with life in their eyes. And that is going to be unappealing to a certain group of people. That's the risk you have to take. That is why great pieces of art really have something to say. Suze has something to say. Thank God for that. Suze translates to tears in Serbian. Already we can say it's not meant for the shelves at Sephora. You mean to tell me fragrance can be something other than a goddess?! Yes, it certainly can. Suze hopes to embrace the same feelings one gets during celebration, reflection and other peak moments in the human experience. Whether or not that is executed is entirely up to the wearer. The platform is there. And in my experience it is efficient enough to enhance those experiences. I personally find Suze the ever elusive fragrance I have been searching for this entire summer, if not before then. It stirs something inside. Of course it will not force the experience upon you, but if you are open to it, the fragrance will help create a feeling of nostalgia. Nostalgia for what I'm not sure. But we all have it. Some buried memories more than others. But they are there and I am certain Suze will help bring you back to that place. If you would like me to reiterate the notes that are above me, please let me know and I will be happy to do so. For now, I find it redundant to describe something I'm sure we are all aware of already. In my opinion, Suze is not a spice fragrance. The only spice I am picking up is the natural spice from the plants. Very soft and very subtle. That same description goes for the floral aspect as well. Very soft and very subtle. The opening is the loudest with the spearmint and the mandarin orange. I particularly love the opening. Citrus and aromatics are my favorite categories anyway, so it is a perfect fit. The heart of the fragrance softens with the magnolia, jasmine and other white florals. The iris of course. But the fragrance does not become floral in general. There is a lightness about it that I'm sure comes from the ambrette seed. I don't know exactly what fossilized amber is but I am sure it works here! As Boris Zrnic states, Suze is a study of contrasts. I think any further explanation of the case study would interfere with the artistry behind it. I think what makes fragrance tangible art is the ability for people to attach memories to the smell. The more detailed the explanation is behind the fragrance, the less feasible it is for someone to attach their specific memory to it. This fragrance has the ability to retrieve positive and negative memories. Those that make you cry out of happiness and those that make you cry out of despair. This fragrance, at bare minimum, has prompted me to think and to write. That is more than I can say for any previous fragrance I attempted to enjoy this summer. I look forward to experiencing further dichotomies with this fragrance. I'm sure there is much more to say, but right now, all that is left is how could I make room in my cabinet? Don't worry folks. I was not paid nor was I given a free bottle in exchange for this review. I honestly wish that was the case. Lol. To no avail! This is my review in full honesty. It took me a minute. I started around 2:30 PM. It is now 8:15 PM. My brother stopped by for a couple of hours. We had a nice visit. Then I came right back to it. I don't think Suze is the right fragrance to wear to garner complements, but if you are the type of person who would enjoy this scent, I don't think you would care. A meditative scent for sure. My favorite type of scent. Suze prompts your ability to be reflective. To meditate. The one thing I can do equally if not better than the rest of you.

Years ago in the early 90’s in Southern Orange County California, during my childhood, I lived on the outskirts of San Juan Capistrano in the historic Williams/Bathgate Farmhouse. Nestled along the one way Junipero Serra Road that led home, another homestead was situated close to our property. The neighbors front yard was adorned with a vast Orange Grove, one of the last remaining in the area. Once home we would pass by the garden that was laced with patches of spearmint that wafted through the air with the hot summers breeze, followed by the orange grove next door welcoming itself, uninvited. This extrait is dazzling and give me a case of anemoia, thinking about the original owners of the farmhouse and how life was less complicated and those hot summer days that never smelt better The ingredients Boris uses are luxurious to the extreme, if you want quality over quantity I highly encourage you to at least sample SUZE. Clean, with a minty citrusy opening, but has a hint of naughty. Several florals and wood make it unique and wearable. I get vanilla on my skin after about 15 minutes. It’s quite simply put, dazzling. A treat pour le nez. 9/10 Would be just about a 10 if the longevity lasted a tad longer. That being said... I still plan on purchasing a bottle...ASAP. 🙃

Today I finally received my sample of SUZE. After reading the list of notes, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I couldn’t imagine what it would smell like or even if I would like it. Well I’m not only like it, I love it. What’s not to love? The first spray is a lovely blend of light citrus with a soft spearmint that settles down enough after a few minutes to reveal a black tea note fused with orange blossom. This opening smells like a memory to me, a memory of a time when life smell fresher and cleaner somehow. It’s a beautiful and potent opening that just brings a smile to my face. In time the fragrance becomes more floral, but never giving up its unisex quality. It shines in the air as it spreads out and gives wisps of varied white floral notes with an unexpected slight scent of never-seriously-sweet cinnamon (cassia.) Then, as it dries down to its main portion, it transitions into something darker and woodier, leading to a smooth and woody ambery base that would be hard for anyone to dislike. I’m not sure I smell all the base notes listed, but I’ll keep trying! I can’t compare this to anything I’ve ever smelled before. This one’s unique in the true sense of the word.

This perfume is really something special. Is hard to explain because If the notes look good to you, I can't imagine you not liking it. It does actually represent the notes. That being said, it's unlikely that you will be able to accurately expect what you'll be getting by looking at the notes. It also manages to be truly versatile in that it is both fresh and warm at the same time. It could also be considered a meditative fragrance. It opens with mint and Clementine and a Jasmine backbone. But you don't have to love mint to appreciate the mint note here. It's there but blended well. When I first tried it I thought it was a unique Jasmine fragrance, now I think it's more complex than that. Presentation is top notch as well. Almost too good. I'm not the type that needs this level of presentation, but when you get it you can't help but be impressed. I don't keep boxes but it was painful to throw this one away. The perfume is expensive, yes, but you could never make the case that you are not getting what you paid for. I just wish they had it in 100 ml because I will definitely be using the full bottle.

This is the epitome of a fragrance that is an experience. My first wearing gave me something different than any other time I wore it. I realized I needed to understand better what was going on. So happy i did because this is an amazing, seemingly ‘darker’ floral scent on my skin. I get the citrus and a little bit of the tea but for me it is a beautiful floral scent that is very unisex but has an amazing ability to smell masculine on a man and very femininely beautiful on a woman. Oddly enough to my nose, the only other fragrance I’ve experienced do that is Torero by BTV. While Torero is a favorite, Suze is once again a next level fragrance to my nose. I am not saying Torero and Suze are similar, only that they, to my nose, seem to bring out the best in masculinity or femininity depending on the wearer. This is another masterpiece and another 10/10 along with Zelen from Boka.