Oshun

The name of this fragrance is originated from a western african ethnic group, the Yoruba’s goddess of love. This ebony goddess had a dualistic personality: Besides her extraordinary kindness, generousity and beauty, she could also have a violent temper. Flavius Calaj and Miguel Matos wanted to bow to Oshun by representing this duplexity, and showing both her delicacy and sensuality, and her stronger, definitely wilder side. The first sniff of lemon drops flutters immensely fresh and cooling like a citrus serenade, closely followed by spices with opposed characteristics. Blackpepper grains are prodding cinnamon clouds to invigorate our senses like an energy cocktail. As the fragrance starts to warm up, we get a whiff of dry pine needle savour, and an idea comes to our minds: maybe the organic molecules of alpha-Pinene are working in the background. The Pinene is the organic compound that determines the scent of a pine tree (and rosemary too), not to mention the Limonene, which is a significant component in citrus oils. The Bornyl Acetate also has a role, and it is one of the key components of the classic car tree air fresheners, and it has an airway cleaner and pain relieveing effects too. After the quick biochemistry lesson, the pinewave brings the unmistakably unique sourness of the blackcurrant, which reminds us of an early-autumn walk in the forest, rolling in a pile of fallen leaves. It is a thrillingly original and special experience. While the scent becomes more and more balmy, the tiny trombones of a very moderate bouquet of flowers resonates in the heart of the fragrance. This is the phase where the duality that inspired the creators makes perfect sense. The dry-down of the smell gets off to an extremly exciting direction. The moderate but definitely spiky and brute aromas are softened by the ambergris and tonka bean to a quite original, sweet and dreamy, almost like a gourmand smell.

Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water. Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better; It has no equal. --Lao Tzu _____________________________________ Oshun is a Yoruba river goddess symbolizing beauty, fertility, sensuality and love. And there is a lot to love about this fragrance, which is already becoming my go-to for summer. Where Transilvania by CALAJ was full of tensions and contradictions, Oshun is like a balm. It is infinitely wearable and likeable. I know in the fragrance world mass appeal is often frowned upon, but Oshun remains accessible without losing any of its uniqueness. I need to digress to say I was drawn to this fragrance because so few houses pay homage to black deities. What was even more rewarding was the interpretation of Oshun here. Whenever black women are lifted up, it often plays into tropes of strength and warrior queens going into battle. The overwhelming force of Oshun however, is attraction, not defense or protection. This a skin-scent you want to cozy up to. Because overflowing abundance does not have to try. It just is: power, gentleness and infinite mutability. Oshun opens up like a lemon drop and the zestiness stays through the drydown. Yet this does not feel like a citrus fragrance. The amber, cloves, rose and tonka bean make it one of those rare warm-cool fragrances.The only other fragrance that has given me something close to this feeling is the discontinued Ivoire by Balmain. Very different notes from Oshun, very different calibers of perfumes, but both create a sense of milky freshness befitting a goddess of fertility. While Ivoire leans soapy, Oshun is like putting the color teal in a bottle. She may be a river goddess but Oshun also takes me home to sunshine and turquoise waters. I guess it makes sense because rivers always flow into the sea. 5🌟

It's a very calming scent: the pine with lemon, cinammon, cloves, peru balsam in warm tobacco and amber bed- beautifule!!! The flowers are there but in a shy way- I LOVE it!!! It's lasts all day and has a good sillage. I love the Calaj parfumes becouse they are so different in a best way.

An oily patina on the tenacious skin, where I have strong doses of lemon, pine, pepper, a strong horny castoreum from the first moments and flowers, cloves, roses and jasmine that dry musky, powdery and soapy in the finish. Balsamic, green, sparkling and spicy in the opening and long like an 70s cologne fortified with an musty amber base with a dark and tenacious fresh leather. More on the masculine side in my opinion. Honest,strong,decisive.

Very vintage smelling, too vintage for my taste. Dark spices and a smokey vibe. A well blended perfume, just not for me.