Blue Encens

To me, Blue Encens is the smell of November in a bottle. It’s warm, dry, spicy, and cozy. It’s also a little bit mysterious, and is the scent of a person who’s travelled a bit and is comfortable in their own skin. After a few wears, Blue Encens has become one of my favorite fragrances - another beautiful and totally unisex offering from Comme des Garçons. On my skin, Blue Encens is totally linear. There’s no change or development to the scent after initial spraying, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing in this case. There are no surprises here, and every note is on full display. It’s got a pleasant powdery and smokey sweetness to it that really lets every spice shine in combination with the overall incense scent. Oddly, Blue Encens also manages to be familiar while being like no other incense fragrance I own. In this way, it’s a classic Comme des Garçons fragrance: Playful, contradictory, just a little weird, but also very, very comfortable. I think it’s strictly a night scent in the warmer parts of the year, but Blue Encens was made (in my view) for all day wear on cold days. For being such a spice-forward and incense-based scent, I think it’s surprisingly versatile in terms of appropriate settings too. It wouldn’t be my first grab for a day at the office, but it wouldn’t be an unwelcome scent in a professional setting either. One of the reviewers below got it exactly right when she wrote that Blue Encens envelops you in a scent bubble without being loud. I’m not sure I’ve encountered that effect too often. Longevity is easily 10 hours or more (especially on clothes), and sillage is, well, I don’t know? I can smell myself clearly at all times, which usually means others can too, but somehow, Blue Encens doesn’t seem to work that way. In any event, you, the wearer, won’t have to spray too much to enjoy the scent. The bottom line? I doubt very seriously that anyone would regret purchasing a bottle. I know I’ll be getting another as soon as my current one runs out.

CdG made an incense-based fragrance that is totally wearable and nice even for those who are not into perfumery, but, at the same time, with quality ingredients and a fair dose of uniqueness and identity. If that's what you expected, you can rest assured that's what you'll get. Now, I don't know what they wanted to say and do with those 'frozen' spices(there is a detectable metallic vibe that may be that frozen thing though) but the opening is spicy indeed, with a load of black pepper which is strong in the opening, but fades earlier, and a solid amount of cardamom that will stick for a long time. Later there is a heart and base of incense and some of the spices(mostly cardamom), which gets slightly ambered in the drydown, but is incensey all the way. They could have easily made this one a part of Incense series, albeit it is a bit safer than all five Incenses. For the record, I didn't get even a trail of cinnamon and/or artemisia or davana. It's all about pepper, cardamom and frankincense, all of that with a noticeable metallic undertone. Longevity is not the issue with Blue Encens, as it's pretty solid - much better than, say, some of Incense series fragrances - Jaisalmer and Ouarzazate in particular, and on par with Kyoto and Zagorsk. Projection, though, is, as it doesn't really exist - the scent is as close to the skin as it gets. That is something that makes you wonder whether to purchase this one or not. The scent itself is awesome - I kept sniffing my wrist every time I tried it, and it can be a compliment getter if someone, somehow, could feel it. One certain way to increase sillage is to overapply, and that can make your bottle empty sooner than you could even imagine. Naturally, if that's fine with you, then go ahead! You will get a very, very nice perfume to wear whenever and wherever you want. 8.5/10

I thought all the talk of "frozen spices" here would have been marketing nonsense, but I was wrong - despite all the typically warm spicy notes that make up Blue Encens' backbone, there's also something undeniably mineral and cool (and yes, BLUE) that stays alongside them for the whole ride. The result is something that manages to be both hot and cold in equal measure, giving it a refreshing, comforting effect in any kind of weather. Honestly speaking, Blue Encens as a whole package doesn't reach the complex heights of, say, the Incense series or the legendary 2 Man, but as a trade-off it manages to be more versatile than any of them - where you might struggle to find the right occasion or weather to bring Avignon or Zagorsk out if storage, Blue Encens is something you can pull off effortlessly. (Despite someone else's review to the contrary, I also enjoy the typography on the bottle, which managed to pre-empt the look and feel of Instagram's story feature three years earlier!)

The review below nails it really, except I don't feel there's a great deal missing here...I really enjoyed Blue Encens. Some other reviews are a little harsh on this one and if Blue Encens is Comme des garcon doing a 'fresh... aquatic' then they've succeeded in making a highly original one. I can just about see why someone might think that it does have a slight aquatic feel but it's more of a warm spicy amber to me. Cardamom is very present in the opening and something slightly sweet(whatever the incense consists of maybe?)and warm against a backdrop of amber. It's that amber warmth and the pepper which makes me think of Prada Luna Rossa Extreme. I first tried these in the summer(before LRE was even out) but got a little confused by the similar bottles now I have samples of each so I can review them properly. Longevity is acceptable and projection is soft but present. Personally I love this!

I love this, definitely not a blind buy, but it has almost an aquatic/spicy incense vibe... super masculine in my opinion, it hits you with a peppery/ incense-y, fresh kick that after it airs out and opens up leaves a fresh spicy scent bubble, almost like a darker more peppery drakkhar, I really like this scent, it’s different, it has decent projection and longevity, I seem to have a scent bubble around me all day, it’s a scent that you don’t want overpowering anyway, I can still smell it on my clothes the next day albeit faintly, but 12 hours later still smells nice on my clothes, lasts less on direct skin, but def a thumbs up for me

معرکه است یه عطر اسپایسی،بخوری و صمغی شروعی لطیف و دوست داشتنی از هل که با نرمی هرچه بیشتر در کنار دارچین و حس عمیقی از فلفل تازه آسیاب شده ترکیب شده و همه اینها در بستری از بخور و صمغ قرار دارند. نت آمبر اینجا دقیقا مثل صمغ می مونه و روایح دودی هم حس دودی ندارند و بشتر بخور مانند هستند. در کنار همه این ها آکوردی هربال هم حضور داره و کمی خاکی هست و وصله ی جوری شده. بسیار بسیار زیبا ******************** scent:9/10 longevity:7.5/10 sillage:7/10 purchase value:5/10 ******** overall:7.1/10

not badly..very fresh beginning...then the incense takes the upper hand and indeed it seems metallic....... I would not know whether to say...but to lines I feel something of faherenheit or cool water....mixed to claccical comme de garcons...... interesting.and I believe for all the seasons. little sillage, good longevity. think of us distance good of 5 hours have a grandiose longevity and are a lot of simila to kenzo air!!!!

This is a beautiful incense scent, truly unisex, good quality; the sharpness runs up to mint, taps it on the shoulder and runs away.... the incense is exceptionally good. But it lasts for one hour. So it's up to the individual, but I'd rather have a FB of something with more longevity. 10/10 for scent, 3/10 for value....

Similar too De Bachmakov The Different Company. Organic, green, grassy, masculin. Just bad sillage. More accurately, it would be more accurate to say it's bad considering its price because it's not a cheap perfume. still, purchased. scent: 9/10 sillage: 7/10 total: 8/10

I just thought it would be similar to any Aqua version of other brands when I saw the word 'Blue', but it was a surprise, the strong scent of spices drove me mad, positively of course, sharp at the start, aromatic and strong later. Irresistible.. A favorite of mine.

When I smell this, I remember when I was 13 and had to go to school in the early mornings in December, -10°C, listening to A BLAZE IN THE NORTHERN SKY. This is exactly how I felt like.

I really like this one. It is strong and spicy, but also refreshing. Going by some reviews it maybe doesn't work on everyone, but for me it smells classy and intriguing.

I just can say, I LOVE IT!!! it ́s clean, mistic, harmonious, sensual, heavenly...perfect. (sorry if my review is not very professional)

Omg i feel like im walking into a holy temple with this one wow!! love it

Really nice. The incense dominates throughout.

Another attempt by Comme Des Garcons at catching the attention of the mainstream crowd but, unlike their previous Amazingreen, this time they nailed it. Blue Encens is probably not as artsy as other *edgier* deliveries from this house but it is SO nicely played to result incredibly likable while still skipping dullness. Safe? Yes, probably safer than, say, SKAI! Boring? No. One of the keys to properly evaluate BE, is to get rid of the prejudices that might come with the *Blue* part of its name and with the overall sporty vibe that comes with the packaging and marketing. THIS IS NOT A SPORT FRAGRANCE. The concept here is to take previous CDGs themes (Hinoki, H&M and Dover Street Market come to mind) and give them a mainstreamish twist by adding, in this case, a solid cinnamon-cardamom combo which seem to be two of the flavors of the day. What comes out is a slightly metallic amber-incense fragrance in the typical CDG's style with a fresh and persistent spicy accord. The cardamom is the real star here and it's the first time that enters the CDG's world. Plenty of it throughout, while a subtle cinnamon note supports the incense base enhancing the freezing effect together with subtle calone-y undertones. What really makes the difference from most designers, is how at CDG they keep on skipping those massive woodyambers that currently overpopulate the mainstream market. Another interesting aspect is that Blue Encens has no citruses whatsoever (not a good thing per se but definitely something to increase the distance from sporty stuff). The fragrance wears smoothly but it's pretty radiant, feels perfectly sized, safe but not generic. An easy wear just like a basic t-shirt. They apparently all look the same but, depending on fabric, cut and style, they wear incredibly different. I've seen someone complained somewhere saying we didn't need another incense fragrance by CDG. Well, I think that's somehow a wrong assessment. Incense is to CDG exactly as vanilla is to Guerlain, iris to Chanel and hay to Parfums De Nicolai. It's in their DNA, it's their signature, it's part of their heritage and, most of all, they're very good at using it. With that said, I'd personally classify Blue Encens as a cardamom-driven fragrance built around a spicy-incense base so, if you're ok with a *safe* Comme, go ahead, Blue Encens is probably not groundbreaking but it's delightful nonetheless. Downline: Blue Encens goes together with Wonderwood, CDG2Man, The Cologne Series and The Sherbet Series. "Intelligent Pop". Safe and honest. Rating: 7.5/10

Comme des Garcons Blue Encens is just so different! The opening blast of this scent instantly draws you in. The cardamom (a note perfectly rendered here), artemisia and incense form this lovely spicy, herbal frame to the incense. The cinnamon note joins the other notes to continue the chorus of spice and incense. Just as you think this scent is going to into linear territory the pepper and amber round out the scent, giving it further depth and richness. Let's face it CDG knows incense and Blue is no exception. This fragrance is a sentimental time machine for me. This scent takes me back to the age of five, at the window sill of our home. I remember staring out the window and watching the rain fall and feeling pretty bummed about not being able to play outside. My mom would always light some of her incense during those rainy weekends to create an aura of coziness in the house and the effect on me was profound. Something about the sound of falling rain mixed with the smell of the incense would fill me with warmth and calm. This scent has of course become my rainy day scent. I wear this on rainy days whether indoors or outdoors. CdG BE is an amazing fragrance and adds a new wrinkle or dimension to ones' scent wardrobe. I highly recommend this fragrance for fans of cardamom, and incense notes as well as fans of Comme des Garcons.

It‘s a twisted take on a blue fragrance, and gets very positive reactions from people. It has everything today‘s market is hell-bent on, strong cardamom, cold aquatics, black pepper and incense. Yet, it‘s so different. It‘s overtly artificial, yet the artemisia and cinnamon also give it some subtle warmth. It may seem austere or abstract at first, but one shouldn‘t underestimate its inviting trail. I feel marginal saying this is one of the best blue fragrances ever made, but i believe it. If you like Bleu and Sauvage, you should give it a smell sometime.

nice really specially for cardamon fans , i can really enjoy the domination of it with the special magic that the incense have always , it is like king incense with queen cardamon perfume ; the good in spicy incense perfumes is that where i live it is really hot so those ingredients will be easily distinguished and i feel like a spice bomb ,the only thing that i want to comments that i dont find it feminine at all ; thanks for Comme des Garcons

I very much liked the opening of this perfume: incense, cardamom and pepper. Those are all notes that I like. So I was quite sure this was gonna be an amazing scent ... Alas, it's just too much. When there's cardamom, incense or pepper in a perfume, usually it has another note (e.g. vanilla) to calm those down a little. But this one doesn't have that. It's too peppery for me.