Comme des Garcons 2

it’s not exactly robot in the Sorayama Gynoid sense like I get with womanity, but it’s almost... uncanny in a way? whoever said it was inhuman and post life is kinda correct. backstory to the purchase, I have a few performances lined up where I’m playing this futuristic technological pop star version of my drag character, and I needed a perfume to match. I found this at my local perfumery and even without the tester, something about the reviews and that simple, scribbled 2 on the box drew me to it (I’m coming back for floriental btw but that’s another story) I think the packaging drives a lot of that robotic aspect that people latch onto; it’s like Pat McGrath’s makeup packaging (the foil and sequins) where it’s Mylar and ration-y almost. the bottle is gorgeously simple, and the scent really just... wow. it opens up with an aldehyde blast that seems wetter than most regular aldehydes. it’s moist, slightly humid, steamy almost. sudsy. soapy. like a l’occitane soap from the future perhaps; almost reads like a precision blast of verbena. then the middles start coming in, and this is when it gets interesting. that precision blast weaves in and out with an earthy ink note that’s not as rank as, say, Zara’s supreme vanilla (now THAT’s a rank ink), but adds a layer of... dust? almost? there’s almost a faux warmth that never really translates, which is what I think makes this so interesting and futuristic. the caraway led spice combo really starts to show off too, laying out well with this waxy, bodied magnolia note; which again, kind of feels like a precision engineered magnolia. something birthed by a lab. god I sound so pretentious but the drydown is something out of a post-life thing. I think there’s an aftertaste from the mid notes that reads like a cumin note, cause to me the dry down feels like an uncanny valley human in a really good way. that faux warmth with the spices really shows here where the base just feels refreshing, like holding onto a cool metal railing in the summer. I get the comparisons to old school perfumes, cause in my mind this also struck a strange chord of “wait did my grandparents or relatives wear this perfume?”; I think it really is the uncanny resemblance to older style perfumes that really drives home that feeling of post-life. honestly, I really love this perfume. there’s something about it. it’s rather translucent, but I think for winter that’s what I might need! longevity is pretty great (as of writing this it’ll have been 6 hours since I sprayed it on my hand and it’s currently in the drydown) and sillage is good for it being an airy perfume, though it does become a skin scent over time. approved! (ps I saw someone say this was like two robots giving backshots and I guffawed. not exactly diva but good effort!)

Having a glass of unsweet iced tea on a dewy spring morning in a metro park, drawing the various fellow park goers with your ink pen. A bright, sparkling opening of aldehydes, tea, and dewy, green angelica all supported by inky and floral magnolia. As it dries down, the magnolia and ink accord wrangles the focus from the aldehydes. The supporting freshness of the opening being replaced by a variety of fresh spices and woody notes; coriander, nutmeg, and cedar being the most noticeable to my nose. Once it dries towards its base, the fragrance begins to almost thicken up, like freshly poured concrete in a city park on a hot summers day, the smell of the greenery, trees, and florals smoothing out the edges. As an artist, there is an undeniable dip pen/newspaper ink accord in here in the opening and mid that is wildly unique yet so easy to wear, especially with all the fresh notes that buff out any possible rough edges that might appear. I'm really taken aback with how addicting this fragrance is to me, but all the while being so easy to wear. If you're just getting into the house of Comme Des Garcons, or are just beginning your adventure down the rabbit hole that is niche perfumery: this is a great starting point. I have worn about 35% of my 100 mL, and this summer it has quickly jumped to my second most worn fragrance of all time. I cannot recommend this enough if you want something super unique, while being super versatile and likeable, the only situation I don't see this excelling in is going out. Gotta get your nose on this if you haven't already. I cannot speak to past formulations, but my 2023 batch lasts a fantastic 8-11 hours with strong to moderate projection for the first 3-4 hours depending on the heat and number of sprays, sinks to moderate/intimate for the rest. Very nice for the profile. 10/10. My signature scent as of rn. Song vibe - All I Need by DYVN TLDR - Sparkling aldehydes, tea, and greenery mix with floral magnolia and ink in the opening to make for one of the most unique versatile fresh fragrances on the market right now. As it dries the ink becomes more apparent and mixes with aromatics and woods to soften out the edges. And while it might take a couple of full wearings to understand it, once it's got its hooks in you, it will be hard to stop reaching for it.

To expand on @wornatlantic comment below, CdG 2 smells like a very specific kind of fancy artist apartment. The kind with concrete floors, a single Eames lounge chair used exclusively as a place to drape scarves, and books that are definitely unreadable but extremely intentional. There’s incense lingering in the air, a half-empty espresso cup from yesterday, and a window cracked open “for atmosphere,” even though it’s Québec and 42 degrees outside. This is what cool people smell like. Not trying to be cool, but rather effortlessly and irritatingly cool. The sort of person who says things like, “Oh this? I found it in Berlin,” and then refuses to elaborate. The scent doesn’t shout; it leans against the wall, crosses its arms, and judges you gently while not scolding you for your life choices. . . yet. It simply makes you aware that somewhere, someone with better taste is wearing all black and doing less for more money. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a quiet pause after you speak, followed by, “interesting,” said with genuine curiosity and mild concern. Spray it on and your girlfriend won’t just like it, she’ll start eyeing your jacket, your sweater, possibly your entire identity. Suddenly your clothes look better on her, your couch looks more photogenic, and you’re no longer allowed to own this fragrance alone. CdG 2 doesn’t just smell like an artist apartment @wornatlantic; it turns you into a shared aesthetic.

I’m in delight! Wanted to test it long time ago and just got a decant today. And it’s... beautiful! This frag is an intimate one, it holds close to your skin, but it’s not a problem for me personally as I planned to use it while relaxing. It’s chilling in a calming way, it makes you feel safe and comfortable. It also awakens a beautiful scene and that’s what I like in frags! Number 2 puts you into an old apartment or even a house, it’s from you memories - like a returning to something old and drawing in the meaning of “alluring” not “seductive”. The dust dances in the rays of fading light percolating through the curtained windows; cooled down mate tea with mandarin zest awaits you in the kitchen next door; and you can notice that there were some flowers in the bowl in the room, you can clearly smell their later presence; you can smell the stained glass of an old sideboard and even some vintage perfumery kept in this house by its former owners. Thanks I can smell zero cinnamon as I’m in hatred with this note. It’s mostly about laudanum, angelica, aldehydes, mandarins, different tea varieties, ink and magnolia. It’s not sweet and clearly unisex, out of age and time. It really feels like the time is stopped around you while you smell this frag. Delicious! Pure perfection! I’ve expected something like this and I got what I wanted. 10/10, I swear.

I think your taste in perfume really changes your perception of this. a lot of people who prefer heavy dark spicy scents called this a aldehydic floral old fashioned grandma scent (which is what i personally love), but to me this is quite the opposite. Yes its aldehydic (thus sparkly and 'light'), but it smells extremely camphorous and earthy to my nose. The floral touches are kept minimal it really works well here. Its still very hard to describe however. I cant say a certain note pops out more than the other (besides aldehydes, patchouli and incense). Its very cool and breezy, but not sharp or crisp or fresh. the earthy touches arent dirty, it smells a bit like soil that hasnt been taken over by mold yet. the incense is unlit, so theres no form of smokiness here. its an unburnt incense but its not church-y. i find church incenses to smell a bit musty and rotten sometimes, but this is an oily and freshly made camphorous incense. Maybe i need to spend more time with this to understand it better. I feel like i pick up on the mate if i really look for it. I dont notice the ink but i dont really know what ink smells like so.. I would consider this a chypre without the dirty musty oakmoss. Im still very confused by it and my review may be all over the place. but i think that suits this perfume. Perfect for fall and winter i believe