Kimono

Clean, fragrant snow comes to rest on thick black lashes, fringing them with white and causing them to flutter in protest against the chill, like Persian silk blossoms troubled by an errant breeze. Drawing nearer, one observes the delicate rosy rims from which the eyelashes emerge, ending in a soft knot of glistening pink at each corner. That restrained pink bud, giving rise to the pure bluish-white of the eyes, shines like the pistil of a lily. From this intimate distance, then, comes the scent: softly powdered skin, newly fallen snow, and warm puffs of breath after a meal of white rice. Aside from a suggestive powderiness, the lipstick note eludes me. Still, there is a carmine quality present, where the white cotton bleeds to scarlet: an impression of something so pure it can only be sacrificial. Such a perfume seems best applied to the vulnerable inner wrist, where the pulse beats lightly against the bones, always in fluid motion; and the nape of the neck, where supple warmth mingles with the soft, rice-like scent and pervades the silky hairs that curl with moisture. It is not a bold or markedly unique perfume, but has the sensuous quality of bare skin radiating warmth from beneath folds of concealing fabric. Beautiful, soft-focus fragrance. A pity that this should bear any association to something so depraved as AI-generated art. To pair with: a steaming cup of 糯米茶; gifts wrapped in thick layers of silk tissue so that unwrapping them is like unwrapping a woman; Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima.

Kimono is the (underrated) knockout from the sample set imho. This was love at first spray for me: the magnolia notes are fantastic, blooming on the skin in a really elegant and mouthwatering way. Kimono is expertly blended- none of the notes are screechy or overwhelming, forming a lovely symphony of faint flower petals and soft powder. The rice, which I think is the least noticeable note, is not a gourmand rice. It's the rice powder you'd see in traditional Japanese skincare and makeup. This is what I wanted Putains des Palaces from ELDO to be and I'm not shocked to see it in the "Reminds me of..." tab. Definitely less carnal than PdP and more virginal- makes me feel like a living porcelain doll dressed in the finest, most elaborate silks, with perfect makeup and hair. The soft magnolia and barely-there lanolin from the lipstick keeps it from being too stuffy and stark, though. From the notes I expected this to be a "drier" powdery smell but there's definitely a beating heart and aliveness here. The only thing that keeps this from being 5 big booms: echoing that my sample set arrived leaky and in bad condition! From what I've seen from other online reviewers, that seems to be not uncommon at all :( I think the set is still worth buying despite the price because all the scents are so good, just be aware...

This is so soft, smooth, & elegant! The sweetness of the powdery opening almost reminds me of my long lost love, Maison Margiela Lipstick On. Within an hour the sweetness has mostly faded, but still remains as an undercurrent as the scent relaxes into a clean, slightly aquatic, vaguely floral rice powder. It's nostalgic and a bit old fashioned but in the best way, like a childhood idea of what a classy lady smells like, sophisticated & poised yet unpretentious & approachable. It's a subtle skin scent and supremely wearable. I can see this being suitable for almost any occasion. We'll see about longevity; the first time I wore it I got at least 6 hours if not more out of it. Today I'm about 2 hours out and it's already considerably faded, but I have a feeling I'll continue to get hints for several more hours. Overall just so beautiful! Update - 9 hours out and I can still scent this. At the very end it's just clean rice paper scent with an aquatic floral note from the magnolia. Easy, light, unobtrusive and clean. Not quite as beautiful as the first few hours, but still very pleasant. This is well rounded through all phases of the scent and an absolute winner.

Instantly obsessed. Did Matcha Soft Serve and Sakura Snow get all the love? I must have missed the buzz on this because it's super special. I tried this without looking up the notes and without hearing much buzz and this is one of very, very, very few instances where I had the immediate knowledge I'd be getting a full bottle. Soft, papery, creamy, silky, only the tiniest hints of floral. I do keep coming back to that word 'papery' though. Don't get me wrong, it's my favorite part and I'm in awe, but I wonder if it's just the grain note that reminds me of L'eau Papier. If anyone can tell me why it reminds me of a craft store, let me know, I swear it's not a dig. If I had a chance to name this, I'd call it Composition Book or Diary. Got this from the discovery set straight from d'Annam and unfortunately, though it was shrinkwrapped, the samples themselves were leaky and in poor condition. Despite that, this is one of the most effortlessly classy things I've ever smelled so I am completely sold. Perfect for a genuine classy person, but also perfect for a klutz like me who wants to roleplay a classy person for a few hours.

This one was my favorite in the whole discovery set for women. Quiet luxury, softly whispering elegance. She is definitely in that makeup-y genre, with the powder and lipstick reminiscent of a luxury department store vibe, but not super powdery for those who are put off by the baby powder blast. Just the right amount playing in the background. The magnolia is the true winner, however, and masterfully blended with the rice (one of my new favorite notes, although I much prefer the Italian risotto rendition of Riso to this brands white rice if you are looking fora true smoked rice fragrance). One of the trust renditions of the magnolia flower, which is much softer than some of her sister white flowers, but also much more unique, and hence a great fragrance for a wedding, picnic, or spring day. Longevity is average, and sillage is sadly on the lower end, but the beautiful scent is still at the top for me from this chapter.

I’m enamored with this gentle creation. Kimono by d’Annam is a subtle masterpiece of a soft, powdery floral with a vintage feel. It wasn’t a love at first sniff but once I learned to appreciate the small sample that I had, I could not stop thinking about it and had to have a full bottle. This is a perfume that I wear for me. This is my night time ritual fragrance or for days when I plan to be at home. The imagery I get is of an old traditional home in Kyoto, as an elderly woman is making steamed white rice in her kitchen, she is showing me one of her vintage silk kimonos. The movement of unfolding the panels of the kimono wafts the scent of her floral perfume in the air and intermingles with the aromas in the environment. The perfume feels old but fresh at the same time. It invokes nostalgia for a fantasy memory. It transports me to a time where I never existed but that feels like home.

Unexpectedly good and would recommended it as a floral option for people who don't like traditional florals but want to try something new. The white magnolia is at first bright and almost citrusy, yet grounded in a hint of warmth from the biscuity rice powder note. You might miss the vintage lipstick accord if you're not looking for it, but it provides an underlying smoothness and evokes memories of walking past the makeup counter at an expensive department store. It has a mature vibe (in a good way), but there's a sheerness to it, a transparent quality that keeps it from plunging too deeply into old-fashioned territory. It's feminine, pretty, classy, and composed. If you like the dry maturity of Diptique's Orpheon or Fleur de Peau but are looking for something less soapy/baby powdery and more white floral, I would try this.

i gotta say, i never likened myself to a cosmetic powder-loving freak, but here we are. this is absolutely stunning. gossamer-thin silk and delicate dustings of rice powder, juxtaposed with thick, decadent red lipstick and dewy magnolia petals. i absolutely adore the interplay between these notes and find this entirely addictive, unlike any other powdery scent i've come across. the waxy lipstick note melds with the rice and flour, creating a paste-like texture. i find that this grounds the composition and prevents the more delicate notes from fluttering into the air completely. i was listening to Hikaru Hayashi's soundtrack for the naked island (1960) when introduced to this scent for the first time, and the association is now cemented into my brain--it makes sense. smells just like the soundtrack.

Wow, this is such an interesting scent. I have never smelled anything like this! Powdery rice, lipstick, flower, cosmeticky goodness. The rice note gives a unique twist to the usual feminine powdery smell. And I do have plenty of Iris powdery perfumes, which are undoubtedly all beautiful. But this is so different because of the savory rice note. I guess this could make me think of Kimono, silky, flowing. I am not sure if this Kimono is diaphanous because of the lipstick note. It makes me think of a heavier winter dress rather than a more sheer one. It also makes me think of a boudoir. Gorgeous. I tried other D’Annam fragrances, and I am impressed by the perfumer’s avant-grade interpretations and compositions. I think his entire line is worth testing.

I love this. The first spray is an intensely realistic waft of white rice, and then it settles and becomes a beautiful, soft, powdery floral. There’s something a bit clean to this, like expensive cold cream. There’s no fruit listen in the notes, but something in it reads as slightly fruit-adjacent to my nose - similar to the way Osmanthus has an apricot-y note to it. I see a lot of people saying this comes as old or vintage to them, but I don’t necessarily get that. It’s classy, but cozy. Like a wealthy young woman winding down at the end of the day.

I asked Lucky scent to include their favorite shampoo scents as the samples in a recent order and they did not disappoint. Kimono is powdery, fruity and feminine in a familiar way, while still feeling distinct and elevated from other fragrances in this scent category, maybe because it still manages to smell sophisticated. The initial spray has a starchy savory note that reminded me of the powder on mochi, then it quickly transformed into cosmetic powder with a fruity floral base. Great for that fresh out the shower feeling on a warm day.

This is a feminine, floral, nostalgic scent to my nose. The initial spray reminds me of springtime - specifically the scent of jonquils. I assume this must be the magnolia? On the dry down it reminds me of a hug from someone motherly. It brings to mind powdery makeup compacts and lipstick. It is suitable for spring and summer and is light and beautiful. This scent has struck something in me that I can't put a finger on but I truly love it and it is at the top of the list of full bottles I would like to own.

As with all D'annam fragrances, it is minimalistic, intimate, and gentle. It has a powdery, light yet fresh scent. I get a bit of silk, makeup, and baby powder. To me, this one smells like a mother. It carries a very feminine, motherly, and protective energy in a very subtle way. At times, it almost smells old to me, but not necessarily in a bad way. It reminds me of the smell of getting into fresh sheets after putting on a moisturizer and feeling safe in the comfort of your home.It radiates calmness.

smells like powdery, smooth, floral makeup with starchiness from rice. Oh this one is SO, SO DAMN GOOD. I had hard time imagining what silk smells like (still trying haha) but imagine like a flower fetal. The smoothness, the softness, the SILKYNESS when you slide your finger on it. It's so feminine and mature. I got some lipstick note too and the rice, oh, I think the rice note is more realistic than the one in white rice lol. So worth sniffing once in your life. I think it's all year round scent.

This was my first full bottle buy from d'Annam and the only one I knew immediately that I wanted. The iris-y lipstick note is a stunner for me. Everytime I reach for this I'm immediately grateful I bought it. Its comforting without being smothering and one of the few d'Annam fragrances that projects beyond the skin. I looooove getting whiffs of this throughout the day. A little sweet. A little sensual. A little flirty. A little divine. My fav.

A Geiko in Kyoto hurriedly reaches into her peony-patterned makeup bag while getting ready. White as snow powder promptly spills all over the inside, coating the case of her vivid red lipstick. She brushes away the powder, and it flutters into the air. Specks left behind on her silk robe are calmly whisked away. A bouquet of abundant magnolias in her reach soothe anticipation for her performance. Beauty, elegance, and grace at its finest

This isn’t my normal scent profile but when I sprayed it on skin it was an immediate love. It just smells like a motherly figure (I imagine that kimono is the mom and moonlight samurai is the dad and Sakura snow is their little girl). It is super powdery but not baby powder but like flour! Like the feeling of rubbing flour between your index finger and your thumb. It smells like the color baby pink very silky smooth it’s stunning.

This is, quite simply, the most beautiful perfume. It features creamy magnolias perfectly balanced with textural rice powder and a touch of vintage lipstick. Wearing this, I feel undeniably feminine and beautiful. It is incredibly comforting, too, it literally envelopes you in a soft, silky aura that stays with you throughout the day. Love, love, love. Forever.

To me this is the photorealistic old lady smell and I love it. Just like the room my late great grandmothers would stay in during thanksgiving and I’d sneak in their room to yap and listen to their gossip. So comforting and I will be getting a bottle for those days I could use that extra tlc. Don’t know how they did it but I’m so happy to have found this!

This scent is very simple and pleasant. It smells soft, powdery, and delicate. In a way, it reminds me of a bar of soap because it smells so clean. It definitely smells like the notes it's supposed to, with the rice and powder notes being the most prominent, the other notes follow closely and tie in very well to create an overall well balanced fragrance.