Sage & Black Tea Renew

Heavy on the Clary Sage, this one. Out of all the tea scents I've tried though, this one gets closest to that tannic quality and the subtle, malty powderiness of tea, but overdosed with a clary sage EO and a bit of bergamot. A much truer tea note than all the big name "tea" fragrances out there, imo. Very astringent from the beginning, with star anise bringing out the sharpness of the clary sage. Bergamot provides a fresh transparency, but don't be fooled by "bergamot" and "tea"—this is not in any way Earl Grey. It is an herbal and perfumed black tea. I get rooibos vibes as well. I'm strongly reminded of a tea blend from Mariage Freres, thought I can't quite pin point which one right now... I always appreciate when perfumes have a touch of bitter realism when they attempt to replicate a scent, rather than making an easy "perfume" version. Wonderfully surprised by this original from a primarily dupe house. Hope they can continue in this direction instead.

smelling this makes me feel like I’m spending a day at the spa and sipping on a refreshing iced tea. it’s clean, refreshing, and earthy with a touch of woody spice. the black tea note is spot on—it reminds me of the mornings I spent with my grandmother, who always started her day with a glass of english breakfast tea. I’ve honestly never smelled a fragrance that brings up such a pleasant, nostalgic, relaxing feeling. I only have full-sized bottles of very feminine fragrances right now, but I think this is going to end up being the first unisex addition to my collection! the scent lasts a long time on my skin, so hopefully I can make my sample last a while <3

A scent that stole my heart. It's cheerful and dry at the same time. A classy fragrance with a green freshness. When I wear it, I smell a scent I know very well. It's the interior of a flower shop—lots of fresh greenery, water in buckets, plus a light, undefined floral scent. Perhaps with a hint of freesia, but hidden beneath the greenery. I don't smell brewed tea. I smell a calming flower shop. It's not overtly floral, and therefore unique because it's very versatile. Longevity is good. Of course, I like to touch it up several times a day with a mini satellite, but I can smell the scent all around me. A fragrance that brightens the day.

This commences with a striking resemblance to freshly steeped black tea, presenting a subtly tannic and dry aroma that feels genuinely authentic rather than artificial. Upon application, the fragrance offers a moderate projection, creating a noticeable but not overpowering aura that allows for personal enjoyment and polite sillage. This makes it suitable for various settings without being intrusive. The introduction of clove lends a warm, delicately sweet, and almost medicinal spiciness, while star anise contributes a distinctive licorice-like sharpness that creates an intriguing synergy with the tea accord, elevating it beyond a simple tea scent. This initial phase maintains a decent presence before gradually softening. The fragrance then transitions into a comforting and distinctive dry down, where the initial tea note softens, allowing the herbal and subtly earthy character of sage to become more apparent, imparting a velvety softness. The lingering essence of tea and the now more subdued spices blend harmoniously, creating a warm and unique final impression. While not a powerhouse, the longevity is commendable for a more relaxed fragrance, typically lasting for a respectable few hours on the skin, evolving subtly as it wears. It creates a comforting personal bubble rather than a room-filling statement.

I'm in love with the uniqueness of this scent. I love anything with black tea. It's spicy but not too sweet because the earthy sage prevents this from being a sweet perfume although it has a measure of sweetness. However, I'm afraid that after awhile, probably 30 minutes to several hours I find that I am smelling Off bug spray and I am hoping it's not this perfume but I think it is. Sadly so because I love the initial bouquet. Overall a nice experience though.