Etra

If we assume that perfumes can be categorized as mild or spicy, smooth or rough, humble or bold, then Etra by Etro is somewhere in between in each case. So contradictory, yet totally balanced and refined. The rich, spicy-herbal opening, despite very distinct notes of cardamom and coriander, (luckily) does not smell of a hot, oriental kitchen at all. On the contrary, it reminds me of an idyllic meadow in mid-April. Pure aromatherapy! Etra is as shiny and energizing as the first sunbeams after a never-ending winter, reflected in the surface of a thawing lake. It is as lucid as a dewdrop, as comforting as a glass of hot milk with honey. At first it intrugues (or maybe some would rather say: irritates) with a blast of freshly ground pepper and a gush of herbal juices, but very quickly, maybe even much too quickly, calms down, softens, sweetens in a creamy-rosy way. The atmosphere around Etra kind of reminds me of Like This by EldO, but without the autumn melancholy. Etra could be Tilda’s blond sister, just as hypnotizing and out of this world. Tilda, however, arrives at the dusk and Etra – at the dawn of summer. Tilda is a red-haired celtic fairy, Etra – a light and gentle elf. Very charming, but I wouldn’t mind if it were a little less... ethereal.

Etra lives in its sillage. It may seem to be a phantom, just out of reach from tickling nostrils and titillating olfactory receptors, but a shift, a turn of the body, a moment of repose after forgetting about immediacy, and there's the haunting spiced glimmer. The distant camphor and spice, tinted highlights of geranium and rose. The cardamom: like the amorphous plume as if sprinkled into coffee. A hot red pepper, flicks and specks, confetti-like, rendered in soft focus and milky. Rosewood, linalool-soft-yet-strong-like-spiderweb-silk. Linalool is makes up most of the precious wood's profile; the constituent is woody-spicy, floral sweet, yet anything but dense. The dry down sees the cardamom fade to grey (cue the Visage song), geranium and rose whispering, the mood is predominantly rosewood, anchored with some sandalwood deep underneath. Intellectual and poetic in design, it doesn't seek to please but maybe rather to ponder. It's great to apply on both skin and clothing to have the different phases intermingle. Those who appreciate introspective, introverted fragrances should take note. It's simply beautiful. (this is for the older version with a gold cap).

Etro “Etra” is a lovely fragrance. I enjoy the opening notes of this scent! Spritzed some on my husband and he liked it a lot, too! It's hard for me to believe that the opening notes are predominantly rosewood but that's what everyone cites and that is what the Etro website states. The cardamom and coriander add a nice touch. So, I guess the opening is floral and woody with a bit of spice...and extremely smooth, well-balanced, no harshness here. Also, at its opening, I detect citrus and bright, slightly fruity notes...bergamot perhaps. Then the rosewood emerges and is quickly followed by mid-notes of spicy florals... geranium, jasmine (I love jasmine), ROSE...really nice. Shortly, all of the aforementioned notes beautifully balance with cedar, more "woods," vanilla and musk. Complex yet soothing. Complex yet sedate. This is a very nice, pleasing, wearable niche fragrance.

I bought this by mistake, thinking I was ordering the Heliotrope. It was going to be sent back, but I sprayed it, wandered around my house, did some laundry, made cookies, finally hugged my husband for no reason and he double sniffed me. He said "Moe, you smell really good!". I'm not usually interested in the notes of this perfume, but I have to say I've gotten lots of compliments when I wore it. This perfume smells so refined, the notes blend so perfectly it's like a great melody of scents. I don't like geranium, but it doesn't overwhelm, just compliments. The cedar, rosewood and sandalwood are the front runners in the opening, with a twitch of the pepper, I don't smell musk in this, so don't be put off by this, the same with the Rose, not a big player in this. This could easily be in my top 10, good anytime of year, night or day. Versatile and classy.

Instant love from me to Etro. Etro captured my heart at first spray. I remember le feu d ́issey this way. Lovely subtle and powerfull at the same time. It doesnt last long on my skin... but on clothes its everlasting. I wore it on some clothes the other day and left the clothes in my office for the night. When I went into the office next morning the room had a pleasant and inoffensive delicious scent of Etro. Its comforting like a cashmere blanket, sexy cardamom /coriander and woodsy scent. The paprika gives Etro an ooomph that makes it really unique and spicy. Love this for every season and any occasion. Longevity is moderate on skin forever on clothes. Silage is difficult for me...its like a cloud, light but present alle the time. Just when you think its gone you get whiffs of Etro. Unisex signatur worthy scent.