Urban Hipster

Is the name really so ironic? Herba London were gracious enough to send me the samples of the entire line so I can't be too harsh...haha...but they strike me as the kind of brand for Nathan Barley types. Even down to the branding which is a clever mixture of LeLabo, Byredo, Heeley and even newer still...Byron. I'm being careful not to sound too cynical because, whether they are aware of these brands or not.... clean, modern, sterility actually appeals to lots of people me included. So I hoped this perfume wouldn't be a disappointment and it isn't! Very competent and resembles something I would normally enjoy, smokey a little moody perhaps? Urban hipster opens with a biting pepper note and instant smokey vetiver. It's a dry, incense/woody perfume with all the dirtier side of sandalwood, a curiously modern tobacco which was only apparent when it had settled right down eventually drying down to a familiar warm resinous smell of old book amber and vetiver. Is this what imagine a hipster to smell of? Yes. Brief met as far as I'm concerned, but will real actual hipsters wear it? Either being so postmodern they can poke fun at their own social pigeonhole, which would actually be the kind of self aware, twatty thing that a hipster would do. Sorry...do you see how biased I am against them? I suppose it's just fashion and the way they groom themselves and should be judged on the content of their character. (To paraphrase Dr King ;) I'm sure there's loads of lovely ones :) ...but I wouldn't know because I'm too busy laughing at the beardy wankers to approach them and find out! Loads to enjoy here, especially if you like tobacco fragrances, things like Man 2 or GPH1 or dry spicy stuff in general, maybe Andy Tauer fans or amber lovers? Like I said loads to like. I've only tried on my wrist so I will update if anything changes after wearing but I think I got the measure of this one. Thumbs up from me!

Dry and Dusty Urban Hipster by Herba London, a perfect colder weather fragrance. Spicy blend of masculine notes creating a rich tobacco and smoky leather scent. It is very different from other aromatics that focuses on tobacco, which is not sweet but rather have more realistic dry almost dusty tobacco note, it is cool rather warm scent. It opens up with smoky incense, transitioning into intense tobacco note of a fresh cigar backed with leathery accord, there is also noticeable pepper and rose giving it sharp spicy nuance. The dry-down unravels woody accords with warm amber and berries giving a slight touch of sweetness and coziness. It is truly masculine and confident scent, but easily wearable as unisex, also have really good longevity with moderate projection and sillage which is perfect. I really love tobacco scents and Urban Hipster stands out a lot from what I own or tried, being a non sweet tobacco scent with amazing uniqueness. Check out my review on fragrance related Instagram @thechazas

Mmm...the after the bonfire smell on the opening. Im surprised gauiuc wood is not listed in the notes. It does smell similar to Rook Suede at this stage but then it veers away. The bonfire quickly fades and then the tobacco surfaces. The woods and Amber now come into their own. It's warm and cosy. Now the pepper comes to the fore and gives some kick. There is a little sweetness from the rose and berries which keeps it unisex. I really like it now. Perfect for a chilly day and casual wear. Moderate sillage and longevity.

This is a weird mix of : tobacco and smoked woods. No berries at all. The smell is quite liniear from opening to drydown - a hint of tobacco and a lot of almost smoky woods with a tiny hint of rose. I'm not a fan.