Telegrama

Some bubbling: I always try to describe different smells in perfumery by my subjective nose, without paying big attention on my preferences. You know, there are no bad or nice smells for perfumers. They always have a description for certain smell. I am not a perfumer, but I try to create a sublime border between personal preferences and how something actually smells like. I think, this is quite philosophical, but I consider these things to be different. Sometimes, when I say something about certain things in perfume, or what means "to appreciate" a certain fragrance as someones work, many people just don't understand me and they think, I make something holy and force someone to buy or wear something xDD. In my opinion, "to appreciate" doesn't mean to love something necessarily. Whatever, this is their problem, not mine. Onto the review. Telegrama I have written a short review some time ago, but I want to update my feelings about this perfume. I think, that Josh Meyer is an incredible perfumer and experienced chemist, he creates some really artistic formulas... . Telegrama is sort of a very artistic and modern approach in fougere perfumery on niche level. The olfactive profile is undoubtedly niche, definitely would not be everyone's cup of tea. I imagine, that it was built upon many solid or semi-solid raw materials (quite intense strong smell). I would describe this as a very clean, very dry, cold, crisp, herbaceous, slightly sweet and spicy formulation. In my imagination this is very heavy on Musks and some raw materials that support the clean qualities here. Galaxolide, Ethylene Brassylete, Nitro-Musks, especially high amounts of Ambettolide and Tetralide, Hedione, Lily of the Valley (Liliestralis, Magnolan), maybe also Salicylates like Amyl Salicylate or Benzyl Salicylate. Some naturals of Lavender, some trace amounts of Vanillin or Iso-Vanillin, or Coumarin as well, maybe also Evernyl. I think, that this is really well created, a work of art. I would say, this is a very nice Musk perfume, to be honest. It smells very modern. I am more into traditional fougere olfactive profiles, nonetheless, I love it personally. If you like Ambrette, very clean, minimalistic, crisp and cold, metallic smells, I think, this is something you will love. It pretty reminds me a sugar powder, or clean fresh A4 paper sheets. It personally speaks to my sole, my style, my personality. So I find it particularly gorgeous. The olfactive profile makes me happy. But this is me. I believe, that it should be a linear fragrance, try it on your skin. This is quite versatile, it will be a perfect office perfume, or for special occasions, like wedding. It can be worn casually for sure. A very artistic, modern and niche fougere, to my nose. My strong recommendation for people who are into modern perfumery, Musks, Lavender, clean, powdery, metallic smells, as I said. @Tembacat, I understand your point. Yeah, this is very clean, it owns sort of sharp cleanness for sure. I am also very curious about Talc, how it is actually used in perfumery...I have no idea completely. If someone knows about its usage in perfume industry, please write me a massage here in Fragrantica chat.

It’s my third or fourth wearing of Imaginary Authors’ latest release, Telegrama, and I can’t get enough of it. It’s fresh, sweet, chalky, highly interesting, and yet is reasonably agreeable, like other recent releases Saint Julep and Sundrunk, in that it’s accessible and fresh for fans for warm-weather-friendly fragrances only, but contains a lot of depth and nuance, like the aforementioned releases. The listed notes are talc, lavender, black pepper, teak, amyris, vanilla powder, and fresh linens, with presumably the last of these being the “imaginary” note, an attribute common to each and every perfume of the house. The black pepper, talc, and teak provide a viable contrast to the robust lavender—Telegrama’s standout note, in my opinion—and the vanilla powder, which acts as a sweet-yet-powdery anchor to the fragrance as it dries down. It’s linen-fresh yet sweet, slightly powdery (but not screechy or sharp), and just a bit woody, spicy, and chalky to provide some great texture and structure underneath. It performs well, too—perhaps not a beast like Cape Heartache, Memoirs of a Trespasser, or A City on Fire, but just a notch down, which feels right, given the versatile type of fragrance it is. And its bottle design is as nice as ever, with a two-color theme to the usual one-color display, very much on the nose while somehow being a bit different from prior bottles’ designs. Like everything that Josh Meyer releases, Telegrama is innovative and intriguing. I don’t own every perfume in the IA lineup, but I find it difficult not to admire the artistry in even the fragrances of which I’ve not purchased a bottle, and in that respect, I’d always encourage newcomers to the brand to try the full line and see what clicks with your personal style. Telegrama is instant “love” for me, providing something new but also with lovable familiar characters (lavender and especially vanilla) but in a different story, the result being a perfume that’s both unique and versatile, as it feels perfectly suited for all seasons and situations. It’s among my very favorite releases from the house, just a touch below my favorite, Cape Heartache. Telegrama is available on the IA website and great boutiques like Perfumology for what remains a fantastic price of $95 for 50ml, with the 14ml travel size available for $38. I deem it not only full bottle worthy but backup bottle worthy as well. 9 out of 10

Ok... Wow... not what I was expecting... Laughing at comments that there is little lavender lol... 1/ awesome clean bright wholesome lavender as per Tom Ford Lavender Extreme 2/ talc is not at all what I expected and dustiness is non existent rather It’s more like a texture and smooth like mums old fashioned appliqué from a porcelain pot 3/ there is an almost too strong sweetness like a honeycomb or caramel fudge providing the body equal to the lavender that makes me scratch my head as I can’t fathom the note structure advertised and quoted 4/ The linen-laundry scent description to me is fairly irrelevant so I’m guessing that’s included for pure marketing purposes As a simple analogy it reminds me of a more complicated distant cousin of Lavender Extreme - which realistically I’m guessing was an inspiration for Josh Meyer and/or the creative/marketing department. I would find it very hard to believe it wasn’t let alone the timing. The sweetness of off putting for me and in fact I would say that this is infact more of a feminine scent, the lavender only just reeling it back on certain wafts. I’m a bit flummoxed about the marketing as well as it doesn’t particularly make me reminisce about the old old days per se... again just marketing doing its thing. In all probably the best scent for me from Imaginary Authors that whilst keeping with their ethos doesn’t require a strong fortitude or a “look at me Im unique” T Shirt ensemble to carry off. Unlike Saint Julep which I also like though is underwhelming in performance this is great performance for price. If you like strong clean full bodied lavender you will want to try this scent - I certainly do and have many in my collection.. I bought a travel spray which comes with the new packaging. I don’t know if I’ll buy a big bottle as whilst I enjoy it TF does it better and the performance is price relevant. Having said that it’s the next best scent that I know of as all my other fave lavenders are more subtle in their approach.

I really loved this perfume. At first spray, it's floral, fresh, sweet, spicy, a bit woodsy and a little dry—not powdery per se, but definitely dry. The lavender, linen, pepper, talcum, teak and vanilla are all apparent in the open. It smells like hotel sheets that your lover's scent clings to long after they've gone. Very comforting, sweet and nostalgic. The journey of this scent is relatively linear, as I'm discovering most Imaginary Author scents are; but that's okay because this smelled lovely. The only notable change for me was the loss of the black pepper note about three hours into it—leaving behind a dry sweetness for the remainder of the wear. This lasted for over ten hours on my skin and the sillage was moderate. This scent reminds me a lot of other sweet lavender scents like Goddess by Burberry and New Haarlem by Bond No. 9. However, this one stands out by being a bit spicier than Goddess with the pepper and softer and less syrupy than New Haarlem with the talcum note. And, though this has an undeniable sweetness, it's not cloying at all. That being said, you probably would not enjoy this if you dislike vanilla fragrances as the vanilla and lavender are the stars of this fragrance. Overall, this is another beautifully crafted perfume by Imaginary Authors. While this is not the most revolutionary scent profile, it is expertly executed and the smell is divine. I cannot recommend this enough for those who enjoy sweet florals.

I love this stuff. It starts off really sweet, just like a golden brown roasted marshmallow and if you only smelled it right after spraying, I wouldn't blame you for thinking it's juvenile, overly saccharine, and lacking in substance. But you'd be wrong. And this is why I prefer niche perfumery. Once the top notes burn off a little and it heats up on your skin, the woodieness and gentle lavender rise up to prop up the sweetness. The latter two accords are very well done and handled with restraint, which I greatly appreciate. I find that lavender can often be overpowering but there's just enough here to create more of an accord than a distinct note. Same goes for the woodieness, it strikes a cord rather than plays a solo. I think I can make out the amyris, but more because it's pointed out in the note list, not because I'd ever be able to tell on my own. I think it more so adds a slight resinous/balsamic richness to the lavender and wood accords rather than standing on its own. Longevity is good, 6-8 hours or more of moderate projection and I think it gets better as it goes. I've been working off a sample and am probably going to scoop a FB once that runs out. Best offering from this house.

The opening for this one can only be described as “purple” — it’s the synthetic, vaguely sweet, vaguely floral and vaguely fruity smell that’s somewhere between grape and violet. It has the darnest artificial maple syrup notes in the opening that aren’t very well blended with the rest of the fragrance. I’m glad I didn’t jump immediately to scrubbing, since the unpleasant “purple drink meets maple syrup” quickly mellows out into a pleasant powdery vanilla lavender. It’s a sophisticated and feminine smell, that reminds me of expensive finishing powder and cosmetics. It’s the smell of your rich aunt getting ready for the evening. Interestingly, it gets more masculine in the dry down, settling into something that is softly woody and spicy (your aunt has finished her preparations, and now it’s your wealthy uncle’s time to get ready for the day with just a slash of aftershave). It’s powdery and talc-forward, but not screechy. This is also a fragrance that feels like it falls on the right side of the “interesting” versus “wearable” spectrum for everyday use. It has a classic and casual vibe that feels very effortlessly put together. It’s nuanced, but stable about it. I like it a lot.

Changes in perception and a greater experience in this hobby has turned this for from a dislike to a love. I went home for the holidays and had forgotten about the original imaginary author sample set I had from when I first began this hobby. I didn't have samples of some of them with me at my new place, including this one. This was actually the first fragrance that I ever actually disliked, I thought it was sharp, medicinal wipes or cleaning product. Rather, when I smell it now it smells like burying my face in a towel after a shower and shave. The distinct accord of an old lavender aftershave mixing with the freshly washed clothes and vanilla soap you had washed yourself with as the room heats up. Powdery, woody, classy and clean yet comfortable, musky, resinous, and sexy, this is a scent you can wear for just about any situation during the day. I can see how this would be good for work as it is very clean and put together, but in my opinion the vanilla, ambers, and woods keep it very casual. This just like many of the other Imaginary Authors fragrances in my opinion are very nuanced yet approachable. I immediately bought a bottle. 9/10 Nothing wrong with a sexy gentleman!

Absolutely wonderful classic masculine fougere-ish style, aromatic lavender, black pepper and powdery vanilla...with a fresh laundered linen feel. So odd to see the dislikes because this is a scent that is so easy to like, I feel it has universal appeal. Wonderful office scent because it smells really nice yet totally unobtrusive. I would be delighted so smell whiffs of this floating by. Because it smells clean like pressed white cotton, without anything sharp, it’s smooth and cozy. I wish more men smelled like this instead of those piercing and overdone woody aromachemicals! There is a woody element to it but it’s soft and in the background. The fragrance smells like class to be honest. Maybe the people who don’t like it want something louder and flashier? I don’t get it because it smells so nice. Anyway, if you like O’Unknown you would probably like this because it’s a similar style but with a fougere feel. They don’t smell alike but feel like cousins. If you like a classic scent that doesn’t feel dated, this is a great one to try!

Opening is powdery to an uncomfortable degree, heavy on the talc. Develops quite nicely into a soft lavender-vanilla that gives the distinct vibe of something old-fashioned. Similar to the joy I feel when I get to see a cute dress from the 50’s in a vintage store and can touch it. Love that part of it, but the opening is just... It’s a bit of a challenge for me. :P Due to that I don’t think I’m the biggest fan of *wearing* it, but I like it as an experience ^_^ Update: In killing the rest of my sample, I’ve become very fond of this scent. I layered it with Not a Perfume today, just to try and take a bit of that odd edge off. Also wearing a vintage skirt helped me get into the energy I think. It’s got the vibe of an early-mid 20th century housewife on a near sedative quantity of medication. I hope they do another run of this sometime, so I can properly get my hands on a truly unique scent. Update again: 5ml decant obtained <33333

I love the concept of a woman all done up with makeup, her hair is set, she has on a powder perfume, and she's moving all night. This fragrance is so beautifully executed that I feel like I'm stealing another woman's natural smell. It's almost scandalous, which is not what I would normally describe a powder pefume... While yes it's a heavy powder scent, it is unique and I love it. It feels like the finishing touch before you step out the door. All the notes are definitely there, usually I can't smell just everything in a scent or I smell something else. It's really beautifully blended and all the notes work perfectly with eachother As much as I want to say save your money and buy a cheap powder perfume, and as much as I normally despise lavender, there is something truly special about this fragrance and it really paints a picture to me which is rare, and now I can't stop smelling my shirt haha

This scent is so interesting its almost hard to describe it. The opening was initially very masculine leaning and metallic but wow the dry down is beautiful! You get a powdery and dry talc at the opening that softens after dying down. The black pepper is apparent all throughout but it's soft and aromatic rather than spicy. The vanilla powder and lavender absolute pick up as this dries down and they blend to create a softly sweet, earthy and woody scent. The fresh linen adds an almost citrusy airiness to the whole thing. This scent is strong but it's soft, clean, sweet, and grounded. It's woody, dry and powdery. This scent is a lot of things while still feeling so simple? It just works. I would say this is dead ringer unisex as I can't put my finger on whether this leans on either side of the spectrum. This is definitely something different but done very well.

This perfume takes my hand and walks me down memory lane, our first stop is my grandparents' bathroom, green sink and my grandpa is shaving while I'm sitting, so small and watching him intently, it's so early and I can't wait to share our favorite jam together. About an hour later, I'm in my dad's arms, he smells like my grandma's laundry detergent and it's the afternoon in spring, and I feel so safe. My boyfriend offered this perfume to me for Valentine's day after I talked to him about it ( I tried a sample and loved it) so now I have even more memories attached to it ! I love each note and the blend is so perfect it makes me emotional but in a good way ! I'm no pro so I feel like explaining how this fragrance made me feel is an easier way to explain how amazing this is for me. Thank you for reading this.

Purchased a sample set for IA, and despite my concerns about it being powdery and lavender (two scents which, when done wrong, are WAY too sharp and bright for me) this ended up being the surprise standout! A truly unisex light floral, effeminate but not feminine, which is likely why it's the only one that comes as an aftershave. There's also a definite base of pepper and warmth, which rounds it out well and stops the scent from smelling, well, elderly or like cheap detergent as linen-lavenders often do. It reminds me a lot of Wes Anderson movies, pastel and formal and almost antiquated with a darker core that holds everything together, but definitely not for everyone. I know it has very very mixed reviews, likely a skin chemistry thing, but all the same I'm very very sad it's being discontinued.

A while ago I got a sample box with a few different Imaginary Author's scents and this one was and is by far my favorite. I'm not very good at describing it, but I find that it's a bright scent, if that makes sense. When first sprayed it definitely smells like a cleaning solution or aftershave like some are saying (I like that though), and it dries down into something that just generally feels vintage, which I think is the teak and pepper notes. In general, though, I love it. It pairs well with my favorite lotion, I like smelling it throughout the day, and though I haven't had anyone comment on it (I am very light handed with fragrances) I don't think it's very offensive to those around me.

i didn't think i would be saying this when i tested the scents on blotters, but telegrama might be my fave of the collection! (next to memoirs of a trespasser of course, because that one is truly MAGICAL). it's such an interesting scent that really does tell a story- a consistent warm, vanilla undertone with fragrant hints of lavender and black pepper... there's also a sort of fabric-ey softness to this that borders on powdery/mineral from the talc notes- it's like a cashmere/linen enveloping sensation that truly rounds out any sweetness from the vanilla. would recommend this scent for any time of the year day or night- she's a winner!!

this is one of my favorite fragrances i've come across since i first tested it several years ago. immediately, this reminded me of retrofuturism and, specifically, the dymaxion house. it screams 1950s housewife when her husband comes home from work in a flying car. very powdery, lavender heavy with pepper that turns it spicy gives it just a bit of edge. i've worked hard to figure out what works best as a combo, and i have finally settled on various vanilla/lavender products that make it a signature. i was heartbroken by the discontinuation of it :( but with a full size i have time to figure something else out when i run out.

this fragrances occupies some near-nirvanal space between upscale laundry service and refined barbershop--gentlemanly, sophisticated, airy, crisp, and polished, existing in the same territory as chanel pour monsieur and dior eau sauvage while smelling nothing like either. the linen note is for real, calling to mind pressed shirts and classic menswear. when i wear it i feel as if i should be in a modernist 1940s ranch home furnished exclusively by norman bel geddes. it is very disppointing, if not confusing, to see this fragrance has been discontinued. RIP telegrama.

This is a rare occasion where I wholeheartedly vote “love” but it’s doubtful I will buy a bottle. It’s possible Telegrama will grow on me—as it did with others—but Telegrama doesn’t quite feel like me. When I first applied, I thought, hmm... an herbal gourmand! Lavender and vanilla cream with lots of powder. It’s lovely and unique in that this perfume leans masculine. I can’t think of another powder perfume doing so. Drydown is a stronger vanilla with caramel, and a lighter lavender. Telegrama is a welcome surprise. I’m really enjoying my decant.

I adore this fragrance. It has an opening blast of pepper and lavender, before drying down to a clean talc with a warm vanilla. There might be a *teensy* bit of mint in there, too. It evokes the scent grandfather's office on a summer day as a kid. The yellowed old papers, lingering with his cologne, with black-and-white family photos and little statuettes. It's a great scent for the morning, and really motivates me to feel productive when I'm out running errands. A real gem that feels classic and new at the same time.

I’m sure I’ve written about this before... Lovely scent though a bit wonky in a quirky sense as for all intents and purposes the notes basically make this a strong caramel and lavender scent. A tad dusty. Who’d have thought it’d work. My complaint is all the typical marketing hype led me to believe it would be an homage to days of old when clearly (perhaps thankfully) it is not. In fact it’s possibly a modern version of a lavender scent. So, thumbs down to the typical marketing rubbish and thumbs up for the scent...

Really surprised at the low rating as this is one of my favourite frags, but to each their own! This is one of the only fragrances I've smelled that manages to be both sweet and clean. The topnotes are a lovely fresh lavender and black pepper, then the drydown is a sweet, comforting, but not cloying powdery vanilla (a bit like PDM Pegasus without the almond). I love it and absolutely consider it FB worthy, for a daily, classy, pleasant, office-friendly wear that still has character.

This is a wonderful fragrance to wear after getting out of a nice hot soaking tub when you are done with the day and just want to finally relax... Telegrama will help you unwind... Just helps all the garbage you have been dealing with melt away... Nice and peaceful... Powdery linen with lavender and vanilla... And as a bonus it's lovely to sleep to... And as if it was all just a lovely dream it's gone by morning... Great stuff and I highly recommend you try it in this capacity...

Sweet! Fresh! Powdery! An interesting and intriguing fragrance offering not just a scent but an olfactory experience overall. The freshness in the warm weather like in summers and at the same time the fragrance has nuances and depth which makes it great also for colder days. The notes are lovely and well blended. To me, the lavender and vanilla are more prominent here making it a bit inclined towards feminine fragrance rather than a unisex one.

Sad to see this has been discontinued. Found it to be an almost perfect 50/50 unisex fragrance; it smelled pretty nice on my skin but extremely intoxicating on my husband. Will be making a purchase of one of the remaining 1ml samples available on fumerie. A soothing scent although its initial opening is quite lavender-forward (which I do not mind).. the dry down is when the comfy-ness others have mentioned tends to appear.

I have a 2ml sample of Telegrama by Imaginary Authors. I really liked this on the first sniff. Smells very pleasant and clean. I get powdery lavender, mixed with roasted vanilla. This has a fresh barbershop vibe, but wears very smooth and classy. My favorite so far buy Imaginary Authors, will buy a full bottle. ( I haven’t heard anyone say this, but this reminds me of the dry down of Erba Pura by Xerjoff.)

This is my favorite lazy Sunday fragrance. It’s soft and comforting, like dryer sheets but without the chemicals. Great for post-shower or for spraying on your pillow before bed. The sweetness borders on cloying but isn’t enough to be off putting for me. I’m not sure I would ever wear it out but I have a bottle on hand for when I want to feel comfy and breezy at home.

Cologne opening. Very masculine. I sense anise and lavender, but not essential oil, just green lavender with stem and all. It is powdery, notes of the talc. The fragrance settles down, it becomes more feminine. It is slightly medicinal, like entering an apothecary - you smell the herbs, the dust, the wooden shelves. A wonderful scent I would wear all year round.

I’ve had to revisit this and change my vote to a ‘love’ since my last review. To simplify, in summary, for me this a gorgeous lavender sweetened with caramel (teakwood) that turns quite chalky and powdery with a piquant kick of pepper. Stronger and better than most IA in performance - great for winter. Feels like a spin on an old school barber shop lavender.

This honestly wowed me, on my skin I get more lavender and vanilla. This also reminds me of Lush's Twilight Shower Gel(not the watered down version that is called "Sleepy"). This scent is like being reunited with old friend who presence you treasure so much. I can see this being very alluring on a man, It's a perfect bedtime scent! 5 out of 5

Like an old film reel pulled up from the sea with a magnet. It’s marine and floral but also dark and dusty. It truly smells like the night; I really love it, even though it was unexpectedly sharp. If the moon wore a fragrance, it would be this. Very sophisticated and deep. Reminds me of vanilla bean ice cream, the real expensive kind.

One of my absolute favs. Opening I get a big burst of euthymol toothpaste but then the dry down is a beautiful sweet lavender talc full of warmth. I love to wear this in the evening after a shower. Does remind a touch of the Lush store fragrance “sleepy” if you’re familiar with that but a bit more herbal.

Fresh, clean, masculine and sweet. Top: Fresh, peppery Heart: Lavender, talc Base: Vanilla with a sweet and woody accord Longevity and sillage are moderate. This is a fresh, peppery, sweet, masculine scent, with a barbershop, classy feeling. One of the best from IA. Excellent for office/everyday use.

I have over 300 bottles of fragrance and this is definitely the one with the biggest disparity between how I see it rated/reviewed and how I feel about it. I think this is one of the best spring fragrances ever. A fresh crisp T-shirt on a warm spring day with several sprays of this is perfection.

was surprised to love this (i hate powdery scents). it's super creamy and has a nice chalkiness to it from the talc note which doesn't read as the usual laundry day baby powder smell i like to stray away from. there's still that fresh linen quality but it's buried under a creamy, dirty lavender.

Telegrama is fascinating and beautiful. It opens with a sharp, peppery lavender yet quickly draws down to a beautiful, warm and smoky vanilla on my skin. In the end, a sweet and inviting scent informed by its floral opening yet far from dominated by it. Lovely.

It’s such a nice almost clean smell but there’s something in it I just can’t place. I’m not sure which note it is but there’s something about it. Overall I’d absolutely wear this again if I could get another bottle.

A steamy, chalky, sweetly herbaceous tonic reminiscent of teal-tiled saunas and monogrammed terry cloth. Warm caramel-toned lavender, a nip of black pepper, and a beautiful resinous, lemony drydown.

This fragrance is great for night & it's very similar to the original formulation of Lush's Twilight, (*so think 2015, pre-Sleepy as it's called now*). I hope they never change the formula

reminds me of a specific room in my cousins house, the room eternally smelled like a butterscotch candle along with old wood. very nostalgic and i can't help but love it. very classy smell

never got a chance to get anything bigger than a sample before it discontinued but I loooooved it. baby powder smell with the perfect amount of spice. miss you girl

I like this soo much. It's a lovely scent that leans more towards masculine. The hint of lavender is gorgeous and I would definitely wear this on a daily basis.

To me it smells just like ink on paper, sharpie scribbles. Very pleasant, not overbearingly powdery scent

This is Josh Myer at his finest! Such an amazing barbershop style fragrance.

We are moving past the soft, reflective atmosphere of the fig farm in Yesterday Haze, and today we are entering a world of meticulous, classic communication with Imaginary Authors’ Telegrama. This fragrance is inspired by the fictional story of two lovers maintaining a long-distance correspondence via airmail, capturing the anticipation and crisp precision of a secret message finally delivered. The scent immediately signals a transition to something pristine, vintage, and ultra-clean, conjuring images of fresh, folded paper, ink, and the brisk, almost metallic air of a classic delivery service. It’s an homage to history and order. The central question for this review is whether this composition can successfully translate the delicate, preserved moment of receiving a long-awaited letter into a unique and wearable perfume, or if it simply fades into a traditional, clean cliché. Let's get into it. Opening: The opening is sweet, powdery, and aromatic. The primary notes I perceive are vanilla, lavender, talc, and linens, with the vanilla and lavender being the most prominent notes. The vanilla starts the fragrance with a pop of gentle sweetness. It’s not a super heavy, realistic vanilla accord; it's more reserved and subtle, but still maintains a dominant presence. Behind the vanilla, in equal measure, is the lavender. It presents as soft and aromatic, completely devoid of the spicy or "licorice" qualities that some lavender notes can possess. Next up are the talc and linens. The talc, while a supporting note, is instantly recognizable as a persistent powdery quality, smelling remarkably realistic to the aroma of talc or baby powder. Lastly, the linens exist in the background as a soft, fuzzy, and clean accord, highly accurate to the scent of freshly laundered blankets. Dry Down: The dry down remains sweet, powdery, and aromatic. The primary notes I detect are vanilla, lavender, talc, and teak wood, with the vanilla and lavender remaining the standouts. The lavender has grown slightly in strength in the dry down and has taken on a bit of that characteristic powdery spiciness in addition to its soft, aromatic tones. Following closely behind is the vanilla, still a main character with the same gentle sweetness from the opening, but reigned in slightly to let the lavender shine more. This is followed by the talc and teak wood. The talc continues to play a supporting role with the same powdery accord from the opening, while the teak wood has emerged to provide a sturdy background of smooth, rich woodiness. Performance: The initial projection within the first hour is surprisingly very strong, reaching out past six feet. Sillage matches that intensity with a heavy scent trail. After a few hours, the projection had died down to about four feet, and the scent trail was lighter but still noticeable. At the 7–8 hour mark, the projection was about arm's length, and the scent trail was only faintly discernible. The fragrance became a skin scent shortly afterwards. When to Wear: Telegrama is a versatile daytime fragrance that can be worn year-round. As for occasions, it continues to be a very versatile pick. The overall cozy feeling of the fragrance makes it a good option for casual or special occasions, while the soft, clean, and powdery tones make it perfectly suitable for formal occasions or office wear. Blind Buy: If you like sweet, cozy, and powdery fragrances, Telegrama is a safe blind buy for you as it fits that profile exceptionally well. Final Verdict: I will admit that I enjoyed Telegrama much more than I thought I would. This is a masterful execution of a soft, clean, and intimate profile, dominated by that perfect balance of gentle vanilla and soft, aromatic lavender, underscored by a comforting talc powderiness. I was also pleasantly surprised by the performance; given the soft nature of the notes and my history with other Imaginary Authors fragrances, the strong projection and 7–8 hours of moderate performance are a huge win. This longevity makes the fragrance highly competitive and very enjoyable to wear. I could see myself adding Telegrama to my personal collection at some point, likely after I’ve prioritized a few other high-priority purchases. It's a high-quality, safe, and beautifully executed clean scent that everyone can enjoy. Scent: 7/10 Longevity: 7/10 Sillage: 6/10 Versatility: Very high Mass Appeal: High Gender: Unisex Value: Fair

[Second review 9 months later] This has a clean, masculine, classic barbershop vibe with the Lavender and "Fresh Linens", but at the same time it also has a warm, soft sweetness from the Vanilla (and Amyris?) making it feel very smooth and rounded. After the opening it quickly settles down into a very cozy scent, I would even say comforting. I'm impressed with how Mr Meyer managed to strike such a balance between light & clean while simultaneously warm & sweet. Smells like a loving hug from a kind father. A flaw in many "fresh" fragrances is that once the fresh and clean top notes disappear, the mid and base notes that are left aren't very interesting since they were mostly put there to support a freshness that now isn't there anymore. Some can even turn kinda funky. Telegrama deftly avoids this trap by having warm, sweet and slightly woody base notes that stand very well on their own even after the more clean and fresh top notes have evaporated. It's really quite ingenious. You can pick up on the specific notes if you look for them but they are all subtle, yet all contribute to the overall vibe of this very distinct scent. This is a very well balanced and blended fragrance. The one note that does stand out is the Lavender. The projection isn't very strong but it works just fine as a more intimate scent. On clothes the Lavender (and Talc?) dominate much more and last longer than on skin, and it smells more traditionally clean and barbershop-y, almost soapy, making the "Fresh Linens" imaginary note really stand out. As it dries down, the scent on clothes becomes closer to the scent on skin. This is surely a unique scent, with traditional barbershop notes that feel familiar and safe, but at the same time with an unusual twist that makes it have a character not quite like anything else. It's probably not for everyone, but it's absolutely worth a sniff for anyone.

I’ll admit this wasn’t my favorite at first spray. I got this with a vial of Cobra and the Canary, which I can say is the worst fragrance I’ve ever smelled, and that impression I had for CATC rubbed off on Telegrama and it left me disappointed and kind of turned off the first couple of times I tested it. Then I actually wore it out one day at work. I work in a warehouse that tends to be the same temperature as outside, and on this colder day, I took a chance with Telegrama and WOW, did it shine. This is a cold weather fragrance through and through, it’s piercing and strong and lasts a while, but I cannot imagine this mixing with the smell of my sweat and the horrors that could come from that. As for the fragrance itself, as most have previously said it’s powder powder powder. I didn’t get the idea of something being “powdery” but this definitely fits that definition. It’s so powdery sometimes I feel like I can brush the powder off of wherever I spray it. Telegrama itself is what I imagine a classy, high end businessmen who travels most of his time smelling like. It’s classy, reminiscent of after shave and shaving cream, but powdery with a lavender and very subtle vanilla note that gives it a depth that I haven’t experienced quite before. It dries down into something closer to a lavender with a very subtle powdery smell mixed with a very gentle linen smell, and a slight hint of vanilla that adds the sweetness that helps counter that insanely powdery note. This is by far one of those fragrances that has taken me multiple times in multiple different circumstances for it to finally click, but once it finally did I find it really easy to reach for on a day where I don’t know what I want to smell like, but want to smell like something that makes me feel like a complete man, and this accomplished that tenfold.

Very interesting fragrance with an unusual combination of notes and vibes. First off it has a bit of a barbershop vibe with the prominent lavender note and a sort of fresh opening. But then it also has a quite gourmandish vibe as well with the subtle vanilla note and what I assume must be the amyris, which make it very sweet and warm. And then it also has this woody base with the teak which makes it deeper and darker than you would expect from either a gourmand or a barbershop scent. It's almost a bit smoky. These three vibes sound strange in combination but it actually really works. It's unusual and unique and probably not for everyone, but it's pleasant and smooth and doesn't smell like anything else I can think of. I don't really get much talc or linen... Or pepper, really... It's not really "fresh" and I would say it leans towards colder weather because of the sweetness and the slightly dark character. The barbershop vibe and the woody vibe makes it masculine, but the sweetness keeps it somewhat unisex. The longevity isn't amazing, it's a subtle skin scent after about 6 hours, but of course it sticks around on clothes. I'm not sure if I like it quite enough to invest in a full bottle, but it's definitely interesting, one of my favorites from the sample pack I bought, and I can totally see how someone could absolutely love this. Then again I can also see how someone wouldn't like it. It's unique for sure. Give it a try.

Got this sample free when purch...something else&I made a mistake by spraying it on the sample card..thought I didn't like it,then I thought maybe I should try on my skin I have a full sample&wow! This in my opinion on skin anyways...is not masculine or feniminie,it's not powdery in a typical way&doesn't choke you or suffocate you,it's silky smooth talc like it's smooth silky powder like if you touched it, it's rich ,its so unique,it has this weird silky ink ish note&then fresh linen in a very good blended way,this isn't heavy or light,it's noticeable &lasts,the pepper is in a way better way as in habinita by molinard only the pepper note in this,is way way toned down &faintly there they&then atleast on me it almost disappears or blends so darn well after drydown, it's a master piece ,im waiting for a FB in the mail,this is pleasent not to me like shaving cream,this is so wearable & different &pleasent...the mood is not designer or mainstream or high maintence, it's just both beautiful &handsome&creamy silky refreshing to either side,I just feel at peace smelling ~♡~this~it's the perfect everyday~casual peaceful vibes~in unique way~lasts decent about 6-8 hr ~noticeable...then skin scent~

I've heard Youtube reviewers and the usual crowd, spouting about this fragrance and I can't say I necessarily agree that this is some clean, soapy, linen fragrance. I thought the opening was like a creamy, dense, vanillic body which had been unsweetened by strange licorice and celery salt notes, before the heart becomes woody but lightly sweet. I didn't find this particularly powdery but it does have those herbal touches and is somewhat powdered. Maybe? I'm surprised how good it is! Not that I don't like other stuff from Josh or this brand, I do, but I guess the spoilers I'd heard about it didn't really fit with the scent I found on my skin. The heart is more woody (must be the teak wood listed here) and the tenacity of sweet vanilla notes remain at the end but it's by no means a total sweetie. I enjoyed it, had a somewhat 'designer' feel. Now I'm not exactly sure what I mean by that and I really do hate to toss tedious, meaningless labels around only to then cross pollinate.... but on this rare occasion I make an exception because that's how I feel about it.

Testing this blind the opening is fun and a bit of a mind bender as I'm getting some fusion of a gently sweet leather coffee vetiver hint of tobacco vibe with a mature carnival body. It's settles down to a warmer and more dry woody version with a perfect tad of sweetness, but other elements perk up. Seems to go on moderate but sits intimate. I can't really smell it till I bring my arm up to my nose. Looking at the notes, um... ok. I guess I smell some of these, but also not all of these notes. The Lavender is probably the most present, but I didn't recognize it till now. The Talc provides more of a background base, but is far from sticking out. The rest all kind of blend together, with little bits coming across momentarily. Definitely fun, different and has a nice maturity to it. Far from cloying. Like it, but not sure if for myself or just for what it is.