Kenzo Jungle Homme

J'adore. Sublime woodsy elegance - yet uplifting, bright, meditative and utterly intoxicating. Reminds me of an antique Chinese cabinet my Mum has, made from different fragrant woods and even though it's well over a century old, if you leave clothes in the compartments for a few months they emerge imbued with a faint woody fragrance that reminds me of this. Jungle Homme is very Palo Santo. Palo Santo ("holy wood") gets its name because it was used as ceremonial incense by the Inca and has a relaxed, meditative quality. The guaiac wood (Palo Santo aka Lignum Vitae is the raw material) is very prominent in Jungle Homme - the star of the show - and lends a distinctive, uplifting presence that for some reason makes me think of velvet. Guaiac has a subtle, slightly camphoraceous aspect that lends a kind of brightness and freshness, yet still anchors the composition. If I recall rightly, this was the first guaiac fragrance I ever experienced and I was captivated back then and remain so today. Incidentally, there is a very similar guaiac thing going on in CDG Wonderwood. Jungle Homme doesn't really evolve much on my skin, it transitions from the opening into a subtly spiced woodsy symphony (starring guaiac wood), tailored and enhanced by the other components, of which facets of cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg are perhaps most noticeable to my amateur nose, and it is this composite blend that persists through to the dry down. The bottle I have at present is from 2010, the original version in the purple box with the light green square. Don't know what the current version is like, but will doubtless find out soon. Performance is okay, but not stellar, and in Winter KJH lasts around six hours on my currently very dry (but usually oily) skin - really wish longevity were greater. In the past Jungle Homme did perform much better when my skin was more oily (I hate that term but it's how they categorise my skin type) so I usually extend the lifespan by applying it over an improvised fond de parfum - fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, or white ambergris, which more than doubles its longevity. As I adore woody fragrances and am partial to Palo Santo as a home fragrance (heating wood chips Japanese style in an electric burner releases the oil without combustion) find this a comforting, relaxing, elegant fragrance that most people seem to really like. Every time I wear this, Jungle Homme really is an exquisitely beautiful blend of woods and spices - elegant and stylish. This smells niche, quality, classy. Due to the very prominent guaiacol I tend to think of it as CDG Wonderwood's older, wiser, more worldly brother.

This one is special for me. Very original fragrance, and hard to deliver in words.. the author gave the only possible name to it - "Jungle". It comforts me. It's like I'm petting some wild animal - and not feeling dangerous about that, right opposite - feeling "related".. There is also something soft like fur and sweet like vanilla about it.. - not candy-sweet though, rather 'sweet' like reference to person - "he's sweet guy"; and there is no vanilla in ingredients - so I guess my senses pull 'vanilla' as as association of "vanilla sex". I live in Florida - it's hot and humid here most of the year. Strangely, without being "crisp", this fragrance behaves really well for such weather. I've experimented with fresh and airy "Aqua di..." and Citrus-y types - they all work, of cause, - but that's what became common way to smell round here, so in a way I feel tired of it.. From another hand - applying other interesting "fougere" or "gourmand" types not always finishes well for me: I do sweat (excuse details) and get overwhelmed by heat at moments, and suddenly perfume may turn suffocating.. not this one.. This one harmonizes me with all this heat, I don't feel hunted down by blazing sun and steaming everglades - I feel almost becoming part of it.. this is fascinating. First time I smelled 'Jungle' in early 2000s. I thought "my gosh, how exotic..." and I was not ready - I wanted to smell "popular" (this fragrance arguably never was and probably never will be "popular").. These days I don't want anymore to be popular, don't want to "stand out and challenge" either.. This is the fragrance that makes me feel free. I never get compliments or remarks on it, but I notice people's perception of me is affected when I wear it.. they like me and do not attack me.. LOL. I wear it on and off for 2 years now. Anyways.. silage is 'careful'; projection is - 'crouching Tiger/hidden Dragon'; longevity is 'great' on my skin/hair - in 6-8 hours it keeps radiating gently, and next day in shower I suddenly revive it for one more whiff; fragrance itself - 'Unique and Harmonious'. If you're looking to be a "star of the evening" - I don't think this will "bit competitors". It will stand free and non-intrusive, like wild exotic animal we see on a distance.. My overall rating 10/10. Thanks.

I just love the cinnamon-nutmeg chord in this fragrance. Also Benzoin does a good job in the balance. All those woods are in the base all the time and in the opening, the cardamom note is very comforting. Jungle is Warm and mysterious. It reminds me of that old red oil to polish the furniture, I don't say it resembles it, but remind me of. Hours later, close to the skin, it gets very soft and woody. Jungle gives a very nice experience. //Update: This one is for fall and surely it will be great for winter and holidays. All those notes just make me feel good. I really like the zebra idea, but maybe Jungle is not the best name. It is a very nice surprise how this change with the weather. If someone first tried Jungle on summer, give it another try... from like to love. *** Amo el acorde de canela-nuez moscada en esta fragancia. También el benjuí (creo que es la traducción) hace un buen trabajo en el balance. Todas esas maderas están en la base todo el tiempo y en la apertura, la nota de cardamomo es muy confortante. Jungle es misterioso y cálido. Me recuerda a ese viejo aceite rojo para pulir muebles, no digo que huela parecido, pero me lo recuerda. Algunas horas después, cerca de la piel, se vuelve muy suave y amaderado. Jungle te da una muy agradable experiencia. Actualización: Esta es para otoño y seguro será genial en invierno y las fiestas. Todas esas notas me han hecho sentir bien. Me gusta mucho el concepto de la cebra, pero quizá Jungle no sea el mejor nombre. Muy agradable sorpresa cómo cambió con el clima. Si alguien la probó por primera vez en verano, dele otra oportunidad. Pasó de gustar a encantarme.

Kenzo Jungle is truly what one neophyte would call ̈exotic ̈: Sweet and smokey at the same time (cinnamon,benzoin,sandalwood), round up by a heavy measure of tropical wood notes (cedar+guaiac), a tad animalic (pepper,spices): it ́s impressive, evocative, lush, and quite sexy. It lives up to its name; not necesarely reminiscent of the jungle itself, but how it feels like to be in a wooden lodge in the evening, in good company while looking at the sun setting beyond the tropical forest, lulled by the sounds of animals; mysterious, exciting, sensual. It ́s interesting to see that such a fragrance was once marketed for the masses (which really shows how the 90 ́s were more bold tastewise than what we ́ve got nowadays). I still remember the impressive TV commercial for the female version "Elephant" back in the day, another interesting and beautiful scent, just a bit sweeter and a tad less woodier. For those interested in trying it: Jungle always reacted very well for me in any occasion but I would recommend waiting for the drydown to really make up your mind about it; give it time, and remember these kind of fragrances (spicy, aromatic) react differently on each one ́s skin. If you pass the tests...welcome to the jungle!

I don't know if this fume falls under the category of missing notes (not listed) or if the right combination of notes gives the effect of another note...To me, this opens with a very clear cumin and lime flurry that is grounded by the richness of a coconut and sandalwood heart/base. It's like indulging in a spiced coconut cream - there is just a hint of cinnamon, cardamom, and mate sprinkled on a creamy, woody (thanks to the clear cedar note) coconut mixed with a dense white muck and airy sandalwood. This is sublime and smells something like abstract art with notes you are familiar with done in a way that is quite difficult to decipher. I am repelled and attracted to it simultaneously - it is very dissonant but madly attractive...such a mad love! It stays fairly linear in it spiced coconut concoction for quite some time but dries off to a very pleasing white musk (and nutmeg?!?) that clings to skin for hours. It's definitely a unique spring/summer scent that can be pulled off in the colder months as well. I also think this is appropriate for all genders as nothing in here screams man. Anyways, I hope you all find a feast for fit for your greatness! Day 31 - The feast Listening to: The Gathering - Locked Away