Aqua Minimes

I am enjoying quite a few of these colognes. They are fresh and light, don't smell too harsh or synthetic (or, at least no the most popular synth notes that seem to be everywhere and I chafe my nose). On the website, it says that they have "up to 92% of materials of natural origin...calculated according ISO 16128 regulations". That may not mean much, I don't have access to the standard, but my guess is that the alcohol and water make up the most of those up to 92%. Anyway, they do smell different than the usual fare- if it's because of the "naturalness" or that Ellena chose a different direction, I don't know. Aqua Minimes is a fresh citrusy cologne, that I actually like. Citrus is something I usually have a hard time with. I cannot wait to try it in the summer. Edit April 2020: This is so perfect on a chilly spring day! The citrus has gone from aggressive to very uplifting and the whole scent is warmer, rounder, more grassy. It went from a like to a love! I crave it now, spray myself first thing in the morning, and when I come home at night.

I tried Minimes in winter, and I was underwhelmed by a bitter lemon. Since I love citrus scents, I found it pleasant, but not what I was hoping. I recently wore it in July while biking in 80°F and this transformed in the heat. I could smell the cool bitter lemon over a juicy sweetness and the dry earthy vetiver! Beautiful and simple. I love spraying it on my husband as well. Try this on a hot day, it really made a difference.

For those who like (or dislike) lychee in fragrances and have read the comment below of Made By Kouros: Litsea is not lychee. It's litsea cubeba, a plant that is often used to mimic lemon because its leaves 'smell more like lemon than lemon itself'. So scratch the lychee and replace it by 'even more lemon, but just a tad greener'.

Try this in summer! Refreshing, clear, simple yet eloquent with the bitterness after.. I mean, who can hate this scent!? I love wearing it on the hot/humid day. Come try Tokyo's summer--you'll be totally convinced. :D

Such a perfect citrus cologne, with depth. It renders other similar ones redundant. On certain days it feels like Terre d'Hermes but with lemon/citrus instead of orange. Just something about the overall feel to it.