Contessa

I blind bought this some years ago based on the notes and the bottle, and didn’t regret it. I’m wearing it today and for my skin it’s a predominantly tonka and ylang and nutmeg scent. It’s so well refined for it’s profile and that star anise kicks in a little after it settles but in a baking spice sort of way, not a licorice type anise. That may be a bonus or a detriment depending on your tastes. Contessa is competent and deftly handles it’s composition and the transitions are gentle throughout it’s considerable lifespan on my body. An easy 4-8 hours depending on the conditions and the full dry down is a polished warm vanilla and waxy floral with hidden hints of cherry and almond that don’t appear in the official notes. It’s elegant and comforting but just short of stunning. It is unfortunately very pricey for this profile and if you want a similar vibe I strongly suggest Safanad from Parfums de Marly, for a cheaper alternative since you can more readily find a good deal on that-and if you want to go even cheaper with an additional side step in composition; Stash from Sarah Jessica Parker may scratch this itch too. Glad I have this bottle but I wouldn’t buy another at full price. Solid 7/10 with it’s cost mostly holding it back.

Wow wow wow... this blew my socks off but let me first talk about the bottle. Moresque bottles are hand painted so you’ll find each bottle to be slightly different from the other. Let me move to the story behind this fragrance. Contessa was believed to be the lover of Napoleon III. She was known for her love of gold (all things gold) and bold red lips; so this perfume was inspired by that hence, the design on the bottle. On to the juice, this is a spicy sensual and bold fragrance. I get the star anise, tonka bean, vanilla and ylang-ylang. If you love Xerjoff Alexandria II, then you will surely love this also as they smell similar. Try this and thank me later ♥️💛

An amazing fragrance - rich, bold, energizing and even aggressive but at the same time very sofisticated and refined. Not for everyone, not for everyday. But if you want to feel awakened, emboldened and in good mood - this one is perfect. It does have notes in common with Xerjoff 1888, I had both and can agree with this. But on my skin Xerjoff had some unpleasant note that is not in Contessa. And the bottle is a masterpiece. Its color reflects the fragrance in perfection.

This is my newest obsession. It is spicy slightly sweet fruity with floral softly blended. It was a blind buy 😬 based on reviewers I’ve read. Luckily this is 9/10 for me. It’s that next notch above “designer mass appeal”. It is different enough to be interesting but not over all challenging. It starts with a big dose of Starr Anise then the fruits (I get cherry) and bergamot. Florals pop in after several minutes. Dry down adds soft powdery note.

So so good. Something in this reminds me of Amouage Sunshine. They have no notes in common except the vanilla, but still.. the soft spiciness, the slight powdery and sweet fruity character of this masterpiece reminds me of my all time fav Sunshine. It's like a winter version if that makes sense. I know its not listed in the notes, but I can detect either a cherry or an almond note. 10/10 exceptionally good, elegant, royal and sexy.