Coral

When I first spritzed this gem, I was transported to Miami, FLA, mid 50's. I was in an aqua Cadillac convertible as the sun went down, and the ocean wind was blowing a nice, steady, breeze. It was warm, but not suffocating, just enough to make the skin radiate a bit of an earthy musk, but it barely peeked through the scent of fresh fruits and flowers that permeated the air. There was also the smell of dry, salty wood, and it was a perfect evening. Then I read about Coral. Apparently, Neil Morris got his inspiration from Laguna Beach, California. I've never been to either place, so I think it speaks volumes that I got a warm, wonderful beach in the first place, since there aren't any aquatic notes or the cliche (but nice) coconut. Into the drydown and hours later, Coral turns into a soft intimate, pale purple velvet evening. Love this! Sweet and fruity, but not immature. Warm but not cloying.

To begin with, I smell fruits, mainly ripe melon and some sort of abstract tutti-frutti scent. It’s supposed to have a sweet pea note, and that I certainly believe. It’s a strong, sweet, almost cloying floral that is fortunately modified enough by the fruits to keep it from being truly obnoxious. As it dries down, I smell a light aquatic note along with the sweet pea, and with time the florals mellow and become more abstract. This is a very mainstream-smelling scent, a fruity floral that stays true to that genre from beginning to end. Sillage is considerable, and the scent will gladly put in a full 8-hour workday. In fact, it’s amazingly tenacious, so that I keep catching whiffs of it on both my clothes and skin for days after wearing it. I do have to say that Coral is well made and I can wear it, but it’s really just a little too floral for my taste. However, if you like the scent of sweet peas, this is a must-try.

sharp fig leaf in the opening that lends an aldehydic opening and makes the sweet pea similar to a freesia or an orchid, hint of vanilla, a bit aquatic but not salty, more like lotus; as it dries down I do get a little faint incense smoke but not churchy and a bit of that sour sandalwood then powdery in the base; not as much of a powerhouse as some of his fragrances; sweet, soft and subtle; safe for the office; while I like it, I don't love it. I prefer some of his edgier stuff.

I'd call this pretty and joyful, an easy pleasure. I'd like it better eithout the smoke though. Like walking the botanical gardens with a fruity cocktail then someone passes you smoking and harshes your mellow.

Nice and simple work this one,sample it if you can.(I also have to notice that the bag of samples that i ordered, came with a sweet handwritten note by Neil, with greetings written in greek, and made me feel warm inside). It starts with a clean bergamot note and it takes quickly a gourmant twist with fig and some soft rosy floral. This is a great ingenue perfume, cuddly but not boringly innocent.There's a twist in the end, a peppery dry grown up epilogue!