Chypré Extraordinaire

So I've tried Diaghilev, Haute Luxe and this (Chypre Extraordinaire) by Roja so far. Given the price and list of notes, I was sure I wouldn't be much impressed... And upon first whiff, I almost agreed-- I wasn't blown away but it was definitely better than I expected. However after wearing it about an hour, I was becoming more intrigued. After several hours I was slightly unimpressed with the performance (specifically the projection/longevity, especially when compared to Diaghilev), but couldn't wait to go home and try it again... Which I did... For several days in a row... I don't want to like this seemingly dull release from Roja Dove but, if I'm being honest, I REALLY like it. The plum note is what I get most for the first hour (swirled with some great aldehydes remiscent if Calèche from Hermès) followed by the best jasmine money can buy (damn well better be) touched with some plum and black currant, and civet.. Of course throughout hours of wear you'll be able to pick out the heliotrope, some leather and gorgeous orris and that vanilla will still be on your skin the next morning... Is it worth the money? I don't know and that's not my business. Is a business class seat round trip from New York to Hong Kong worth $5000 more than the coach seat? Depends on what you want I guess... You can hate him and his pricing and never wear his fragrances, and I can nod while I listen to the completely understandable complaint. But I can also understand buying something this expensive for yourself that you might wear once a month (or even less) because it gives you some joy and makes you smile. I'm a teacher and this is not in my price range but I'm going to buy a bottle because I get enough joy from it to make me forgo a few pricy dinners or what have you to wear this out for the next couple of years. I'm sure the raw materials to create this are very expensive. I'm also sure that the price of those materials are not even close to what this is priced at point of sale. At the end of the day, the price tag is very personal and there's no point in my complaining about it... It's definitely overpriced. I'll wear it sparingly and enjoy every moment of it. I will mention the projection/longevity is not as good as it should be, as both Diaghilev and Haute Luxe push and last much longer. Also, I forgot who mentioned it on this site but if you want something in the Chypre family with perfect Jasmine and REAL oakmoss that lasts for more than a day (no joke) please please try Chypre Siam by Rogue.. I am on my second full size bottle and it is honestly one of the best fragrances ever. And while he COULD charge double or even more for it, he doesn't. Keep smiling everyone and be safe.

I have some scents - like a pair- which are perfect to wear for couples. ❤️ This is the first pair. The best classical timeless Chypres inspired by vintage Mitsouko! ✨ If you want to buy a totally new bottle and the budget is not limited I highly recommend to try these ones before buying a new version of Mitsouko or Rochas Femme. Those are nice as well but these are so incredible amazing ones with extraordinary quality! The classy well blended complexity which is hard to find. ROJA PARFUMS 🖤 DIAGHILEV Very strong and majestic, deep and rich blend, a challenging to wear for many. This one definitely needs the right kind of clothes, otherwise you look and smell totally ridiculous. Yet, I see in my eyes a handsome man after a bath in Versace bathrobe. 🤩 Sharp and spicy, leathery and musky, mossy with a gentle touch of animalics - everything in this scent is heavy. So GORGEOUS! Main notes: - Lemon, Bergamot, Lime, Orange, Tarragon - Jasmin de Grasse, Tuberose, Heliotrope, Violet, Blackcurrant Buds, Peach - Patchouli, Oakmoss, Benzoin, Labdanum, Leather 💜 CHYPRÉ EXTRAORDINAIRE Soft and fruity, sophisticated and subtle, very refined yet addictive and complex beautiful scent. This is brighter and lighter (not weak) than Diaghilev and a little bit sweet. This is like a sun and Diaghilev is like a moon. This is like a queen and Diaghilev is like a king. There is amazing mossy base with Civet and Musk but animalic vibe is absence. Totally in love with this delicate yet well projecting scent. Definitely a year around scent for me. Main notes: - Bergamot - Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Peach, Plum - Moss Base, Cedarwood, Sandalwood The in depth reviews coming later! Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗

Chypré Extraordinaire is a revolutionary perfume. Due to constantly changing IFRA regulations and limitations on oakmoss, Roja set out to create the world’s first chypré without the use of its iconic and definitive note. He has stated before that this was the hardest fragrance he’s ever had to make and at many times was close to giving up, but eventually he cracked it. Chypré Extraordinaire initially opens with refreshing bergamot and aldehydes before developing an addictively sweet and fruity combination of peach and plum, which goes on to live throughout the duration of the scent. From here a soft and delicate heart of powdery florals emerges, namely ylang, tuberose, orris and rose. As it settles on the skin, Roja’s revolutionary moss accord presents itself - it’s incredible to think this doesn’t contain any oakmoss when your nose is certain that it does. There’s a gentle and slightly animalic hint of civet and cassis but this is very subtle, alongside the other two classic chypré notes - patchouli and labdanum. Roja Dove created a spectacle with this release and it truly does live up to its name of being extraordinary. He revolutionised the way chyprés can be made and paved the way preparing for the likely demise of oakmoss usage in perfumery. This is such an addicting fragrance and smells beautiful in the warm spring and summer air.

this is the younger brother/sister to diaghilev of the same house, this is a more powdery, brighter and less edgy take than diaghilev, i personally prefer this slightly more but both are amazing chypres. both have good performance and the way the scent evolves on my skin blows me away. chypre extraordinaire starts off powdery and bright, then fruity, then floral, then woody, then mossy, then ... it evolves forever, which amazes me. this truly makes me feel special and it brings out the happy side of me. if you're trying to get into chypre scents done right, start with this or mitsouko then diaghilev then try the vintage ones out there. chypre extraordinaire is a great starter chypre for anyone really, the way roja balances each element in this scent is marvelous, nothing too weak nor overpowering, yet still being a complex profile. chypre extraordinaire really shines in the light heat, best worn in summer evenings/nights, spring, and fall. longevity is around 7-8 hours, and projetion is moderate/gentle, as with every other chypres as i think chypres are meant to be soft & elegant, not loud and obnoxious. but sadly, with all rojas, the price point is way up there and f**king insane, a bottle of this in singapore goes for around $1.3k and my 4-ml decant cost me $88 😭 but the scent is immaculate. overall, 10/10

Extraordinarily complex and unique. I have never smelled anything quite like it. Like a true chypre, it is difficult to pin-point exact individual notes. They all blend together into a scent cloud that smells good and expensive, but without any clearly definable scent structures. It is floral, but not a floral. It is fruity, but not a citrus. It is sweet, but not a gourmand. It is woody, ... you get it. It is a chypre. That's just what it is. It is exactly everything and nothing all at the same time. Never clearly discernable as anything, but is as present as you are. Think of how Dickens described the Ghost of Christmas Past and then try to imagine that as a fragrance. Fabulous masterpiece of perfumery that only comes with one criticism from me. As difficult as it is to define as a scent, it is also remarkably difficult to define a time and place to wear it. It seems out of place outside of only the most opulent of environments.