Isiris

When I first read the PR on this scent, I os-magined something that would transport me to the Egyptian desert and drape me in the richness of a pharaoh... On initially spraying this, I thought they had mixed up my samples before putting them on the paper cards; (they all just say "Shantara" on the spray vials), as all I could smell was citrus and green herbiness. Bright, slightly bitter bergamot, a lemony sweetness and a sharp green that would not fade. I put the paper strip aside and went on to thinking of what to say when I reviewed the other two that had really grabbed me. Then, I sniffed it again-still citrusy green, oh well...After finishing the reviews of Shaman and Reve Etoile, I came back to Isiris and only an hour or so later did I detect the lavender's powdery scent and the cool iris with a slight dryness from the geranium. This scent unfolds like an Egyptian dynasty-slowly and strongly! The eventual drydown is earthy, with a grassy vetiver. Then a chewy honeyed beeswax, and sharp and crisp pine note. The brightness of the opening stays with you as the others unfold. The description says for women, but I think this is a truly unisex scent; that actually leans towards the 'masculine'. Then again Hatshepsut wore a fake beard as she ruled the upper and lower kingdoms as Pharaoh... Sillage: very good Longevity: amazing Overall: 4.5/5 I imagined this would be half ISIS (goddess of women and magick) and half OSIRIS (god of rebirth and green things) and I was not too far off... This begins very sharply and intensely, then becomes much better as the dry foral notes bloom, then it becomes full, sweet and earth-like with a subtle richness. I pondered...what would a pharaoh (earthly god-king) really covet? Most likely those things most precious to a desert society: juicy citruses, green flowers, sweet precious balms and lush grasses...maybe this IS something an egyptian monarch would treasure-more than all the gold, incense and resins so prominent in the sandy wastes of the Sahara...

I feel honored to be reviewing alongside such greatness. Upon receiving samples from the Shantara line a few days ago from a recommendation from Gypsy i was thoroughly impressed. How this company was able to create something to long lasting while projecting so well is over my head considering that they are 100% natural (there is pulp floating in the sample vial, doesn't get more natural than that). This fragrance starts out with an un-nerving BLAST of lemon verbena. So much so that the other notes listed in the top seem to be frightened, and muted. Amalfi lemon does attempt to speak over the all hailing Lemon verbena every now and then, but is almost instantly struck down every time. As we walk away from the violent vista that is the top we are quickly shuffled into the middle accords by our knight in shinning armor, Geranium. One of the few flowers that smells "masculine" in a way makes sure to save our souls from the femininity that lurks about. Geranium makes a break for it, and attempts to kill one of the arab-sheik kingdom guards, iris, but is swiftly struck down. Soapy Iris, soaked in geraniums blood, races gracefully towards you. Her lavender scented clothing filling the dry air around you. You awake from your dream in a hot sweat into the base accords, your linnens soaked, you attempt to gain your bearings. You dawn your undergarments and open your balcony window, gazing out into your own private oasis. Peaceful dry air engulfs you, gently touching both your body and soul. Simply astounding. Smell: 10 Longevity: 9+ Sillage: 10+

Shantara ISIRIS defies any preconceptions one may have had about made-for-women perfumes. This composition opens with bright lemon citrus and shortly thereafter doles out a pretty significant vetiver note. The aromatics are really in abundance in ISIRIS, with the result that oriental seems to me the wrong category, and the intended gender seems off as well. The only other orientalish perfume I know that opens with this much lemon and has this much vetiver is Boucheron PARFUMS DE JOAILLIER special edition POUR HOMME, which I love, having bought it on a whim and discovered that it's really unisex, not just for men--in fact, the drydown of that composition even seems somewhat feminine to me. ISIRIS, in contrast, offers far more citrus and aromatic than any other notes and never really delivers significantly on the oriental promise. I would recommend this fragrance for springtime and summertime wear, as it smells very natural and fresh and is not at all harsh, but it is at least unisex, if not better suited for men, IMNSHO. All of that said, I do appreciate gypsyparfumista's charitable interpretation: read on below...

It is not often I get to read reviews that thoroughly inspire me. Below are three such reviews which convey enough information written with a style and passion that I feel compelled to seek out this scent and try it for myself. Thank you to of you who have made a joy to read this page. The next difficult part of fragrance hunting is where is it available. Just did a brief search and there seems to be nothing more than interesting reviews. I'd love to know what happened to the company.