Hajj

This review is for the parfum nektar rather than the EDP on this page. Very sweet fruity aroma reminiscent of Junoon Satin By Rasasi. It also has a powdery note that reminds me of Xerjoff Shunkoin, a synthetic note but very pleasant nonetheless. This is my first wearing and so far I like it. The notes I appreciate are of sweetened citrus, powder, wood (not oud), leather, and incense. Its not a "formal" perfume but rather an easy-going unisex one. It might actaully leans feminine but I would happily use it myself.

The notes of Hajj look extremely promising: anise, licorice, ginger, tolu balsam, tobacco. I imagined it would be cloudy and dark and thick. And on the fist application I thought I got a wrong bottle. Where is the star anise and tobacco, where is the vibrant ginger? Hajj is a fruity floral fragrance. Neither too oriental, nor spicy. Actually, except for the mandarin orange and the osmanthus, there really is not much out there. As with a few other scents from this line, I seriously believe the price is too high for the content of the bottle. For 50% of the price, I would perhaps consider buying it if I was looking for light fruity fragrance. But with things as they are, I am not so convinced any more. There is no doubt that this is an interesting fragrance, but I have the feeling of deja vu while sniffing it.

I was expecting something a little darker and more exotic when first applying this to my skin. Instead I was welcome with a very fruity and delicious combination of mandarin with apricot undertones from osmanthus. The anise, licorice and ginger are very subtle and well blended and are more detectable as freshness and depth as Hajj develops. Tolu balsam adds a somewhat vanilla nuanced accord, made earthy and clean by just a little vetiver. Tobacco is also very subtle and brings a gentle smoky sweetness--very nice with the touch of patchouli. Complex, deep, yet gentle and clean and will appeal to both mainstream perfume lovers as well as niche. However, I find it a little too superficial to be marketed as a fragrance of wisdom and spirituality.

Im in love with everything with anice, at first I got loads of fruits and sweet osmanthus in Hajj, but soon it turned to wonderful anice, it seems that others don't get too much anice out of this, but I do, it plays perfectly together with the sweetness of osmanthus and I keep sniffing my wrist and begging for more, but (why there always must be "but"?) it is not that special for me actually to invest in a FB, I already have my perfect anice fragrance which in some moments is actually similiar to this (I'm speaking of Caron - Aimez-moi), so I won't be adding this to my wishlist. As someone already mentioned - if there would be a sale with a 50% off I'd buy it. Seems lovely, clean and refreshing.

A lovely, light floral fragrance - but nothing to write home about...!!! Initially I get the mandarine, Osmanthus and tolu. I do detect some more underlying notes such as liquorice and ginger and a waft of patchouli...! But they are too well hidden and really do not develop enough to project from my skin - I really have to shove my wrist, quite literally, up my nose to smell them! Silage not good - longevity average! Conclusion, way too expensive to lure me in! Expected much more from such a deep price tag along with some amazing notes - but this just fails to deliver!