Hawa

I purchased the Love collection discovery set (6 samples) and I ranked Hawa as No. 1 (descending order to favourites). Let me tell you why. When Hawa opened up, she was firmly in last place- the spicy, aromatic cardamom note overpowered everything and I just wasn't having it. However, after the first minute, miracles took place. Orange blossom, ylang ylang, rose, myrrh, ambergris and jasmine- these notes began to rise to the challenge, and believe me when I say that the dry down is exquisite. And because it is a strong perfume, you will experience the extended floral-sweet dry down. Oh my goody-goodness. Hawa is floral, there is a vanillic kind of slightly aromatic sweetness to her, she has a resinous, earthy, mossy backbone to her that adds mystery and loveliness. This is not a modern, sweet floral or fruity, easy to comprehend fragrance. Hawa makes me think of the kind of perfumes French fragrance houses used to release when mass-market was not the name of the game. I cannot find the words, you will just have to buy a sample and experience her for yourself. I love it, but previous reviews demonstrate that we're not all on the same page. Hawa is unisex, but I feel it leans more feminine in the dry down. I think this perfume will do well when there is warmth to the air. Update: Retested after a year and Hawa is still my number 1. It's going on the wishlist.

Bought this in Marrakesh, Morocco last summer, so every time I wear it transports me to that place which was so raw, beautiful and mysterious - made me feel at home and yet in a completely different universe. The perfume opens up with a bang - floral and fruity, fresh and bubbly, like a glass of Bellini with white and yellow flowers on the rim. And just as you’re trying to understand it, it starts to settle into a sweet and thicker aromatic juice. It’s hypnotic! I bought this before buying YSL Libre, so I found it unique, like nothing else in my collection. Now that I have both I can totally see the resemblance and I love them both in a different way. Hawa is stunning!

I really enjoy this scent. It's beautiful and it doesn't smell like My Way by Giorgio Armani to be because I have My Way and I don't like it. I really enjoy Hawa for it's way of bringing in fruitiness without going generic or juvenile. Hawa smells vintage and new all at the same time so almost any lady could pull this off. I feel feminine and classically chic when I wear this but definitely leans more on the casual side to me. I do not detect any Cardamom, Bergamot, or Oakmoss in this scent. The bottle is beautiful as well. I also own Wajd and Walaa from this collection. These three smelled the most unique to me of the collection.

This is like a sugar-free/ diet version of Libre... Which is GREAT! I like masculine elements in my fragrances, so lavender is really apealing to me! Libre in theory sounds great but it's so nauseatingly sweet, just the thought of it gives me headaches! This has a similar idea, much better and less clichê execution! It's vanilic and aromatic but not cloying! It also has little a je ne sais quoi that reminds me of after shave, which might sound off putting but it's really not, it's brilliant! Lasts for around 12 hours and it projects nicely without overwhelming people! Completely unisex! Swiss Arabian really did great with Hawa!

This was challenging at first. I immediately got this strong blast of the cedar and cardamom, which made it seem turpentine-like to my nose. This was first tests on a blotter. So, I sprayed several sprays and set it aside. After several months, this has matured. While the opening is still somewhat challenging to me, it doesn't last long. As the perfume begins to dry down, what's left is a beautiful floral fragrance with a hint of woodiness in the background that gives the fragrance interest and depth. This is lovely! It's perfection for Spring. I'm going to order the oil. I hope that allows this to perform all day.