C

It's incredible how 1st impressions of perfumes can change, because at first I thought it's slightly challenging, but now that I've worn it for some time, I think it's very easy to wear, and very pleasurable. It's a vetiver like no other. It's "dark" but never too much. It succeeds in maintaining freshness throughout all its lifespan, which makes it wearable even in the summer. The vetiver here is "forest-y"/woodsy unstead of earthy and smokey. The Neroli balances it with its powdery and floral facets. I like it a lot! My advice is, give it time and don't judge it based in your first impression.

Maybe I'm unwittingly influenced by the fact that Kate Moss apparently wears this, but C makes me feel stylish, cool, and a bit debauched. It's mainly vetiver and labdanum, earthy and smoky and powdery and unashamedly chemical. It's not particularly unusual, but as a fragrance that's uncompromisingly free of anything sweet, fresh, or traditionally pretty or trendy, it makes a statement, albeit in an understated way. It's kind of the smell of third-day hair, traces of cigarette smoke and your boyfriend's cologne still detectable. It leans vaguely masculine, but in an androgynous, Marlene Dietrich in slightly tattered tailcoat way. It has a quietly grubby chicness that I quite enjoy.

This fragrance helped me finally realize I hate molecular “your skin but better” Iso E Super scents (Molecule 01, Another 13, Gaiac 10, etc.) They simply don’t work with my skin chemistry, and I should stop trying them lmao. I get literally nothing from C but screechy, headache-inducing alcohol that has zero development. Shame on me for continually trying scents like this. *calls cops on self*

My relationship with C has started with a funny story. I actually met Azzi, as I came to her studio to interview her for the magazine I used to work for. I kinda knew that she's been dealing with many celebrities and as a massive Kate Moss fan I found out that Kate's been wearing one of her fragrances. So I asked Azzi which one was it and she answered: C which to me, hell knows why, sounded like "SEA". And I thought, REALLY? Kate Moss is smelling with sea? And then I saw the bottle and it hit me: "OH, C, LIKE COCAINE!". HOME RUN! C actually smells like a line of cocaine after you spray it. It's cold, metal-ish, but it somehow blossoms on your skin. Warmed up it becomes your second skin. Based on 3 molecules it's surprisingly exceptional, absolutely divine. And everyone will be asking you what are you wearing. It's like a secret weapon. I didn't think I will love it as I love strong, empowering fragrances and C is far away from being a room filler. It's as intimate as a line of coke in the bathroom during Met Gala. You know it's forbidden but you want it so bad. C is addictive. I'm obsessed with it.

Earthy, woody, rich roll-around-and-take-a-tub-in-it mud. C is the epitome chic cool mixed with mussed up hair sexy. Great genderless scent with nice projection and 8+ hour superb longevity. It is the strong, determined, assured one with piercing eyes walking confidently through the 8 foot tall thickets of a vetiver jungle. The sun dapples through the sheaths of green as bare feet step confidently across the cool dirt.