Shahzada

This is a close sibling of Micallef's Emir. Opens with a burst of pepper and bitter grapefruit and an immediate oud/geranium combo - just like Emir. There's some ethereal fruit notes that kind of float around in the "bubble space" of this scent, though, and along with the abstract florals, they create a kind of watercolor pastel effect that exists on the scent's periphery. That watercolor pastel effect has been present in the other Tola scent I tried, too, Masha, which was more like a colorful pastel watercolor rendition of Dia Man. Good stuff, that, and good stuff, this too. Or rather, I should say I like them. I don't know if they're objectively good. Part of me feels that the compositions are crammed together with as much shit as he could find, but it does somehow all work, and they do evolve slowly and nicely and really have a lot going on at all times, even though sometimes it is hard to distinguish as the notes blur together. Still, the overall aesthetic seems to be rich scents with a certain sheer pastel frivolity imbued in them, and it's not quite like anything I've ever smelled, despite the core of both scents strongly resembling preexisting scents. Shahzadah stays fairly linear with notes flitting in and out, but the core peppery, somewhat dry geranium/oud running from top to bottom. At the top there are the fruit notes (i do pick up just hints of raspberry, lime, and plum), the middle has the abstract floral accord, and the base a bit of patchouli and incense and honey - well, to be honest the honey is actually part of that core accord, too - but given the unwavering core the scent does feel more or less linear. Still, it's really quite nice. One other thing about these Tola scents is that they seem to get me thinking about them after I wear them and I always look forward to wearing them again because I know I'll pick up another new little facet or two. Overall, I like Tola for being familiar and yet unique. I think it's worth checking out a few of them (this one if you like Emir, or like the idea of TdH as an oud; Masha if you like Dia Man but would like to see it with more color and playfulness).

Hmm. Based on the notes, I thought if anything, the downfall of this fragrance would have been that it were too fruity and sweet. It’s actually not really sweet at all and has almost no fruit to my nose. It’s basically just an oud bomb for me. It’s not unpleasant, but I wish I got a little more of the listed notes.

Strange. basically a rose and oud combo. I initially whiffs of geranium and raspberry on a standard oud, a little rubbery with a cautious profile. Basically a Turkish Rose and oud. I get nothing else. Maybe some plum, cypriol and later some moss and vanilla¿? but I have to sink my nose and look for them carefully. The sillage remains intimate for the duration. The bottom is more polished, acute and lacquered with a strong glazed gajac. Nothing unforgettable.

The perfume of a woman who, to escape her destiny, disguises herself as the prince who gives the fragrance its name: Shahzadah. Fruity scents leave space to the central combination: the rose/Oud one, accompanied by flowers and woods that soften everything. It is therefore as if this girl with a sensual and feminine spirit, by dressing up, took on masculine vibes, represented by Agar wood, but she never gave up her elegance, which is present here, indeed. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of the rose/Oud trend, and it's not a fragrance I would wear, but I'm obviously talking about personal taste. For those who love this combination made very pleasant by all the other notes, it will certainly be exceptional.