Majeste

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from Majesté. I purchased all the samples from Vertus that leaned masculine based upon the note pyramid and some reviews. Majesté just seemed to be another among many others that start with citrus that quickly dies down to a generic woody scent. I was quite wrong. Majesté opens with a strong blast of citrus which does not quickly fade away. In fact, it sticks around for quite some time as the cedar and patch begin to appear. This gives the impression of a much lighter, fresher and airier woody scent. As the mid dry down rolls around, a subtle but noticeable animalic accord appears which gives the fragrance a very attractive impression. This middle mode hangs around nicely for a few hours and is quite delicious. The final dry down mode takes place with the appearance of a churchy incense smell - surprising since resinous notes are not listed in the note pyramid. As the clock continues to tick, the incense scent begins to dominate while the woody and citrus notes retreat, followed lastly by the animalic note. What's left for the remainder of Majesté's life is a calm and reserved churchy incense scent. It's not overpowering, as I found in Zaharoff's Signature Extrême, for example, but of more gentlemanly strength. Longevity was very good. I was still getting subtle whiffs of the incense almost 24 hours after applying. Projection is good but not room fumigating. If the description above interests you, you would not have a problem wearing Majesté as a signature scent or to the office. Overall the fragrance has interesting development, is pleasant in every step of its evolution with excellent longevity and classy projection. What's not to like. I'm adding this one to my shopping list.

The drydown is creamy vanilla orange with a touch of melon and bits of lemon, while the top note wasn't referring to this drydown at all! it was hugely animalic with touch of resins, wood, cedar, & patchouli. This blend is never linear, i really got infatuated by the top note with it's rage, strength, and vicious touch, but the drydown made me re-think the infatuation i built when i first sniffed it! dunno if i'm falling for it after reaching this drydown! cause it is quite creamy with doses of oranges, some touched of petitgrain, & honey dew melon. Is it too sweet! sticky maybe? and the citrus is as well bit sweet and sticky. I really need to check it again cause this is kind of a disappointing... Let's see... Edit (16th Sept 2022) The drydown is very fizzy, maybe like lemonade daiquiri with a milky touch.

This fragrance is too much for me: too citrusy, too animalic and with cedar wood which unfortunately makes everything unpleasant to my nose. Nothing done unfortunately.