Sublime Cedar

ZARA Sublime Cedar is a beautiful woody smell closely related to cedar but then not really. Hours after I applied the minimalist fragrances, a co-worker asked me what cologne I use, because, well, I smelled quite pleasant. "You know what? This is the best cologne you have worn recently, the one that I like most, seriously!". Honestly, I couldn't believe it, I thought it was almost gone after more than 5 hours. This genderless fragrance has a very distinct musky, woody, amber scent. Still, the key ingredient behind this cult classic is one single note, Iso E Super. Are you familiar with that? It's an aroma-molecule that doesn't exist in nature. In essence, it was created in a laboratory in 1973 and initially used in small portions in other perfumes. What makes Sublime Cedar so unique is the fact that it's made mostly of Iso E Super. The scent consists of mainly three notes: pink peppercorn, cedarwood, and amber. On my skin, it unfolds with citrus and spicy nuances, a bit of lemon peel and abundant pink peppercorn, with its gentle sparkliness. At first glance, the soft warmth of Sublime Cedar shouldn't be as seductive as it is. Perhaps, after the initial blast, it does not pursue with all guns blazing, you might think it lacks energy, determination. Instead, it is deceptively subtle, it melts with your chemical to enhance its allure and put a spring in its step. The fact that it's not quite tangible is what makes the bouquet all the more enticing. The heart note turns around a woody velvety cedar-like accord. It is not the pencil-sharpener subtlety you're accustomed to. Still, something more similar to a cedar-sandal mix, try to figure out a creamy cedarwood, a flat, faintly cedary scent with the warmth of sandalwood, if not the complexity. It's a quiet, pleasant smell, on the virile side of the tracks given the woodiness. If you are not anosmic towards Iso E Super, what you get is the smell of that molecule. There's a chance you may not be able to smell this on yourself but, trust me, anybody that crosses your path will be enchanted. It will never be cloying or overbearing. Indeed, when it comes to the scent that will turn others on, less is really more. The dry down is supposed to feature a black amber. Still, what I get is more on the musky side, it is not as oily smelling as a musk, but it does have your skin similar quality that musk possesses. It tastes of wood, it feels of musk; still, it takes your body's natural smell and amplifies it. The freshness and woodiness of Sublime Cedar make it suitable warm seasons like Spring and Summer during the daytime, either in leisure or at work. It is not recommended for a night out, it can be easily defeated by other beasts. The best thing about Sublime Cedar is that it really smells different on everyone. The fragrance's claim to fame is the fact that it melds with the wearer's natural pheromones, which is also why some people can pick up on the smell a lot more than others. I highly recommend trying this out, on your skin rather than on the paper strip and do not stiff your nose into it, but, chase it whenever you move your arms around you. Even if I have only worn it a few times, it seems to have a good effect on people as I have had various comments and compliments. Lastly, I think it's a hidden gem and a perfume that not many people have so if you are looking for something unique then could be the one for you! To me, it is one of the most mysteriously alluring scents wrapped in simplicity.

Fantastic fragrance, and the closest you will get to something kind of similar to that fantastic Zara release called Impact Masculin, from perfumer Alberto Morillas, but still far away from the brilliance of the latter though. This is extremely similar in the drydown, but maybe lacks the freshness and citrusy touch of Impact. People say it reminds them of Eccentric Molecule 01, but I haven't smelled that yet. I just get a very very clean smell that can last and project for hours. People claim they've used it for layering, but my experience is that this one completely overshadows the rest of them. It is very intense without being annoying. I love this and recommend it as a blind buy. This could suit either men and women. 9.25/10.

Absolutely love this scent, smells devine. Longevity is good, projection is okay. I'd call this a mix of Molecule01 and Hermes Un Jardin sur le nil.

I layer this fragrance with almost all the fragrances in my collection and it works really well.

Ok now, this is a surprise. Instant love. Love at first smell ! This opens up very clean, fresh and refined, even if it's synthetic. Then the drydown goes into a more sweeter smell. With a summer-orange vibe. And it actually lasts very long. Projection is moderate, but present. Funny story : I sprayed it on my hand in the afternoon. Later in the day, forgot that I had it and sprayed Bleu de Chanel over it. Then later on, took a shower. Bleu de Chanel was gone, but I could still smell Sublime Cedar. EDIT : After wearing it a few times, the projection and sillage are very soft. So unfortunately, even if it does stay long, the lack of performance is disappointing. I'll wear it when I want to smell good at home.