Testing Onda Voile d'Extrait and Eau de Parfum, Vero Profumo

Onda Voile d'Extrait has a smoky green effect whereas the EDP has a fresh fruity green scent, the passion fruit is evident straight away upon smelling the EDP, whereas it's more suggested behind the opening smoke screen (the vetiver?) of the Voile d'Extrait. 

The Voile d'Extrait has a huge helping of coriander, the lemony yet weirdly nutty smell of the seeds and green herbs (basil?) and grated fresh ginger, I almost feel like I am in the kitchen watching my mother prepare a meal for the family as these are ingredients used often in Asian cooking. I'll be honest and admit that the coriander is a bit too much here for my stomach today. I will try again on a different day when I'm not already taking the nausea-inducing Doxycycline. If there's such a thing as a green leathery musk, Onda Voile d'Extrait would be it. Interesting and original, definitely unisex but I personally will have to bow out as I can't breathe with Onda in my space.



Addendum: I enjoy this sprayed around me but not on me, the coriander gets too close for comfort.

Onda Eau de parfum smells of bright citruses, sweet passion fruit and cooking ingredients. The basil/herb note is here like it is in the Voile d'Extrait. The coriander is less voluble but very much present in the EDP. More breathable and less leathery than the Voile d'Extrait. The drydown smells sweet, green and mossy. Nice but not my cup of tea. I appreciate the beauty of a classic chypre but I much rather wear an oriental.

Amber Russe Parfum d'Empire

Inebriated amber ahead.

Wow. I smell like I just emptied the better part of a vodka bottle on myself. It's drowned out whatever champagne there is in the top notes for me too. All I smell for the first ten minutes is vodka, vodka and more vodka. 

After my liver and nose have digested the vodka, I smell leather or birch tar or birch tar tanned leather, anyway it's tanned animal hides for sure. The juniper adds a crisp and sweet evergreen note reminiscent of how driving past a forest of conifers smelt in autumn going into winter.  

The amber in Ambre Russe then makes its way slowly into the scent just as I was wondering where it was. It slinks in like a knowing feline, with smoky incense trailing behind, causing a stir in the crowd and the temperature to rise. It's as if the booze has really set into your system, your pulse is racing, your face is flushed and the heat radiating off your skin smells musky. 

The dark sultry amber takes centre stage in the dry down, her voice raspy from too much smoke and drink, her leather coat with its layers of smells accumulated from all the nights spent in a bar or a club. She's lowers her guard with each shot downed, her sooty eyes and red lips are sexily smudged and her inhibitions are scattered to the wind. She's intoxicated but not vulgar, just effusive and affectionate. Having a really good time. 

Ambre Russe is definitely a unique experience and one that I would like to repeat. A wearable olfactory piece of art that will definitely make people around you pause and admire. It's unisex but I can foresee some avoiding it because of the booze overload. An unusual take on amber that all amber lovers should at least sample. I am very happy I did and found the creative spirit in perfumery still very much alive! 

Note: probably best not to wear in the office or places where you are expected to be sober.