WHAT I SMELL: Aqua Celestia Cologne forte’s first spritz is a very fresh sparkling bergamot that’s fizzy and lightly sweet and tart at the same time. Quickly, a blackberry note joins the bergamot, or I should say, sits on top of the bergamot because it feels layered as if they’re part of a fruit parfait. The perfume is clean and bright, so much so that even if you were a little sweaty and hot from the day, the perfume would make you feel like you just stepped out of the shower. The blackberry note continues to grow as the bergamot begins to fade into the background. As the bergamot recedes, a fruit infused jasmine highlighted by peach comes in to take its place. The fruit is bright and just so slightly juicy, but not enough to add any weight to the perfume. As it continues to develop, a sandalwood pencil shaving note appears adding just the right amount of depth to bring this light and bright beauty back to the earth. In the end, Aqua Celestia Cologne forte rests in a wonderfully light musky floral haze that’s ever so easy to love and easy to wear.
From the Maison Francis Kurkdjian website:
The bergamot becomes tinged with the fruity notes of blackcurrant, mimosa (with its raspberry and blackberry facets), and jasmine (strawberry, apricot and peach accents), before gradually melting into the mellowness of a fruity musky accord. Aqua Celestia Cologne forte releases a bright, crystal-clear aura and offers a flight towards the horizon.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Picking berries in the cool sweet morning air.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE AQUA CELESTIA COLOGNE FORTE: pretty, delightful, refreshing
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AQUA CELESTIA COLOGNE FORTE: Contents
BOTTOM LINE: The great thing about the Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfumes is that they are so easy to wear and many have this crisp clean finish that is impossible not to like. Aqua Celestia Cologne forte (which is an eau de parfum) is no exception.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Citrus
- Nose: Francis Kurkdjian
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $235 for 70 ml eau de parfum. Available at Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.
Aqua Celstica Cologne forte was released this year along with two other perfumes for a trio of Cologne fortes. The following are my abbreviated impressions of the other two in the collection:
Aqua Vitae Cologne forte: An inviting perfume that is perfectly delightful with the prettiest of florals that are topped with a mandarin orange. I would call this a warm perfume that would be perfect for wearing even in the heat of summer. Another 4 bones from me as it’s really lovely.
Aqua Universalis Cologne forte: To me, this is the least interesting of the three perfumes. Comprised of citrus and white muted flowers, it’s not bright, nor pretty, but rather salty and musky. 3 bones.
Samples courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.
WHAT I SMELL: Le Lion goes on the skin with an ambered bergamot and lemon that is tinged with patchouli in an opening that is is warm, yet light and inviting. There is no mistake that the DNA of Le Lion is aligned with Guerlain’s classic Shalimar. But to me, the biggest difference is the lemon and citrus which remains front and center which lifts the perfume up to something that is lighter, a tad brighter and much more approachable and easy to wear. Le Lion doesn’t morph all that much, but as it does wear, a puttied sandalwood makes it way under the other notes and the entire composition begins to lighten.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A chill lion. Modern; made for today.
You can’t fake passion. Passion is something that comes from deep inside you and surrounds you and those you touch. Shalini Kumar, better known as “Shalini,” is passion personified. From her early days in Bombay, to her childhood spent in exotic locations like Seville, Dubai and Provence, her passion for fragrance developed through the scented memories of these extraordinary settings. But while her passion to create perfume was yet to be imagined, Shalini was working on her passion for fashion; first creating for Valentino Couture and then creating her own haute couture line of clothing and jewelry aptly named Shalini Couture. 
The Scented Hound 