WHAT I SMELL: Mixed Emotions opens with a beautiful minty fresh cassis which moves ever so slightly to the evergreen in a rapid manner. Almost immediately, the perfume feels as if it resides on the edge of the forest where the green and the fruits seem to beckon all living things to commune with its ripened juice. After a short while, the fruit begins to quiet and soften, but the blackcurrant sweetens with the addition of a hint of violet while a soft tea note begins to enter. Here the perfume becomes more contemplative. Did I say contemplative? In a very short time, the perfume starts to move towards the semi-funky when wafts of light sweat come into play. For non-perfumistas that may sound like a horrible thing, but for those in the know, it can be enticing; and in this case, it’s exactly that. As the perfume continues to develop, a light violet begins to occupy the space where the blackcurrant resided along with the lightest of tea and incense. Here, the perfume is once again contemplative, soft and engaging and to me, very, very pretty. In the end you’re left with a quiet, lightly sweet musk of a perfume. Mixed Emotions is pretty and rather intimate in just the right kind of way.
From the Byredo website:
Mixed Emotions, an epicene scent designed to reflect the tumultuous nature of our times.
Drawing on the Byredo philosophy of translating fragmented memories and abstract ideas into scent, Mixed Emotions presents an olfactive sketch of our current, collective state of mind. Comforting notes of maté and the sharp sweetness of cassis sit within a wooden framework; the reassuring scent of black tea disturbed by violet leaf synthetics.
Mixed Emotions Notes –
Top: Mate, Blackcurrant
Heart: Ceylon Black Tea, Violet Leaves
Base: Birch Woods, Papyrus
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Mixed emotions? Maybe. But to me, it’s sweet emotions. (And to clarify further, that means sweet related to love vs. sweet related to sugar!)
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE MIXED EMOTIONS: soft, pretty, contemplative
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MIXED EMOTIONS: Perfume Posse, Editorialist, Colognoisseur
BOTTOM LINE: There’s no confusion as far as I’m concerned. Mixed Emotions is a beautiful perfume that is quietly pretty and a delight to wear. Even better, it’s one of those perfumes that is perfect for any mood or occasion whatever it may be. Wonderful.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Woody Aromatic
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: Approx $196 for 50 ml eau de parfum
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The eternal rose.
WHAT I SMELL: Snowy Owl opens with bright reflective aldehydic snow and the smell of freshly turned earth. Quickly, it begins to move to the cool and fresh along with a cottony finish that feels light and fluffy. There’s a wonderfully light herbal hint of mint, but its portrayal is much more attuned to the smell of warmed faux fur that lines the inside of worn leather gloves. As the perfume continues to develop, light and soft florals seem to pop out from the snow and once again the smell of moist earth begins to emerge as if the frozen ground has melted to reveal some hints of spring. The perfume at this point is soft and inviting and quite powdery and it feels as if it has been lightly applied to the skin with the softest makeup brush. As Snowy Owl continues to develop, it begins to strengthen just a bit and the light florals make way for a radiating amber tinged woodiness. In the end, the perfume feels as if it is full of contained energy that’s held secure within a cocooned wrap of musk.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I can’t argue with the fact that this perfume captures the spirit of the snowy owl and it’s winter environment. But what I can add is that it’s a very well dressed snowy owl at that.
The Scented Hound 