Hard to believe that it’s already 2022. The past two years have been challenging at best, but with the beginning of a new year there’s a promise of rebirth with positive energy. So I wanted to start off this new year with a perfume that beckons of adventures to come. Hopefully the world will reopen this year and travel and exploration will once again be part of our collective. We have to believe that there are some exciting new adventures on the horizon!
WHAT I SMELL: Oceania opens with a sparkling bergamot and a clean and fresh lemon that quickly moves to the more herbal highlighted with a tinge of lime. It’s soft, unassuming and very easy on the nose as it resides quietly on the skin with the lightest of a whisper as if a lovely breeze brushes it off of your skin. The perfume soon begins to quietly grow with a very subdued geranium and a soft jasmine creating a pretty heart within the lightly salted citrus. Here, the florals begin to round out and push out the citrus from the center. Oceania isn’t a perfume with twists and turns, instead it slowly melds into it’s finish which is not far off from first spritz. As such, in the end, Oceania lives in a gentle cocoon of light moss with the whisper of florals resting on top of a lightly salted sandalwood. Oceania is quietly beautiful.
From the Roja Parfums website:
“Deeply concerned by the vulnerability at the heart of our fragile oceans, a donation from every sale of Oceania Eau De Parfum will be made to charities dedicated to protecting our precious seas. Echoing the infinity of our oceans, this fragrance opens with a wave of invigorating freshness from Bergamot, Lime and Mandarin. Geranium and Jasmine drift in on the breeze from a nearby island, whilst Moss, Sandalwood and Orris offer a warm caress as if kissed by the sun, whose light reflects on the waves.” – ROJA DOVE.
A Citrus cocktail opens this creation and runs throughout, as Lemon and Grapefruit mingle with Bergamot, Mandarin and Lime. Fresh, aromatic Herb notes extend the distinct freshness of this accord and mingle beautifully down into a floral heart based around the fresh sweetness of Geranium and the creamy, exotic tones of Jasmine. A bold base acts like velcro, enabling this resolutely fresh composition to stay close to the skin and permeate throughout the day, mingled around a dry, natural base of Moss notes and the skin-like combination of Sandalwood and Orris.
KEY INGREDIENTS: Bergamot, Lime, Mandarin, Geranium, Jasmine Sambac, Moss Notes, Sandalwood, Orris
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The free flying seagull; one with the ocean below and the sky above.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OCEANIA: soft, contemplative, serene
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OCEANIA: Fashion for Lunch
BOTTOM LINE: Oceania is probably the quietest of any Roja Parfums perfume that I have experienced. While quiet, it is amazingly beautiful and when you wear it it feels like it’s just meant for you. And the fact that a portion of each sale goes to helping preserve our oceans, makes it just that much more special of a perfume. And for those of you who think the bottle is as important as the perfume, the Oceania bottle and cap are exquisite.
- Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Woody Aromatic
- Nose: Roja Dove
- Classification: Masculine, but easily unisex
- Expense: $380 for 100 ml eau de parfum
WHAT I SMELL: Scandal Pour Homme Parfum Cologne isn’t quite scandalous as it opens, but it is rather uplifting with zesty bergamot, lemon and lavender with a perfect touch of spearmint. Instead of being infused with juice, the perfume enters with a dryness that reminds me of an application of talc. From first spritz, Scandal is a refined masculine scent and its herbal sweetness is incredibly magnetic. As the perfume continues to develop, the dryness begins to lessen in order to allow for the most delicate of florals to begin to grace the skin. Here, the mix of florals, with a quiet violet and rose being most prominent, make the perfume a bit brighter and more lighthearted. Continuing on its journey, a woody vetiver rises to take its place at the heart of the perfume. After some time, the perfume warms with a wonderful tonka bean and becomes ever so lightly sweet and sour. Scandal is a traditional fougère with just the right amount of “twist.”
WHAT I SMELL: Elixir opens with a soft, sweet, beautiful juicy raspberry and peach. It’s so edible and inviting and it’s an immediate spirit lifter. A luscious rose and a brightened jasmine come sweeping in; mixing in an intoxicating way with the fruity goodness. I always love a perfume that is full of positive energy and Elixir is the epitome of positivity. The perfume starts to take on a layer of cottony musk which adds just the right amount of clean-like sparkle. And soon enough, a light warmth begins to blend with the sweetened cotton which makes the perfume that much more comforting. Not too long in the perfume’s development, Elixir begins to quiet and soften. It’s still lightly sweet, but very demure in the most enticing way.
The Scented Hound 