Vetiver is a note that often divides opinion and a note that I’ve changed my personal opinion on throughout the course of my fragrance journey. It’s a sharp and bitter note which can be too much to an unfamiliar nose. Could Smoked Vetiver be the perfect entry point for the uninitiated?
Clean Beauty Collective is a brand that prides itself on creating products that are eco-conscious, sustainable, and using recyclable packaging. Myrhh is a prominent note in Smoked Vetiver, and clean source their myrhh from nomadic tribes in Namibia, aiding to preserve the tradition in the region.
Could Smoked Vetiver be the perfect entry point for the uninitiated?
Smoked Vetiver opens with a bright and playful combination of bamboo, bergamot, pear and quince. It’s a touch sweet, but the bergamot reigns it in and sets the stage for the notes that follow in the mid.
The mid notes cut through after a few minutes, revealing a beautiful cedar note. It’s soft and smooth which blends seamlessly with the opening notes. Floral notes of cotton and peony give Smoked Vetiver a very laundry fresh quality, which whilst not what I was expecting, is a fascinating combination with notes coming in the base.
The base reveals the star notes of the show. The vetiver is smooth and inviting, this is certainly not the sharp and aggressive vetiver you may have met before. The resinous qualities of the myrhh note seem to radiate from the base, adding a smokey warmth across an otherwise light and airy scent. Musk, moss and amber complete the lineup of notes in the base, however, the vetiver and myrrh remain prominent throughout.
In terms of performance, I got projection of 2-3 hours and longevity of 8 hours. A fragrance that I believe would work all year round, but likely to excel in the warmer months.
When I read the name smoked vetiver, I had a mental image of a dark and resinous fragrance. I expected a testing vetiver note, sharp and challenging. It’s safe to say I was incorrect, and another example on why you should never judge a book by its cover. Clean has created a scent which is incredibly well balanced. From the citrus and fruit in the base, the laundry fresh qualities in the mid, and finally to the smokey vetiver in the base. Not only is Smoked Vetiver an interesting journey for the wearer, but it’s a great entry point for the note of vetiver.
Availability
Smoked Vetiver is available in 100ml for £82 from Space NK
Disclaimer
I was gifted my bottle by Clean. I was not paid for this review, opinions and photos are my own.
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