Bamboo Harmony
Kilian (2012)

Soapy green tea fragrance that will work well in the warmer weather. The neroli works well with the other notes (being the dominant note in this one). Longevity and projection are above average. I prefer Neroli Portofino.

It opens with a blast of citruses. The citruses gradually subside but don't seem to disappear entirely. The gentle neroli is emerging almost immediately as well, and the floral aspects become more pronounced. The florals remain very subtle. Despite the name, the woods are very light and abstract, too, so if one expects a traditional woody fragrance, they will be disappointed. I, personally, don't sense the fig that is supposed to be here. Bamboo Harmony smells green, but not astringent in any way. When the mate makes an appearance, it is understated. In fact, I have a problem describing this either as a woody or tea scent.

Bamboo Harmony is fresh, sparkling, and effervescent. The base is pleasantly clean, not as green as the initial and middle stages. I admit that this fragrance didn't wow me, but it kept growing on me. It feels natural to my nose although I am pretty sure the company uses a lot of synthetics. I've seen comparisons with Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au The Vert, and such comparisons are apt. However, Bvlgari's is a bit more linear and would appeal to those who want a more traditionally green tea scent. It is actually the subtle, soft spices which, interestingly, come through for me in the base, that make Bamboo Harmony slightly more intriguing.

Bamboo Harmony will be best appreciated on a hot, humid summer day. It is perfectly unisex.

I'm a fan of green fragrances – especially the ones like this one which attempt to closely represent the green of nature. As one might expect from the name, “Bamboo Harmony” presents a green identity, and it's a unique one. I find it interesting because it neither tries for the sharp green of plant sap and tomato leaves; nor does it attempt the creamy green that is quite often presented as in, for example, the use of fig leaf. The green here is rich and full and complex, not sharp… not creamy. Bamboo Harmony primarily presents the richer green of maté and a diminutive, cream-reduced fig leaf enriched by a slightly spiced soft tea note. Another part of the richness is the sweet, floral, powdery green of mimosa. And there is also a refined oakmoss that further expands the green spectrum. I love this green and, better still, Bamboo Harmony comes across as linear and it keeps that rich green for longer than I thought possible…
I would guess that weak, screechy green is easy to make long lasting because there are so many fragrances that have the screechy version. Apparently a long-lasting rich green is not easy - I met so few of them. I think it's the maté that makes this such an excellent green. Bamboo Harmony manages a decent projection and an acceptably long life on my dry skin… quite an accomplishment.

Fresh as a breeze with a lightly gingered white tea opening through which just a glint of golden neroli peeks through. This is a perfume of subtle accents and hints, lovely fresh grassy tones, oh-so-gentle aquatic elements, the possibility of fig leaves. And yet it is no sylvan idyll, but seems to have Spa product written all over it – perhaps this is a failing of the fresh tea genre. One cannot resist the sneaking suspicion that one may do just as well with an Elizabeth Arden or Yves Rocher offering, though I must admit to lacking any enthusiasm to test out this hypothesis!
The deep drydown is a fuzzy sweet disappointment – and could belong to any number of drugstore ʼfumes.

I don't really have anything against Bamboo Harmony (except for the silly name), but I just haven't been able to fall in love. It's a fairly standard green aquatic that pairs up sweet faux citrus with that green tea smell you get in a lot of less expensive scented spa products. This happens over a standard melon/lily aquatic floral. It's highly concentrated and lasts forever, and there are some nice shifts throughout the day as the neroli comes and goes. However, even though this is clearly higher quality than most perfumes of this type, there's really no escaping that this smells like something you'd pick up cheap at L'Ocitane or in some sort of discounted "green tea" body wash on sale at Ross. Only Bamboo Harmony is stronger and has a bit more nuance. Meh.

I love this scent. Fresh, clean, aquatic, strong and long lasting! I like neroli scents, but this one is really unique because it is only slightly there compared to most. I think its more about the bergamot. I've been a fan of Cashmere Twill, and this similar, but sooo much better. The dry down is nice and masculine, a slightly woodsy aquatic, with very light tea. Typical Kilian fans might be opposed to this because it is so different. I love it because it is the normal Kilian quality and strength, while still being fresh and different.