Imperial Desire
Abdul Karim Al Faransi (2016)

A white musk lovers dream...

This is an incredibly powdery, strong projecting, and long lasting attar. One swipe from the sticky, thick, creamy attar lightly dabbed to the pulse points is more than suffice for an all day wearing. It opens hyper-sharp-powdery fresh (a blend between orris, baby powder and the talc applied at the barber shop after a fresh haircut.) I detect a fresh (lush) rose joined by subtle hints of fruit and very crisp florals. In the opening the scent profile seems bright, fresh, crisp, then transforms quickly to a culmination of accords that work in harmony producing a scent that can be best described as very warm, musky, and sweet. There is this mildly smooth-spiciness that hums throughout the dry down. Almost within a matter of five minutes this transformation takes place. So, in the opening I can see one describing this as somewhat feminine but as it dries, I consider the scent evolves on the more masculine side. I prefer to wear this attar after the shower at night to bed and to the barber. For those needing a clean scent for the office, this is an appropriate solution but tread lightly. I’ve been told by the perfumer Maison Abdul Karim Al Faransi that some of the ingredients are no longer available and therefore it is discontinued. 9/10