Raw and Real by Perfumérica

UPDATE: I’ve finally bought it BUT… The one I tested in-store was my favourite; light, fresh, like freshly squeezed lemon water. Mine smells heavy, more like lemon zest juice than water. The fig note is very prominent, with a slight spicy kick. It’s my fourth from Perfumería and I think they bottle them fresh; the first few days they smell terrible. The Leather Woody one initially smelled of rotten bergamot, improved over time and was 90% similar to CH Men, but I sold it to a friend because the scent didn’t suit me (not the quality). The Sea Salt also started with a horrendous bitter citrus top note, but now it smells marine and floral, very pleasant; it’s my fragrance of the week. I’ve sprayed the Raw and Real several times, shaken the bottle and will let the oxygen do its magic for a few days to improve it; surely it’s due to lack of air while stored. FIRST REVIEW: Potent! I haven’t got it yet but tested it in the plaza and what a punch of strength. Before, I passed Zara and Palacio de Hierro. I had Dior Sauvage, Cartier Noir, Hugo Boss, CH Men in my arms, Vibrant Leather and Violet Blossom on my chest, and Raw and Real on my wrist. Of all of them, this lasted all afternoon and well into the night. Fresh, not-too-sweet citrus dominate. I like that it doesn’t declare bergamot and you really can’t smell it. The florals are light but present. The dry-down leaves a slight sour lemon note. The experience is like making lemon and orange water in the heat, drinking it in a flower garden, and then smelling your fingers with lemon zest. Ideal for extreme heat; few sprays indoors but let it run wild at the beach or pool. I will definitely buy it by the end of the month.

It reminds me of homemade lemonade; at first it smells of very strong natural lemon, as if you’ve just squeezed one, then the intensity drops and the jasmine comes out, leaving at the end that citrus sensation with a touch of strawberry and small herbal sparkles. On my skin it lasts a maximum of 4 hours. I recommend it for very hot climates because, being so citrusy, it doesn’t work at all in the cold.

A fresh and natural fragrance, a sweet lime with a subtle touch of eucalyptus and a delicious neroli. Being citrusy, it’s light with a moderate trail and lasts about 5 hours, but for the price and practical bottle it is worth always carrying. Ideal for much heat, very versatile and refreshing. Excellent option for citrus lovers.

Note by note it’s a dupe of BDK’s Citrus Riviera. It doesn’t do anything wrong but it feels like something doesn’t quite fit. On the opening it opens up super citrusy like lemon. Then the lemon lowers in intensity to let the fig and strawberry stand out. Unlike the HC8 Fig, here the fig is actually wearable for the heat. Imagine a lemon with strawberry jam and that’s how it smells. Edit: Now I use it before bed and I’m so happy, I’ve kind of grown fond of it.