Noa Noa by Botanicae

I’d never heard of the brand until I attended a perfumery event and was drawn in by those simple bottles. I started testing the wood-cap collection and ended up here, with this one stealing my heart: it’s elegant and highly aromatic. I haven’t bought it because I fell even harder for Flower Café, which is now my signature, so I’ve added it to my wishlist.

There’s little more to add, as everyone has said before. It has a very good citrus opening, more peel than juice, yet delicious. The rest of the trail develops a little abruptly and lacks roundness. Noa Noa isn’t groundbreaking or innovative, but it’s very pleasant. My opinion is based on two samples in spring and summer. The downside is that, like with other Botanicae elixirs (except Taro and Ebony), the longevity is scarce: just about 6 hours on skin. For that price, there are better options, which discourages me from buying it. Perhaps in the future they will release an absolute version. As always, don’t rely solely on the rating and try it on your skin: your body is the best validator.

What a delightful fragrance. The quality of the ingredients, the Polynesian evocation of Gauguin’s journey, the warmth of the dry-down, the exotic citrus, the balance of musk and vanilla. It lingers for hours, accompanying without intruding, omnipresent yet elegant. Luxury at an affordable price, unisex, masculine, and evoking serenity and maturity. A lavish simplicity and perfect balance. Sweet dry-down on skin without losing the spicy notes or the citrus touch. Test before buying, but for me, it’s a resounding yes.

What a gem, please! I tested a spray on my hand and it was delightful. The opening features bitter citrus notes, not juicy ones, resembling the zest of various citrus fruits; it even reminded me of kumquat. I understand the touch of green listed in the notes, likely petit grain or orange leaf. As it dries, an exquisite vanilla emerges, nothing cloying, with that ever-present ginger that recalls Ingenius Ginger or Ani, but with a lower sweetness. If I may add a critique, though we’re already being exquisite, haha, it lacked a bit of blending between the components; it felt as if I’d applied two or three different perfumes at the same spot. Without diminishing the creators’ work, crafting a rounded and balanced fragrance is complicated; perhaps with time they can reach the level of Diptyque or L’Artisan. In short, an exquisite fragrance well worth considering.