Hey, folks! I am sorry that I haven't posted here much. I have been doing most of my writing lately for IFragranceOfficial, so I have been neglecting my blog. My mother also passed away in August, so I am still getting over that. I am going to try to start doing more articles here, but it is difficult with work. I felt really inspired to do this article today, so I am.
Before I get into this, I will tell you that I do know the perfumer behind Di Ser, Yasuyuki Shinohara. I have had many conversations with him and I do consider him as a friend. He is a very kind and passionate man. However, I would not be a real friend if I didn't critique his perfumes with an honest opinion.
The Fragrance
Kyara...Some of us know the reputation of this mythical wood, and some don't. For those who don't, Kyara is pretty much the highest grade of oud you can get. It has to be at least 80 years of age to be considered true Kyara. As with any oud, there is a huge counterfeit market that claims substandard versions are pure Kyara, and they aren't. However, I can assure you that Shinohara-San only uses the real deal in his creations. If you weren't aware, in Japanese culture, it is dishonorable to craft things that lack quality. At least that is what I have heard from Japanese friends of mine. They take their art and craftmanship seriously there.
I know that some of you may be thinking, "Oud? No thanks. don't want to smell like a donkey's underside". But take heart, my friends, Kyara lacks even a trace of animalic aromas. It is pure and ethereal. I would wager that most people wouldn't even recognize this as oud, since it doesn't have the typical features f oud that most westerners recognize. It doesn't have that dark and musty wood smell, nor does it contain musk or smoky frankincense accents. Kyara is green and medicinal, with a slightly bitter herbal bite and the serenity of minty coniferous tree needles, with a gentle woodiness.
Di Ser's iteration of Kyara is not only pure Kyara. It has some features to accent the wood as a whole and bring new dimensions to it. It unfolds with a rose-sweetened mintiness, with the fresh orange facets of the Hamanasu rose painting a serene sun-laden landscape. It's fresh in an ethereal way, but not juicy. It's a sunny day with the light peaking through the morning fog fresh. As it evolves, the Kyara's bitter herbal quality starts to surface more. The soft earthiness of green patchouli with a touch of woody sweetness grounds the slightly sugared aspect of the rose, with delicate sandalwood running throughout. A slight dry cedar note weaves in and out of the composition, which provides contrast to the green nuances and rose, which is almost reminiscent of hinoki, a material that Shinohara-San is very fond of using.
When working with naturals, it can sometimes be difficult to get them to stick to the skin. However, Di Ser's creation does not lack in this area. I get a full 8-9 hours from it, with a soft projection bubble. Keep in mind that this is a Japanese perfume. It is not meant to be loud and cloying. It's meant to meld with the person and radiate a picture of them and not overwhelm them. This is beauty and not the beast.
My Opinion
By Nature, Kyara is a very expensive material due to its rarity and this particular scent will run you $1,150. Is it worth that? I absolutely believe it is. I do not have a bottle yet because I am saving up for it, and most of you know I don't believe in paying over $300 for a fragrance unless it is exceptional. Kyara exceeds that exceptional benchmark for me.
The spiritualness of this scent is pensive and calming. It reads like the finest Japanese incense that you can buy. The delicate balance that is struck in the perfume, with no accords overpowering one another, is simply breathtaking. The blending is top notch and it evolved on your skin constantly over its duration, weaving in and out of herbal, woody, citrusy, slightly sweet, and minty nuances. It feels like poetry on your skin and summons your mind into deep thoughts and peace.
I have never been so impressed with a scent. Honestly, I didn't want to like Kyara because of the price. I did not want to believe the cult following of this fragrance and thought it was all hype. The first time I tried it, I didn't get it. I let it evolve on my skin and it captured me in a deep trance and I can't resist its allure. Perhaps part of it was the chaos of my life in recent times. I lost my grandmother, father, and mother within an 18-month span. I was far into debt, but I am crawling out now. I know this is personal, but Kyara is a personal scent for me. It was my escape. My joy amidst the storm. It helped ground me and remember the light when things were so dark. A breath of fresh air when I felt like I was choking. I am thankful for this perfume and I will cherish my little sample and wear it in the chaos of life until I can afford a bottle. Your mileage may vary, but I am only telling you my story.
Kyara will always reach a higher echelon for me. It will teach me, if I am humble enough to listen. It will comfort me, if I accept it. It will wash away the darkness and disorder, if I summon it. I struggle to find words to describe the fragrance. It took me a long time to be able to write this because I didn't know how. I finally just sat down and wrote what I was feeling and this is what I came up with. No scripts, just raw emotions and feelings.
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go enjoy the last few hours of this scent, since I only have a little bit left. I hope you enjoyed the review. Remember to say something kind to someone today. You never know what they are going through. We can choose to be the light to someone's darkness. MUch love to all of you and have a wonderful Sunday!
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