Highway

Highway opens with a bright splash of tart citruses and sweet wild berries that feels freshly squeezed. Within three to five minutes, the initial solvent lift settles onto the skin, allowing tangy fruit juices to mingle with early pine needles. It creates a crisp, uplifting impression before deeper evergreen woods emerge.

Highway transitions smoothly from tangy citrus fruit into aromatic spruce needles and dry cedar within thirty minutes. As the top notes evaporate, rich evergreen resins dominate the scent bubble for two to three hours. Eventually, warm natural vanilla cushions the cedar, turning the drydown into a soft, calming skin scent.

Highway lasts between 5 and 7 hours on bare skin, while clinging to clothing for over 12 hours. Because perfumer Laurie Stern utilizes natural botanical oils rather than synthetic extenders, dry skin absorbs the fragrance faster. Spraying your cotton shirt or wool scarf preserves the cedar and vanilla notes all day.

Highway creates a moderate projection bubble extending one to two feet for the first hour before settling inward. It leaves an intimate trail of spruce and cedar that colleagues will only notice when standing near you. You will never fill an entire room or cause sensory distress in close quarters.

Highway performs best during cool spring and autumn days with ambient temperatures between 12°C and 20°C. Crisp air allows the evergreen spruce needles and dry cedar to project cleanly without evaporating too fast. In heavy summer humidity above 28°C, the citrus flashes off instantly and vanilla feels somewhat heavy.

Highway is an exceptional choice for office wear and professional environments because its sillage remains polite and close. The aromatic spruce and cedar profile smells natural and clean, resembling fresh outdoors rather than perfume chemicals. It keeps you feeling refreshed without distracting coworkers during long meetings or desk work.

Highway is a balanced unisex fragrance that smells equally appealing on men, women, and non-binary wearers. The dry cedarwood and crisp spruce provide classic earthy structure, while red berries and smooth vanilla introduce welcoming warmth. Neither traditionally masculine barber shop nor overtly feminine floral, it strikes an effortless botanical balance.

Highway smells far more botanical and natural than Cape Heartache, which features synthetic strawberry and heavy campfire smoke. While Cape Heartache relies on loud woods and candied sweetness, Highway offers genuine spruce needles, soft cedar, and delicate vanilla. Highway feels like quiet forest air rather than a theatrical storybook pine.

Highway delivers solid value for collectors who appreciate small-batch botanical artisan perfumery made with pure botanical essences. You are paying for perfumer Laurie Stern's meticulous botanical sourcing rather than commercial marketing or synthetic projection boosters. Wearers seeking massive projection may find it subtle, but natural scent lovers will cherish it.

Highway layers wonderfully with simple single-note vanilla oils or crisp woody sandalwood fragrances to extend base longevity. Adding an extra drop of natural vanilla perfume oil enhances the sweetness in cooler weather. Alternatively, pairing it with a clean vetiver or bergamot spray boosts the opening freshness for brighter daytime wear.