No. 23
Designed by Cecile Hua, No. 23 fits humid spring and summer days when heavy fragrances feel suffocating. Bright lime sorbet and crisp blue lavender slice through heat, while crushed juniper and ocean salts provide a brisk, herbal backbone. It suits anyone seeking a refreshing citrus aromatic that stays dry rather than sweet.
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Performance Metrics
11 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 6 to 8 hours of wear on skin. Sillage projects at arm's length for the first hour and a half, creating a refreshing bubble before receding into an intimate salty skin scent. It performs best in warm, humid weather where heat activates the juniper and mineral salt notes.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
No. 23 opens with a fizzy burst of California lemon and lime sorbet mixed with iced water notes. Crushed juniper and blue lavender build a dry, herbal middle with a subtle mineral salt texture. Midnight orris and sandalwood form a smooth, soft powdery base that feels clean and refreshing.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe dominant aromatic and citrus accords project with a sparkling, champagne-like fizz during the first thirty minutes. As the lime sorbet recedes, crushed juniper and oriental salts create a cool, dry mineral texture on skin. Blue lavender and midnight orris soften the base, adding a gentle powdery touch over sandalwood.
Community Data
39 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in spring and summer. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Invigorating opening of California lemon and lime sorbet
Crushed juniper provides a crisp pine-like mineral texture
Oriental salts add an engaging coastal marine twist
Midnight orris softens sharp citrus with a gentle powdery finish
Solid 6 to 8 hour longevity for a summer aromatic
Arm's length sillage that stays polite in office settings
Unisex profile that wears comfortably on all genders
Thrives in high heat and humid summer weather
Distinctive alternative to standard aquatic colognes
Well-constructed formulation by perfumer Cecile Hua
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Initial citrus opening can feel sharp for the first ten minutes
Powdery orris dry-down may disappoint lovers of purely bitter citrus
Projects intimately after the initial two hours of wear
Not suited for cold winter days or evening formal wear
Limited availability makes sampling difficult in local shops
Mineral salt notes might feel unusual to casual cologne buyers
Iced water accord fades quickly into the background
Lacks heavy amber or sweet gourmand depth
Sandalwood base remains relatively quiet on skin
Requires reapplication for all-night projection
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“No. 23 by The Fragrance Design Studio Scent Review”
No. 23 opens with an energetic, cold splash of California lemon and lime sorbet. The initial spray feels remarkably effervescent, resembling a freshly poured glass of sparkling citrus tonic on a hot afternoon patio. Iced water notes join the top right away, keeping the opening sharp, crisp, and immediately cooling against warm skin during humid weather.
After about twenty minutes, the intense citrus bite settles down as crushed juniper comes forward. The juniper introduces a cool, dry, pine-like resinous quality that counterbalances the bright lemon and lime opening. Oriental salts mix with blue lavender in the heart, creating a breezy, mineral atmosphere that smells clean, airy, and noticeably dry rather than syrupy or overly sweet.
On skin, the accord progression moves smoothly from fizzing fruit to a mineral, herbal hum. Midnight orris enters during the second hour, supplying a subtle powdery veil that rounds off the remaining edges of lime sorbet. Sandalwood and light amber form a soft anchor underneath, preserving the fresh structure while adding just enough woody depth to keep the ocean salts grounded throughout the afternoon.
Performance aligns well with what you want from a summer-focused aromatic fougere. You can count on 6 to 8 hours of total longevity on skin, with sillage projecting at arm's length for the first ninety minutes before settling into a closer bubble. High heat and humidity actually push the mineral salt and juniper notes out further, making this fragrance an easy pick for sunny July days, coastal vacations, or casual outdoor weekend wear.
This scent fits anyone who appreciates clean, aquatic-adjacent botanicals with a dry twist. It appeals equally to men and women seeking something fresher than heavy amber fragrances but far more interesting than standard mall colognes. The blend maintains an airy quality that never feels heavy on warm skin, making it suitable for both casual t-shirt days and office environments where lighter scents work best.
If you dislike powdery notes like iris or sharp lime openings, it might require a trial wear first before committing to a full bottle. However, fans of crisp aromatic blends will appreciate how the woody and mineral notes keep the citrus grounded. Cecile Hua achieved a balanced, functional summer scent that delivers genuine refreshment without relying on heavy synthetic musks.
No. 23 succeeds by balancing bright citrus sorbet against dry juniper berries and mineral salt. Perfumer Cecile Hua crafted an easy-wearing option that holds up remarkably well against summer heat without turning cloying. It earns a solid recommendation to sample if you need an uplifting, coastal aromatic scent in your warm-weather rotation.
FAQs
What does No. 23 by The Fragrance Design Studio smell like?+
No. 23 smells like frozen lime sorbet and California lemon splashed over crushed juniper berries and oriental salts. As it settles, blue lavender and midnight orris introduce a soft powdery texture, resting on a clean sandalwood base.
How does the opening of No. 23 compare to its dry-down?+
The opening hits with a sharp, effervescent burst of lime sorbet and iced water notes. Within an hour, the bright citrus fades into a cool, dry heart of crushed juniper and salt before ending as a powdery orris skin scent.
How long does No. 23 last on skin?+
No. 23 lasts between 6 and 8 hours on skin during warm weather. The citrus top notes dominate the first ninety minutes, while the crushed juniper, oriental salts, and sandalwood base remain present through the late afternoon.
What is the sillage and projection profile of No. 23?+
No. 23 projects at arm's length for the first hour and a half after application. After two hours, it creates a moderate scent bubble before drying down into an intimate, salty skin scent after five hours.
Which season is best for wearing No. 23?+
No. 23 performs best in spring and summer. The crisp lime sorbet, iced water accord, and crushed juniper flourish in warm temperatures, providing a cooling effect that feels heavy or out of place in winter cold.
What occasions suit No. 23 best?+
No. 23 fits casual daytime activities, warm weekend walks, beach vacations, and office environments. Its clean combination of blue lavender and mineral salt notes keeps it refreshing without overpowering enclosed work spaces during warm summer days.
Is No. 23 a masculine or feminine fragrance?+
No. 23 is a balanced unisex fragrance. The sharp California lemon, crushed juniper, and woody sandalwood appeal to lovers of traditional fougeres, while blue lavender and midnight orris add a smooth softness that suits anyone.
Who is the ideal audience for No. 23?+
This fragrance suits enthusiasts looking for a dry, mineral-focused summer scent rather than a sugary gourmand or heavy aquatic. It appeals to buyers who appreciate niche herbal compositions crafted by perfumers like Cecile Hua.
Can No. 23 be layered with other fragrances?+
Yes, No. 23 layers well with simple woody or amber fragrances. Spraying it over a basic sandalwood or cedar base accentuates the crushed juniper and oriental salts while adding extra longevity for warm evening wear.
How does No. 23 compare to other salty citrus fragrances?+
Unlike sweet citron scents like Atelier Cologne Cedrat Enivrant or heavy ambergris fragrances like Creed Erolfa, No. 23 relies on crushed juniper and powdery orris to create a dry, aromatic herbal profile grounded by mineral salt.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you enjoy the salty citrus and juniper structure of No. 23, consider testing Creed Erolfa for a maritime ambergris feel or Atelier Cologne Cedrat Enivrant for a sweeter gin-and-tonic vibe. Le Cherche Midi No. 20 also provides a warmer alternative within the same house.
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