The Colour of Pomegranate
If you want a signature fragrance that avoids predictable sweet fruit or generic barbershop tropes, The Colour of Pomegranate offers an artistic, brooding alternative. Inspired by Sergei Parajanov's iconic 1969 film, this unisex scent captures the contrast between pure white soap lather and dark, sacred resins. Mark Buxton built this blend for creative minds, indie fragrance lovers, and minimalists who appreciate subtle complexity on skin. The fragrance shines best in cool weather, breezy spring mornings, and casual evening gatherings. Woody guaiac, earthy costus, and peppery rose petals give the dry-down an intriguing personal aura that feels composed, calm, and effortlessly stylish throughout a busy day.
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Performance Metrics
378 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 6 to 7 hours of consistent wear on skin, while clothing fabric easily holds the woody musk for 10 to 12 hours. Projection pushes outward roughly two feet during the first 90 minutes before drawing inward to an intimate, personal scent bubble that stays respectful in close quarters.
Notes Pyramid
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This fragrance opens with a sharp burst of tart pomegranate, juicy black currant, and crisp citrus, offering a refined twist on a fresh citrus scent softsoap before revealing traditional Marseille lather. As the fruit recedes, a moody heart of velvety Damask rose, cracked black pepper, and dry incense takes over. The dry-down settles into warm guaiac wood, creamy sandalwood, and soft white musk, creating a clean yet shadowy skin scent.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe dominant woody and fresh spicy accords drive the experience, evoking the clean depth people look for in a leather scented hand soap or woody soap lather, while black pepper and guaiac wood provide a crisp spine. Rather than smelling like an oud fragrance soap or synthetic detergent, the soap accord highlights high-end vegetable fats that balance the dark church incense and earthy labdanum resin.
Community Data
611 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
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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 winter. The vote picture leans most toward daytime. It makes the most sense for casual wear and work.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Unique blend of crisp bar soap and dark church incense
Tart pomegranate opening feels refreshing and natural without syrupy sweetness
Exceptional versatility for everyday office and creative work environments
True unisex balance that smells equally flattering on any wearer
Artistic composition formulated by legendary perfumer Mark Buxton
Polite sillage bubble that never chokes out coworkers or dining partners
Beautiful progression from zesty fruit to deep, smoky woods
Layers exceptionally well with warm honeyed or fresh green fragrances
Ideal performance profile for mild spring and crisp autumn days
High quality vegetable soap accord that avoids harsh chemical laundry undertones
Solid longevity on clothing fibers, easily lasting past 10 hours
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The bright pomegranate top note fades significantly after the first hour
Moderate projection might disappoint lovers of loud, room-filling scents
Initial burst may smell too sharp or soapy for those seeking pure fruitiness
Higher niche price point relative to its modest longevity on dry skin
Can feel redundant for collectors who already own Comme des Garcons White
Occasional metallic, mineral facet in the opening may not suit every skin chemistry
Lacks the heavy base sweetness found in mainstream designer fragrances
Incense and costus base notes lean too introspective for energetic clubbing
Requires reapplying around the six-hour mark for all-day sillage
Not heavy or warm enough for freezing mid-winter blizzard conditions
Subtle fruit dry-down leaves mostly peppered rose, soap, and wood on skin
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“The Colour of Pomegranate Review: Tart Fruit, Soap, and Smoky Resins”
The opening spray of The Colour of Pomegranate by Moth and Rabbit hits the air with an invigorating rush of tart pomegranate seeds, zesty citrus peel, and crushed black currant. Right behind the fruit sits a thick, nostalgic bar of traditional French vegetable soap, smelling clean, crisp, and slightly alkaline. It does not smell like artificial berry candy. Instead, it feels like biting into fresh, sour fruit right after washing your hands at a boutique stone basin.
Within fifteen to twenty minutes, the bright fruitiness calms down, allowing the perfume to reveal its moody heart. A velvety Damask rose emerges, accompanied by finely cracked black pepper and green, citrusy elemi resin. The rose here is far from sweet or dewy; it feels dark, slightly earthy, and solemn, as if pressed between the pages of an old book. Wisps of dry church incense float through the floral core, cutting through the remaining soapy lather with cold, meditative smoke.
As the fragrance settles deeper onto the skin, the soapy qualities merge with rich woods and natural fixatives. Smoked guaiac wood, dry Australian sandalwood, and amber-rich labdanum create a firm, grounding platform. There is a subtle, animalic hum from costus root and clean white musk that keeps the base smelling warm and intimate. Rather than turning sticky or cloying, the dry-down retains an airy, mineral woodiness that feels refined, artistic, and pleasantly restrained.
Performance is disciplined and workplace-friendly. You will get between 6 and 7 hours of total longevity on bare skin, extending past the 10-hour mark when sprayed on wool coats or cotton shirts. The projection radiates outward for an arm's length during the first hour before retreating into a personal, two-foot scent bubble. It never shouts or fills an entire room, making it safe for open-plan offices, study sessions, and quiet dinner dates where loud fragrances might irritate others.
In terms of wearability, this unisex blend thrives in transitional seasons. Crisp spring breezes, cool autumn rains, and mild winter days showcase the fascinating interplay between the chilly soap, tart fruit, and warming incense. Anyone who appreciates Mark Buxton's historic work for Comme des Garcons will instantly recognize his signature dry spice and incense architecture, refreshed here with a sharp, crimson fruit twist.
The Colour of Pomegranate succeeds because it refuses to conform to generic fruity floral expectations. It pairs pristine cleanliness with dark, introspective woods in a way that feels genuinely artistic yet completely approachable for everyday life. If you love soapy, peppery roses with a touch of sacred resin, this bottle is an easy recommendation.
FAQs
What does the opening of The Colour of Pomegranate smell like?+
The opening delivers a crisp burst of tart pomegranate seeds, tangy black currant, and sunny citrus peel wrapped in clean vegetable bar soap. It feels refreshing and slightly alkaline, like washing your hands with luxury Marseille soap before slicing into fresh, sour fruit. This lively burst lasts for roughly twenty to thirty minutes.
How does the fragrance transition into the heart and dry-down?+
As the tart top fruit softens, the scent reveals an earthy heart of velvety Damask rose, cracked black pepper, and citrusy elemi resin. Wisps of dry church incense then bridge the heart into a grounding base of smoked guaiac wood, smooth sandalwood, and clean white musk that rests close to the skin.
How long does The Colour of Pomegranate last on skin and clothes?+
On bare skin, you can expect between 6 and 7 hours of longevity before it becomes a faint skin scent. On clothing fibers such as cotton shirts, sweaters, and wool coats, the smoky woods and clean white musk persist noticeably for over 10 to 12 hours without breaking down.
What kind of sillage and projection does this perfume have?+
Projection is moderate and polite. During the first 90 minutes, it pushes about an arm's length (roughly two feet) around you, creating a clean, inviting scent bubble. Afterward, it pulls closer to the body, staying personal and respectful so you never choke out colleagues in close office quarters.
Which seasons and temperatures bring out the best in this scent?+
The fragrance performs best during spring and autumn, particularly in temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool breezes highlight the sparkling soap and tart fruit notes, while mild ambient warmth allows the dark incense, guaiac wood, and resinous base to radiate gently without becoming suffocating.
What occasions and settings are best suited for wearing it?+
It fits seamlessly into daytime professional offices, creative studio spaces, casual weekend outings, and relaxed evening dates. The crisp soap note keeps it impeccably clean for daytime work, while the smoky incense and velvety rose add enough quiet intrigue for an intimate dinner or an evening reading session.
Is The Colour of Pomegranate truly unisex?+
Yes, it is genuinely unisex. The crisp Marseille soap, tart pomegranate, and black currant opening provide a universal freshness, while the dry black pepper, dark Damask rose, incense, and cedar-like woods avoid leaning overly sweet or traditionally masculine. Anyone who enjoys clean, artistic woody scents will feel confident wearing it.
How does it compare to Comme des Garcons White?+
Both fragrances were composed by perfumer Mark Buxton and share a similar DNA of peppery rose, dry woods, and incense. However, The Colour of Pomegranate adds a prominent French bar soap accord and tart crimson fruit, whereas Comme des Garcons White leans warmer and heavier on baking spices and clove.
Is The Colour of Pomegranate good value for the price?+
As an artisanal niche eau de parfum from Moth and Rabbit, it commands a boutique price tag. Given its artistic complexity, quality ingredients, and Mark Buxton pedigree, it offers solid value for fragrance enthusiasts seeking an unconventional signature scent, even if its moderate projection requires occasional midday refreshing.
What other scents or note families layer best with this perfume?+
It layers wonderfully with warm honeyed perfumes, creamy vanilla bases, or clean lavender fragrances like Maison Margiela Bubble Bath. Adding a sweet or ambery layer softens the sharp pepper and soap notes, creating a luscious contrast between golden warmth and tart, smoky pomegranate.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREComme des Garcons White remains the closest reference point, sharing Buxton's signature dry spice and rose architecture, though it trades the soapy pomegranate for clove and coriander. Imaginary Authors The Soft Lawn offers an adjacent soapy and sporty garden freshness, while Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir presents a much sweeter, patchouli-heavy interpretation of dark red fruit without the clean bath lather.
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