Racine Carrée

Qessence is a dry, spicy rose and incense scent with an old-school oriental feel. It opens herbal and warm, then settles into a balsamic, mossy, woody… Show more

Qessence is a dry, spicy rose and incense scent with an old-school oriental feel. It opens herbal and warm, then settles into a balsamic, mossy, woody base with powdery edges. It suits someone who enjoys complex, mature perfumes more than easy crowd-pleasers. The rose, resins and woods can read quite unisex, especially once the sweeter opening fades. Show less

Akwa Negra opens with a sharp burst of mandarin orange and lemon, wrapped in a dry, warm layer of cinnamon. The initial citrus fizz settles quickly as… Show more

Akwa Negra opens with a sharp burst of mandarin orange and lemon, wrapped in a dry, warm layer of cinnamon. The initial citrus fizz settles quickly as a dusty, earthbound iris and a green, peppery rose emerge to anchor the heart. On skin, the fragrance undergoes a major shift, leaving the bright fruit behind for a dry down dominated by cypriol oil and woody vetiver. It smells dark and rooty, showing a stark contrast to its citrusy beginning. This scent suits cool spring days and damp autumn evenings when the dampness in the air coaxes out its mossy, earthbound character. It is an ideal pick for those who want a dry, woody floral that avoids any sugary sweetness. Anyone looking for a safe office scent should skip this, but lovers of dry, earthy woods should grab a sample. Show less

Thaqaf is a fruity woody amber with a polished, modern Middle Eastern feel. It opens with black currant, bergamot, ginger and juicy pear, then moves i… Show more

Thaqaf is a fruity woody amber with a polished, modern Middle Eastern feel. It opens with black currant, bergamot, ginger and juicy pear, then moves into soft florals and cashmere wood before settling into a smooth base of oud, sandalwood, musk, ambroxan and vanilla. On skin, the oud seems supportive rather than dominant. This looks best suited to shoppers who want richness. Show less