The Artist No. 1

The Scent Profile

Artist No. 1 storms out of the bottle with a brazen pink pepper blast – almost like sniffing peppercorn-infused vodka. The promised raspberry and black currant hide shyly beneath, a sugary whisper rather than a juicy statement. The rose at its heart is undeniably Turkish, but lacks the velvety depth. It's more of a dried rose petal found tucked inside an old book, papery and brittle. The spices arrive quickly, clove and cinnamon vying for dominance, creating a slightly medicinal, almost cherry cough syrup accord. The drydown brings a smoky incense note, but it is anchored with an unfortunate, play-doh sandalwood, obscuring any refined elegance.

Projection Power

This fragrance lasts a respectable 6-7 hours on skin. The projection is initially quite powerful, filling a room at arm's length, but quickly settles to a more intimate bubble within the first hour. I tested it at an evening cocktail event, and found it faded into the background noise surprisingly fast.

Bottom Line

Artist No. 1 wants to command attention, but ultimately whispers instead. It's a scent for the introverted artist, the writer who prefers the company of their characters, or someone browsing a dimly lit antique shop, drawn to tarnished silver and forgotten histories. It's a fragrance best suited for cool autumn evenings and introspection, not for a grand entrance or a night of revelry.