Daarej

How it Smells

Daarej opens with a pleasant bergamot, though it lacks the zesty brightness of natural citrus. There’s a slightly medicinal myrtle note present, reminding me of herbal cough drops. The heart introduces a nutty sweetness, but the hazelnut is unfortunately artificial. The chocolate leans toward powdered cocoa rather than rich dark chocolate. I get very little coffee, just a vague roasted note, like burnt sugar. The drydown is where it veers furthest from the original. A synthetic leather accord emerges, blended with cedar.

The Performance Stats

On my skin, Daarej lasts around 6 hours. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, extending about an arm's length. After that, it becomes a skin scent. I wore it to the office on a cool autumn day and it performed adequately, though I wouldn’t reach for it for a date or special occasion.

The Verdict

If Daarej were a movie character, it would be the charming but ultimately forgettable supporting actor – pleasant to be around, but doesn't leave a lasting impression.