Underrated Friday: Asja by Fendi
July 6th, 2006
So I decided to continue with my Underrated Friday idea but then it occurred to me, that “underrated” is sort of a relative concept, especially when it comes to perfume. What’s underrated to you could be someone’s lifelong fragrance or something they used to wear a lot. When I chose Fendi Asja for today’s installment, I immediately thought of the year it was created - 1992. Where was I then? Edited: I wasn’t in my second year of college as I wrote previously (sick head is to blame). I was in high school cramming English and eyeing boys. So, in 1992 I heard nothing of Asja or Fendi perfumes, for that matter. I’ve only just recently discovered it. Was it underrated then? You tell me. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that in my selection of underrated perfumes I’ll be mostly guided by what’s not worn much now, to my knowledge. A hidden gem, a forgotten treasure - something that could be a total winner for many.
Asja features the notes of bergamot, peach, apricot, raspberry, lily of the valley, orris, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, benzoin, styrax, sandalwood. But be not deceived: this is not your typical fruity-floral. There’s nothing juicy or sparkly about it. It starts out very soft and velvety, like peach/apricot pulp. There’s just a hint of lily of the valley to balance the sweetness of fruits. The best part of Asja is the middle and base notes that are accentuated by cinnamon and honey. It reminds me of Aqaba by Miriam Mirani minus that clovey spiciness. Don’t get me wrong, it is a spicy oriental but the spiciness is tamed by honey, so it doesn’t come across as rich and heavy. If you’re a lover of Opium, the original Fendi, Coco, Magie Noire, you should give this a try.
Asja can be purchased at a great discount at Imagination Perfumery, Parfumsraffy, and other discount sites.
I’m going to be a shameless copycat and do a weekly sample giveaway. Every Friday, I’ll give away samples of the fragrances that I posted about during that week (unless I only have a sample myself). So, for this week’s giveaway, you’ll get samples of M7 and Asja. Please mention in your comment if you’d like to be included in the drawing.
Image source: www.osmoz.com
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews
29 Comments Add your own
1. Cait | July 7th, 2006 at 1:00 am
I love the bottle. I made an apricot compote with cardamom recently and I can’t help but think a scent like this one would make me want to eat my arm. No?
2. Elle | July 7th, 2006 at 6:08 am
I used to wear Fendi’s eponymous scent, but I somehow missed Asja. Cinnamon, honey and sandalwood and I overlooked this? Maybe I saw the top notes listed and was scared away since I’m fruity-floral phobic. I love hearing about great scents w/ decent prices. If you would only send the football player in the M7 ad instead of just the sample of the scent, I’d be on a plane to your place to fix the drawing.
3. Judith | July 7th, 2006 at 6:18 am
Can’t decide if I would like this or not! On the one hand, most “fruity florals” usually make me somewhat queasy (and that includes the much beloved Aquaba), but I do adore Opium, Coco, etc. So it sounds like I should at least try it.
4. March | July 7th, 2006 at 6:40 am
OK, shamelessly asking to be included in the drawing, as a lover of every oriental you listed (except Fendi, which I haven’t smelled.)
Also if I win could you pls have them delivered by M7 dude, wearing the same outfit he had on in the ad?
By the way, this is a great concept. I think your construct of “underrated” is a fair one. Sure, SOMEBODY’S wearing it, but you stumble across it and go, dang. Where have you been all my life?
5. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:25 am
Cait, an apricot compote with cardamom? Yummers! Yes, you might want to eat your arm if you wear Asja.
6. Marina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:25 am
I want to be in the draw! (just put me on the permamnent draw participants list, would you?
)
But wait a second, wait a second. In 1992 you were in your 2nd college year? You are fast, girl! I haven’t started mine till 1993.
7. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:25 am
Elle, I wish I could send the football player with all his goods (ahem) but, alas, I don’t possess those powers.
8. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Judith, I think you might quite like it.
9. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:26 am
March, you’re in! Sorry, no M7 dude.
10. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Marina! Clearly, my head was infected by this darn virus for I did not start college till 1994! Wah! Can’t believe I messed it up like that! I was still in high school. Hello? *smacks herself on head three times* Thanks for reminding me. I’m afraid you don’t qualify for today’s drawing since, um, you’re already getting them.
11. Marina | July 7th, 2006 at 8:43 am
I am? Hurray! Well, I am signing up for the next one in advance then.
12. Christina H. | July 7th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Hi Ina,
I like the others that you mentioned so I should really give this a try too. I suspect I’d like it alot. If you put my name in the hat for the drawing of the sample, I’d thank you kindly.
13. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Christina, you’re in!
14. Sara | July 7th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Love Asja (2nd the notion that Judith should give it a go!) Glad you are feeling better Ina!
15. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 9:19 am
Sara, you’re responsible for my finding this gem!
16. Judith | July 7th, 2006 at 9:21 am
OK, then! On your recommendation and Sara’s, I will give it a go *shamelessly entering the draw but studiously ignoring the question about when we were all in highschool/college*
17. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Judith, you’re in!
18. IrisLA | July 7th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Since I adore Fendi Theorema, I really should try other Fendi fragrances. Please enter me in the drawing. *crosses fingers I’ll get Asja”
19. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Iris, you’re in. If you love Theorema, you’re very likely to love Asja.
20. Victoria O | July 7th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Put me in!! I have been wanting to sample this one for awhile!
21. violetnoir | July 7th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Hey, I’m in, too, even if you can’t deliver the M7 dude with the samples. Oh well…such is life!
Hope you are feeling better and have a great weekend.
Hugs!
22. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 10:45 am
V., you’re in.
23. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Robin, you’re in, too! You have a good weekend, too!
24. Victoria | July 7th, 2006 at 10:58 am
I have a sample from someone! I was about to try it today.
25. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 10:59 am
V., I think that someone was me. I remember sending you one recenlty. Curious to know what you think.
26. Patty | July 7th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Other than the LoTV, it might have been perfection.
27. Ina | July 7th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Patty, have you tried it?
28. Patty | July 9th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Nope, haven’t tried it, but so far LoTV is not working for me in anything. I’m just trying to figure out if that is permanent or just certain things.
29. Ina | July 9th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Patty, there LOTV isn’t prominent here at all. You might quite like it.
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed