Perfume Review: Phenomenon by Y O S H
September 6th, 2006
I’m generally not a lover of perfume oils. As I said in one of my previous posts, most oils tend to turn on my skin, in spite of how gorgeous they might be in top notes. I have tried quite a few, of various price ranges, and have concluded that in order for a perfume oil to work, it has to contain excellent quality ingredients, especially in the base. The two brands that fall into this category are Jalaine and Yosh. I have already raved briefly about one Yosh creation, Ginger Ciao, and one Jalaine creation, Vetiver. Today I’d like to rave about yet another Yosh stunner, Phenomenon.
Phenomenon is created by Yosh Han, a San Francisco perfumer. It was created specifically for an event called Sniffapalooza that is put together by perfume mavens in the New York City. I wasn’t fortunate to attend the event but I received a sample of Phenomenon from a dear friend who was smitten by it, and knew it’d have the same effect on me. She warned me right away that it was not to be officially released, so I was not to fall madly in love. I did not heed the warning, however, and fell madly in love, unrequited as its fate would be. Much to my delight and general happy feeling, Yosh decided to release the scent – it will be availabe at Luckyscent September 15 in .25 fl. oz bottles. But do not be put off by the size – these perfume oils are potent, and a little goes a long way (you only need a couple dabs to last you a whole day). Besides, they are complex, exceptionally well balanced oils that develop on your skin just like any other high quality perfume, with all the top, middle, and base notes.
But what does it smell like? Phenomenon is said to be “a passionate fragrance with boronia, osmanthus, silver fir, rhododendron, vetiver, and Moroccan cedarwood”. Sadly to say, I’m not familiar with the scent of real osmanthus, so my attempts to describe the scent might turn out rather pathetic (pardon my ignorance – I’ll have to remedy that soon). If you’re familiar with how osmanthus is rendered in perfume, this is an herbal osmanthus (if you’re not familiar, I highly recommend sampling Osmanthe Yunnan by Hermes or Osmanthus by The Different Company). It starts out with an herbal fir tree/pine note that soon brings out osmanthus (from what I know of it) that has a slightly metallic, minty accord. It also features the note of rhododendron (another one I haven’t had a chance to smell in real life yet) that supposedly brings out an apricot-like aroma, and my nose detects it here as well. The drydown is a nectareous flower, on a base of earthy vetiver and dusty, slightly resinous cedar. I adore this stage – it’s so peaceful and delicate, yet so elegant and refined.
And now to the fun part – a sample giveaway! If you’d like to be included in the drawing for a sample of Phenomenon, please let me know in your comment! There’ll be 3 winners, once again.
Note: the drawing will end tonight at midnight.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
39 Comments
1. Julia F | September 6th, 2006 at 2:20 am
Oh, this sounds delicious! I haven’t had the chance to try any fragance with osmanthus yet so I’d be thrilled to recieve a sample of this. If you send samples to Scandinavia that is
Greetings
/Julia
2. chaya ruchama | September 6th, 2006 at 5:29 am
Please add me to the list, Miss Ina !
3. Elle | September 6th, 2006 at 6:16 am
Clunk!!!! W.A.N.T. N.E.E.D. C.R.A.V.E. Even if I weren’t already a hopeless Yosh fan, I’d have to have this. Great list of notes! And that drawing? Waving hand madly in air. Yes! Include me.
4. Josey | September 6th, 2006 at 6:40 am
I second everyone needing to try Osmanthe Yunnan! Even if it’s perhaps too pricy, it gives one a craving for osmathus tea =)
Please enter me!
5. Wendy | September 6th, 2006 at 7:03 am
Ina, your description is intoxicating! Please add me to the drawing.
Ciao!
6. March | September 6th, 2006 at 7:16 am
me me me me me!
7. Malena | September 6th, 2006 at 7:21 am
Hi,
normally I´m not fond of perfume oils, too, but there are few exceptions, e.g. I really like Monyette Paris.
Well, perhaps I´ll like Phenomenom, too
Please, include me in the drawing!
8. Kathy | September 6th, 2006 at 7:34 am
I would love a chance to sample this fragrance. I actually haven’t tried any of the Jalaine or Yosh oils, and I think that I need to order some samples. Thanks!
9. Margaret | September 6th, 2006 at 8:01 am
Please count me in, would like to sample this! Thank you!
10. Solander | September 6th, 2006 at 8:10 am
I have yet to try osmanthe yunnan and I have no idea what osmanthus smells like, in perfume or otherwise, but I’m intrigued by the notes listed so please count me in.
11. Marina | September 6th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Please include me in the draw, because I have got to give the Yoshes yet another chance, and besides I am very curious to see how fir mixes with bornia and osmanthus…:-)
12. sybil | September 6th, 2006 at 8:38 am
Please include me, because so far I’ve been underwhelmed by Yosh stuff. This sounds wonderful, though!
13. Tommasina | September 6th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Hi, Ina.
This ‘fume sure has some intriguing notes – rhododendron? Hmm… but I ADORE Osmanthus (have some in my garden) and would love to smell of it. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
Btw, I wonder how long it will be before someone manages to isolate the smell of Eleagnus?
T
14. jill | September 6th, 2006 at 9:20 am
I actually grew a tiny osmanthus or sweet olive as it is sometimes called, the miniscule blossoms smelled like juicy Fruit gum! Please enter me in the drawing
15. CindyN | September 6th, 2006 at 10:16 am
This sounds so remarkably different that most of the frags recently released. I am intrigued. Thanks for your reviw. Please enter me in your drawing.
Cindy
16. dleep | September 6th, 2006 at 10:18 am
It sounds wonderful — count me in on the drawing. Thanks!
17. Jennifer | September 6th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Please include me in the drawing. Osmanthus is one of my favorite scents.
18. Oscar | September 6th, 2006 at 10:50 am
Please add me to the list, too!
I have only tried a few oils before, but they were really exciting.
Never tried Yosh before either
19. violetnoir | September 6th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Precious, I would absolutely love to try this, so please enter me.
I love osmanthus, so I am crossing my fingers that I win.
Love and hugs! Thank you for you kind generosity in offering this to your readers.
20. Teri | September 6th, 2006 at 11:02 am
yum yum yum….
Please add me to your list of hopefuls for the drawing.
21. IrisLA | September 6th, 2006 at 11:31 am
Love Yosh oils! Please enter me in the drawing.
22. Kathy | September 6th, 2006 at 11:33 am
My favorite Osmanthus scent is that of the Henri Bendel candle sold by Bath and Body Works. I have no idea if this is a true osmanthus, but it is delicious.
Please enter me in your drawing!
23. Tom | September 6th, 2006 at 11:43 am
please add me to the list- I’d love to try this.
24. Monica | September 6th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Wow.. I love Osmanthus! and who can say no to free Yosh oils? count me in =)
25. paschat | September 6th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Phenomenon sounds awesome! Please put me in for the drawing!
26. Alica | September 6th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
I would appreciate to be included in the drawing.
27. Sara | September 6th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
what a wonderful review! I ‘d love a sample–talk about cosmic turnaround–I gave away all my samples, so I am craving another sniff!
28. Amy | September 6th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
yum! your description is SO not pathetic. Please include me too!!!!
29. houseofstone | September 6th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
sounds promising – count me in if you don’t mind shipping to germany…thanks!
30. Victoria O | September 6th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Please add me!!! I agree Yosh and Jalaine are the best. Also Kuumba Made is in the running.
31. Michelle | September 6th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Hello Ina!! Count me in for the sample drawing!! ((hugs))
32. mireille | September 6th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
*throws all dignity and pride out window* Me, me, me, me, please. xoxo
33. eaumy | September 6th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Sign me up, please!
34. Amy K | September 6th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
Please add me if it’s not too late! Thanks:)
35. Aromascope » I̵&hellip | September 12th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
[...] Phenomenon by Yosh, sample. [...]
36. Stephanie Pinsonat | September 28th, 2006 at 8:14 am
I would love to be the lucky winner of the Phenomenon sample! Thanks in advance! (Wishful thinking…that’s okay, huh?)
37. Patrica Wood | October 6th, 2006 at 10:55 am
I’d love to win a sample of Phenomenon. It sounds like something I would enjoy a lot. I love Ginger Caio. Please enter my name for the sample drawing. Thanx
38. Aromascope » My Fav&hellip | October 20th, 2006 at 12:21 am
[...] La Contessa Phenomenon Omniscent Ginger Ciao Trompeur [...]
39. Nichelle Luster | February 14th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Oh PLEASE, it sounds fabulous! Thanks.