Review of Crocus Supercritique by Olga Steinfeld

As a child, I loved watching the flame of a candle and passing my hand through it. If the flame touched my skin for just a couple of seconds, it wouldn't burn me - it seemed to dance between my fingers. Afterwards, however, a fine layer of black soot remained on my hand, and my skin felt warm and carried the scent of smoke. When I first tried Crocus Supercritique, those memories came back to me. It opens with spicy green notes that remind me of dried medicinal herbs. The ginger isn't sharp or fiery. Instead, it's balsamic and warmly spiced, blending seamlessly with thyme and rosemary. As the herbal facets begin to fade, smoky, charred woody notes start to emerge. With time, the fragrance becomes increasingly smoky, dark, and resinous, evoking burnt wood, dark, rugged leather, and even a touch of tar. The saffron hints at leather without turning the fragrance into a classic leather composition. In the drydown, a smoky, resinous, woody trail lingers, reminiscent of the smoldering embers of a dying campfire. Despite its dark, smoky character, Crocus Supercritique never feels aggressive. It is calm, almost meditative - a fragrance that doesn't overwhelm but simply stays beside you. To me, it leans more masculine than feminine. Yet I genuinely enjoy wearing it because it leaves me feeling calm and at peace.