Review of Hibiscus Mahajád by Yaroslavna Lasytsya

Hibiscus Mahajad is one of the most amazing floral perfumes in my collection. It was a love at first sniff at Harvey Nichols London, and having emptied the tester that the sales assistant very confidently paired me with in a couple of days, I all but ran to buy it. Even the price didn't deter me as this is one of those amazing creations worth every penny to me. The opening of Hibiscus Mahajad is like a two-faced god Janus of Ancient Rome, during the fall-winter it opens with leather, peppermint and cassis beautifully paired together and giving out green spiced/leather opening; in spring-summer - rose and hibiscus burst out, unwilling to wait on anyone else and take control from the start. Rose and hibiscus are a beautiful duo, and a most cleverly produced, as hibiscus in nature does not possess as explicit and powerful aroma as the rose, and so would have been easily "overpowered" by the latter. Here, both flowers are distinct and exquisitely arranged. Hibiscus appears to lead with its exotic and honeyed note and rose follows, adding depth with its sugar-sweet petals. Somehow, it is not the Damascus rose I see, but the May one, admittedly a particularly lush and in full bloom under the sun of the last days of spring. I suppose this is another facet of Mr Bisch' genius, - whereby he can make a super-expressive and dominant flower bend to his will and contain itself, becoming his perfect instrument in a melody he weaves through the perfume. Hibiscus Mahajad's projection and sillage are legendary, and you are guaranteed to be stopped by strangers over and over again asking what you are wearing, Please, do not get annoyed by this, you chose to put on a work of genius, so you too, must suffer for it a little bit. This scent lasts on my skin for full 12 hours, and even in the morning I can feel a few glistening magenta and pink petals on me. The clothes will carry the scent until you wash them, - nothing else will help. Final accords make the floral duo more powdery and less sugary sweet. The flowers remain with you until the very end, gently ebbing away, as the retreating tide of a gentle sea under the sunset. Anyone close to you will still catch a glimpse of Hibiscus Mahajad even when it technically became a skin scent. This perfume is not for the faint of heart or those who do not wish draw attention to themselves. I would not advise wearing it to the restaurants, unless they are al fresco and never a Japanese cuisine. Office or boardroom? - hmmm.... Only when required. I did it a few times when knowing that a few counterparts would need to be impressed upon/subdued one way or another. There Hibiscus Mahajad was my ally and "enforcer". Ultimately, it is a perfect scent for seduction, flirting, steamy dates and becoming unforgettable to those you met. It's all ages-appropriate, and does not confine its wearer to any "category". The only thing you have to be is a person willing to make a statement, confident in yourself and knowing well how to take pleasure whenever and however you wish.