Air by Kenzo

Upon application, an alcohol blast made me question the legality of the sample. After a few minutes, it settles, revealing a peculiar white wood. My partner compares it to Encre Noir (he calls it rubber), but there are huge differences. Both fail on longevity and sillage; they fade quickly, so you have to apply a lot to make them last. It has elegance and quality; the anise note comes through later. For me, it didn’t quite live up to expectations—it wasn’t a lasting memory for me, but it’s interesting to try. If vetiver fits your style, maybe this Kenzo will help you find your signature scent.

Usually, when a perfume becomes cult, it’s a seduction elixir. It’s rare for a fresh and pleasant cologne to end up on the most sought-after discontinued list. And deep down, it makes sense, because in the sector of light EDTs, it seems everything is invented. Kenzo Air didn’t invent anything, and yet, it was the bomb. When you tried it, you were certain you didn’t want to use anything else in your life. It was simple, straightforward, and memorable. It reminded me of a thousand things I love: cedar waters, cardamom, juniper, a spicy citrus sweetness, starched waters with memories of freshly ironed sheets, clean skin, and precious babies. In my memory, Kenzo Air was a mix of CK One, Celine for Men, Intense Acqua di Parma, Angel Schlesser pour femme, and even the first men’s cologne from Zara in 1999. It was the perfect scent of cleanliness, a rich cleanliness full of musky, starched, soapy, and spicy nuances. For me, it captures exactly that moment when you open your eyes, remember it’s Saturday, and you can sleep an hour more. The pillow is perfect, not a single wrinkle in the sheets, you keep memories of a beautiful dream, and you drift back into sleep, already during the day, with the certainty that everything is perfect. If I found it again, I would cry with joy; I’m sure a tear would escape. Happiness made into a cologne, a minimalist, ethereal, sporty, and ultra-modern water that lacked nothing and had nothing extra. If Kenzo decided to bring it back, something unlikely, I would bleed applause.

I still remember years ago how much I loved Kenzo Air when I first smelled it on the shelves at Sephora’s new arrivals. It seemed like a poetic, very beautiful, subtle, and delicate scent. The box showed a vast blue sky, the pure image of optimism, and the bottle was a gem that seemed to enclose the essence of a sunny day. When I used it again now, that same initial impression remains identical. The first thing that appears is a scent between anise and mentholated licorice, very balsamic and pleasant, which is the essence of the perfume. There’s also an incredible ozony touch, an air-like quality, really well done. The first moments are bright. Gradually, it evolves into vetiver with a soft wood base, everything very close to the skin but with good longevity. Very discreet and almost more for personal enjoyment. Kenzo Air has the year of its creation in its DNA; in 2003, houses were still searching for original and surprising perfumes, perfumery was an art, and stores had incredible works like this. Due to its ethereal, minimalist, almost avant-garde nature, I relate it to legends like Cacharel Nemo or Gucci Rush. I’m not saying they smell alike, but they seek exactly the same thing: a magical, dreamy scent that finds its reason to be in subtlety. I agree it bears a certain resemblance to Lalique’s Encre Noire, though the latter is more potent and plays dark twists that have no place in the kindness and joy of Kenzo Air. Essential if you enjoy perfume archaeology at all.

I don’t think this review will be very useful since it’s based on distant olfactory memories and a certain melancholy… I had a gorgeous bottle back in 2004/5, and it was my favorite fragrance for its ozonic freshness (as Bofifa rightly says) and its anise-orange charm with a mentholated vetiver and soft woody base at the end. It wasn’t sensual, but rather energizing and addictive… I wore it in autumn, I think that was the season that suited it best. Well, never again… That’s just how things go, friends.

I bought it right out of the gate back in 2003. At first, I was fascinated by its ethereality, as seamless as a cloud, which fit perfectly with the clear sky on its box. Years later, I do remember notes of licorice and vetiver, but mostly that ozonic impression, very of its time and frankly beautiful. The image I keep is of inhaling a breeze of very clean air. I bought another bottle, but I gave it to my father because I thought it was too weak, with little projection and longevity. My father, by the way, became a fan and consumed bottle after bottle until he couldn’t find it anymore.

I just wanted to say I miss it so much. Sincerely, it’s my favorite fragrance above all others. I used this one and also the Intense, which, as correctly stated in a previous comment, was a bit more intense. I hope one day I can find something similar (please contribute more data about something similar). The truth is, no matter how much I search, no fragrance makes me happy. I hope one day it exists again. It’s too melancholic, but it’s the truth… I miss this beautiful Kenzo Air perfume.

I believe this is, without a doubt, my favorite perfume. I tried it in 2006 and, unfortunately, only managed to buy a small 90ml bottle in 2007. If I had known it was going to be discontinued, I would have bought at least ten. To me, it smells sparkling and cheerful, perfect for cool summers or winter nights. It’s anise boosted by licorice, a perfect blend. Then bergamota appears, and over time, some herbal notes that I can’t quite identify. I keep it like a relic and only use it for special occasions. If anyone knows where to find bottles, I would be incredibly grateful. It’s an absolute gem from Kenzo.

Where can I get this, or is there any perfume with the same scent? I need details, I’m from Chile.

You can find it on eBay for $79.95 (1.7 oz) and on Amazon for $87.99 (3 oz).

I’ve been wearing it for over two years and haven’t found anything I’ve liked more. It’s very long-lasting, and the best part is that where I live, it’s rare to smell it. I really love it. I have less than 15ml left and I’m searching every perfumery because it’s something I want to always have. Highly recommended, I’ve received many compliments. It’s a gem.