Adonis Awakens by Argos

Argos never misses. The longevity is brutal, the scent is powerful with a sweet yet acidic twist. It’s worth every penny, full of personality and makes you stand out. On my skin, it lasts over 12 hours; I’ve woken up several times to the smell, and it feels like a hug. It’s very versatile, perfect for all seasons, day or night. I think it’s unisex, though it leans slightly feminine; if you’re used to very masculine fragrances, buy a decant first. Setting aside the distance, it’s as unisex as Xerjoff’s Erba Pura (they’re totally different, but I’m comparing it because Erba Pura is well-known). For me, it’s a 10/10—if you’re blind buying, go for it! 🙂

The packaging is gorgeous and smells feminine from every angle.

Art in a bottle; an incredibly captivating scent of unprecedented quality. The name made me read the legend of that Greek myth—a handsome man who won Venus’s heart, though gossip says Ares had him killed out of jealousy, with all his brutality. A curious name for a perfume; I think the perfumer drew inspiration from that story to create this jewel. It’s an ambiguous fragrance, but it feels more feminine, like Adonis on a night surrounded by women, being seduced, exploiting his beauty and tenderness (the opposite of Ares). As touches and caresses happen, the scent of all women impregnates him, blending with his own perfume—that’s what I feel when I smell it. The rose is sublime, the woods too; it has an animal, very sexual touch, yet the jasmine and damask take over the show, shining effortlessly alongside the other notes, as if they’re doing the work for them. Setting aside the fact that it’s a work of art and shouldn’t have a gender, on a review site it helps to note that “it’s feminine” so a gentleman used to other scents isn’t startled or tries to project authority, which would backfire; even a woman might be put off. It’s a dreamlike journey to another plane, doesn’t seem like a scent from this world, definitely not modern, but I have no reference to compare it to. Abstain if you lack perfumery knowledge, as you’ll have a bad experience. The enjoyment is guaranteed for the insatiable among us who seek the Holy Grail and scratch where there’s nothing to smell something different; I assure you, even if you don’t like it, it will make you reflect. Thanks, Argos.