HEDONIK
OBSESSIVE DEVOTION
2023
PERFUMER
Francesca Bianchi
bergamot
grapefruit
peach
champaca
ylang-ylang
pink pepper
patchouli
sandalwood
iris
oakmoss
smokey leather
‘Obsessive Devotion: the name embodies my feelings and admiration towards a powerful ingredient of perfumery, Champaca absolute. It has been an obsessive thought, which guided the creation of this fragrance. Leather is one of the other notes and personal obsession, as well as the signature of this brand line of perfumes. The first time I smelled the natural absolute of Champaca, my mind was completely smitten with it. It is a deeply sensual material, with facets that reminded me of human bodies’ smell. The fragrance revolves around Champaca, enriched by other sensual notes like Ylang Ylang and Pink Pepper, tamed by a faint note of peach, on a sultry yet sophisticated base with Leather and creamy Patchouli Heart, and a smoky but smooth woody blend.’ – Francesca Bianchi
Obsessive Devotion is my first dive into Francesca Bianchi’s new brand, Hedonik. To be completely fair, I’m not quite sure why this is launched under a different brand, because it feels very similar to her work in the Francesca Bianchi range and it’s priced pretty much the same as well.
For me, Obsessive Devotion felt like a fruitier, more acidic version of Tyger Tyger. It has that ever so slightly purring animalic suede with the warmth of skin. Whereas Tyger Tyger overdoses it with honey, here it’s centered around champaca. I haven’t smelled that on its own and only know it specifically from Areej Le Dore fragrances if I remember correctly.
Either way, here, alongside the other ingredients, it adds a citrussy, fruity, kind of tart facet that I don’t nearly appreciate as much as for example Tyger Tyger (which I tried in the same week and ended up buying a full bottle of). That’s not to say that their overall scent profiles line up, as I think Obsessive Devotion is much more top note heavy and chypre-esque and is probably as close to something like Luxe Calme Volupte (which I also like) as Tyger Tyger, but unfortunately, it’s the combination of the two sides that doesn’t quite work for me.