KAYALI
LOVEFEST BURNING CHERRY 48

2022

PERFUMER
Gabriela Chelariu
Philippine Courtiere

Black Cherry
Raspberry
Bergamot

Praline
Heliotrope
Damask Rose
Jasmine Sambac

Palo Santo
Tonka Bean
Guaiac Wood
Ambrettolide
Peru Balsam
Vetiver
Patchouli

‘Celebrate your love for life with this luscious, woody gourmand fragrance and awaken the free spirit within you! The enticing contrast of succulent burning cherries and raspberries accompanied by sweet caramelized praline against the smoky, earthy notes of palo santo, guaiac wood, and patchouli makes this a truly mesmerizing and euphoric fragrance.’ – Kayali

Lovefest Burning Cherry is an apt name and it’s doing exactly what I’d expected it to do. It’s not that far out of the realm of Kayali’s popular Vanilla 28 scent (or according to Fragrantica even closer to their Invite Only Amber, which I haven’t smelled yet).

In a way I was positively surprised when I wore it on skin for the first time, as the cherry was a little bit less pronounced and the smoky ambery sweetness made this a solid wear for me. I do not like it as much as the Vanilla 28 (which remains one of, and arguably my favorite, from the brand), but it’s not as far out of my comfort zone as it could have been given the notes.

Despite the cherry, raspberry and bergamot top notes, there’s barely any brightness to it. If anything I get an almost cherry tobacco, a hint of rose and a lot of amber and tonka.

Every single person I’ve talked to about this has either told me this smells like Tom Ford Lost Cherry or asked me if it did. I only smelled Lost Cherry briefly, but there was an acidity there that is lacking in Lovefest (which goes sweet and smoky instantly). They are definitely close overall however.

Decent scent, decent performance, decent price.