IN ASTRA
MISMAR
2022
PERFUMER
Sofia Bardelli
Juniper
Ginger
Cypress
Ambergris
Frankincense
‘Admiring the best starry night, a black canvas full of scattered diamond dust gleaming through aeons of light years. Stars circle round the Northern Nail, holding up the heavens. In the land of the never-ending night, an overwhelming fragrance of woody, earthy smells transports us towards the celestial needle: crisp scents of juniper and ginger intertwined with deep aromas of conifers accentuate an amber facet, liberating a soothing addiction to frankincense.’- In Astra
Ginger is a note that I always appreciate and it’s very forward in Mismar, so it was off to a good start. Mixed with juniper and cypress, it’s a sharp, fizzy, natural smelling zesty scent. It’s highly acidic, but there’s a bit of sweetness coming through; yet it smells more like fruit than like lemonade or candy at first.
After a while it becomes more ambery and warm, but it stays acidic. There’s something in the base (probably the ambergris) keeping me on my toes, rather than being a simple citrussy scent or a straight up sweet amber. I loved the opening, but that being said, after a couple of hours, it wasn’t my favorite In Astra anymore. As often when that brightness and acidity lasts this long, it becomes a bit screechy and grating (almost reminding me of a less green Frederic Malle Uncut Gem). In this case I’d rather have it be a bit softer and less long-lasting in favor of a smoother drydown, but still a nice one.