ROJA PARFUMS
NUWA PARFUM
2015
PERFUMER
Roja Dove
bergamot
grapefruit
rose de mai
orange blossom
jasmine
clove
cumin
pepper
sandalwood
benzoin
vanilla
peru balsam
This is a re-release of NUWA PARFUM (2013); according to reviews, the scent has minor changes.
‘The Elixir Of The Gods. Inspired by the legend of NüWa, the gentle and kindly Chinese goddess who is said to have created humanity; and according to the myth taught her people to be creative and wise, introduced beauty through music, song and dance, and filled all flowers with fragrance. A tender liquid narrative to seduce the soul, a gentle harmony of Rose, Jasmin and Orange Blossom create a floral song that graces a pillowy bed of Sandalwood, Benzoin and Vanilla’ – Roja Parfums
Nuwa is definitely one of the Roja’s that I’ve seen recommended and praised the most in years leading up to this review. I’d tried it several times in stores only and I didn’t feel like it was among the special releases from the brand. After (finally) giving it a proper try, I have a new-found appreciation for it, although I still don’t quite see Nuwa as one of Roja’s top highlights.
What I like most about Nuwa is the acidity that comes with florals, mainly rose. It has that soapy, almost tangy vibe with some bergamot and lemon that feels connected directly to the florals, not unlike the way it does in Amber Aoud or Taif Aoud (and I often reference the much earthier Jazeel Ghala as a great example of a citrussy rose).
With Nuwa, you get a more mass appealing, perhaps more traditionally feminine leaning, nondescript floral accord than in the aforementioned fragrances. But mainly, the backbone here is sweeter and cozier, removing any of the ‘growl’ that one may find in the underbelly of some of Roja Parfums Aoud line.
The scent comes across as plasticy, albeit not in a bad way. Like a light saffron to my nose, despite not being a listed note. On the other hand, the listed cumin does not show up on my skin; I find everything here comfortable and cozy.
I can see clove, I could also picture cinnamon, but mostly it grows sweet and it offers a lot of contrast to the fresher tinge that lingers in the florals. Perhaps a tad too sweet for my liking, as I think the florals are the star of the show and it starts to take away from them as you move into the drydown. It’s not cloying by any means, not too sugary either, but it leans more towards a sugary floral that I get from (aged) bottles of Dior Oud Ispahan or Matiere Premiere Radical Rose, than the vintage-y, ylang-ylang-loaded sweetness that I love in for example Roja’s Rose Parfum.
Overall, a great scent, that I’d happily wear in any situation or weather, but not one that I would personally put on the same pedestal as Taif Aoud or Rose Parfum, which both grace my collection. I can see Nuwa perhaps speaking most strongly to women and to people who have a penchant for sweeter florals.