PRESCENT
SUMMER 2020 DAY
2020
Vanilla Absolute
Ginger
Bergamot
Cumin
Lemon
Patchouli
Cedarwood
Sandalwood
Pepper
Nutmeg
Turkish Rose
Tonka Bean
Arguably the most underrated gems and unfortunately unreachable fragrances on this website are the (We Are) Prescent Summer duo. They were released in 2020 and both are among the best things I’ve smelled. Unfortunately the brand seems to have dissappeared completely since.
Day starts of bright, with a blast of citrus and lemongrass. It’s very fresh, but also thick, like a lemon syrup or even candy. There’s some cardamom and very prominent in this composition is the use of ginger. The brand described it as zingy and that’s definitely what this is.
It’s not 100% bright and fresh though, vanilla is used as the ‘hero ingredient’ on both the Day & Night version, so it transforms and warms up during the wear. Whenever I think of this style of vanilla, spice and citrus, I think of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Vitae Forte. It’s not the same, but it’s a particular style that I really like.
Cumin is listed, but I have to say I’m glad that I don’t really pick up on that. It’s overall quite spicy though. In the base are more heavier notes for a Summer’s day fragrance, like patchouli, sandalwood and tonka, but it doesn’t overpower the brightness, nor does it get overly sweet. If anything it makes it more creamy.
It’s definitely a fragrance where I find it hard to distinguish notes and the overall vibe, although citrussy, spicy and vanillic, is not what I expected and I’m not really able to put it in words. It has a traditional edge to me, like something you find in a soapy fruity chypre (it’s a bit peachy to me, but not in the usual feminine way). Day is absolutely stunning, but I can see the ginger in the opening being divisive. I really loved it. I’m almost out of my 15ml (in 2022) and haven’t been able to find a replacement for this yet. One that reminds me of it a bit is Thameen Royal Sapphire.