D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What

I Don't Know What is a skin scent, I suppose, but it's different from any of the ones I've smelled. There is no synthetic sweetness here, just glowing, warm and dry woodiness that evokes pepper on the opening. This smells so much like the inside of my pencil bag in grade school that was full of colored pencils - that mild, woody pencil shaving aroma concentrated in one place. The bergamot adds a subtle brightening effect, and the vetiver here is very dry, almost like straw.

Civet notes always scare me a bit, but this one isn't fecal on me thankfully. It gives the composition depth and muskiness and smells like warm cat fur.

In the dry down, the intense woodiness subsides and is replaced by soap and something acidic. I think I'm getting pickle juice from the sandalwood...This is now soapy, musky, perfumey pickle juice, and I'm sad.

Projection is really strong for using 2 sprays. It is a bit much for me, actually! Projects strongly for 3-4 hours. Longevity is good. Stays on skin at least 8 hours.

Overall, this is a soothing, meditative dry woody scent, though a bit headache inducing with how strong it is. Unfortunately, it does turn pickly on me, but that is just a personal skin chemistry thing. If it works on you, it would be a nice choice for every day activities and is unisex, leaning slightly masculine. I think it's ok overall, but I won't repurchase when I'm done with my sample. 5/10 rating for me.