Ariana & Evans Intoxica: A Walk on the Wild Side
There’s always been something edgy about the fragrances from Ariana & Evans. Risqué. Nay, even a little dangerous. The brand’s very logo communicates it: Medusa, a mythical beauty whose head is covered with serpents capable of striking at any moment, or worse, turning an admirer to stone. But it’s precisely this bold, slightly dark adventurousness that makes Ariana & Evans so intriguing and unique. Intoxica is right on brand, blending elements of delicate floral beauty with a touch of wickedness. It is a fragrance that feels both seductive and taboo.
At the heart of Intoxica is Moroccan hashish, a note that will set off alarm bells for some and sound like a siren’s call to others. As a fragrance accord, hashish is dark, resinous, and warm, with woody and earthy undertones and shades of smoke and leather. Its history in modern perfumery is relatively short but notable, with fragrances such as Fresh Cannabis Santal (2006), created by Caroline Sabas, Black Afgano (2009) by Alessandro Gualtieri, and Carolina Herrera’s Bad Boy Le Parfum (2021) helping bring cannabis-inspired accords into the spotlight. These fragrances explore the resinous, dark green, and pungent qualities of cannabis, pairing them with complementary notes such as coffee, chocolate, and tobacco, while softening their edges with labdanum, vanilla, or amber. Some brighten the composition further with juicy fruits such as raspberry, plum, or bergamot.
Peter Charkalis once told ShaveSplash that oud is a note defined as much by what surrounds it as by its own character. ShaveSplash has always considered oud the truffle of perfumery. Used judiciously and paired with the right ingredients, it can be delicious. Used carelessly, it can ruin the entire dish. Hashish seems to share this quality. Its success depends on intensity, balance, and the accompanying notes that support, accentuate, and sculpt its character.
With Intoxica, Peter Charkalis once again puts his perfumery chops on display. Rather than relying on real hasish or cannabis, Peter constructs his Moroccan hashish accord from an intricate tapestry of natural extracts and modern aroma molecules. At its foundation are the dark, balsamic resins of labdanum, opopanax, and olibanum, enriched by the earthy, leathery qualities of cypriol and oud. Virginia cedar and guaiacwood contribute a dry, smoky woodiness, while tobacco absolute adds warmth and depth. Black pepper, clove, and cardamom provide an aromatic spiciness, while roasted cocoa and coffee absolutes lend a darker, almost gourmand richness. The result is a remarkably convincing interpretation of hashish, not through the imitation of any single molecule, but through the artful layering of aromas that collectively evoke its distinctive resinous, earthy warmth.
Yet the real magic of Intoxica isn't the hashish itself. It's the blend that accompanies it. Peter introduces Malbec wine to lend a luscious, juicy berriness, roasted cacao for chocolatey richness, coffee for depth, and aged oak barrel for a warm, smoky woodiness. These elements intertwine to create a pillowy tapestry of fruits, florals, and woods, radiating from the skin with an almost incense-like aura. There is something intensely natural about the composition, yet also something unmistakably artful and complex. Some may detect a potpourri-like quality in its mingling of fruits, flowers, and aromatic woods, but one which is decidedly masculine, rich, sophisticated, and inviting.
ShaveSplash was only able to sample Intoxica in its shaving soap format so far, which features Ariana & Evans' carefully crafted Ultima 2 base. The formulation produces a dense, yogurt-like lather, rich with conditioning butters and oils and moisture-attracting humectants, including glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and silk amino acids. The result is excellent slickness, a generous cushion, and the luxurious post-shave feel one expects from a premium artisan shaving soap.
Intoxica is, as the name suggests, dreamy, heady, and ethereal, while at the same time delivering a richness and depth that only a master craftsperson can create. It has the warmth to be well suited for cooler climes, but the lusciousness to find its way next to a campfire on a tropical beach at night. It is daring, bold, and in classic A&E style, a bit of a walk on the wild side.
Scent Notes: Malbec Wine (Plum, Cherry, Black Currant, Blackberry) · Moroccan Hashish · Aged Oak Barrel · Roasted Cacao · Coffee · Labdanum · Black Pepper
Look for Intoxica on sale soon from Ariana & Evans here Use code ShaveSplash to recieve 10% off
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