Cryptic
7.8Phuong Dang · 2016
Fresh · Floral · Green
Phuong Dang Cryptic is a unisex chypre that sets rose, peony and orris concrete on oakmoss and musk, with a floral, green edge.
It opens with aldehydes, suede, carrot and magnolia, which read crisp, fresh and slightly powdery. In the heart, Moroccan rose absolute, Turkish rose and peony come forward, while orris concrete adds a powdery softness to the petals. The base of oakmoss, oak wood, amber and musk dries down woody and faintly sweet.
Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Voters spread their picks fairly evenly across the four seasons, with night out and evening the most chosen occasions, and leisure wear close behind. Some voters call it feminine and others masculine, so it sits genuinely in between. Yves Rocher Magnolia and Penhaligon's Artemisia have a close profile.