Lavender Thorne
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Chinatown
by Bond No 9
Chinatown by Bond No. 9 is a profoundly layered, opulent gourmand floral with a strong oriental foundation. It opens with a creamy, peach blossom and bergamot burst that quickly settles into a rich, spiced floral heart dominated by tuberose, gardenia, and peony, all wrapped in a soft, velvety vanilla and cardamom accord. The drydown reveals a complex, incense-laden base of guaiac wood, patchouli, sandalwood, and cedar, creating a warm, slightly smoky, and deeply evocative character. While the fragrance is deeply associated with modern urban elegance and has been likened to a worn, posh kimono or the air of a vintage Chinatown market, its performance varies significantly between individuals. Some find it a luxurious, long-lasting masterpiece with a velvety sillage, while others report it as overwhelmingly sweet, faint, or indistinguishable from synthetic air fresheners. The intensely creamy and spicy nature makes it most suitable for cooler climates, particularly winter and autumn, and its elegant, intellectual气质 makes it more appropriate for mature wearers.
Pros
- +Emerges as a consistently unique, richly complex, and deeply evocative gourmand floral with a strong oriental character.
- +Often praised for its long-lasting projection and performance on skin, with many reporting excellent longevity up to 12 hours.
- +Especially admired and recommended by those who appreciate layered oriental scents, deep floral complexity, and that rare balance between sweet, spicy, incense-like warmth and elegant sophistication.
Cons
- −Extremely divisive, with strong reports of it smelling synthetic, cheap, or like an air freshener on some skin types.
- −Can be overly sweet or cloying for sensitive noses, with some users finding the floral and vanillic elements overwhelming or indistinguishable.
- −Many critics perceive it as overwhelmingly feminine, making it a less-than-ideal choice for men seeking a unisex fragrance, despite its marketed status.