A Wren Says

I kid you not, given the name, I thought trying Lost Cause by Phlur would be a hopeless pursuit. I was wrong. Rather than confirming my fear it  would be an irreparably bad choice to spray on myself, I found myself enjoying it. Don’t get me wrong, there was something off putting on first spray. But as it died down, I enjoyed sniffing it to discover what it was, what it really smelled like on me. On my skin, it seemed woody and fruity. And as time wore on, it was more and more comforting. I can’t really explain what it was that I experienced, but it was a feeling I wanted to keep with me.

Lost Cause eau de parfum

$99 for 50 mL

Notes:

Top: Italian bergamot, cassis leaves, crisp apple, rhubarb

Heart: Fresh freesia, jasmine, lily of the valley

Base: Maté absolute, orris concrete, vanilla orchid

This fragrance did not project when I wore it. I wore it twice to work, and no one seemed to notice it. Or maybe they just didn’t care. I will say that it faded dawn fairly quickly for me but remained as a close to skin scent into the next day. It was definitely a much more personal fragrance experience.

I notice in the description Phlur posted for this product, they use the words “airy sense of comfort.” I make a habit of not reading notes or descriptions ahead of wearing fragrances so that I can give my unbiased opinion. How interesting that that sense came across to me? While the perfumers’ intention came across, I don’t think that was captured well in the name.

Lost Cause connotes so much negativity that is not found in this fragrance. The scent is so much more hopeful than I would assume with the words “Lost Cause.” Lost Cause seems like it should smell like an experimental theatre project that needs to be abandoned. This is more like swinging gently in a hammock in someone’s beautifully manicured backyard.

My final thoughts are that I like this fragrance and want to play with it more. I recommend it to you if you want something that is woody and fruity and not at all overpowering. Just don’t let the name get in the way of trying this beautiful fragrance.