Javari (2002)
by Body Shop

This was my first cologne, and I still wear it on occasion. It's got a nice peppery warmth to it-- spicy and dry. On my skin the drydown comes on with something somewhat akin to pencil shavings, which isn't unpleasant exactly, just a little strange.

I tried this because I read that it was similar to Le Male, and it is. Initially, at least. They open the same, although as others have mentioned, the pepper in this one shines through. The difference, I'm afraid, is in the dry down. Where the JPG stays clean and fresh all day, the Body Shop scent fades into a peppery incense on my skin and clothing. As I type this, I have JPG on my left arm and Body Shop on the right. Disappointing.....and not soley on the basis of not smelling similar.

Top note stands out quicker and more obvious than Le Male. And as it's lighter I guess it's easier to wear. It lasts at least 7 hours on my skin and it does project very well. For its price compared to Le Male, get this one.

While definately not an exclusive niche scent, it has all the qualities of a wearable and affordable Oriental with an extra plus of spice, which, considering the price, is surprsingly natural and good quality. More than enough lasting power too, so in this case it's just the mix, a little too different from my perfume tastes ( which wouldn't be in Javari's defense irrespective of price and perfumer, it could be as well by Creed and cost at least 100 $ and still would not impress me more) so i guess it's one or more of the spicy ingredients that works pretty fine, yet not perfect with my skin's chemistry.

It is, like MonkeyManMatt said, a very peppery rendition of Le Male, also less sweet, without the vanilla/tonka of JPGs big seller. But while Le Male is quite an in-your-face clubbing scent, Javari is comparatively restrained, both due to its less flashy smell and its somewhat lower sillage, though the longevity is quite good. Well that's the way it is on my skin anyway. If I want more presence I have to apply more, but at a price of 22 euros for 100ml I can happily spray away.

The reduced sillage is, for me, the appeal of it. It is the most wearable oriental I know, I feel I'll have this on quite often, on occasions where my other oriental stuff would simply be too much. So, if you are in search of a sweet oriental/gourmand sledgehammer scent, there are surely better alternatives like Body Kouros, Le Male, Lolita Lempicka, Bvlgari Black, A*Men, B*Men and probably Opium (and a myriad more that I don't know). But if you want to have the experience of wearing a nice, spicy oriental in a more casual way, get Javari.

When I read about this fragrance at the Body Shop website, I was attracted to the pepper and ginger notes: but after testing it at a nearby mall, it dries down to nothing more than soap and something that smells like cedar to me (possibly the nutmeg): it was enough to give me a headache. Reminded me of Mambo, another soapy scent not worth mentioning. Quite a disappointment.