parfums*PARFUMS Series 6 Synthetic: Skai (2004)
by Comme des Garçons

Smells like a combination of vinyl, burnt paper and rubber. I really can’t detect any leather in this but, then again, I never wore it long enough to fully appreciate the drydown.

It wasn’t because I hated it – I just preferred to concentrate on testing more conventional (and rewarding) scents.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

Definitely the best scent in CDG's Synthetic series. Starts off quite strong and the PVC and leather notes dominate. Reminiscent of worn car upholstery. However, as it dries down it turns into a delicate woody scent (Sandalwood?) with a sweetness and freshness that is surprising as you don't predict the scent will end up there when you first spray it. Again, dissappointed with the lack of longevity with this one however, when it is detectable, it's a very rewarding scent! Also, a nice introduction to the world of CDG for novices who don't want to spend big on the other fragrances just yet.

Wow - what an incredible spring scent with a just a hint of...subversiveness to it.

Most of the CdG scents are known for their fleeting longevity, which I always handled by over applying. Skai, however, is different. You do not need to over apply it, to get it to stick. Today's application was over applied and I almost got nauseous from the intense synthetic smell. Note - go easy on the trigger with this one.

So what does it smell like?

- PVC, albeit a very clean PVC smell. Like an outdoor pool, fresh out of the wrapper that you just blew up and set out on the backyard lawn
- Citrus notes, but fizzy in character. Have any of you ever drank those effervescent vitamin c packets that you add to water and they bubble up like Alka Seltzer when you add water? The lemon flavored ones smell a little like the citrus in Skai, with a more white grapefruit kind of tartness to it
- A slight sweetness mixes in with the aforementioned notes - but it not gourmand at all rather a very synthetic sweet gaseous smell (nitrous oxide?). Like Tar (also in the Synthetic Series) Skai gets its sweetness from a very standardized industrial smell.
- The drydown is even better than the top notes - much more muted sweet synthetic notes but with a constant fresh undertone to them. I am reminded of flavored waters that are popular now. Water with natural lemon flavor (unsweetened). If this had a smell, it would smell like your skin does, with Skai on it.
- The official notes mention leather, however I smell no leather in Skai. Neither do I smell cardamom.

If you've been meaning to try one of the Synthetic Series for the first time, I highly recommend Skai. It doesn't just smell oddball and strange like many of the Comme des Garcons fragrances, it also manages to tackle the 'idea' of freshness in a very unique, cerebral and subversive way.

I struggled with Odeur 53 and Odeur 71 – I had to work hard to even smell those strange notes, let alone, fit them into my understanding. With Skai it was a different experience: I had no problem finding the accords and I could easily recognize them. Skai has a progression of plastic notes, some leather, tar, and some ozone, and these notes are not as annoying as I would have thought they would be; in fact, I rather enjoy them. I can even somewhat enjoy the leather in this one. There’s a note in Skai that I enjoy so much; it comes on strong – I don’t have the faintest idea what the note is… but it’s gone after a half hour. The fragrance has excellent sillage and longevity. It’s an enjoyable wear, and it’s really a conversation piece. Thumbs up.

Very easy to wear in the warmer months. It has a similar combination of citrus, spice and sandalwood to Ferragmo but the cirtus is sharper and it doesn't have the same harsh pepper note of Ferragamo. It's much brighter and younger over all. Others do say I smell like burning wood or burning leaves so that's a bonus. It isn't very potent on my skin.

it´s an odd smell, like really metallic citric with a brise of dusty town atmosphere and a base of burt paper. The citric note can be sometimes little too sharp when mixed the tar...
Curious, It smell really nice on women skins.