An arrow of love and lust, like the one Cupid is often illustrated with, is the decoration on the bottle of Kama by Pernoire. The perfume is named after the Sanskrit word that stands for passion, love, attraction, desire, sexual pleasure, and sensual needs. That already sets the tone for what this fragrance is all about.
In Hinduism, Kama is more than just a concept — it’s a god. He represents love, romantic desire, and sensual pleasure. He is often shown as a handsome young man with green skin, holding a bow made of reeds and five flower-tipped arrows. Each arrow represents one of the five senses — sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. Reeds, sweet as they mature but still sharp-edged, hint at the duality of pleasure and pain.
At its heart, Kama is all about leather. It’s a classic material when it comes to creating sensual, intimate, and bold fragrances. But here, leather gets a detailed, layered treatment. There are smoky tar notes, herbal spices, grassy-animalic hints, and smoky nagarmotha roots — a popular element in niche perfumery. Add to that the earthiness of vetiver, the softness of iris, and a cozy cashmeran note that almost whispers of oud.
Right from the start, the perfume makes an impression with an edgy violet leaf, paired with orris root that is accompanied by birch tar (you read leather) and a hint of blackberry, reminding the astringent, yet intriguing blend of metal welding as it appears in the legendary Dior Fahrenheit.
The juicy berry has a profound musky undertone, and it continues with a whiff of strawberry-flavored cotton candy. Don’t think about a gourmand perfume or a funhouse. It’s just there to balance the bitterness of the leather. As the scent dries down, it moves into an amber-musk base, layered with earthy oakmoss. The amber-wood notes are dry and slightly prickly, used sparingly to give a light, resinous warmth.
Along this leathery tarry opening, there’s a soothing undertone of musky elements from the base that contrasts with the opening and confers the comfy vibe one needs to match the scent to the title.
Coming to the performance, it has a moderate and adequate longevity on skin, with the same value for its projection. This is a scent both women and men can easily enjoy.
Kama
$240.00 USD
Kama by Pernoire is a Leather fragrance for Women & Men. Kama symbolizes the essence of desire, igniting our pursuit of pleasure and connection, often dimmed by life's routine. Named after the Sanskrit word for desire, Kama encourages living life to the fullest. The… read more
