FRAGRANCE | White Oud EDP by Domus Emeterius: Looks and smells more expensive than it actually is

halfwhiteboy - Domus Emeterius White Oud EDP 01

I've already been seeing posts about Domus Emeterius from frag groups on Facebook but it wasn't until they became part of The Rockwellist popup at the Powerplant Mall sometime in November that I got to sample their offerings. Long story short, White Oud was one of two bottles that went home with me.

First off, I was surprised by their pricepoint: less than Php3K for a 50ml bottle that looks more expensive than it is. Sure, the materials used in the presentation may not be of premium quality but common, you got to appreciate the effort in the gold-plated, embossed typeface and the hard cardboard, lift-top box. And I love a fragrance that puts work into its packaging, so this house has already scored points with me. 

It's not just the aesthetics, though, because Domus Emeterius White Oud also smells pricier than it is. Mind you, it's not just me, as it's an impression shared by several of my colleagues at work. A light oud with minute animalic traces is perceptible at the onset. It then gets covered up quickly by a sugary (but not dense) white floral, brightening up the scent and bringing the woody aspects of the composition to the fore. There's a dry, dusty quality to it, which rises as the sugary floral hurriedly leaves. A creamy white chocolate develops, along with the oud's woody facet. It's a really good combo, a very slight nod to Chanel Coromandel to some degree. I'm also glad I still get a tinge of that animalic character from the opening. 

halfwhiteboy - Domus Emeterius White Oud EDP 02

After several minutes, the white floral reappears, albeit discreetly, before it's lost again in the blend. The creaminess isn't much, by the way, perhaps kept at bay by the dryness and dustiness of the woody oud. This keeps the scent practically wearable in our Philippine tropical climate. The white choco-coated oud persists, with the creamy white choco and dry wood bobbing up and down in alternating fashion until the scent fades. Projection is generally moderate; softens after a couple of hours but lasts for several. 

All said, I'm very happy with Domus Emeterius White Oud. It's an inoffensive, office-safe, unisex scent (okay, maybe with a slight masculine slant) that's wearable all year round. To me, it's well worth getting or sampling at least. 

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