FRAGRANCE | Marvellous Star EDP by Shiro: A delicious scent of warmth and comfort

halfwhiteboy - Shiro Perfume Marvellous Star 01

I discovered Shiro fragrances while visiting heaven (a.k.a. the fragrance section) of a department store in the Shibuya district of Tokyo almost two years ago. I consciously sought out brands I haven’t heard of or simply hadn’t had the chance of trying. Japanese brand Shiro caught our interest; and being the fragheads that my wife and I are, we took our time. In the end, we brought home a bottle of Shiro Marvellous Star.

The bottle’s design echoed the simplicity of the general Japanese aesthetic. I was, however, a little disappointed that it didn’t even have a box. But anyway, that’s how the brand chooses to be.

The fragrance greets your olfactory senses with warm, creamy coconut and vanilla. I can’t make out exactly what else is there but the scent is redolent of fragrant sticky rice, much better than ELDO Fils de Dieu (which, to me, is marred by a stronger-than-necessary ginger and lime). Marvellous Star is also sweet but done just right, so it’s never cloying. It’s a very comforting scent, perfect for cold, rainy days when you just want to curl yourself up in bed, under the sheets, all day. At the same time, I feel like I want to eat it because it smells so delicious.

halfwhiteboy - Shiro Perfume Marvellous Star 02

There’s a slightly sharp, dry woodiness in the background but it’s still the sweet lactonic coconut, vanilla, and rice wafting in the air. Several minutes later, everything becomes rounded, even when sniffed up close. It’s as if the wood has been generously coated with vanilla-laced coconut milk and rubbed with rice. It’s such a delectable and cozy scent that just makes me close my eyes and smile.

This unisex gourmand has very good projection and decent longevity. For most of the day, I’m surrounded by this lovely, gentle scent bubble that gradually settles into a soft vanilla after approximately five or six hours. I don’t know why the name but Shiro Marvellous Star is a marvelous treat for gourmand lovers. Although the notes would suggest something heavy, it’s surprisingly a light wear that you can use even on warmer days. Definitely a must-try!

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