Fulton & Roark Fragrance Fridays

“Scents have no sex. Nothing is forbidden in a perfume as long as it gives pleasure!”

-Jacques Cavalier 

Over the course of ten weeks, I reviewed ten scents from the Fulton & Roark collection and gave my honest impressions of each one. While this was my first time experiencing most of these scents, I can’t wait to share the one that got me hooked on the brand to begin with – full review at the end of this blog. 

Fulton & Roark is known for their ambition to create American Fine Fragrance with the best ingredients available that are sourced in safe and responsible methods. 

I found Fulton & Roark by accident as I followed my excited husband around a bougie outdoors store in Southern Pines, NC (shoutout to River Jack). My eyes settled on a display of solid perfumes near the register. Being a perfume loving gal, I gravitated towards it immediately, smelling each one as my husband passed behind me with expensive filtering water bottles and jackets of varying thicknesses, proving I had time to really explore the offerings in front of me. 

Then it happened. I found one that stopped me in my tracks. I knew that the solid scent option was a perfect choice for traveling while we live in Europe because of the strict liquid laws. The carrying case is well-constructed and sturdy. It is perfect to toss in your handbag and head off on an adventure. 

“Yep, I just found a new travel staple,” I thought to myself. 

After that, I reached out to Fulton & Roark to find out more about their company and if I could ship more to our PO Box (the laws around what is allowed to ship are fairly strict). Turns out, solid perfumes are allowed. Fulton & Roark kindly sent me a care package including a discovery set of their scent catalog, and this series was born from that act of kindness. 

So, let me introduce our first Fulton & Roark Friday scent:

1. Thousand Palms 

Initial Impression: 

Upon the first few seconds on my skin, this scent is fresh and green while being grounded by some earthy elements in the notes. 

Dry Down Thoughts:

The dry down of this scent remains green and almost photorealistic to a fresh cut grass vibe, which is still complimented with the earthy, organic undertones. This scent reminds me of a product that you’d find in a fancy hotel spa. 

“Thousand Palms™ opens with a vivid burst of green Bell Pepper brought into sharper focus by the sparkling notes of Petitgrain and Pink Pepper. The scent immediately opens to reveal soft, fresh Tuberose and Coriander Leaf, as well as a hint of juicy Mango, all layered across sun-drenched wood.”

TOP NOTES - Bell Pepper, Petitgrain & Pink Pepper

MID NOTES - Tuberose, Coriander Leaf & Mango

BASE NOTES - Patchouli Heart, Helvetolide, Amber Woods

2. Narada

Initial Impression:

After applying my first spritz of Narada, the first scents that jump out at me are pepper with a slight undertone of a clean, powdery note. 

Dry Down Thoughts:

The dry down of the scent leads with a spicy ginger note wrapped in an enveloping swath of the rosewood and resin. The powder note has completely disappeared. It smells lively, woody, and cozy all at once. 

“Narada™ opens with warm notes of Bergamot, Black Pepper, and Cardamom, before gently unfolding to reveal rich and sensuous notes of Rosewood, Ginger Root, and Resin. Much like the remarkable waterfall for which it is named, Narada seems to be constantly changing, becoming more distinct, complex, and entrancing the longer you contemplate it.”

TOP NOTES - Bergamot & Black Pepper

MID NOTES - Rosewood & Ginger

BASE NOTES - Resin

3. Perpetua 

Initial Impression:

The initial spritz of Perpetua offers an *almost* tropical vibe. The first wash of the scent on my skin smells heavily of citrus with woody, floral undertones. I think the citrus and neroli are most noticeable at first application of this fragrance. Out of the three fragrances we’ve tested so far in this series, this one is my favorite. 

Dry Down Thoughts:

I received a compliment when I wore this particular scent. That matters to me when debuting a new fragrance because it says the scent is working well with my chemistry, and working well enough that it’s noteworthy! 

The dry down of this fragrance leans into the creaminess of a jasmine note that is punctuated by the cedarwood. Instead of overpowering the scent, the cedarwood adds a welcome complexity to the light, floral nature of the other notes present in the dry down.

 The citrus note remains, but acts as more of a canvas to display the other notes instead of being center stage. Despite the floral notes, I would still categorize this scent, as many others in the Fulton & Roark collection, as unisex.

“Perpetua™ opens with a deep blend of Cedarwood and Mahogany, which is offset with clean and bright notes of Neroli, Bergamot, Jasmine, and Amber. The fresh florals anchored by rich dark woods create a unique fragrance that is a study of complementary opposites, creating a sense of optimism and confidence.”

TOP NOTES - Neroli & Lemon

MID NOTES - Amber & Jasmine

BASE NOTES - Coumarin & Cedarwood

4. Blue Ridge

Initial Impression:

During the first few moments on my skin, Blue Ridge is sharp and metallic. I would definitely classify this as a masculine leaning scent. Even though pine isn’t present in the scent note catalog for this fragrance, I get the crisp spirit of it when I smell this on myself. 

Dry Down Thoughts:

The woody note remains in the forefront as this scent has dried down and a clean linen vibe has emerged in an unexpected turn from the notes mentioned above. The sharpness has settled into a clean and crisp scent. It smells like fresh linen sheets pulled out of a wood chest. 

Upon looking up the notes, I see that the top notes of Citron and White Musk are playing together to create the clean laundry scent. Blue Ridge is fresh and clean, but not my favorite of the scents I’ve tried for this series. 

“Blue Ridge® is our "love song" to Sandalwood. We made the legendary fragrance ingredient the centerpiece of this scent and added complementary elements to accentuate its timeless appeal. The resulting warm and woody fragrance is accented with top notes of fresh Sage and smooth Amber to create a fragrance that is both familiar and intriguing.”

TOP NOTES - Citron & White Musk

MID NOTES - Sage & Jasmine

BASE NOTES - Sandalwood & Amber

5. Mahana

Initial Impression:

Mahana starts with a punch of citrus and ends with a crisp green, grassy note when first applied to my skin. 

Dry Down Thoughts: 

The green note has both taken the forefront and settled down into a meadow after a fresh rain vibe. The citrusy scent is what I notice next in the dry down of Mahana, but it has melded really nicely with the freshness of the green notes. It is almost herbal but in a loose-leaf tea way. 

After looking at the notes, I was surprised to see cedar as the base, but its presence is definitely a grounding and non-intrusive staple in this scent. I LOVE this combination of pomelo and coriander. In my opinion, the musk notes marries some of these stronger notes together with a perfect softness, leaving the dry down to be a balanced, fresh, springtime scent. This would be a perfect fragrance for a trip to the Amalfi Coast or anywhere with water and a fresh breeze. 

“Mahana is a celebration of fresh air, verdant hills, and driftwood. With notes of Pomelo, Coriander, and fresh Green Leaves, Mahana is clean, light, and remarkably approachable. This fresh fragrance feels crisp and pure, like a cool breeze on the warmest of days.”

TOP NOTES - Pomelo & White Musk

MID NOTES - Coriander & Birch Leaf

BASE NOTES - Cedar 

6. Calle Ocho 

This is the first Fulton & Roark Friday that has caused me some internal panic. I think I found a fragrance that I like as much or better than the one at the center of this series.

Initial Impression: 

This scent is so warm and spicy. I want to roll around in it. I want every body product I own to be in this scent. It’s slightly boozy and incense-y in the most enticing way. It smells like one of my favorite hair oils that I will ABSOLUTELY be pairing it with today. Ooo, I am so excited about this one. 

Dry Down Thoughts: 

The scent remains warm and inviting. It’s a perfect cozy scent with a slight incense vibe to it. The combination of cinnamon, rum, and tonka bean over the base of sandalwood is so perfect. I will absolutely be buying a full size bottle of this fragrance. I love this one so much. 

“Calle Ocho™ begins with the multifaceted notes of fine aged Rum: the swirling combination of woody Amber, Oak Wood, and Bourbon-like Vanilla. Creamy Sandalwood, a hint of Orange Rind, and rich aromatic Tobacco Leaf spiced with Cinnamon give the scent a lavish appeal. The resulting experience from Calle Ocho is warm, welcoming, and one-of-a-kind.”

TOP NOTES - Cinnamon, Rum & Bitter Chocolate 

MID NOTES - Night-blooming Jasmine & Labdanum & Tobacco Leaf 

BASE NOTES - Tonka Bean, Sandalwood & Musk 

7. Devils Garden

Initial Impression: 

Off the bat, this scent feels very masculine. The juniper jumps out immediately in a very sharp way. I can almost smell the vetiver or patchouli trying to round out the initial spray, but I will be interested to see how this one interacts with my skin. If it remains as juniper forward, this won’t be one that I reach for often! 

Dry Down Thoughts: 

I am shocked to report the juniper smell has dissipated completely. What is left in the dry down of this scent is a smoky, leathery vibe with hints of vetiver peeking through the cracks of the stronger notes. This scent isn’t for me, but that is just my opinion. If you gravitate toward these notes, I recommend you smell this one for yourself. 

“Devil’s Garden™ combines the intriguing scent of Incense, the smoky and earthy notes of Haitian Vetiver Root, and the warm and aromatic essence of Cardamom. Crisp notes of Juniper Berry and the leathery scent of Styrax add depth and complexity to the mélange. The resulting fragrance evokes the call of the high desert air and the silent mystery of the massive rock formations.”

TOP NOTES- Incense, Juniper Berry, Bergamot & Cardamom

MID NOTES - Styrax, Labdanum & Spiced Lily

BASE NOTES - Vetiver Root, Forest Moss & Patchouli

8. Palmetto

Initial Impression: 

In the first spritz of Palmetto, I notice a feisty punch of pepper infused with a touch of citrus and a velvety, fresh white floral note. This scent is fun and spicy. It is a perfect scent to wake you up in the morning to head confidently into your day 

Dry Down Thoughts: 

The citrus note has pushed forward in the dry down of this fragrance. The pink pepper remains noticeable at the forefront of the notes. I found the velvety white floral note has dried down to a relaxed almost powdery scent, and while that normally isn’t a note I love, it is well-balanced in the presence of the stronger, more punchy notes. 

“Palmetto® opens with energetic top notes of Grapefruit Rind that give way to warm Pink Pepper and Magnolia Blossoms. It is complemented with lingering notes of Incense and Cedarwood that combine to create an intricate fragrance that is both crisp and sophisticated.”

TOP NOTES - Pink Pepper & Grapefruit

MID NOTES - Magnolia Flower & Neroli

BASE NOTES- Cedarwood & Incense

9. The Window

Initial Impression: 

The Window smells crisp with lavender and fresh woody notes. Those crisp notes are hugged with creamy florals and something bright I can’t put my finger on yet. It’s almost piney?? It reminds me of an expensive lotion you’d find in a boutique, like a scent designed to be soothing because the invigorating notes bring you back into your body. I’m excited to see how this one dries down on my skin.

Dry Down Thoughts: 

The two notes I smell at the forefront of the dry down are leather and lavender. There’s still a small undertone of creaminess, but the final product of this scent on my skin is more masculine-leaning than the initial unisex-smelling spritz. It is crisp and sophisticated, but I think I prefer the initial smell to the final interaction on my skin. This is why it is so important to test out a fragrance for an hour or two before you commit to buying it! I’m all for getting a sample before impulse buying a bottle. 

After reading the notes, I’m surprised the pink peppercorn takes a backseat to the leathered woods note. The crisp lavandin (a synthetic lavender) does a fabulous job holding its own amongst the stronger notes in this fragrance. 

“The fragrance opens with the scent of Lavandin floating along Desert Air. The sharp notes of  Pink Peppercorn intermingle with the lush fragrance of Gravel Ghost Flowers among an array of Desert Florals, bringing to mind the desert after rain.”

TOP NOTES - Pink Peppercorn, Lavandin & Desert Air

MID NOTES - Gravel Ghost, Desert Florals & Ylang Ylang

BASE NOTES - Desert Ironwood, Leathered Woods & Saffron

10. Cloudland

THIS is the scent that started the journey. This is the scent that stopped me in my tracks. After more research, I found it has ylang ylang, which is a note I adore. The saturated yellow flower has an intoxicating, creamy, custardy air to it. I always manage to choose scents with this in their scent catalog. You’ll find me anywhere there’s ylang ylang when it comes to fragrance. The ylang ylang in Cloudland is nestled into clean, crisp notes. To me, this fragrance is clean laundry hanging in fresh post-rain air. It is a clean skin scent with undertones of a musk that makes you smell fresh and addictive.

Cloudland’s description on their website is a perfect way to coin the experience of wearing this scent: “Cloudland™ is our homage to the experience of a summer rainstorm, and the intimacy of human touch. This scent however, is incomplete without its wearer. An array of skin musks are included by design to interplay beautifully with your body chemistry, creating an intimate skin scent with fascinating depth and nuance.”

Sounds glorious, right? Here are my notes on my scent experience, as usual. Let’s dive in

Initial Impression: 

The immediate notes playing out of this fragrance are crisp swathed with a layer of comforting musk you find in “your skin but better” scents. There is also a creamy floral notes playing at the edges of center stage in this fragrance. It smells inviting and clean. 

Dry Down Thoughts: 

The crisp note has settled into an almost clean linen smell. A citrus note has emerged in a perfect complement to the creamy floral notes. I love how fresh this smells on my skin. I would say I want to bathe in this, but I actually can. I have the triple-milled bar soap, skin oil, and deodorant of this scent in addition to my perfectly purse-sized solid perfume. 

TOP NOTES - Citrus Zest & Transparent Jasmine

MID NOTES - Jasmine Sambac, Ylang Ylang & Cashmeran

BASE NOTES - Patchouli, Ambrox, Skin Musks & Moss Crystals

These scents came into my life at a perfect time. This scent journey accompanied me in Portugal, France, to birthday celebrations, girls nights, and everything in between. Scent is such a huge player in identity, mood, and memory. To bookmark occasion and life with a scent you love is to create a portal back to that moment in time. Be it for yourself or someone else, fragrance is a wonderful way to show love, as long as the recipient doesn’t have scent allergies! 

I highly recommend choosing one of my three favorite scents in this collection if you aren’t sure where to start with the Fulton & Roark scent catalog: Cloudland, Calle Ocho, or Perpetua. 

I have big plans with Fulton & Roark as gifts for upcoming holidays. A luxury scent is such a beautiful, elevated gift. The solid perfumes are perfect stocking stuffers, and since most of the scents are unisex, these scents are a perfect addition to a gift basket for Mother's Day OR Father’s Day. As long as you know the recipient well enough to understand their scent preferences, you can’t go wrong adding a Fulton & Roark extrait, solid perfume, body oil, or a delicious smelling milled soap to your gift offerings. I am ecstatic to have this in my arsenal of cool gifts for friends and family. You can take my secret because I don’t gatekeep around here. 

I hope you enjoyed this ten-week series as much as I did. Please let me know on Instagram if you found a Fulton & Roark scent to obsess over as well. I can’t wait to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to join me on this scent journey. 

Until next time, 

Aja 

“Perfume is like music that you wear”

- Mathilde Thomas

* portrait in the cover image is courtesy of @hollyodophoto *