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The Longing
by House of Matriarch
The Longing is a complex, layered fragrance that evokes a deeply personal, almost spiritual experience for some, while others find it divisive or overwhelming. It opens with a rich, buttery plum and florals — jasmine and gardenia — blended with agarwood and a subtle green, vegetal note that some perceive as celery-like. As it develops, the sweetness of honey and vanilla gives way to a soft, balsamic leather and sandalwood base, with amber and benzoin adding depth and warmth. The drydown is woody, slightly musky, with a lingering resinous quality that can feel indistinct or even harsh for some skin types. Performance is strong and long-lasting, with a moderate to strong sillage that lingers at night. The fragrance is unisex in intent but leans feminine in effect, with its floral gourmand character and plush texture.
Pros
- +For many, the fragrance is deeply evocative and emotionally resonant, with a layered complexity that feels poetic and theatrical.
- +It has strong, long-lasting performance with moderate to strong projection, making it noticeable even in crowded environments.
- +The natural ingredient palette and unique blend of surprising notes (like leather, benzoin, and agarwood) offer a distinctive olfactory experience for a gourmand lover looking for more than just sweet dessert notes.
Cons
- −The scent diverges sharply depending on skin chemistry — some find it sweet, buttery, and gourmand-like, while others perceive it as vegetal, harsh, or even animalic.
- −It can feel overly pungent or dry on certain skin types, with a significant heft in the drydown that some describe as bitter or unpleasant.
- −The intense sillage and long wear make it potentially overpowering in close quarters, limiting its suitability for daytime or professional settings.