Comments on: Jo Wood Amka & Usiku ~ new fragrances

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:14:28 +0000

Aw, sorry it didn’t work for you! Hope you’ll enjoy wearing it anyway.

By: Rosina

Rosina — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:12:08 +0000

I can still smell Aqua Manda today…and I ordered this based on the fact it apparently reminded someone of Aqua Manda. Unfortunately, to my nose, it bears not even the slightest resemblance. It is way more sharp and green. Nice in its own right but I will never fall out of love with AM.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:03:30 +0000

Ah yes, I like that one!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:52:23 +0000

I found a new African scent that I am loving – Harmatan Noir by Parfumerie Generale. In my country, Harmatan was a regular part of the seasons. When harmatan rolled down from the Sahara, it would create the most amazing sunsets. Think of it like the smog in LA – in obscuring the sunset it adds colors and depths I've never seen anywhere else.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:22:38 +0000

Dating myself now – Aqua Manda was a mass market 70s fragrance/bath line by Goya. It has been long unavailable, but Amka brings that scent right back.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:50:45 +0000

HBC: It's actually a regional interest of mine, too, since I lived for 8 months in West Africa when I was at university. Perfumes inspired by the region aren't common! Check out the back story of L'Artisan's Timbuktu, which happens to be a personal favorite of mine.

I try to remember olfactory impressions of West Africa, and while there were so very many, none seemed to be especially “perfumey” (other than fruits and flowers that weren't particularly unique to the region). Red palm oil isn't exactly right for a personal fragrance… but at least the world has discovered shea butter, which I remember seeing mounds and mounds of in the market.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:53:00 +0000

Never heard of Aqua Manda, but do want a sample of Amka.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:13:29 +0000

Do come back and tell us if you find something wonderful!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:12:27 +0000

I never tried Aqua Manda, in fact, never heard of it til recently!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:08:13 +0000

thanks for the further suggestions! It's like my own monday mail: search for the African Holy Grail. Specifically I grew up and work in West Africa. It's much harder to find scents from there than from, say, Morocco, Egypt, or South Africa.