There’s something quietly brilliant about DS & Durga I Don’t Know What. Fittingly named, it’s a fragrance enhancer that does something. Something quite difficult to explain.
Key Notes
Top Notes: bergamot essence
Heart Notes: iso e super, vetiver acetate
Base Notes: ambrox super, civettone, firsantol
My Thoughts
DS & Durga describe it as “transparent radiance” designed to give any scent that elusive je ne sais quoi. And frankly, that’s exactly what it does. Think of it less as a standalone perfume (though it absolutely can be worn as one) and more like a fragrance amplifier. Something that sits underneath your favourite scents and makes them somehow better. Fuller. Brighter. More noticeable.
Worn alone, it’s a woody/citrus blend which I feel leans masculine. Bergamot, vetiver, sandalwood and the whisper of synthetic civet. It’s cool, dry, and clean. It’s something I’d imagine a GQ or Mens Health editor would smell like.
But the real magic happens when you layer. For example, add it under Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather and suddenly that scent blooms with extra intensity and lift. Trying it under something lighter, like Tom Ford Beau de Jour, I’ve found it can overpower more delicate scents if you’re not careful. But that’s kind of part of the fun with experimenting with it. It makes your perfume wardrobe feel fresh again.
Projection
I’ve worn it solo and found it compelling, with decent wear time and an unexpectedly strong sillage for something that’s supposed to be sheer.
When I would wear it
This is the kind of fragrance that suits anytime of year if you wear it on its own. It suits any kind of setting from casual brunch, to office, to something fancier, like a wedding.
Final Thoughts
I got my sample in last year’s Space NK advent calendar and will use every drop with care. When it runs out, I’ll gladly be picking up a full size. It’s clever, and totally unlike anything else in my collection.
