The last and darkest fragrance of the Clouds series, capturing the spirit of 2021. With notes of sandalwood, shade, narcissus, iris and irony.

A note from the brand

This review is from the post Covid archives, just as we we came out of the pandemic, bruised and jaded, but still full of hope for a brighter dawn.

I’ve been meaning to write about this one ever since I first tried it in November 2021. The reason I haven’t is because I keep changing what I want to say about it. It’s living up to its Complicated name yet is also disarmingly easy to wear.

Complicated Shadows is a sort of cousin to Clouds, Both Sides of Clouds, Stormy Mondays and even Fluffy Lemon Top. My opinion of it has changed, although my regard for it was and is very high. When I first tried this, I thought of the beautiful billowing pillowy cream from which you make a lemon cheesecake. It’s double cream, a little icing sugar and some tiny shred of fresh lemon rind. You could dive into it like a big white duvet.

I wore it again in a warm house with the central heating on and something different happened. It emerged as a delicate floral scent of tiny spring like flowers, almost in miniature. It made me think of Victorian artworks in which flowers are so meticulously detailed without being showy or taking over. Don’t get me wrong, I like big showy blousy florals too, but this isn’t it.

It was at this point that I could recognise some of the tiny spring buds popping out: iris definitely and a little bit of daffodil (actually it’s narcissus but let’s not go all seed catalogue here). It’s delicate and subtle yet makes its presence felt in little fragrant wafts throughout the day. Incidentally I always perfume my sleeves and neck so if anything fades off skin, I’ve got a scented cardi for the next day. I’m on Day Two of my Complicated Shadows jumper and I’m getting value for money.

This begins as lemon cheesecake and becomes a beautiful, classic posy of spring buds. After that it leaves a trail of incense and moss on my skin which is more than fine by me. If I could paint it, it would look like Crocii (crocuses?) and daffodils. If it was fabric it would be a Liberty lawn cotton in yellow and white. If it was a drink it would be chamomile tea.

If you were wondering what a fragrance called Complicated Shadows might smell like, I hope this helps. As you may gather, I won’t be parted from mine and I refuse to share.

Where to buy it

You can buy Complicated Shadows from the 4160 Tuesdays website. If you’re overseas, look at the stockists page.

Disclosure

I was given this bottle by Sarah McCartney, for which many thanks. My choice to write about it and my opinion are both my own.