Lost Cause by Phlur

Lost Cause is another of the Phlur fragrances that I got with my sample set a few years ago. It’s also one that I haven’t done a proper review of, until today, after finding that set sitting in the closet.

So, let’s correct that error and see what this perfume is all about. How does Lost Cause smell? Perform? Is it worth a buy?


What does Lost Cause Smell Like?

Notes include: cassis leaves, apple, bergamot, rhubarb, freesia, lily of the valley, jasmine, ambergris, vanilla orchid, orris, mate absolute

Click here to try: Lost Cause by Phlur


My Full Review

The opening of Lost Cause has a lot of rhubarb coming through, between it in the citrus, it’s almost like a green/floral Hugo Red for Men, in the opening. Much more tart with the Phlur.

Also, it’s got a clean shampoo-like aroma, that becomes more prominent after the initial phase begins to dissipate. Part of this can be chalked up to an apple note, it’s not really distinct, just a crisp watery aroma.

Green cassis leaves and dew give it a springtime vibe with hints of being an aquatic perfume. 

The cassis play a dual role with that fruitiness and greener qualities.

The next phase features a calmer rhubarb note, that is paired with freesia and lily-of-the-valley. On my skin, I get a lot more of the freesia for the duration of the wear, but the lily and jasmine are also noticeable. A good blend overall.

Yet, this one is still much more of a bright greenish fragrance than a pure floral perfume. That’s going on the the background. I’m still getting the fruitiness and citrus and the leaves pulling things together.

The back half is less sharp to my nose, when the ambergris and vanilla, round of the composition. There’s still the dewy greenish aroma, but it’s creamier and an interesting way to close out things.

Turns out there is also an orris note in here. If I detect much of it, it’s within a blend between it and the vanilla.

Really changed my thoughts on this one as the wear moved on. 


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this isn’t a heavy scent, it has the aquatic/ozonic sort of lightness to it. But, that initial hour actually has decent projection. Not a massive beast, but I can smell it just fine.

After that, it is more intimate. But again, I have not trouble smelling it on myself. Lost Cause just isn’t a perfume that is going to wallop you with its presence. 

The longevity is also just okay. 6-6.5 hours, on my skin. 

Seasonally, this is a spring and summertime wear. It really works well in this warmer and even more humid weather. I wore it outside the other day and the fragrance came alive.

This is a unisex perfume. There are stretches where it leans more masculine, but then it’ll move towards being more traditionally feminine. Anyone can wear this one, though.

Within the spring and summer season, it does have fantastic versatility. In the daytime, it’s a staple, and at night it can work as well. Not a club beast, but it’s an attractive scent once it’s settled in.

Basically, this is a perfume that is going to serve as a daily wear when it’s warmer out. 


Overall Impressions of Lost Cause

Overall, do I like Lost Cause? I have to say, yes. But, it’s more of a mixed bag for me. I do like this more than Missing Person, for example, which is probably the more popular of the Phlur line.

I’m not thrilled about the opening act, while I really do enjoy rhubarb as a note, and how it is here. There are parts throughout the wear that I’m not exactly enjoying and then I’ll love other parts of this.

The back half, while pretty weak in terms of performance, is fairly awesome in terms of how it smells. 

So, I’ll say a decent opening hour, with a really good rest of the wear. It’s a difficult fragrance to rate for me, but I’m sure this one has people who are crazy about it. Also, I’ve been trending in the positive direction on Lost Cause.

The longevity and performance overall is decent. Again, not a massively projecting or heavy perfume. A lot of the Phlur scents are like that. Keep that in mind, before grabbing your bottle of the stuff.

Apparently, this one is or has already been discontinued. So, if you want to try it out, you’d better act quickly before it starts becoming scarce.


Missing Person by Phlur

Missing Person became a very popular fragrance on social media in the past few years. I’ve had a sample vial as a part of a Phlur tester set for quite a while. I kind of forgot about it and never did a full review of this perfume.

But, today, I’m going to change that and give this scent a full write up. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Missing Person worth a buy?


Missing Person Perfume Overview

Notes include: skin musk, bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine, cyclamen, neroli, orange flower, sandalwood, blonde wood, white musk

Click here to try: Missing Person by Phlur


My Full Review

Missing Person opens up light, with a blend of musk, citrus, and floral notes. The bergamot citrus isn’t too heavy or juicy, just a squeeze to break up the hold that the musk has on the composition.

Beyond that, I’m mainly getting the jasmine note out of the floral ingredients. That, and the cyclamen, are what stand out to me. The orange flower/neroli is pretty hidden underneath that tart bergamot.

It’s a somewhat sweet musky aroma, at this point. But, you do get a fresher scent at the start then the powdery clean it will dry down to.

The rest of the development? You will get some woods, soft powdery sandalwood, lots of musk and a clean cozy feeling throughout.

Mainly, it’s about the musk and sandalwood with mostly the remaining jasmine as the discernable note. Everything else, just sort of blends together.

Missing Person isn’t too complicated of a fragrance.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is light. It’s not going to leave a massive scent trail in your wake, nor is it going to blast itself off of your skin.

Yet, I can actually detect it on my skin pretty well and I don’t have to absolutely press my nose up against where I sprayed. But, I think that I have meshed well with this Phlur perfume, because other people report that they cannot really smell anything after a short period of time.

For me, I can get between 5-6 hours of wear from Missing Person. Not amazing, by any means, but basically hits the mark of being average.

Don’t expect a powerhouse scent.

Seasonally, this is a fragrance that can be worn during any time of year. It doesn’t get cloying and isn’t bad in the cold, either.

The versatility is probably its greatest strength. It’s mostly going to serve as a daytime wear, but within that frame you can wear it basically whenever. It’s not the sexiest or an absolute nightlife beast, but if you want to be clean and lowkey, this Phlur can do the job.


Overall Impressions of Phlur Missing Person

Overall, do I like Missing Person by Phlur? I actually do enjoy this one, quite a lot. For a musk driven perfume, it’s extremely wearable and pleasant to have on.

I like the softness here. The sandalwood is great, the light citrus, and the floral mix that is led by jasmine. It’s simple but effective.

Is the performance great? No. For me, it isn’t terrible either. If you want something bold, get something else besides Missing Person.

This is one that can be a staple in one’s collection, but might not completely stand out unless people really get close to you. The performance is somewhat of a problem. I think that it’s ok, but other people get much worse results than I do with this.

So, keep that in mind, if you decide to pick up a bottle.

Ameline by Phlur

Ameline is one of the fragrances featured in the Phlur Discovery set that I purchased a few months ago. I had never heard of this one and didn’t know just what to expect from the perfume going in. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?


What does Phlur’s Ameline Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, rose, pink pepper, sandalwood, patchouli

Click here to try: Ameline at Sephora


My Full Review

Ameline opens up with a very fresh and enjoyable bergamot citrus note, which is flanked by a lighter use of pink pepper. Early on, you can already start picking up the rose note from the base, but that bergamot really stands out to me.

That lasts for about 20 minutes, before we start to dive into the main event, which is the rose and patchouli combination. The bergamot still hangs around, though it no longer has the upper hand in the composition.

The patchouli is cleaner, less earthy here. It almost comes across as being a musk note, but you do get the earthy/woody feel with the sandalwood and rose being so prevalent.

The next phase, basically just eliminates the bergamot and the sandalwood comes in more. Ameline is fresh and drier here. The rose smells pinkish with a hint of fruitiness.

Finally, the end will be a rose and sandalwood smell. The entirety takes on more of a powdery undertone, rather than a creamy sandalwood aroma.

Seasonally, this one can work almost year round. I would probably use something else for extremely cold or hot days, but I like this one in autumn and especially spring.

Within those spacious climate confines, you should have plenty of opportunity to wear it. Not a nightlife fragrance or a super formal one, but it’s pretty enough. As a daily wear, casual, or just out and about town during the day this perfume is up to the job.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The reach of this one is pretty mid-range. It’s got a nice start where the projection from the skin will be noticed fairly far away. That will change within the first hour and it will be slightly above average for the rest of the duration.

I’d say expect it to be in the 3-4 foot range for most of the wear.

How long does it stick around? Ameline lasts on my skin for between 6-7 hours. Not terrible and the performance as a whole stays just above average. I like it. It’s not a massive bomb that goes for days, but you get a solid run with it.


Overall Impression of Ameline

Overall, do I like Phlur’s Ameline? I do. I think it’s one of their better perfumes, that I’ve tested. It’s very wearable and never had me wanting to scrub it off. I actually thought it was quite pleasant.

I like that the bergamot citrus got the upper hand in the opening versus the pink pepper. The rose is a lighter pink type, with a sandalwood and patchouli blend that gives this one a drier and somewhat powdery finish.

Performance is good enough for what this is. Again, don’t expect Ameline to go all day, but for most uses, you’ll be absolutely okay with this one. Plus, it’s strong suit is how versatile it is.

The question becomes is it worth the near $100 current price tag? For some, maybe. I think this skirts the border of being worthwhile or not. I would suggest getting a sample or otherwise trying it out, if that price is a stretch.

I don’t think Ameline will be a complete love for most, but it’s also not going to be completely hateable.