A Familiar Tale in a Perfume Bottle

I've never been a fan of Hufflepuff scents, but that all changed when Liberty Bell sang its praises in her review and our private chat. I just had to try it out.

So, I ended up with this perfume from Judjubi Cat, aptly named 'Hufflepuff.' That's what I'll be talking about today.

Getting to Know the Scent

This perfume is part of the 'Hogwarts' collection, but the brand has other collections based on the Harry Potter universe, like 'Dark Magic' and some character-based ones.

Within this collection, you can buy any house you like, but Hufflepuff was the most intriguing one to me.

The price of the perfume isn't exactly budget-friendly: 5ml of the scent costs 1100 rubles. It's not a rip-off, but it's not cheap either.

I bought the perfume online based on reviews, but you can meet it in person at the brand's workshop:

Moscow, Kitaigorod or Chkalovskaya metro, Pokrovsky Boulevard, house 16/10, building 1, Perfume Workshop

Working hours:

From 2 PM to 8 PM.

You can buy the perfume offline either on the brand's website or through their VK group.

The brand has great sales twice a year: in early August and on Black Friday. I recommend keeping an eye out: you might get a 20%, 30%, or 3-for-2 deal (the cheapest one is free).That's how I ended up with most of my collection.

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⚡🧹⚯ Packaging ⚡🧹⚯

I've got to say, the brand offers a range of options for all the fragrances, from solid perfumes to 5ml, 15ml, and 50ml bottles. I always opt for the mini 5ml ones, and I'm not likely to use up any of them anytime soon (I've already repurchased Imperius, by the way).

The fragrance is sold in small bottles with the relevant faculty's name printed on the label.

The only issue is that there's not much information provided beyond that. And that's a major flaw for the brand. They don't have any product marking, which might be important for some people.

And, yes, they've changed the atomizer on my last order. It's now a sturdier one. The old ones were not only bent but also leaked.

This one is sturdier too and sprays well. I'm not afraid to take it with me on trips.

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⚡🧹⚯ The Fragrance Pyramid and My Expectations ⚡🧹⚯

First off, I need to clarify that I was told beforehand that the fragrance smells like lemon pie and almond crumbs. And that's exactly what I was expecting.

Let's just say I have a bit of a fixation on lemon pies. I love them to the point of obsession.

And that's exactly what I get here - citrus notes and baked goods. Given my love for foodie themes, this is right up my alley.

Top notes: baked goods, almond, flowers, citrus.

I've already tried a similar scent from Koto before, but it was called 'Lemon Tart' back then and it was one of my go-tos. It was a mono-aroma, though, and this one is twice as expensive, so I was expecting something way more interesting.xa0

⚡🧹⚯ Unwrapping the Scent ⚡🧹⚯

One sniff and I'm in a daze. The scent is super bright and intense - it's like a marzipan explosion!

No harsh chemicals or cheap lemon air fresheners here. What hits me is a rich almond note that wraps me in warmth and coziness, making me want to sniff it all over again.

But just a minute later, I'm hit with the familiar scent of Lemon Tart - the same one I'd already tried as a budget-friendly mono-aroma for 550 rubles (now 600).

I'm not even kidding, I'm shocked.

Essentially, Koto has mixed two scents that I already have: almond and Lemon Tart. And the worst part is that I already have these scents and use them. But in Hafnium, I was expecting something new and different. Yeah, similar, but in a different way.

I got the feeling that they just slapped almond together with tart.

Is it tasty? Yeah, it's delicious. It's gourmand, it's warm, and it's cozy, but it's not what I was hoping for.I didn't even get a whiff of any floral notes.

Just almond and lemon tart. And that's what's so disappointing. I could've just stuck with what I already had instead of overpaying for this.

On the other hand, I do like the scent. I just wish the lemon tart part was presented in a different way. That's what I was expecting, and it's a shame.

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Associations

First of all, this scent reminds me of that classic 'Lemon Meringue' fragrance. These scents are literally made on the same accord, so I just can't compare them.

I also noticed that my favorite Samokat soap, 'Lemon Meringue', is made on the same accord. In short, I'm convinced that this is just some kind of fragrance accord. Maybe if I search, I can find it somewhere in the West. And I'll definitely search – I really want to make a soap with it.

If we talk about more spatial associations, this scent associates with warmth and homey coziness for me. It's so warm, comforting, and cozy that I want to be with it everywhere.

It reminds me of home – not mine, but some fantasy one. With Mollie Weasley bustling around the kitchen, a big tea urn, and always soft and fresh homemade baked goods.

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Season and Who Can Wear This Scent

I don't like breaking scents down into male and female categories. And in this case, it's not necessary at all. As far as I'm concerned, Hufflepuff is a unisex scent that suits anyone.

Yes, maybe there's a slight bias towards women since gourmand scents are often their favorite, but it won't look out of place on a man either. After all, there's no overt femininity here.

Similarly, the person's age in this scent can be anything. It'll appeal to both a young girl (or even a girl) and someone in the 30+ category.

As for the season, it's more autumn and winter. It's just so warm and cozy. Like a pair of woolen gloves.

But even in the scorching summer, it won't overwhelm you. You'll just naturally reach for something fresher around that time.

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Longevity and Sillage

The sillage is there, but it's extremely small and only in the first few minutes of the scent's performance.

One thing that's worth noting about this scent is that it's not exactly quiet. I can feel it on my skin, especially when I'm moving around. The thing is, it doesn't diffuse or trail off quickly.

As a result, the scent is pretty considerate of others. It's not overpowering or attention-seeking. I can easily imagine wearing it at home, in the office, or even on public transportation – it's not going to cause any discomfort for those around me.

The only downside is the longevity. The scent lasts on me for about 3-4 hours, and that's my biggest issue. I want it to last longer and be more intense. Other niche fragrances I've tried have stayed on me for much longer, but my recent bottles have been a letdown in this department.

I'm still feeling the effects, and it's a shock. It just goes to show how differently our skin interacts with perfume.

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⚡🧹⚯ The Verdict ⚡🧹⚯

I'm both impressed and disappointed at the same time.

I love the combination of lemon cake and nutty notes, so this fragrance really speaks to me.

However, I wasn't prepared for how similar it is to something I already have. It's basically the same lemon cake scent, but with hazelnut added! And that feels like a rip-off. The base note is just lemon cake, and the price is roughly half of what I'd pay for the same amount of the original.

So, while I like it, I'm left with a lingering sense of disappointment.

I'd still recommend the fragrance, but with the caveat that you can get a similar scent for a better value.

I have to say, this is my second Hufnagel, and it's a huge improvement over the one by Fragrances & Flames.Other Reviews That Caught My Eye

I'm obsessed with these Doctor Who-inspired scents - they're like a time-traveling adventure in a bottle!

This Oatmeal scent is a game-changer - it's like a warm hug in a bottle, and people can't help but compliment me on it!

I'm a sucker for anything with an Eastern vibe, and these Masala scents deliver - they're like a soothing cup of tea in a bottle!

If you're looking for a scent that's subtle but interesting, these Almond fragrances are a must-try - they're like a breath of fresh air in a bottle!

This book about magical creatures from the Harry Potter universe is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy and adventure!