Toskovat: Born Screaming
Before I get into this one let me establish some ground rules: I’m aiming to keep minds out of the gutter. So I may have to use euphemism and less than direct descriptions to keep it PG. Born Screaming is that kind of fragrance.
There are notes here that are linked to certain activities, and after an inital bust of cherry the opening nods in that direction but doesn’t linger, it swiftly evolves to equal parts cherry and rubber. The kind of scent that will spark recognition, even if you can’t quite place where you’ve smelled it before (or prefer not to admit it).
Toskovat doesn’t make easy fragrances, that’s their whole point, and Born Screaming isn’t conventionally wearable, most people will find this challenging. But that’s exactly what makes the house so interesting.
The Notes
While Toskovat doesn’t always list their notes, the notes on my sample list (brace yourself);
Top Notes:
Adult Toys, blackberry, cherry, dvd case, latex, physalis
Heart Notes:
Boronia, datura, freesia, helotrope, reseda, rose, saliva, smoke
Base Notes:
Ambrette seeds, carbreuva, wood, castoreum, myrrh, patchouli, pearls, styrax
The Scent
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Truth be told this fragrance annoyed me at first but as I caught some of the notes I found it pretty hysterical. The opening throws you straight into a full-throttle, high-gloss latex experience, with a faint whisper of something that makes you double take. It’s just suggestive enough to make you wonder if your mind is playing tricks on you. But before things get too questionable, the scent settles into contrast of cherry and rubber. The rubber note is dry and distinct, a bit like pressing your nose against a fresh latex glove, while the powdery cherry keeps it from feeling sterile.
It’s the olfactory equivalent of a late-night gathering where everyone is wearing fruity perfumes over latex. It is playful and slightly surreal. The name Born Screaming is spot on this scent starts off loud, and unfiltered.
As the hours go by, the cherry softens, and the rubber note smooths out. But the essence of latex lingers, like a knowing smirk. I can’t say I enjoy that but it’s an impressive note to keep intact.
Performance
★★★☆☆ (3/5)
This sticks around longer than you’d expect for something with volatile top notes. I found the composition fairly nauseating for the majority of the opening, so I was glad it wasn’t a drawn out affair.
The rubber and cherry combination holds ground for a solid 2 hours before fading into a skin scent. It won’t announce itself from across the room for long (thankfully), but it’s absolutely noticeable to those close enough to you.
Who is this for?
Born Screaming is for the fragrance wearer who doesn’t shy away from conceptual perfumes. If you gravitate toward scents that make people ask questions, if you appreciate the absurd and the playful in perfumery, this may work for you.
It’s not for those who need their fragrances to be traditionally beautiful, nor is it for the timid. This isn’t office-safe or a grab-and-go scent. But if you have a sense of humour about your perfumes and enjoy pushing boundaries, it’s worth experiencing.
Think of it as a statement piece, like wearing latex garb to a dinner party just to see how people react. It’s not about elegance, it’s about impact.
Final Thoughts
This is the third Toskovat scent I’ve tested and the house doesn’t do "easy". Born Screaming is no exception. It’s challenging, a bit bizarre, and (to me) deeply amusing. Few fragrances make me laugh, but this did.
It not made to be a signature scent, nor daily reach. It’s a concept, a mood, a mischievous friend. A latex-wrapped cherry bomb.
Not one I’d be in a hurry to spend another day with but honestly, I have some friends who would love it.
Overall star rating
Wearability: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Artistic Expression: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
