Sample Before You Splurge, No. 10: CONCRETED

Hilary Burke
3 days ago
4 min read

A South Korean niche perfume studio inspired by the city of Seoul, CONCRETED views scent as a source of enjoyment — much like film, music, or food.

Fragrance, for them, is another way to experience life and create memory. And that feels very Sooo Human!

At the top of their About section, they define concrete in three ways — adjective, noun, and perfumery process — grounding the brand in both concept and craft:

con·crete /ˈkänˌkrēt, ˌkänˈkrēt/

To make something actual or real
A building material formed from stone, sand, cement, and water
A waxy substance extracted from raw natural materials, used in perfumery

That duality — urban structure and natural expression — shows up in every scent.

I sampled five fragrances, and every single one felt like a full sensory experience.

These are soft, close-to-the-skin fragrances. You can almost isolate each note and feel how carefully it’s been placed.

Longevity is moderate (about 2-3 hours), but honestly? I didn’t mind reapplying.

If anything, I looked forward to it — like restarting the experience all over again.

The samples are just 2ml samples, so I peeked at the full bottles — sleek, minimalist, with caps designed to resemble slabs of concrete. Earthy and architectural, and very aligned with the brand’s identity.

They also use a number system, pairing each scent with both a number and a name.

And I love that they offer 30ml bottles only — intentional, portable, and actually usable. These feel made to move with you.

07. Omija

Named after the Omija berry — herbal, woody, and complex.

It opens sharp and slightly sour with Omija, raspberry, lemon, and black pepper, softened by a subtle saltiness that rounds out the sweetness.

I am really embracing salt accords lately, and it works beautifully in this fragrance.

The heart shifts into a more herbaceous space — juniper, frankincense, geranium, ginger, pine, and magnolia — gently pulling the scent away from fruit and into something more grounded.

The dry down introduces leather, musk, vetiver, and cedarwood. Even as someone who typically doesn't love a leather note, this is soft, slightly sweet, and beautifully blended.

Day one: I was unsure.

Day two: I was fully intrigued.

Upgrade? Wish List Approved

02. Rabbit Hole

Yes, the name fits.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this scent feels like stepping into something slightly surreal.

It opens bright and citrus-forward — grapefruit, orange, lemon, apple, bergamot — with clary sage adding a soft herbal edge.

Then it twists: carrot, neroli, muguet, galbanum, orange blossom, lavender — green, slightly vegetal, with a peppery bite that keeps it interesting.

The heart of this fragrance is stunning, described as a "garden vegetable basket" - it's fresh and green, and that peppery note stays throughout.

The base brings vetiver, patchouli, and oakmoss, adding a subtle earthy dampness — like the feeling of being inside the rabbit hole, not just looking at it.

Rabbit Hole is fresh, musky, slightly strange — in the best way. And, it’s even better on skin.

Upgrade? Full Bottle Immediately!

03. Oasis Slip

An olfactory oasis is exactly what this fragrance is.

Black pepper, ginger, basil, and coconut create a blend that is somehow both fiery and creamy.

I didn’t know “creamy ginger” was a thing — and now I do, and I’m obsessed!

The heart softens into a delicate, almost watery rose with magnolia and cedarwood — light, airy, and balanced by flashes of spice.

The base — musk, amber, sandalwood — brings warmth and softness.

There’s a subtle cooling effect throughout, like stepping into shade on a hot day.

Upgrade? Wish List

01. Muted Waves

I just said I wasn’t a marine/aquatic person… and then this happened.

Muted Waves is such a perfect concept — the ocean, but from a distance. Loud up close, but quiet from afar.

Salty marine notes blend with vanilla, black pepper, muguet, and orchid — creating something airy, creamy, and gently sweet.

The dry down — cedarwood, musk, amber, Cypriol — this feels like coming back to shore, warmed by the sun.

A subtle, sophisticated summer skin scent — not tropical, just warm, and embracing.

Upgrade? Wish List Approved.

04. A Thousand Miles

I don’t know what Winter Daphne smells like — but if it’s this, I’m in. Plus my little sister’s name is Daphne, so obviously it’s going to be amazing.

This is clean, soapy, and modern — with a slightly metallic coolness that gives it a unique edge.

Citrus at the top — lemongrass, bergamot, orange, lime — keeps it crisp.

The heart blends Winter Daphne, metallic notes, lavender, peppermint, jasmine, rose, and green facets — layered, but never overwhelming.

The fact that they’ve captured a cooling effect in a fragrance, speaks to their artistry and intentionality — this fragrance, like the scent of the Winter Daphne, carries across time and skin.

The base dries down into a soft, powdery floral with vetiver, musk, and amber.

If you like “clean girl” but want something less expected — this is it.

Upgrade? Full Bottle Immediately

CONCRETED Has Cemented Itself into My Heart

It’s a good thing I’m on a no-buy… because I could very easily justify full bottles across the board. These fragrances are soft, intentional, and beautifully composed.

This was a completely new-to-me brand — and now I’m already looking forward to exploring more — Sesame Shower, I am coming for you next!

Have you tried CONCRETED?