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Slow Explosions fragrance
Imaginary Authors

Slow Explosions

EDP Unisex · 2016 · by Josh Meyer
7.2 /10

Slow Explosions scores 8/10 for longevity and performs best in Cold conditions.

Best in Cold 8/10 longevity
From USD 105–125From EUR 97–115From GBP 83–99From PKR 28,000–38,000From AED 380–520From INR 8,715–10,375From SAR 394–469
8 Longevity
8 Sillage
6 Versatility
8 Value
5.8 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

Warm Spicy Leather Fruity Rose
Fragrance Note PyramidTOP NOTES0–30 min1Saffron2AppleHEART NOTES30–120 min1Rose2LeatherBASE NOTES2h+1Benzoin2Argan Tree3Cashmeran
Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileWarm SpicyLeatherFruityRoseAmberACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Niche Enthusiast Evening Casual
Seasons
Fall Winter

Climate Performance

Avg 5.8 / 10
Extreme Heat
3/10
Poor
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
3/10
Poor
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
6/10
Good
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
8/10
Excellent
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
9/10
Excellent
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

Indie artistic creation combining crisp tart apple with fiery saffron and leather.

Pakistan & GCC Perspective

Powerful warm spicy accord built specifically for cold, crisp weather.

How It Compares

Versus Byredo Black Saffron or Memo African Leather

The Controversy

The sharp metallic saffron opening polarizes casual fragrance users.

Imaginary Authors Slow Explosions: Niche Without the Pretension

The word ‘niche’ carries considerable baggage — elitism, inaccessibility, diminishing returns. Slow Explosions by Imaginary Authors cuts against all of that. Built on Warm Spicy, Leather, Fruity, Rose, Amber, this EDP is sophisticated without being alienating, distinctive without being difficult. For any buyer where quality and uniqueness command a genuine premium, Slow Explosions positions itself as an intelligent investment.

Indie artistic creation combining crisp tart apple with fiery saffron and leather.

Slow Explosions Notes Breakdown

Slow Explosions opens with Saffron and Apple — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Give it twenty or thirty minutes and the middle act arrives: Rose and Leather. The final act — the part that outlasts the working day — is Benzoin, Argan Tree and Cashmeran.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Warm Spicy, Leather, Fruity, Rose, Amber — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.

Longevity & Projection: Slow Explosions on the Clock

Longevity (8/10): Slow Explosions delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): Slow Explosions projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (6/10): Slow Explosions is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. It thrives in its intended context but may feel mismatched further outside that sweet spot.

Value (8/10): At around $105, Slow Explosions delivers significantly more than its price tag suggests — one of the better value propositions in its category.

How Slow Explosions Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold

Of the five climate zones we score, Slow Explosions does best in cold (Murree, New York) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is hot & humid (Dubai, Miami) at 3/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

Powerful warm spicy accord built specifically for cold, crisp weather.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

Occasions & When to Wear

Slow Explosions is best suited to Niche Enthusiast, Evening, Casual. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, Slow Explosions performs best in Fall, Winter. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

Versus Byredo Black Saffron or Memo African Leather

What Slow Explosions Costs — and Whether It Is Worth It

Internationally, Slow Explosions sits at $105–$125. That is mainstream designer territory — an accessible price for a fragrance intended for regular rotation.

Regional pricing: PKR 28,000–38,000 in Pakistan, AED 380–520 in the UAE. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Imaginary Authors, Ministry of Scent, Luckyscent. GCC/UAE: Niche Boutiques, Online. Pakistan: Niche Specialty Stores.

Verdict

Slow Explosions earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.

An overall 7/10 puts Slow Explosions in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

The sharp metallic saffron opening polarizes casual fragrance users.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Slow Explosions last?

Slow Explosions has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is Slow Explosions worth the price?

At around $105, Slow Explosions by Imaginary Authors is an excellent value for its price category. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does Slow Explosions smell like?

Slow Explosions is characterised by Warm Spicy, Leather, Fruity, Rose, Amber accords. Opening with Saffron and Apple, the heart revolves around Rose and Leather, settling into a base of Benzoin and Argan Tree.

Is Slow Explosions good for hot or humid weather?

Slow Explosions was not designed for extreme heat (score: 3/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

Is Slow Explosions for men or women?

Slow Explosions is marketed as a Unisex fragrance. In practice, its character is better defined by its composition than by any marketing category.