50ml
50ml
50ml
50ml
14ml
2ml
IMAGINARY AUTHORS
CAPE HEARTACHE
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$115
Description
Cape Heartache by Imaginary Authors captures the surreal experience of wandering into a mist-draped Pacific Northwest forest where sweet wild strawberries mingle with crisp, green pine and conifer notes. Lush, resinous woods and an undercurrent of vanilla evoke the sensation of warmth and nostalgia against a backdrop of damp earth and morning fog. This fragrance is a moody, atmospheric blend that feels simultaneously comforting and invigorating, transporting you to storybook woodlands on a cool autumn day. The scent is a bold fusion of gourmand and forest elements, offering a truly distinctive olfactory story. Created by Josh Meyer for unisex wearers.
Scent Profile
Woody
Green
Gourmand
Fruity
Resinous
Notes
Top Notes
StrawberryMountain Fog
Middle Notes
Douglas Fir
Pine Resin
Western Hemlock
Base Notes
Vanilla Leaf
Old Growth
About IMAGINARY AUTHORS
Imaginary Authors is an American niche fragrance house founded by Josh Meyer in Portland, Oregon, known for its playful, literary-inspired approach to perfumery. Each scent is presented as the “story” of a fictional author, complete with a title, synopsis, and imagined backstory—transforming fragrance into an olfactory novel. With creative blends and unexpected notes like “warm sand” or “fresh tennis balls,” Imaginary Authors captures the spirit of adventure, imagination, and storytelling through scent.
Perfumer
Josh Meyer
Josh Meyer is an American perfumer and founder of Imaginary Authors, a Portland-based niche fragrance house known for its literary-inspired concepts and unconventional ingredients. A self-taught perfumer, Meyer combines storytelling and scent design to create imaginative, narrative-driven compositions that invite wearers to “read” through fragrance. His work is celebrated for its creativity, humor, and ability to make niche perfumery both artistic and approachable.
Reviews
4.4
Very Good14 reviews
Luckyscent
4.6/5 • 9 reviews
Ministry of Scent
4.0/5 • 5 reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers consistently describe Cape Heartache as a striking blend of strawberry jam and pine, evoking both nostalgia and freshness. Many find its lasting power impressive and praise its inventive mix of sweetness and woods, though some find the juxtaposition polarizing. Sillage and projection are deemed strong, and the fragrance is often called a standout for colder months.
Pros
Performance excellence: Projects well with pronounced longevity, especially in cooler weather
Versatile appeal: Excels as a unique option for autumn and winter, works well for both daytime exploration and cozy evenings
Quality composition: Reviewers highlight the seamless blend of gourmand strawberry and authentic conifer woods as both creative and memorable
Cons
Polarizing composition: The sweet, jammy strawberry with sharp pine turns off those seeking more subtle or traditional profiles
Situational drawback: Can feel overpowering in warm weather or crowded indoor settings
Comparisons
Similar to Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles: Shares a pine-resin signature, but Cape Heartache is fruitier and more gourmand
Reminds reviewers of Diptyque Philosykos: Both evoke green, woody freshness, but Cape Heartache amps up sweetness and atmosphere
Vibe & Emotions
Nostalgia: Elicits memories of childhood forests and berry picking for many wearers
Cozy comfort: Creates a feeling of warmth and security on cold, rainy days
Wistfulness: Inspires a sense of longing or bittersweet romance, like a storybook woodland retreat
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