L’Artisan Parfumeur, the Travel Series review
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Including the brand new Havana Vanille…
Is there anything as delightfully feminine as French perfume? I would argue no. It just makes you feel sexy. Give me a bottle and I’m Bridget Bardot, getting ready for a date with my latest lover (even though I’m probably just getting dressed for work). I’d also argue that there’s nothing else that has the ability to transport you like a fine perfume can. Combine these two, and you have L’Artisan Parfumeur, the legendary French Fragrance house that we are taking a look at today. Specifically, their Travel Series; fragrances captured by a perfumer on his travels.
L’Artisan Parfumeur has been meticulously creating fragrances since 1976, though their influences date from centuries before that. That French history is apparent in every bottle. From the beautiful, classic shape of the vessel and gold topper, the sleek black packaging with tasteful pops of color and the fragrance combinations within; “fragrances inspired by nature and familiar scents, found in the sweetest corners of the memory.” The term artisan has been chosen wisely, this is a niche perfumer that has mastered their trade and produces gorgeous pieces of liquid art!
With L’Artisan you can capture a mood (sunshine, delicacy and surprise are just a few search terms on their site) or let yourself be guided by a scent family; like single flowers, precious woods or oriental elixirs. But today, we’re going on a journey…
The theory behind the Travel Series is that every journey leaves a fragrant memory. When a perfumer travels, all of us benefit. Because they bring back with them the essence that encapsulates whatever locale they visit (the vegetation, the landscape and most importantly, the aromas). Lucky for us, the perfumers of L’Artisan have been to some beautiful, exotic places, and thus, this five piece collection was born. We had the unbelievable luxury of trying all 5 fragrances (and our review team will weigh in with their specific thoughts on the scent they received in the comments).
It all started with Bois Farine (Wood Flour). This scent is the only one in the collection of five created by internationally famed perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. Bois Farine was developed after his encounter with a fragrant white tree and its red flower that smells like flour. Thought of as magical, specific to Reunion Island (a region of France), he describes the scent of the flower as “the odors of wood that was dry and milky at the same time”. And that’s exactly what the fragrance captures.
Next came Timbuktu. This, and all fragrances to follow, were developed by Bertrand Duchaufour. A life long traveler of Africa, Timbuktu is inspired by the perfumed rituals of the women of Mali called “wusulan”. This is handed down from Mother to Daughter and it’s purpose is to seduce and keep a loved one. The scent is as mysterious and exotic as it sounds. With lighter notes of green mango and pink pepper berries layered over papyrus wood and patchouli.
Dzongkha followed, a deep, bewildering fragrance inspired by the Kingdom of Bhutan (a region between India and China). It draws influences from odors of stones and incense of the temples, of leather, spicy chai tea and opulent nature. Consider the fact that it falls into the woody, floral and leather scent categories.
And then came Fleur de Liane, named after the the mysterious flower of Panama. Imagine the lush atmosphere of an island and you have Fleur de Liane. Rain and the ocean, young green leaves, the mossy and woody aroma of the sap, and the intoxicating white flowers of the tropical forest. A wet, green scent if there ever was one!
L’Artisan fans rejoice! Because a new fragrance has been added to the series. Havana Vanille will be released any moment now. And it is well worth the wait. I love the scent of vanilla, but have a hard time finding a fragrance that captures it in it’s true form. More often than not, it’s a sickening, fake cupcake sort of smell. That couldn’t be farther from the case here! This Cuba influenced fragrance draws upon freshly picked tobacco leaves, rum aged in wood barrels, well worn leather, clove and spice, mingling with faint flowers and a pure, rich vanilla pod. It’s as sultry as it gets, and absolutely delicious.
Review Team: what are your thoughts? Were you transported to exotic lands by your fragrance from L’Artisan’s Travel Series?
If it’s one thing I love, it’s when a company takes joy in creating a product with meaning and creativity behind it. These all sound amazing, but the Havana Vanille makes me want to swoon! It’s amazing how a great fragrance affect your mood; I know if I wore Havana Vanille, I’d just want to lounge around in sexy heels and say deep and mysterious things all day. Of course, I’d get fired, but I’d be fabulous!
I remember when Stef told me about L’Artisan Parfumeur, I was overwhelmed with the desire to try it all! And then when I heard about
the Lucky Scent Bar https://weheartthis.com/2009/08/03/behind-the-scenes-with-luckyscent-and-scent-bar/
I ordered a bunch of samples. (only $3.00 each!)
They were all gorgeous! Of the samples I got the Ambre Extrême was my favorite, such a warm lasting feminine Amber. Really lovely!
So the love began there, and then I was lucky enough to get to test Dzongkha…I’m not usually the OMG type typer.. but OMG it is AAAAAmazing. Such a rich warm spicy incensey dream fragrance.
It’s really such a cool idea that these fragrances are based on regions.
You definitely get the transported feeling from Dzongkha. The warmness has a hint of flower at the bottom, which keeps it from being too heavy.
I can’t really think of anything to compare it too, it’s a really unique perfume. It Lasts like no bodies business too, and a little goes a long way, so I know my lovely bottle will last me a LONG time.. That being said you really get your money’s worth. Like most top of the line perfumes it’s close to 100 dollars, but I’m telling you if you want to splurge on yourself, this company has something that will make you feel like a very classy sassy lady!!
5 stars from me.. I LOVE IT! :)
I have decided I would like to travel around the world. First stop… Panama to get the mysterious flower of Panama for my own! Yes, I am wearing L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Fleur de Liane, Flower of the Vine and I admit, I am a perfume lover! However, this is something different. It is so in a class of its own. I think this is so beautiful. I have been wearing this everyday, and even now, at 3:30 pm, it remains as fresh as when I first applied it at 8am. Fleur de Liane is gorgeous, unique and unforgettable to anyone that encounters it! My bottle (3.4 oz.) is at the half mark because I have it at my desk at work and every day I have co-workers coming by to partake.. It’s lovely. It’s refreshing.. like a shower in the forest.. It makes me feel as if I’m part of the tropical garden of Eden! I love, love love this one! I give this gorgeous bottle of love 5 stars! I highly recommend that you get your hands on this beauty!
I just wanted to mention that I am already in the know about this amazing line,L’Artisan Parfumeur. I have a bottle of “Mure et Musc” at home and i wont’ dare bring that to work.. It’s has a very wonderful scent of blackberry and musk, and I treasure every drop! :)
My whole adult life I’ve been searching for a “signature scent” and when Bois Farine arrived at my door, I was hoping I’d found it…the bottle is stunning – heavy as can be, simple and elegant – it’s obviously an expensive French perfume you can tell by just looking at it. Unfortunately, I haven’t found my signature scent yet. This is the most unusual scent I’ve ever worn and was therefore hoping it could be my scent alone – in at least my circle! But, it just doesn’t mix well with my chemistry, I suppose. Chemistry or not, it is a scent all its own. As the notes above state, it is basically what you’d call a woodsy scent. Dry and milky wood flour I absolutely get. It has fennel seed, iris, sandalwood, and cedar apparently. I definitely smell a nutty component – I feel like it may be peanut butter! I also get a liqueur maybe – the hub thinks frangelico. It’s definitely a good conversation piece trying to figure out what’s in it and what each person thinks it smells like. It does smell better on my husband than me, but I still smell a nutty – almost peanut butter scent on him, too. I wish I loved this, but it is just too unusual for me =(( I give it 3 stars because it is very high quality in lastability and appearance – it’s obviously mixed beautifully – I just wouldn’t personally buy it again. But again, I wish I did love it – I would LOVE to try some of the new Havana Vanille!!! That sounds like me through and through!
The Havana Vanille sounds amazing! I’m a sucker for a vanilla scent. I sooo want to smell these now.
I want to get my mitts on the Havana Vanille too! Sounds awesome! I was wondering what the Bois Farine would be like.. i have to see for myself.. I think this line is avail. at Bloomingdales.. if it’s there, i will give it a go..
I got to try a sample vial of Havana Vanille. Oh my yum. Ladies, it’s as good as it sounds. It really is the most amazing vanilla fragrance I’ve ever tried. Sultry doesn’t even begin to describe it. I put it on and I feel like I’m in the back of some steamy Cuban bar, filled with exotic and handsome men, with leather and fine cigars swirling in the air, mixing with a waft of flowers and a pure vanilla. It’s rich and deep, spicy yet slightly sweet, totally adult. I’m in LOVE with it. And hey, you can order a sample from Lucky Scent!
I also chose the bottle of Timbuktu to call my own, because it is so me. Spicy and exotic, it’s exactly what I go for in a fragrance. The dark wood notes lightened slightly with the softer notes of fruit. It is kind of unisex, which I normally don’t like at all. But for this, it really works. It does smell like a ritual, earthy and complex. I’ve worn it every day since it arrived and have heard more than a few compliments.
I’ve just got to say, the layering of notes in all of the L’Artisan fragrances is so fabulous. They go through transformations, wet to the dry down, notes pop up that you at first didn’t notice. I am so impressed with everything I’ve sniffed, even if it wasn’t something that worked for me (Mel, I’m so sorry Bois Farine didn’t work for you. Fragrance is such a personal thing, isn’t it?) And I stand by what I said, I just don’t think there is anything better than a French fragrance to make you feel 100% woman!
Both of my scents, and the line overall, is a 5 star for me.
.-= stef´s last blog ..Promote your blog on we heart this! =-.