I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed the scent strictly for the vanilla note as it is quite passive. The overwhelming base is incredibly powdery, which I find it offensive, but I could see how it might bother others. This does have a sweetness to it, but it isn’t sugary or syrupy. For a strictly Woody vanilla, this isn’t the one. It’s quite pricey, but a very little goes a long way and it will last you a while. Not one of my favorites, but nice enough.

This new offering from the eclectic Serge Lutens line is a resinous woody chypre which nicely showcases the beauty of the Egyptian balsam resin. Le Participe Passé opens with fresh mandarine surprisingly coated with tiny sparkles of aldehyde, reminiscent of the similar aldehydic opening of Laine de Verre and Dent de Lait, but of course much much softer in the case of Le Participe Passé. The perfume opens briefly with some fruity notes where one can detect a variety of fruits including slight citrus. It rapidly moves to its resinous heart which includes the Egyptian balsam resin and other tree resins. This balsamic heart stays throughout the length of the perfume. As it dries off completely, one can detect hints of moss, leather, caramel, cumin and patchouli ... MoreThis new offering from the eclectic Serge Lutens line is a resinous woody chypre which nicely showcases the beauty of the Egyptian balsam resin. Le Participe Passé opens with fresh mandarine surprisingly coated with tiny sparkles of aldehyde, reminiscent of the similar aldehydic opening of Laine de Verre and Dent de Lait, but of course much much softer in the case of Le Participe Passé. The perfume opens briefly with some fruity notes where one can detect a variety of fruits including slight citrus. It rapidly moves to its resinous heart which includes the Egyptian balsam resin and other tree resins. This balsamic heart stays throughout the length of the perfume. As it dries off completely, one can detect hints of moss, leather, caramel, cumin and patchouli emanating from the dense resinous heart. The fragrance is then swiftly dominated by resins, which I perceive mostly as benzoin and opoponax, surrounded by immortelle and over a slightly boozy woody undertone. They combine to form a soothing, suavely basamic woody smell, which is not unlike Lutens' own Chêne but Le Participe Passé is more resinous in comparison. There are occasional suggestions of caramel and chocolate but they never fully unleash their sweetness. Dried fruits are also hinted, but it smells more like the smooth leathery texture of dried date skin than stewed molasses. There isn't much of any change once the fragrance settles into the smooth and comforting resinous woody dry down. The sillage is relatively soft, while the longevity is about 8 hours on a hot day. On its own, I find Le Participe Passé very enjoyable and very fitting to Lutens' signature woody oriental style. But its ressemblance to Chêne leaves me conflicted. I love Chêne and the ressemblance itself is not necessarily problematic, it's that Le Participe Passé feels like a glossed version, with the interesting woody details covered up by sweet resins. While this makes Le Participe Passé more cozy, it loses some characters in return, and it's not like that Chêne was the more difficult or eccentric one among Lutens' offerings to begin with, which it certainly is not. This perfume shares some similarities with another offering from this line Arabie, although it does not have the spices Arabie has in it. The overall feeling is warm, comforting and enveloping. Unisex with strong sillage and projection and tremendous longevity. Some may classify this as a winter scent, but it seems suitable for year long wear. If you happen to be looking for a versatile, cozy, easy-to-wear woody balsamic fragrance, you may want to give Le Participe Passé a try.

This fragrance is basically Metallic lily, how unique is that ? The name is a reference to the medieval torture device "The Iron Maiden", or Jean of Arc (the Maid of Orleans). The name itself caught my attention but you can clearly smell the Lily and Metallic top notes which makes it such a unique fragrance. It is an androgynous fragrance in my opinion but perfect for women too. Long lasting and compliment garnering.

This an interesting scent, though not quite unique. I have definitely used fragrances quite similar to this, the one that comes to mind are the generic AVON fragrances my grandmother loved. When I first spray this, my nose gets pricked by this bitter, almost fern/pine-like scent. It goes away after a few minutes, and a dark chocolate follows through, mixed with an earthy, sweet vetiver. Sandlewood mixes with the chocolate in a way that makes it creamy, and warm. There is a twinge of licorice, which I can only assume comes from the vetiver. There is also a prevalent powder to it, not quite sure where it comes from. It's warm, silky, velvety-smooth, just as advertised. However, I don't think I would pick this up myself. Because at the end, I get that generic AVON ... MoreThis an interesting scent, though not quite unique. I have definitely used fragrances quite similar to this, the one that comes to mind are the generic AVON fragrances my grandmother loved. When I first spray this, my nose gets pricked by this bitter, almost fern/pine-like scent. It goes away after a few minutes, and a dark chocolate follows through, mixed with an earthy, sweet vetiver. Sandlewood mixes with the chocolate in a way that makes it creamy, and warm. There is a twinge of licorice, which I can only assume comes from the vetiver. There is also a prevalent powder to it, not quite sure where it comes from. It's warm, silky, velvety-smooth, just as advertised. However, I don't think I would pick this up myself. Because at the end, I get that generic AVON scent. The sillage is rather intimate for me, and the longevity is short, only about 3-4 hours on me. After a while, I get an unpleasant sour smell from my skin that make me want to scrub it off. Such a disappointing ending to an otherwise pleasant experience.

Long-lasting but prob not huge mass appeal

This is oversimplified, but this is a bit like drinking a caramel Frappuccino out of a glass that had been holding mulled wine and fruit. Its delicious, and satisfying. And more complex than that. Id say if you find fragrances often disappear and dont last, this might be one to investigate. I doubt its for everyone, and Id not wear it if you want to be unobtrusive at the office, but to me, its definitely yummy. I think some might call it a gourmand or think it smells like a Thanksgiving Yankee candle, but for me, its not sickening after two minutes and only actually improves. Maybe even a snippet of cola..... its just more complex than I have capability to describe, and I like the way it evolves, and never goes too sweet or powdery. Usually scents lose complexity or ... MoreThis is oversimplified, but this is a bit like drinking a caramel Frappuccino out of a glass that had been holding mulled wine and fruit. Its delicious, and satisfying. And more complex than that. Id say if you find fragrances often disappear and dont last, this might be one to investigate. I doubt its for everyone, and Id not wear it if you want to be unobtrusive at the office, but to me, its definitely yummy. I think some might call it a gourmand or think it smells like a Thanksgiving Yankee candle, but for me, its not sickening after two minutes and only actually improves. Maybe even a snippet of cola..... its just more complex than I have capability to describe, and I like the way it evolves, and never goes too sweet or powdery. Usually scents lose complexity or if they smell as-intended, fade quickly on me. So Im happy to have something with a strong base and interesting evolution.

Serge Lutens Datura Noir 100Ml Eau De Parfum EDP Spray Unisex

SL FeA immediately takes me back to the shores of one of the frozen over 10,000 Lakes of my home state, surrounded by conifers weighed down in snow. It is before Christmas Eve and my cousins and I have pooled ourselves together, surrounding our parents and Aunts and Uncles. Someone carries an ax carefully, a role model to the younger ones. The world smells of hearth fires and balsam. Looking up into the endless sky, Im almost sure that I can hear the stars in the heavens, taste their light on the tip of my tongue. These memories are magic. And I am brought there with just a sniff of my wrist with Fille en Anguilles upon its pulse. A the scent changes from top notes to bottom notes throughout the 6 hour wear, it goes from shining Balsam trees amongst the snowfall in ... MoreSL FeA immediately takes me back to the shores of one of the frozen over 10,000 Lakes of my home state, surrounded by conifers weighed down in snow. It is before Christmas Eve and my cousins and I have pooled ourselves together, surrounding our parents and Aunts and Uncles. Someone carries an ax carefully, a role model to the younger ones. The world smells of hearth fires and balsam. Looking up into the endless sky, Im almost sure that I can hear the stars in the heavens, taste their light on the tip of my tongue. These memories are magic. And I am brought there with just a sniff of my wrist with Fille en Anguilles upon its pulse. A the scent changes from top notes to bottom notes throughout the 6 hour wear, it goes from shining Balsam trees amongst the snowfall in the woods to the chosen tree, decorated in the warm hall comforted by the scent of the crackling fire as it pops and sizzles from the pinecones sapalmost like the smoke of incense. I am reminded that I am a woman of the Northmysterious, resourceful, beloved of traditions, vibrant with creative ingenuity, ripe with the coy lusciousness of my own sovereignty and hospitality.

Unique, yummy

Im not sure how much mass appeal this has, but I like it. It opens up all gourmand, like those candied tangerine slices that go with goat cheese and crackers, and with an almost minty gunpowder and white floral yumminess that is warm and cozy and kinda says bleachers and stadium blankets. I dont get gingerbread or whatever. Dries eventually to a musky powder that isnt sweet and is unlike anything else Ive ever smelled. Citrus is notoriously short-lived anyway, so drink it in while its still there. Like I have found most SL scents, it wears closely and doesnt project too much. Its got that elegant or muted character that just is never loud.. so if you want loud, look elsewhere. Also means its not got beast performance, no White Diamonds here, but its better than many ... MoreIm not sure how much mass appeal this has, but I like it. It opens up all gourmand, like those candied tangerine slices that go with goat cheese and crackers, and with an almost minty gunpowder and white floral yumminess that is warm and cozy and kinda says bleachers and stadium blankets. I dont get gingerbread or whatever. Dries eventually to a musky powder that isnt sweet and is unlike anything else Ive ever smelled. Citrus is notoriously short-lived anyway, so drink it in while its still there. Like I have found most SL scents, it wears closely and doesnt project too much. Its got that elegant or muted character that just is never loud.. so if you want loud, look elsewhere. Also means its not got beast performance, no White Diamonds here, but its better than many SLs and will occasionally waft at you or be noticeable to someone close. Def needs research before purchasing, as its not a typical fragrance. Possibly a love or hate. But if your nose needs a change of pace, def consider this. I love Sheldrakes stuff and would want them all if they just lasted longer so i kinda already like this brand DNA. First sniffs of most of them for me are like a big plate of food when hungry or walking in a garden after being in the subway. Masterful.