Ulysse
by Ligne St Barth

Notes: hesperides, vetiver, lavender, artemisia, cedar, musk
Ligne St. Barth is a small cosmetics and wellness company located in the French Caribean, but well established at high end spas across the world. It was started and is still family-run by a German emigré to St. Bath and her husband, whose French family had been living there since the colonial era. Their "story" is the use of ancient prescriptions of the local Caribs, from whom the rare Roucou oil was also purchased. Judging by how crazy ebayers go over their sun tan lotions, body oils etc., they have managed to establish quite a reputation for their brand. While their perfumes are likely not fully natural, I was always intrigued to try them and I finally captured a bottle of "Ulysse" on the net. Ulysse is a unisex lavender fragrance and thus has a Provencal rather than a Caribean vibe. In fact, the closest association to me is with de Nicolai's Haute Provence lavender, though the notes are quite distinct (Provence featuring Myrtle, Rosemary, Oak Bark and Orange Branches). Still, both are relaxing, soft lavenders of very good quality and relatively low complexity. The orange is noticeable in de Nicolai's, while Ulysse's hesperides are subdued. The former is generally a bit brighter, but not quite as rich. The vetiver and artemisia seem to add a bit of spicy and creamy greenness, providing a touch of classical fougère (befitting this fern-green juice), and the basenotes add a gentle woody sweetness. This is, despite its moniker, not an (ad)ventuorous fragrance and those keen on a more manly variant would be better served by Creed's Royal Scottish Lavender. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys quality, simplicity and the varietiey offered in perfumery of that wonderful violet-blue plant.

16th June, 2008.