Deep Thoughts on L'Artisan

For the past few days, I've been trying the six samples of L'Artisan Perfumeur I obtained last week:

• Dzing!
• Dzongkha
• Mure et Musc
• Fou d'Absinthe
• Méchant Loup
• Timbuktu

So far, the only two I've still to wear are Fou d'Absinthe and Mure et Musc.

I waited with bated breath for my samples to arrive and once they did, I smelled them immediately. My first impressions were that I was going to like all of them and I felt a streak of panic because I simply couldn't afford to "like" all of them. Not at $75 a pop for 50ml!

I wore Dzing! first and my favorable initial impression of it was confirmed by that lush smokiness and tea accord; the drydown is just great. If there was anything negative--and it's a small one at that--it was how close to the skin Dzing! stayed. Longevity was decent. So far so good.

Next, Timbuktu. I was intrigued by this fragrance, having been to Mali in my youth myself. This went on with that peculier "Tinny" or metalic smell that I have come to recognize in the top notes of L'Artisans. While I think this is a well-crafted scent, and I did like the whiffs I would smell from time to time, I realize even more that I am not a fan of Vetiver even more after Timbuktu although sillage and longevity was also decent.

Méchant Loup smelled absolutely great in the sample tube, smelled even better as I applied it but then it took on that "tinny" smell followed by an overwhelming accord of steam. Yes, steam from a boiling kettle! I don't think there's any other way of describing this one. With that on my mind, I rejoiced at my "ingenuity" for not buying this one blind as I'd planned. I'd have been most unhappy.

Dzongkha, which I'm wearing today, is a horse of a different color. I knew I would like it when I sniffed it in the sample bottle. I knew I would like it from the description of the notes and I am happy to say I have not changed my happy mind now that I've worn it for about six hours. I understand exactly when people describe Dzongkha as a quiet, contemplative scent. I totally agree. This is now, by far, my favorite of the L'Artisan line.

I wish like heck I'd ordered the Tea For Two sample because it comes highly recommended, but it completely skipped my mind when ordering from beautycafe.com! Argh.

I'll try Fou d'Absinthe tomorrow and report, as I will on Mure et Musc the day after. Wish me luck!

I forgot to add that at certain points when wearing Méchant Loup, I could have sworn I was wearing Rive Gauche!

Okay, finally tried Fou D'Absinthe. It's a monster (of longevity) all right. For some unknown, but annoying reason, FdA had that same metallic steam note I got from some of the other L'Artisans and intermittently, I got a Rive Gauche-like saltiness.

The good thing about it is that it's immaculate. Yes, there's really no other way to describe it. To me, it's a very clean, exceedingly well-crafted fragrance that spells quality. I can see why this one's a favorite of a lot of people. Unfortunately, while I can definitely agree on the high-quality of its construction, it will not be an everyday or favorite wear.

So then, in my exploration of the L'Artisan line, my favorite is Dzing! Coming in a distant second is Dzongkha. Bear in mind I still haven't tried Mure et Musc, which may end up blowing away Dzing! I doubt it.