Quick NYC Review: L'Artisan Parfumeur

"It was a ten day trip on a small island named Bahia Honda. This island belongs to Jean Pigozzi, a fan of L'Artisan Parfumeur. He requested I make a perfume about the rainy season in Bahia Honda. The purpose of the journey was to catch the ambiance and atmosphere of the island under the rain; plants, trees and flowers. So, I spent ten days over there, in the rain." (Bertrand Duchaufour in Barneys catalog)

I tested this at Henri Bendels. I like how the Artisan boutique is slightly hidden and how it is generally unmanned. You are left alone and allowed to play. This scent was quite lovely on a paper swatch. Mr Duchaufour managed to capture a tropical rain quite brilliantly. This is what I imagine the rain forest to smell like.

I tested it on the skin and that was a mistake.

The watery note quickly turned to a melon/cucumber note. It was twisted and lost all of its tropical greatness. My skin is not meant for anything ozonic or watery. This opening note lasted far too long and needed to be scrubbed off.
I am not destined to smell like a rainy Bahia Hinda breeze.

It is at Barneys and Bendels and retails for $135.