The greatest figgy perfumes | Splendor
2 min readI’ve just experienced new cabinets designed and, as I moved in excess of my perfume assortment a fortnight ago, I chanced upon Diptyque’s Philosykos and considered for a second about why I ever abandoned these types of an terribly wonderful and intelligent scent. In the early 2000s, this cult classic (£75 for 50ml), all figgy and vernal, was my go-to perfume, and attracted extra compliments than pretty much any other has managed. Several could detect it in the starting, but Philosykos’s distinct natural beauty and devout pursuing shortly motivated a raft of mass-sector copycat fig perfumes that tested my tolerance to migraine point. Missing the stage of the first solely, they ended up much too sweet, also sticky – significantly less ripening fig grove, additional Glade plug-in. Fundamentally, my nose shut down on fig entirely, but now, acquiring reconciled with my previous enjoy, I have made a decision to reopen to seek out out some deserving tributes.
I’m delighted I did, as some expanding up has been performed and several of the syrupy fig scents have fallen, rightly, by the wayside. It is exceptional that I rave about a perfume below £30, but I will do precisely this about Roger & Gallet’s marvellous Fleur de Figuier (£16.90 for 100ml), created for the dwelling by celebrated perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, whose eponymous initiatives can cost you 10 moments as much. Fleur de Figuier is a pleasure – translucent, summery, fruity, citrusy and a very little fizzy. Like a fig plopped in a jug of Pimm’s, in simple fact. It’s extraordinary worth for anything so shiny, unsticky and heavenly smelling.
Pretty basically new from retirement is Jo Loves’ Purple Truffle 21 (£75 for 50ml), a fairly unlikely but extremely perfectly-executed tribute to figs and truffles. Like Philosykos, it is properly balanced concerning sharp and sweet, and wraps sunny figs in acres of greenery for freshness. But it has a significantly much better woody note and the a bit spiky addition of juniper berry, earning Red Truffle specifically gender-adaptable and smart ample for the business office, ought to you at any time find oneself back again there.
If funds is of minor consequence, try Debaser by Brooklyn perfumery DS & Durga. At £148 for 50ml, it is at the upper stop of the olfactory hierarchy, but it captures specifically the magnificence of figs, blending them with creamy coconut, warm tonka bean and a sprint of mucky moss. It is intricate, fascinating and boozy, and, properly, the Pixies reference is the cherry atop the fig tree. That stated, I’m donning Philosykos proper now and vow never again to forsake it.
