Hi there ULGers, Do you remember in 2019/20 first reading or hearing about the audacity of Anatole Lebreton to make a perfume named for us? Perfumista?!? Honestly, the few people I talked to were in agreeance that it would definitely bomb because how could he encapsulate EVERYTHING we would expect from such a title. So I ignored it. Then, a while ago, I saw it on the Surrender To Chance site and was so curious to find out what I’d dismissed so easily. Into the cart it went and made it all the way through checkout with a few other things that piqued my interest. Here it has sat, unloved and forlorn, awaiting the attention of this perfumista. Today is the day. Please come on a journey of discovery with me.
Perfumista by Anatole Lebreton 2019
The Anatole Lebreton site gives the featured accords:
Top: Pear, Plum, Raspberry
Heart: Bulgarian Rose, Indian Jasmin, Patchouli
Base: Virginy Cerdarwood, Peru Balsam, Musk
The opening is like a vintage chypre. Aldehydic fruity floral, clean and clear as a bell. GOSH! it even has that slightly over ripe fruit and feral backbeat you’d expect from vintage but one that has been kept perfectly. There is even a touch of the hairsprays that make vintage feel so glammed up and ready to hit the town.
The heart is jammy rose with some other florals but I don’t smell jasmine per se, more a bouquet with maybe some bulb flowers, lilac, peony and marigold. The word that keeps popping into my head sniffing the heart is petal-y. There’s a soft, fluffy, powderiness like rubbing flowers against your cheek. Though not a big bombastic scent, Perfumista is quietly noticeable through the heart. That jammy rose also has some earthy greenery as we head towards dry down.
The dry down brings back the fruits (now canned) over a woody, smoothly resinous base. It’s a surprising revival and makes the last couple of hours very sniffable. Get up close and breathe deep. You’ll be amply rewarded.
Well, that was 200% more glorious than expected. A real modern reimagining of a vintage ride for a true perfumista. I do love to be proved wrong and thrilled by a scent. I”ve only worn it three times but right now a bottle is right near the top of my To Buy List. Why am I so late to this brand?
Though anyone could and can wear it Perfumista veers heavily traditional femme. Longevity is good and the first hour, more really, are quite fragrant before softening into a streamlined, still interesting, dry down.
Do you remember when Perfumista launched? Were you intrigued or dismissive?
Portia xx
Undina's Looking Glass 
Never heard of it!
My Perfumista badge has been put on hold
LikeLike
HA! Never
If we all got put on hold for not hearing of a perfume we’d be in BIG trouble Alityke.
Portia xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t tried it, but love being pleasantly proved wrong as well. I’m usually late to knowing about brands, in perfume and clothing…
LikeLike
There’s too much to know them all Nose Prose. I’m seeing more new brands coming out of the big shows this year and think I’ve not even caught up to last years.
Portia xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strangely, I don’t remember when or how I learned about this perfume. I say “strangely” because I bought a sample of it, which was totally uncharacteristic for me at the time you say it was released. So, most likely, I read something very positive about it.
I liked it a lot! From my memory, for me it was very rose-centric. I would gladly own a travel bottle or decant of it, but I can’t bring myself to buying a large bottle.
LikeLike
So interesting Undina. I love how meticulous your records are. If only that was my way too.
There is definitely a bottle in my future.
Portia xx
LikeLike
I wrote a review of this several years ago, and I really liked it. A lot! So much so that I finally decided I wanted a bottle, and by that time Luckyscent was out. If anyone knows where I can get it, let me know, and I may be interested again. This hunt took place at least a couple of years ago.
LikeLike
You can get it from Fragrances and Art in Sweden, they ship worldwide and it’s free if you spend a very modest amount. Also, you don’t pay sales tax on it.
Portia xx
LikeLike
Thanks, Portia! I’ve never heard of that place.
LikeLike
They are really good and have an excellent range of niche we can not get in Australia.
LikeLike
The brand is not on my radar (which isn’t at all surprising), but Perfumista sounds rather lovely. You had me at “petal-y”. ;)
LikeLike
Thanks Vanessa,
I’m thinking the brand might just float your boat. They do interesting retelling of tales and a few new ideas.
Portia xx
LikeLike