Essence No. 6 Vetiver

Even when I was in my 20s I’ve always loved masculine scents. And so far I have been impressed with the entire collection from Elie Saab’s Essence line with Francis Kurkdjian working his magic. I own the Ambre and Gardenia, with Rose No. 1 in my current shopping basket on Fragrancenet. And I’m swooning over my latest trial run, Vetiver No. 6. I know I should wait until I’ve worn this at least twice before writing a review, but I’m too excited and need to share my thoughts. This is beautiful, a clean, natural take on vetiver. Even though pine is not listed, I feel like I’m in a forest. For some reason I also pick up a little suede and mint, I don’t know which notes are the culprit. It does lean more masculine than feminine, but so what. It’s fuckin great. A woman can wear this scent. On one arm I have another recent love, Vetiver Insolence from the Miller Harris house. This and the MH are very different takes on vetiver. Vetiver Insolence is more gourmand, so more of a winter scent, and Vetiver No. 6 is better suited to warm spring days. This is a refined, professional take on vetiver. I think it would work well in an office environment so it’s incredibly versatile. LOVE. EDIT: I own it!

Beautiful take on vetiver signed Francis Kurkdjian. It opens with a fresh citrusy vetiver. Shortly after, the vetiver goes back behind the scenes and the papyrus takes the lead, supported by cloves, and a hint of grapefuit to sharpen the edges. Then, the vetiver comes back (without being loud) in the drydown, now showing a powdery/dusty facet (some musk? or maybe cloves?). A poem that would deserve to be recited louder... indeed, this creation misses the masterpiece grade because of its modest projection. Not a revolution here, but - like the other fragrances of this line - a perfectly tailored blend, using both haitian and indonesian vetiver oils. Like a litterature masterpiece that happens later to be just a good movie, this juice is a fantastic composition that fails to enter the perfume history because of its poor performance. Still a love for me, though. Edit: it's my SOTD, and I have to say that it still projects moderatly after 6 hours, so performance is better than I thought. Spring/Fall days (and summer mildly hot days), 30+. Some powdery aspects and a slight sweetness in the background makes it the most unisex vetiver in my collection (together with Lutens VO)

Is there better value than this Ellie Saab Layering line? These scents are exceptionally priced for the quality and high level of naturals. Plus, we get master perfumer MFK! I think if the price was double, I would still buy them and you can find them at discounters rather prominently now which only increases the value. Speaking of value, this has saved me from buying so many other vetivers that simply aren't quite as good or too expensive for what they deliver. This vetiver scent on its own is beautiful and a natural vetiver that is not too complicated as long as one loves Vetiver and as a Vetiver it is quintessential. It is a bit spicy opening and soapy smooth mid and clean dry down that faints too quickly from an emerald green scented opening to sage green colour scented drydown(the glaring weakness is longevity and projection). However, the magic occurs as you layer this frag. It is designed to be layered and the combinations are infinite. All things considered 9/10 and must own at a discount price.

I’m so impressed with Elie Saab’s essence range and this one is no exception. Smooth, herbal and slightly medicinal so of course it’s going to lean slightly more masculine but I love that! Not for lovers of the sugary flower brigade who prefer to smell like cupcakes, this is a serious and sober fragrance. The trick is how to stop my husband from making it his own. From my understanding, this range was intended to be layered with other complementary products, I have used this particular vetiver to amp up and improve the performance of some of my beloved woody fragrances which have become weaker over the years. I love it with Habanita but it’s equally good alone, it smells downright sexy all by itself. Projection is quite good, and it will last at least 6 hours.

I see why there are so many thumbs ups (but currently even more thumbs downs) for "reminds me of" Vetiver Oriental. That one is a strong love of mine and I know it very well. I was definitely reminded of it immediately when I sprayed this one on for the first time, but they are by no means the same. I love vetiver and I have tried and own quite a few vetiver perfumes. Something about these two is deeply shared and makes them stand out as kin in that crowded field- but this one is MUCH less sweet than VO- not having the chocolate and amber as that one does. If you like VO but find it too sweet definitely check this one out... or if you love VO and want a version of it that suits a slightly different mood. For me I am thrilled to have both.