Eau Fantasque

Eau Fantasque is not complicated, however it is blended so well, it is outstanding. It was love at first sniff and it has lasted for fourteen years (post mortem now, as it is sadly discontinued). I have never stumbled across so real black currant, freesia and grapefruit in any other perfume, it is like you have actual fruit and flower near you in the garden. And black currant is not an easy one (that green ammonia can just be too much), so is freesia, which can quickly become too spicy and sharp. This beauty opens with an energetic blast of black currant and grapefruit, or even cassis (I cannot figure if that green, almost woody vibe in the opening comes from currant stems or from hyacinth and grapefruit mix). The juicy and crisp fruitiness quickly relents in soft, yet vibrant freesia done just right - not too spicy, not overly fresh, just perfectly floral. On skin it is nicely balanced black currant and freesia, but inhaling it deeply I can feel a lovely amber heart with some jasmine. That outer fizziness and crispness is balanced and grounded neatly with that warmth. Sillage is moderate (or if oversprayed - heavy), more of a floral trail with some black currant; and perfume lasts all day. Youthful and summery, not sweet, crisp; starting juicy, turning more floral. This is a breath of fresh air for freesia and black currant lover, who usually finds these notes hidden in complex scents as building blocks to support other notes or finds them just too complicated and false. Love. Pure love.

Starts out very bright, green, sharp but not stinging, smells like green and essential oils. There are fresh honeysuckle notes without it being sweetened at all. It smells more like honeysuckle first thing in the morning after a night rain in early spring. Very meditteranean and balsamic. Slight floral note creeps in after a few minutes. Citrusy, a very feminine, unsweetened fragrance crafted from notes typically associated with and used for a traditionally masculine feel. Some men may be able to pull this off, but it seems uniquely suited for a more feminine or at least androgynous vibe. Almost fougere-y?? Dries down to sit pretty close to the skin, after a bombastic opening. Moves through a slight 2008 Hollister mall store vibes. I’m really not getting the note pyramid - there’s not a ton of floral or fruitiness to it. I’d say it’s more lemon than grapefruit, and more green than anything. Dies pretty quickly, sadly. I love the opening. 7/10

This one is so lovely but hard to describe. It starts with a blast of pleasantly sour grapefruit. That is quickly followed by something almost edible, but not sweet smelling. Could this be black currant? I don't really know. It just smells yummy, literally makes my mouth water. The drydown is slightly floral, but not much, just a whisper. Overall,it is awesome, but I can't put my finger on why exactly I like it. I would solidly place my taste in the corner marked "fresh fruity floral". I don't like anything to heavy or spicy, but this lady has some heft to her and leaves an impression on the wearer, but not on those around her. I will cherish this small decant brought back from Paris by a dear student whose mother is also scent obsessed.

I received a mini-sampler yesterday (thanks, nathaliez!!). Out of the 5 sampled, Eau Fantasque stood out and impressed me. There isn't much in this fragrance, as far as notes are concerned. But this composition is so well-balanced and it blends in with my skin chemistry to produce a crisp, floral-fruity scent. I'd also like to add that this has a pretty nice sillage and EXCELLENT lasting power. This happens to be one that I'd rather enjoy on myself than on a woman. Maybe she should be wearing Baroque, instead.

A burst of citrus energy that I can't really put a finger on. This smells very much like Mediterranean springtime to me, it's sunny, crisp, breezy and lifts your mood instantly. Fun and carefree and also playful. It's light-hearted but not silly. It has a kick but it's not aggressive, it has a sparkling and transparent quality. It's very sad this perfume is discontinued, it's a great composition of a certain joie de vivre.