Fayoum

I don’t think I gave Fayoum justice with my first review. It’s been about 9 months since I purchased it, and I found my bottle again while organizing my collection. I gave it a spray and it’s much sweeter and richer than I remember. The date and fig notes are much more prominent, blending seamlessly with the clay in an unexpected harmony. The earthiness adds balance here, pulling the fruity notes back from a sticky sweetness. Cozy and mysterious, this is a lovely wearable niche that doesn’t sacrifice the story it tells. I’ve been loving on its own, but I’ve also been layering with Philosykos EDT or to add much-needed depth to Nomade Naturelle.

A rich, intoxicating Middle Eastern vibe, utterly unique. I get locked onto the fig in this,..... a dried fig or dark fig butter kind of scent that brings a narcotic edge to the florals. Almost as if the Perfumer was using it in place of labdanum. And the clay accord....all I'm going to say is it's fucking cool. It rewired my brain. When I think of the smell of clay, my brain thinks dry, dusty, ashy, but my brain is wrong. Wet, fresh clay is an earthy, mineral, middle-intensity note that I suddenly understand now.

The clay note is surprising and compelling. This perfume immediately brings me to a desert, or maybe to the edge of an oasis. Once the clay note wears away, you're left with a spicy, green, and somehow juicy base. This perfume is interesting and challenging while still being wearable and gorgeous. I can't get enough!

The unique clay note paired with saffron lends a hot and cool quality that's really captivating. I think of a big terracotta vessel filled with sweet dried fruit, deeply sun baked and balanced with a bit of green.

unmistakable fig. characteristically green. honeyed. then, scorched earth. followed by a soft nuttiness i only knew to come from vetiver. it was when watching El Masri's 'Meet a Nose' chat with the Institute for Art and Olfaction that the source of this nuttiness was revealed to be mimosa. what a pleasant surprise! fayoum is understated and tenacious. it becomes one with you. oh, what a pleasant surprise.