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.

A herbal-spicy scent, which, whilst totally unique and appealing, doesn’t quite work for me. There’s the fruity-funk of the dates and the figs, but, as it stands, it’s just a little too weird-spicy for me. I might need to give this another go, of course, but as it stands, not really what I go for in a scent...

Don't really smell the fig in this perfume but it's a nice scent. It really reminds me of the pears soap smell, if you like that scent this perfume is for you.

smells interesting...would not repurchase. was cloying

Opens with a clay accord, not what I was expecting. I was thinking of white, smooth wet clay, the kind used in art classes. This clay seems much more mineral, sun-baked. Awaiting further developments. EDIT: After about 10 minutes, it’s joined by a fresh green note, supposedly the palm frond. Together, they create kind of a synthetic feel. I’m also getting an edge of something warm and musky. It might be the date. EDIT: After a few hours it’s just a warm, mildly sweet musk. Very nice to smell. Due to the opening, I really don’t think I’ll ever wear this. I really dislike the synthetic clay and green accords.