Bana Banana

I've had a 10 ml travel size of this for quite some time and for some reason I never wore it often, thinking I wouldn't care much for it. How wrong I was!! The past few times I've worn this I've been repeatedly impressed by its longevity and how beautifully if wafts around me with this delicate, powdery warmth, due to the violet note. I used to be quite 'powder-averse' in my younger years, thinking these types of perfumes smelled too mature, but I now associate scents with a powdery element with comfort and find the scents that lean this way to be some of my most treasured fragrances. Bana Banana is not a superficial, candy-sweet, laffy-taffy banana poolside candy carnival, but rather a contemplative, beautifully constructed homage to the tropical banana plant wrapped in a warm, powdery gauze. I'm gonna need the full bottle and pray they don't discontinue this one! Beautiful work by Celine Ellena! Update: Of course it’s been discontinued. Waaa waaa 😒🙄😭

I got to sample this thanks to the generosity of a wonderful fragrantican. Thank you, Antonia! Bana Banana can be considered a banana only in the very few moments starting from application, when it opens, indeed, as a semi-ripe, realistic banana (peel), with little sweetness but a lot of "pulpiness", if that makes sense. As time goes by, though, the banana subsides and my nose gets none of that banana candy - jelly - popsicle vibe that some have mentioned. Instead, it goes to a duskier - dustier territory, it gets heavier, more rounded and it reminds me of a Zoologist creation. This could belong to the same family as Macaque, Elephant or Panda. All in all, I find it to be a very interesting creation, an artistic one and also quite challenging. Judging by the name, I was expecting a cheekier, in your face kind of playful banana, but you can expect something more substantial instead.

I wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I do. The opening immediately made me smile - it’s playful, unusual and unlike anything else in my collection. The banana doesn’t smell artificial or like banana sweets. Instead, it blends beautifully with the powdery iris and soft musks, creating something comforting, elegant and surprisingly addictive. As it dries down, it becomes creamier and more sophisticated while still keeping that unique character. Every time I wear it, I find myself smelling my wrist because there’s something so intriguing about it. It’s one of those fragrances that makes you wonder, “What am I actually smelling?” in the best possible way. Distinctive without trying too hard. I only wish L’Artisan Parfumeur hadn’t discontinued it. I’m so glad I managed to track down a genuine bottle because this has easily become one of my favourite fragrances.

I am shocked. Gobsmacked. Flabbergasted. I thought this would be a novelty, throw in your suitcase before some tropical vacation, frivolity. Why do I love this so much and why does it work so well for colder weather? First of all, it doesn’t smell like the banana, vanilla ice cream, vodka smoothie that I thought it would. It has more substance, more depth, more richness. The banana element is light, really the leaf, not the fruit. And then, there is the warmth of tonka bean, amber, and nutmeg, giving it a deeply sensuous, snuggly, cocooning, yumminess. It’s really very autumnal. The floral notes: jasmine, iris, violet make it very fresh, breezy, sweet, and the musk and pepper add a little kick. It is so intriguing and unique and surprising and original. I could see crunching through leaves on a sunny Indian summer day with this fragrance and my chunky knits.

I got this when it first came out, sprayed it once and didn’t get past the opening. Recently I came across it again for a very low price and re-purchased. Having become more familiar with l’Artisan fragrances, I have much more understanding and appreciation for it now. (L’Artisans need time to develop on the skin, as well as time to develop in the bottle). The banana bread blast at the beginning, which initially turned me off, I now see as a short-lasting and cheeky attention grab, priming the palate and synapses for the rest of the process to unfold. The creamy green florals and grounding spices create so much warmth and interest. It is truly a comfort to wear. Drydown reminds me of Safran Troublant and poivre piquant- sweet and starchy. I like this one now and am glad I gave it another try.