Patchouli Patch

Edit 7/2024 I purchased an older bottle , the 30ml narrow bottle , on eBay several years ago and it wasn’t working so I put it in the sell bin. On a whim I pulled it out and now I’m loving it to death again. I think the sprayer needing a good clearing for one thing but also this actually works much better on me in the heat. This and SMN are still my two favorite patch scents. I’ve been through three or four bottles of this since 2006. My current bottle- about one quarter full -is about 7 years old. It had definitely been reformulated after my very first bottle because I recall complaining it smelled different at the store where I purchased it. I didn’t know about reformulations then. In any case I adore what I have still and am wondering if I should wear it sparingly because it is nothing like what recent reviewers are saying. It lasts forever and has big sillage. I’ve tested several other niche patch (histoires, vc&a, le labo, nassamoto, bond st, Nobile) and L’artisan Patch is superior to all. It’s the most feminine and well blended imo. If you’re a patch researcher and you are curious, try to get your hands on an older formulation.(I also LOVE SMN patch which is much more medicinal and hippie chic).

This is how patchouli SHOULD be represented in perfumery. Clean, fresh, realistic, smooth, herbal, and inviting. This fragrance isn't scary at all. It's as calming and pleasing as grandma's spice rack. It's reminiscent of fresh spearmint leaves, newspaper, and old books. Fingered pages, cracked binding, and dusty shelves. This is one of those fragrances that takes you back. Back to childhood, for me. Which is quite odd, seeing as how I never smelled patchouli for the first time until college. This is how fresh, natural, patchouli smells. It's wonderful to finally experience this in a fragrance! These days, patchouli is overexploited as a cheap way to strengthen a perfume, and it gives patchouli a bad name, because the general public is so quick to blame their distaste for strong, cheap eau's on poor patchouli, even though no one really gets to know how beautiful it can be. This is that fragrance that demonstrates what patchouli should be, how it should be used, and what it really smells like at it's best. This is herbal, minty, fresh, and slightly musty in a basement-esque mildewy sense. It's so comfortable and gorgeous, and I wouldn't mind wearing this every day for the rest of my life.

A patchouli fix in fragrance form... PP is true to its name. This is patchouli, patchouli, patchouli from start to finish...Right at the top I also get caraway, musk and star anise very distinctively. This combination feels dry and makes the patchouli smell earthily and a little smoky. In addition, the star anise also gives PP a soft tingling sweetness and a little brightness. PP feels as if somebody has tied together a bunch patchouli leaves (with roots and earth), placed it over smoke coming from heated caraway/musk/star anise, and slapped the bundle across my face. This is natural patchouli, true to its essence. On me PP starts going skin within 2 hours (common with most LAP fragrances). The patch becomes softer, rounder and sweeter. The dry down is lovely. At this point the patch is accompanied by something sweet which I cannot identify clearly. PP is pretty much gone after 4 hours. If you like patchouli and crave for a fix of patchouli, you will like this composition. PP has a lovely, fragrant, and undisturbed patchouli scent that you will enjoy, as I do.

I never thought I would become a fan of any patchouli scent. Maybe because it is most of the time paired up with sweet notes and can be quite tiring. And if someone told me my first ever Artisan Parfumeur scent would be Patchouli Patch, I would probably not believe them either. This is a very addictive and gorgeous, earthy scent. I initially got it for my sister who did not fancy it and told me to keep it. I sprayed it on my wrist and knew instantly this one is not going anywhere. It starts off with a strong patchouli note with a hint of anise seed and caraway. It stays the same throughout, sometimes emphasising more on the spicy or the woody notes. In terms of development is is quite linear, but to be honest it does not bother me that much. It is good in terms of projection, but not overbearing or intrusive to the environment. I would say about 2-3 hours after application, this still is present on my wrist, closer to the skin.

My first introduction to patchouli in a fragrance was Miss Dior (2012) and I was immediately smitten! But it was a patchouli that was restrained by the floral and fruit notes. In time I thought I was ready for rugged all earthy patchouli which is why I bought a full (orange) bottle of P.P. which was two years ago and I honestly was not ready for it. Considering I am very drawn to oriental perfumes, P.P. for me does not reflect me and my personality. It is the earthy tone that deflects me. Giving it another try today after re-reading the reviews and what I am doing different is layering it with JM- Tuberose Angelica because I needed a bit of a 'lift' from the dense patchouli. As the reviewer below mentioned that it has rather 'wild' aspect to it and I really need something to calm it down a bit and I think I found a way to do it. P.P. is still very intriguing and I will try to know her and her wild side better.