PROVENCE

Provence is the first fragrance I've encountered where hyssop takes center stage. We may have had our first encounter with the word "hyssop" through the bible ("Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean") but that reference is believed to pertain to a different plant altogether, Origanum syriacum, or Syrian oregano, the "biblical hyssop." Hyssopus officinalis is the true hyssop, a stimulating, tannic aromatic herb high in thujone, phenol, and cineole. Its fragrance could be described as a combination of coniferous needles, rosemary, wormwood, mint, and sweet camphor. It's known for its use in chartreuse and absinthe; my experience with the oil revealed immediate recognition from these libations. In Provence, hyssop, with supporting lavender, clary sage and coriander, evokes the garrigue: the shrubby expanse of the Mediterranean, with the warm air redolent with fragrant low-lying vegetation. There is a limpid quality not unlike that of the more minimalist works of Jean Claude Ellena. Yet the perfumer here, Sébastien Cresp, knows his way around a fixative and builds a sustain to Provence that allows it to levitate above my skin for longer than I would've expected in the first thirty minutes of wear. It feels like a koan on substance, and the inescapable weightlessness of that which may seem to gird the spirit. It represents just as much the cobalt blue firmament as it does the sweet, green terrain below.

I truly fell in love with this fragrance! It was my first ever niche fragrance purchase. To me, it’s a photorealistic green tea scent. I also get notes of lavender and black pepper. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it, though I don’t think its projection is very strong. The projection only lasts about 2 hours, but the scent lingers. Even after washing my clothes, I can still smell it on them the next day. After some time it becomes more of an intimate skin scent but it definitely lasts. I still love this fragrance regardless of its projection. It’s a very unique scent and I haven’t found anything like it.

This is exquisite. It has the outline of a fougere. But instead of the typical heady barbershop feel, it’s drying stems of just-harvested lavender. The fragrance is very lightly ‘green’ without straying into tomato-leaf or Un Jardin en Mediterranée. The herbs, particularly mint and pepper, give it a good lift. Underlying it all, there’s a light sweetness (hyssop or clary sage?) that reminds you of sunshine and hay. A late summer’s afternoon in Provence.

Love from the first sniff. Very green, fresh, aromatic but not not very lavendy. Minty and refreshing. I love the concept of the whole line - using single origin compounds, focus on sustainability ang giving back to local communities. I appreciate light bottles with wooden cap, no plastic, simple cardboard box without plastic sleeve The whole line is worth the try

A very natural green herbal fragrance. The blurb lists all of the essential oils, and it is indeed photorealistic. The mint adds a nice lift, too. I also catch a bit of hyssop, similar to the dried herbs my girlfriend sometimes rolls into her blunt. Still, I think it is easy to pull this one off. It has depth but remains wearable. If you want a fresh grassy fragrance this is a good one to try. 8.1/10

It smells like a small packet of Herbes de Provence. Faithfull to the name and notes listed. A good image of the Provence deep hinterland. Maybe too deep, i think it would be better with a hint of the costal area with a light sea breeze.

Don't expect a typical lavender scent. Actually, despite the picture and the name, the lavender isn't the main character here, it's Hyssop. The overall scent profile is fresh-floral, and fresh-spicy with the coriander being the most noticeable spice in the dry down. Very pleasant scent, which is most suited for spring and summer. If I have to compare it to something, I would say Allegresse by Cartier. It doesn't smell similar, but it's the same scent character. Allegresse is focused on Hyacinth, while Provence on Hyssop; but both are fresh-florals. Overall, this is a pleasant, tasteful, fresh-floral scent suited for someone who wants something other than the usual ambery, sweet, fruity take on floral scents. My favourite from the brand(and the only one.)

Minty, fresh, floral herbal bouquet. As an ironic twist, the floral greenery I smell here reads more as "the alps" than the Nissaba fragrance "Les Alpes." I like the mix of sweet and savory in the herbal combo. I do find it a little odd given the mention of extreme amounts of lavender and lavandin that neither of those oils/absolutes truly stands out. There is this red berry beta ionone-type smell that pervades the heart and a fresh green-fruity-floral-ozonic cocktail of aroma chemicals that kind of takes over the top. This is ok but not sublime and not as good as some of Nissaba's other offerings.

Un parfum tres vert C'est exactement la meme odeur que Ege de Nishane , photocopie On sent énormément la corriandre fraiche Une odeur de concombre , c'est tres particulier Un parfum presque marin , qu'on voudrait porter pour une balade sur le port... Étrangement je ne perçoit pas la lavande , elle est fondue avec toute les autres notes Tres bonne tenue , par contre sillage et projection inexistant.

Tender mint, herbs and nutmeg over pale green While generally very satisfied with the sample set of Nissaba, Provence nevertheless feels like it’s on a level of its own. To my nose, Provence is an offspring of Herba Fresca and by extension ELDO You or Someone like You, however taken to an absurd level of realism. If Herba Fresca is that pristine crossroads between mint and tea, the ELDO that of mint and clean modern florals, Provence is that of the entire southern French wild life. Envision the purest most delicate evocation of mint, lavender, green dew, a slight dusting of soft spice and the softest hint of underlying sweetness, cohesive and luminous. There is the slightest element of crispy green bitterness to ground an otherwise featherlight composition. One consideration: Nissaba insists on leaving out even the safest UV filters and preservatives, meaning a lot of the magic of their compositions may be rapidly lost a few years after purchase (without any real evidence based benefit), so perhaps opt for a 10ml over the 100ml, unless you are confident you will use most of it quickly.

After watching a video with the creators of Nissaba Provence, I was really expecting to experience a lavender dominant fragrance, but after getting a sample at ScentFest SF, I'm somewhat dissapointed to find that the lavender is only playing a minor supporting role, and hyssop, clary sage and corriander are the main players here. Sadly this smells like a green cheapie, a discount bin "hay" sort of fragrance. Big let down for me as I learned so much about the difference between lavender and lavandin in the video, and was expecting this to be all about those two notes.

I am a huge green fan, own quite a few and this one is a beauty. Such a refreshing scent. and a refreshing take on green. It's not too grassy. not too fougere. and not too lavender. Nice sillage. medium projection. lasted about 3 to 4 hours It is a walk in a crisp white button down and big brimmed hat in a fresh field of sunny greens on a beautiful spring day. Everything is vibrant and glowing. Daily reviews on IG @scentstylist

A green aromatic fragrance with a fresh spicy character. Florals and peppermint lead the opening, giving it a crisp, herbal feel. It opens a little sharp, but the overall impression remains natural and refreshing. If you're looking for a green, minty fragrance for warmer weather, this fills a fairly unique role.

Beautiful, so elegant, so French, so crisp and soft. Perfect for white shirt and jeans. Longevity and projection are almost okay

I can’t wait to try this At last a few male fougere without bloody tonka or vanilla