Erawan

So for some reason, I'm not allowed to make a comparison on this perfume... very strange. Fragrantica seems to have the weirdest and inconsistent rules for how they let people compare things to other things... I'm wondering if it's financially motivated. But anyways, onto the objective review of this fragrance! I had just a few drops left in a sample from luckyscent. It has a creamy sweetness to it, but it also has an undeniable green base. It's very nondescript. I can't exactly pinpoint where that greenness comes from, but it's very inoffensive and pleasant as well. Some green perfumes can come off as abrasive and hard to wear. This one has that sweetness. It says vanilla, I believe I read another review mention chocolate and I can agree much more with that one... actually it has a sweetness to it that's very similar to the cotton candy note used in 212 Sexy now that I think about it. But I'm not even going to attempt to input that one, the Michael Scott meme is actually quite annoying and childish and puts me off of voting... But again, back to this fragrance! For just 1 drop or 2 of fragrance, it has a very nice performance. I would love a bottle of this actually, if it were more in my price range of $100 or so. But for what it actually goes for, I don't think I can justify it. If you're comfortable with niche prices, this is a really good one, and I'm not saying that it's unworthy of its price. Just that I am a mere commoner who can't afford it :P The fragrance I was trying to compare this to, not even intending to write a review: Smell Bent's Brussels Sprouted. This one may be a bit sweeter and more creamy, and that one had more of a soil tincture. But the greenness in these two are very reminiscent of each other. If you ever tried that one and liked it, but now you can't find it: this is a much more wearable, and refined version of that. Edit: It turns out, I can justify this! It is just unlike anything else I’ve ever smelled, completely beautiful. I need to buy one more sample as a little drop on my wrist one time isn’t enough for me to shell out $200 something for a 50ML! The longer this wore on my skin the more it really captivated me. I can’t imagine finding a cheaper dupe to this, so this just became my motivational graduation present. If they ever put it on sale at Luckyscent, I may just buy it right there on the spot, but one thing is for sure: this is truly special. This is the only one I’ve tried from this house, but if they all smell anywhere near this good I totally understand the hype.

Gentle, subtle, sophisticated and rather mysterious magic - tantalisingly close to hay heaven. Soft and gentle, but clever and interesting too - seductive enough to lead me all the way down its path, a fresh-mown strip down the middle of a hayfield in full sun with some beautiful tingles of aromatic herbs as well. Feels gorgeously organic and real, utterly unisex, full of nuances and details and little twists & turns as you move through that imaginary space, crushing different plants along your way and releasing their gorgeous aromatic notes into soft, warm, humid late-summer air. (It conjures this even in a much colder climate and on grim, grey days - it's all in your head, but it really, really works.) Erawan just feels natural and light and right all the way through. It caresses you and whispers, rather than singing or shouting at full voice. That might sound a bit twee, a bit 'hello clouds hello sky' but this is far more than just a dippy-hippy girly skip through the meadow - it's a really adult, sophisticated character. It doesn't smell exactly like anything else, but there are echoes of other gentle-green scents I love. Some of the lovely, completely un-bitter greenness with underlying sweetness does remind me a little of the opening phase of Elephant, but this is far softer and more complex. With those huge stacks of almost edibly wonderful hay, for me it most strongly evokes Lutens Eau de Paille, but prettier, and then the - equally frustratingly quiet - green serenity of Garden Gnome. Henley's lovely Mown (which I own) has the hay in common, but is far, far louder and sweeter and more burnt-fruity, a stronger scent all round, but without Erawan's unique and distinctive herbal charm. That's the only real drawback for me - the smellscape is exceptionally great but I want it more intense! Like all the other Dusitas I've tried EXCEPT the notoriously reeky Oudh Infini, it's so discreet (and the longevity a little too weak for comfort), and the price so high that I can't really see myself rushing to a full-bottle buy. Feel deeply conflicted by that, though, and it seems so likely I'll change my mind in the end. Shy botanical beauty, but so worth the time spent getting to know and explore it better. Really deft, sensitive, intelligent work. Deserves a crown of the prettiest, tiniest daisies to garland its lovely head. ETA: of course I changed my mind and bought the first cut-price partial to be found. Regret nothing. Haybale bliss.

I am reviewing this fragrance while sitting peacefully with the ocean's wave in the background from a hotel's restaurant; which seemed to be a contrary to what this perfume is offering: a green, soft-like vanillla with hay and phantom notes of white chocolate... Something green and reserved. However, Erawan is much more than that in my mind. Hell, this perfume has been accompanying me on most of my holidays, with exception only one where I accidentally packed Eau de Magnolia instead of it. Erawan is a peaceful, joyful, yet calming scent. It is green, positive, it inspires me, it is like a little companion for my experiences. I wear Erawan when my heart is in joy, when my heart is full, when my heart yearns and hopes. Erawan never offends me in the slightest, which is rather strange because some scents that I love had done it at some point, which later builds this affinity of love and hate; but it is never a case for Erawan. It opens beautifully with this soft green scent... Like resembling a grass, a very otherworldly milk, and hay. The vanilla is like a canvas that supports all the soft play of notes on top of it. Erawan is my definition of peace and luxury. Imagine a very dear friend that somehow will just listen, understand, and support you. It is Erawan on my neck, chest, arms, and shoulders. No one really notice it on me, but I always see it. These days I tend to layer it with light and fresh perfumes. Like a star besides the sun, you really won't notice any of it. However, the richness and the calmness it adds to the overall vibe and mood is a total catch. Sample it. This is not a safe blind buy. It took me some time to love it and to cherish it, but I am glad for my olfactory sense to ever detect this smell. Special thanks to Pissara and anyone who got involved in releasing this. I hope this will never be discontinued. Note: sorry, I totally forgot that I have reviewed this scent... I just had the urge to talk and review this again when I sat down and caught the whiff of it.

I try to block out all the noise I hear about certain fragrances and perfumers but it's hard to consume your favourite blogs and reviewers without Pissara coming up somewhere. I was curious about the Oud and Splendiris which were both good and very different but not until I dig into the proper florals she is famed for, do I get a true impression of what Dusita perfume is about. A friend very kindly sent me a comprehensive set of the samples I hadn't tried and this one was the first I sampled and I have to say it's pretty special. I get three main elements, but this is a fragrance that twists and shimmers with different looks, moist then dry, light then dark, fragrant then almost dulled down. This is my kind of experience...a trio of vibes, spring from this one. Orange blossom/neroli, going from herbal and bitter green edged neroli material, to perfumed, waxy, citrus orange and fleshy, orange blossom type of white florals. Then bam!!! where did all this dryness come from? It smells like summer as child, straw fields and the substance of hay absolute. I also get a milky tea, it's not hugely metallic or quintessential green or black tea, at least the way it's conventionally used in fresher fair. None of which is listed in the notes here!!! haha (Apart from the hay) Okay so... Lilly of the valley is likely giving all the white floral effect, there's gotta be some citrus even if it's not that pronounced? The hay is very strong and obvious in the heart. The clary sage/petrigrain and moss, account for the bitter herbal edge, and perhaps the tea effect too? Vanilla could be the milk in the tea and sweetness lend more sweetness with the hay? Very interesting stuff and superb quality and clarity of concept. As much of a contrarian as I like to think I am I have to admit that Pissara's sorcery is very really and I think it's working on me?

You know how excited you get when you buy your first fragrance from a brand you love and respect? This is the excitement I felt when I got Erawan. I haven't felt that type of perfume excitement in a while. My first entry to Dusita was when there was the naming competition for Splendiris where everyone got a sample. I fell in love, then and there. I first tried this when a perfume friend brought a pre-release sample to a meet-up. I actually really disliked it, as the opening was abrasive and cold. The formula must have been changed because now, although similar, the edges have been smoothed out. It's still sharp and green, and still quite cool but there's more finesse. It slowly unfurls and becomes one of the loveliest, most unique spring scents out there. I was torn between this and Lancome's Idole and this rather easily won out because... come on. The hay in this is what makes it so unusual. I wanted something that makes people look back, something that takes you to the countryside where the skies are clear. Forget listing notes, this is a perfume with emotion and feeling. The dry down is warm and cosy ... a sort of flip-around from the opening, truly. Something quite impressive, honestly. While I get this might not be for everyone, it's undeniable that it will make people think and remember. It's not sexy, it's not cute, it's wandering around alone dressed in chic albeit comfortable clothing. Makes me think of both farms in rich rural areas that mostly produce artisan cheese and wine, and wealthy inner city suburbs where the streets are picturesque and beautiful. Urban explorer, hikes, coffee in a local cafe. Strange how a fragrance can make you forget analysis and just get you to lay back and enjoy the ride. Easy going, that's what I'm going for.