Prima Materia

When first sprayed, the scent is of dry grass and soil tinged with citrus. But within a few minutes, it transforms into something deeply familiar—the aroma of oolong tea. Not the kind of "citrus and tea" scent often found in perfumes that claims to represent oolong tea. (In fact, I’ve always wondered why such refreshing, transparent aromas are treated as oolong tea...) This is the true scent of fermented tea leaves—real oolong tea. Perhaps Tieguanyin or Wuyi rock tea. It’s the wild, earthy fragrance of leaves that have undergone sufficient roasting and fermentation. It could even resemble pu-erh tea. Likely, it’s the combination of vetiver’s dried grassiness and fermented nuance that evokes this impression. Honestly, if I were to sip hot water while smelling this perfume, my brain would probably think I was drinking oolong tea. Now, would I want to walk around the city smelling like oolong tea? No. But I do think this is extremely well-crafted. This is the kind of scent best enjoyed alone, in a quiet room.

Earthy and bright, Prima Materia is a quintessential aromatherapy fragrance, more natural scentscape than perfume. Citrus adds a lift which is offset by a damp, mossy, but faintly sweet tangle of herbs and trees and flowers. It's what Henry David Thoreau would wear to evoke memories of rustic living on Walden Pond. It's ancient but also comforting. Sigil doesn't make the most refined fragrances to my nose, but for unfettered nature in beautiful packaging, one could do much worse.

Vetiver and sage dominate here, with just a touch of citrus (maybe not enough?) to uplift. Unisex but leans more masculine in my opinion. A lovely dry-spice woody scent, a little too linear and simplistic, but leaves you feeling safe and warm. Would overall work better as a winter room-spray than a personal cologne. Still, a man could do much worse.

Under the sunlight... And into the woods... A bright sun ray on a dry sage.. bitter vetiver, and sour oakmoss with a touch of citrus. Earthy animalic indeed. "A picture worth 1000 words", so if you want to see this blend then it's: watch?v=-lEfgbkpOSg The ad of Gucci's "Mémoire d'une Odeur" feat. Harry Styles... This ad explains the blend perfectly.