Sel de Vetiver

Wow... what a unique scent. This immediately feels so bright and crisp, but not in an ordinary way. I had never tried a vetiver fragrance before and the notes in this are so youthful almost...I've definitely never smelled anything quite like this. It feels sweet but not saccharin sweet, nor gourmand. I sampled this, along with Heeley Sel Marin and Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt. For those of you also looking at these scents ("beach"/marine scents), I can give my 2 cents on how this ranks. Heeley Sel Marin- much too sharp for me. I admittedly haven't worn yet, but I let it dry down on a tester sheet and it is very very sour almost and I didn't find it to be mellow enough for my taste. Reminded me slightly of a candle scent, which is unfortunate given the glowing write-ups for this scent. I have most of my sample left, so I may retest in the spring. Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt - I've reviewed before and really enjoy this scent, but the longevity is so poor. Even with just a "dabbed" scent of Sel de Vetiver, I could tell that the longevity and sillage are superior. I *almost* went for a full-bottle of this, but I decided to wait and maybe even get a small decant from Surrender to chance so I can make sure I like it enough (and also test with a spray and not just a dab). It may be more of a warm-weather scent for me, so I will probably revisit when it gets warmer out. At one point I did detect a carrot-y note in the fragrance (which I wasn't crazy about), but I keep going back to the fragrance and find it to be so different and uplifting. Hopefully this review helps you if you are trying to find a new scent to sample/wear. It's definitely worth ordering a sample!

In the beginning, there is citrus. This probably sounds odd, but it’s just like tasting grapefruit with salt sprinkled on top of it. All too soon, though, the citrus dies away and the vetiver and its companions take over. The vetiver is gray and bitter, as it should be, and is accented by just the slightest hint of dry, peppery spice, the listed cardamon plus a few other things, possibly coriander. There’s also just the tiniest hint of something floral, but it’s subtle, focused mainly on iris. Then the bitterness goes away and there’s more sillage than I would ever have thought. It’s gorgeous, a perfect combination of notes. It’s like floating in a womb of fragrant salt water full of luscious nutrients. It’s the scent they would have used to lull the tank-people into submission in “The Matrix”. When I first smelled the sillage, it was one of those infatuated, “OMG, this is the Holy Grail!” moments, which, of course, like infatuated love, never last very long. As the scent died away, so did the initial excitement. Sel de Vetiver cannot go into my wear-to-work rotation because it only lasts about 4 hours and I like for the scents that I put on in the morning to last through the evening. What a treat to be pleasantly surprised, though. I can see how Sel de Vetiver would be nice layered with TDC’s Bergamote, as suggested by another reviewer. This seems like a good use for the bergamot, since by itself it’s much too thin, linear, and short-lived.

I just love this perfume so much. I don't even understand how any perfume house can capture salt, but TDC does and does it well. I can smell the beach and NO suntan lotion, yay! If I want to smell like suntan lotion, I'll use it! I love vetivers and I've been on a mission to find one that doesn't smell too gentlemanly and that I can wear in hot weather. I'm in south Florida and it's very hard to find one. I love Vetiver Tonka, but it works better for me in the cooler weather. Many citrus scents turn on me or don't last. So while I enjoy the ones that work, I don't get the longevity I want. In this, I sense some grapefruit, but not in a sweet way. This perfume is fresh, light, but heavy enough to be noticed and last a while. This one lasts on me for hours (at least 4) and possibly even longer because I got used to it. The drydown was interesting. I just noticed this after the 4th time wearing it, pepper! Salt n Pepper! What a cool perfume this is! Another thing I noticed. When I tested Hermes Elixir Des Merveilles, I thought, hmmm, this smells so familiar, but I know I've never tested it. I had run out of my Sel de Vetiver and didn't realize the similarity. SdV smells like green stuff and EdM smells like orange jam - but underneath them both, I get the same bright gorgeous scent - whatever it is!

My favourite vetiver fragrance and my favourite summer perfume. It was one the very first niche perfumes and the first vetiver fragrance I got to know, so it has kind of special meaning for me. The vetiver note is present here from beginning to end, but withe different companion. In the opening the most dominant note is grapefruit with a little bit of bitetter bergamot. What make it very different from generic fresh, citrusy frags is addition of cardamom which adds some deepness and density to the citruses. Later as citruses vapourize, a salty note appears. I think it comes from geranium. In my elementary school there were many geranium pots on the windowsills and I remember this complex, fizzy, vibrant and salty smell. I don't detect any other flowers, I guess they are perfectly blended with vetiver and salty geranium, perhaps adding some softness to the creation. I recognized two main types of vetiver in perfumes whose I associate withe colours. So there is yellow, rooty vetiver and green, grassy vetiver, the former I love the latter not so much. Sel de vetiver is obviously all about yellow vetiver - deep, earthy, oily and sligtly smokey. Along with other notes it makes Sel de Vetiver one of the most beautyful vetiver frags for me. I really enjoy wearing it, especially in summer.

Sel Vetiver This is good, as in “tried this on Friday night, went back and purchased the next day” good. Absolutely no aquatics here (not to me at least). What I do get is a breezy handling of what is typically a heavy handed treatment of a common perfume element (think Encre Noire). I once spoke with Roja Dove, asked him about the light treatment in his own Vetiver. What he said is that the higher up the plant, the lighter the vetiver note. While this is in the same vein as Roja’s, derived from higher up in the plant, it lacks the citrusy brightness (and in some ways the weight associated with Roja’s composition) and as a result is much lighter but not lacking the vetiver note in any way. What I get instead is more of a dreamy composition, ephemeral, but at the same time lasting and substantial. The vetiver is light but clearly identifiable, clean, almost if it was sprayed on a shirt days ago and only encountered again when the shirt is put back on. Longevity is around 4 hours with very, very low sillage. If I had to rank vetivers, I’d put this first, followed by Roja’s and then TF’s GV.

Sel de Vetiver was not at all a love on first sniff. The opening is honestly weird to put it bluntly, there is a cooling piercing bleach-like sterile metallic accord that I have not encountered from any other fragrance before. It has this animalic, astringent, salty quality that even reminds me a bit of... certain bodily fluids. But, weirdly the more I wore it the more I appreciated it both artistically and then subsequently as a scent profile. Which was genuinely a surprise. When under a full wear, the citrus emerged in the drydown and revealed a very photorealistic rindy grapefruit accord. I appreciate both the odd zingy metallic bleach like opening and the more mass appealing dry-down. Performance is the only real issue here, it's a bit fleeting which is disappointing. I recommend everyone try this though, it's too unique not to be discovered! Rating: 9/10 Wearability: 6/10 Projection: Intimate to Moderate Longevity: Weak to Moderate

The first impression is of a warm but windy day near the ocean. I can feel the marine salt right from the beginning, along with the vetiver which is dry and clean. The focus is on the vetiver roots, but not the earthy ones found in darker compositions. They are the roots that have been washed in the ocean and as they dry, they are covered with marine salt. The wind carries through the air the smell of saltwater together with the cleaned vetiver roots. The composition seems airy, transparent, but far from being simple and boring. At this point, there is a mix of aromatic herbs and flowers sustaining the vetiver. The changes are subtle throughout its life and it dries down warmer, rounder and sweeter, with the salt and the vetiver being present from start to finish. One of my favorites, this reminds me of summer, sun and wind; a happy day at the ocean. Scent: 9.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 5/10

i was looking for an alternate for terre d hermes and i came across this beautiful fragrance.it was my first experience with this fragrance house and to tell u the truth im in love with TDC opening is harsh with a blast of citrus but it only stays for few minutes.as the middle notes step ahead this is where this fragrance creates its magic vetiver wit a pich of salt and very light grapefruit makes this really beautifull. its perfect for spring or cool summer nights because this beautiful salt vetiver journey doesnt last that much i get around 4 to 5 hrsand projection is about average.overall i would give it 4/5

just met this fragrance by chance. I was in search for a good vetiver scent during a very boring meeting and fragrantica offered me a few including Guerlain Vetiver, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, Hermes Vetiver Tonka. While lloking for some decants for these in my country, I met sel de Vetiver and purchased it only to give it a try. I don't like describing scents as unique but this one really is. It is like ugly but charming people who you dont see by your eyes but by your heart. I never mean to load any missions on fragrances but this one helps me burden life. Nice companion

Was there a severe reformulation? My old version (that I know many years) was an extreme grapefruit opener, a woody vetiver in the style of Sycomore with a strong dose of cardamom and fruity/flowery ylang ylang and a very soft and kind of deep irisy dry down. The version I just ordered is like a chemical, diluted version of Vetiver Guerlain. I have both here and they have nothing in common. It's awful. Any hints? I'm really freaking, is it gone? EDIT March 2018: They didn't change- I unintendedly bought a rip-off. The original stayed all the same, beautiful like ever.

Nutty vetiver, with a salty twist (a facet of some vetivers, strengthened by the support of geranium and probably also a drop of violet) and hint of grapefruit. The iris will give a slightly powdery impression, suggesting further a dry salty note. The drydown is a close (soft) version of Dyptique Vetyverio EDP. A majestuous fragrance, that I wish projected more given the high price tag (note that I get whiffs of it several hours in, so projection is actually decent). Still, a great clean and sophisticated vetiver. Warmer days, 25+

One of the top vetiver scents ever created IMO. Bold, bright and earthy. A couple pinches of salt with some citrus and bold,masculine vetiver. I am no vetiver expert and can't distinguish between bourbon and Tahitian vetiver but my nose loves this stuff! The opening is creatively bold and can be overbearing at times but the dry down is heaven in a bottle. For those that swear up and down that the Guerlain is the best then you need to try this. This last all day and can be considered a 4 seasons vetiver.

Magnifico vetiver. Tan solo la he probado una vez, directamente en mi piel, me entusiasmó. Es fresca pero persistente, con el tono ligeramente amargo y seco del vetiver de Haiti. En cuanto pueda la compro, aunque dudo entre esta fragancia y otro vetiver que tambien me gusta muchisimo y que es diferente de este, me debato entre comprar primero Vetiver Extraordinarie de F.Malle o este.

Sel de Vetiver is easily my 2nd favorite fragrance next to Sycomore EDT. I just repurchased it after 8 years or so, and I'm really irritated why the hell I abandoned it for such a long time. And just realized what nice soulmate-couples the pairs Sel de Vetiver/ Sycomore EDT and Bois d'Iris/ 28 La Pausa make...like the witty, sparkling daughters of beautiful, elegant mothers.

It’s dry, slightly smokey vetiver. The salt gives it HEELEY Sel Marin vibes. The grapefruit because, well, it’s made by an Ellena. Combined, these three notes are perfection to me. Niche perfumery at its finest. This is the scent that got me hooked on vetiver, if that means anything to you. 9.5/10 (modest performance/sillage hold it back from a 10)

I smell sand, sea salt and a lot of fresh vetivers... which brings nothing but a soft, relaxing and vacation-like feeling. How much more can I ask from this gem? I wouldn't be surprised if it takes me to the sunny Tahiti shores within the next blink.

The best vetiver I know - has a character and therefore does not like everybody. It is as sharp as the incense abstract - but the incense is not in the notes. For me, it is a shrine vetiver for great occasions. My raiting 9.4 / 10

This is a rare take on vetiver. It does take multiple wears to understand what is going on with this one. That is my experience at least. Wonderful summer fragrance and wonderful overall. It’s not what you think it is. 😀😀

Only 1 spray on a T-shirt on my chest Crisp at the beginning and then develops into gentle, serene and relaxing. Enjoying my every breath. Bravo and thank you Celine Ellena. This is my favourite perfume.

In modern times many niche firms venture in creating vetivers of the highest caliber. Unlike expensive niche eau de colognes which rely only in the quality of materials, vetiver has more creative room and different compositions and styles have been introduced. Sel de Vetiver is an enigmatic and highly distinctive vetiver fragrance, smoky and earthy (patchouli is also present although curiously not listed) with lots of iris and some salt. It strikes me as a transparent dry woods composition, very close to Timbuktu’s axis with its smoldering rendition of vetiver, although less dark and more floral. It also features a sparkling herbal gin accord and a citrus mineral facet, reminiscent of Ellena’s Terre d’Hermes. With the absence of reliable woody florals from the market SdV’s mysterious air and exotic freshness is a wind long awaited.