Fig Infusion Essential Parfums 2022

I find myself a little surprised that Essential Parfums haven't received more attention. Surprised, because I've been consistently impressed at their ethos, approach, and offerings.

The focus on having the perfumer's name up front and showcased, the 10ml sizing available for each of their fragrances, the price (!) - they're now firmly on my shortlist of brands that I'll actively go out of my way to sample. I've also had some pretty consistent hits with them - I've liked almost every fragrance they've produced, and outright loved a few.

This is definitely more in the "like" category than outright love, but it's a like that's so easy to wear that I'm sure I'll end up draining a bottle regardless.

It's fig, but paired with a clean, fresh, orange blossom / citrus at first. That burst of citrus and blossom does subside after a few moments to settle into something a little more restrained - it pulls figgy-citrus-floral on my skin, with a woody, slightly tannic, slightly bitter note sitting at the base (likely the black tea). It's something of a shapeshifter in that it seems to blur into skin as an "aura" - while it's not musky by any means and it doesn't hit the traditional notes, the crowd that enjoys the "your skin but better" fragrances will probably also appreciate this.

It doesn't sit as a "green" fragrance on me and I would say it's actually a few degrees removed from some of the more popular figs in that category (despite sharing said main starring note). For comparison:

'Philosykos (EDT)' by Diptyque maintains a clean-fig underlay, but leans much, much more freshly-snapped-twig and leaf green. That greenness paints a much more natural, scenic representation of a fig - it's a fig tree and surrounds, outdoors under dappled shade.

'Debaser' by D.S. & Durga takes a fig and pairs it with a clean, warm, slightly woody coconut underlay. A slightly damp dark green note sits alongside it all, but it doesn't evoke the same kind of "overall imagery" that 'Philosykos' conjures - it's definitely fig, but this one has been transplanted to a humid alleyway in urban South East Asia.

Fig Infusion is a fig inside a sunlit, modern, upscale tea parlour. A little more clean, a little more divorced from nature, a few more hard edges - but smooth and impressive nonetheless.

Casual, yet elegant. Comfortable, yet professional enough to wear at work. A really impressive showing from this house, and something that'd serve really well as an "everyday" scent.

(On paper, the underlying bitter note is significantly tuned down, and the florals - with, yes, a hint of freesia - are turned up a little. As always, sample first!)

At this point I might need to admit to myself that wearing a fig forward fragrance is not for me. I will say, though, I was interested in this fragrance because of the note of Ceylon tea and how it would play out on my skin, but the star here is undoubtedly the fig. I did get a whisper of smokiness from the black tea note and some citrusy goodness at the top, but everything became fig soon after. It's a green, fresh, fruity fig, with a creamy center. It's comforting and cozy, but just not what I thought it'd be. I can't detect any floral notes anywhere. If the black tea note had better partnered with the fig, I might have enjoyed it a little better. Drydown is more woody and warm, while remaining fruity.

Linear, not too complex, but perfect for someone who wants a fig scent that doesn't project like a monster. I'm just not that much into figs which is why I won't be going for a full bottle. Still, a very well-priced fragrance that can easily rise up against more expensive fig fragrances (Philosykos I'm looking at you, darling).

As a fig lover, I’m sad to report that the fig in here is almost nonexistent in my experience. I catch a whiff of the fruit, maybe like three hours into the perfume, but it’s also a very weak and terribly performing fragrance so I don’t really get to enjoy much. In my experience, this ended up being a citrus and bright florals tea scent. It does not smell bad at all, but I wish I had gotten a travel size of a different perfume as opposed to this one because I don’t think I can even say that I truly like this. It’s extremely orangey on me and green with a hint of cedar, barely woody.

This is a truer fig than Philosykos Eau de Toilette; though, it doesn’t present itself, in marketing or actuality, as an essentially fig perfume. Funny combination of soft projection but impatient progression. She undresses exasperatedly. Kicking off fig and orange, unzipping citric tea blossoms, shaking tangy green bark from her hair. I guess she's just happy to be back. Green, bordering on blue, and androgynous, if slightly masc-leaning. She has an aura of October yearning. It beckons you to dig up a childhood video game and blue light the night away.

Usually when you smell fig scents you get the overly sweet figs like Le Beau Paradise Garden which usually is the juice, but this, this is a fig SKIN a perfect second skin scent if you will.
If you fancy a subtle fruity scent definitely check this out. Outside its perfectly balanced figiness this also has a nice white floral touch that doesn't overwhelm you and orange rinds to give it a slightly bitter background. A gorgeous all occasion spring/summer scent.