Above the Waves Etat Libre d'Orange 2025

So first you have, and then comes, and THEN, you're left with...
Oh for crying out loud, it's exactly what the damn notes say, it's fresh it smells wonderful and it lasts less then a pee after a night out with the boys.
ELDO, I love you but we need to talk about your relationship with time cause I can't afford to carry a decant of this every time I'm surfing Japan's Shinkansens.
Oh yeah, this thing's so airy and fresh it's Japan friendly. Which kinda says everything you need to know.
Sugoii.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on the terrace of a Sri Lankan tea plantation on a warm summer night. You are joined by friends from Paraguay and, despite the heat and humidity, you are all sipping your favorite warm beverages to cool down.

​This perfume transports me to a sultry evening on the patio of a tea plantation guesthouse. I am visiting with friends from South America, and we are enjoying warm drinks to help us regulate our body temperature—a practice I first learned through Eastern philosophy. The weather, the company, and the tea are all warm, inviting, and deeply comfortable.

​We are each enjoying something different: our host, Anula, is sipping a cardamom-heavy chai that fills the air with a spicy green aroma. I am having a cup of rich, dark Ceylon tea, unadulterated by milk or sugar—the stronger, the better. My friend Yerutí prefers the quiet elegance of bergamot-infused Earl Grey, while her husband, Itálo, enjoys a taste of home with an earthy, green Maté.

​We sit and relax, sharing stories and laughter while taking in the sights and sounds of the evening: the steam from the tea, the herbal depth of the maté, and the scent of vetiver growing in the distance.

​The Vibe Chart

​Vibe: A humid, aromatic evening shared between friends; cozy yet exotic.

​Serendipitously Me: The convergence of a strong, dark Ceylon tea with the earthy familiarity of vetiver.

​Status: Full bottle in my collection.

​Yours in fragrant living — Tony

Above the waves really surprised me. It’s one of those fragrances that just feels so calm airy and elegant. At first spray, I didn’t care for it, but as it settled I couldn’t stop smelling my arm. The togetherness of the tea, soft citrus, and soft woods just give it a magestic clean and meditative vibe, perfect for warmer weather. Although I honestly rock it in the winter as well. I also feel like Etat Libre d’Orange is still such an underrated house, people focus on the controversial releases, but they genuinely have some beautiful and artistic fragrances in their lineup

Since I have Le Labo's Thé Noir I was surprised by how similar Above the Waves smells. Same DNA but strips away the heaviness leavinga lighter, airier take with a distinct black tea note. It doesn't feel like anything is missing, just a fresher, more breathable version. If you wear fragrance based on season, Thé Noir leans Fall/Winter and evening, Above the Waves fits better in Spring/Summer and daytime. Personally I think you can wear any fragrance whatever the season though. One added consideration.. Le Labo's parent company isn't cruelty-free, whereas ELDO is both cruelty-free and vegan, with a strong focus on sustainability and upcycling making it an easier brand to support.

If I were to guess the notes here, I'd say dried fig and hay, but actually looking at the notes, I realize there's a bit of scratchy bergamot from the citrus and that what was reminding me of hay was the tea, but maybe it's dried tea. Mate tea is definitely evident. I think there's a smidge of cedar and rose, but they're not main players. The interesting thing here is that it starts out really strong and beautiful, with the perfume "floating" in the air around you. But that's short lived with it quickly becoming a skin scent unless you're in a tiny room with yourself. I really adore this and would love it if I could smell it longer than 5 minutes. The name insinuates that it's an aquatic, but it's absolutely not. ILike most ELDOs, it's a unique experience, and this one is probably less of a gamble to try than most.