The Sea L'Apothicaire Co.

This is not a beachy scent — there's no sunscreen, no sunshine, no sand. This is briny ocean water, churning with an incoming storm on the distant horizon. The sky is overcast and water sprays into the air as waves crash against the old docks. There is a freshness to the scent, but instead of a crisp blue it's soft and grayed like your favorite shirt after years of washing. This is a cozy kind of storm, not a threatening one. (For now, at least.) You could go for a walk, if you don't mind the damp air and the gusting wind.

In the background there's a wisp of sakura blossom. The floral note is made edgy and very unisex by the brine, adding a nice twist to the scent that lifts it and makes it much more interesting than if it were simply ocean water. There's also a hint at things below the water's surface, at the coral and deep sea life. It's fragile and elegant, porcelain-like. It's the faint scent of a kiln-dried ceramic piece after it has been plunged into water. This note is easy to miss and might be more of a personal association than anything, but it's persistent once I notice it.

I have the water mist version of this fragrance. It's light, but has good longevity. This is a linear fragrance that stays pretty much the same throughout its wear. This combination of traits makes it really great for layering — I really enjoy using it to add a bit of edge other fragrances. (Jo Malone's Peony & Blush Suede becomes more dark and a bit masculine; Replica's Soul of the Forest becomes ozonic while also being softened slightly with the hint of floral, giving a sense of petrichor.)