Petit Matin Maison Francis Kurkdjian 2016

This might be the epitome of a 7 scent. Petit Matin is a nice, very easy to wear citrusy musky fragrance. Aptly named, this is a perfect way to start your day. Very simple. Nothing groundbreaking but absolutely not disappointing.
Starts off with a blast of citrus and orange blossom which will wake you up if you're not paying attention. Then, simply enough, dries down to a creamy smooth musk. Longevity about 4 -5 hours. More of a skin scent. That's it..... that's all!

It's early morning. There's a clear sky, a soft hue coming from the sun that's slowly rising on the horizon and a gentle breeze that's drifting through and playing with the white linen curtains that adorn an open window. The inside decor is sleek, minimalist and modern, in shades of white and cream. The table is round, pristine and, in the center, there's a cream-colored sandstone vase holding a pretty bouquet of orange blossoms and lavender, swaying in the playful breeze. The temperature is just right, not too cold and not too hot. It's the start of a beautiful day.

I usually review perfumes with comparisons and descriptions. I try to avoid artistic imagery and stay with facts, but this time, I couldn't help myself. This is exactly what I picture in my mind when I'm smelling this fragrance. Calabrian lemons are tart and fruity, uplifting and energizing while orange blossoms are creamy and floral. They're both tempered by soft and delicate lavender. It's a soothing, calming fragrance, that embodies very well the start of an early morning where possibilities are still endless and where the bustling of the city hasn't yet risen above a murmur. The perfume is clearly giving clean-girl aesthetic, but I also see a man wearing this fragrance with a crisp linen shirt. It's a fresh skin scent for moments where you want to feel and smell good without wearing something too strong or too heavy. I could probably overspray it without getting on other people's nerves. I picture myself wearing it during spring and summer, although I tried it out first in winter and found it heavenly (a welcome break from all my heavy gourmands). The scent becomes warmer in time with the musk and ambroxan coming out. It never gets into synthetic territory which I have to admit is a good thing to me.

It's a beautiful fragrance, masterfully well-blended. I've not met anything yet that remotely conjures the images I described at the beginning of my review. I do have to admit that I'm hesitating at acquiring a full bottle due to the price and its overall performance. The sillage is really soft and becomes skin-like too soon while the longevity seems okay (I could still smell musk the next morning, but the rest had faded). I'll be pondering on this.

EDIT: I've been pondering on it so much that I got another decant from Etiket to test it out all over again once my first decant had run out. I finally decided I wouldn't be getting a full size bottle. It's still a masterfully well-blended citrus / aromatic fragrance, but the overall performance is mediocre for its price. I already have citrus fragrances in my collection that have better performance. I need to be mindful of my collection and the way I spend my money. This not to say that it isn't worth. If I had stumbled upon it before my other citrus fragrance, I might have picked a bottle for my collection. If you love it and have nothing like it in your collection, I suggest you go for it!

It was love at first sight - bright, juicy, and freshly crisp lemon. Not your supermarket lemon, but one picked straight from the tree in the early morning, when dew still clings to every leaf around you. The moment it touches your skin, you’re transported to a Parisian balcony overlooking the Champ de Mars, with the first sunlight gently touching your face. It’s early - so early you can still hear the birds.

You’re ready for the day: your hair looks effortlessly perfect, your white shirt is crisp and pressed, and the air carries that feeling of new beginnings. The coffee is still steaming, the croissant still warm. Where does this citrus perfection come from? I’m not sure. But I know that the first breath of Petit Matin feels exactly like that kind of morning - fresh, luminous, and full of quiet promise.

The blast of tart lemon at the top was really fabulous! But it left very quickly, leaving me unhappy due to the strong masculine sandalwood scent that arose. I don't see sandalwood in the notes, but it was very strong, and it made my head twinge. So, it is hard for me to rate this one. The opening was gorgeous and very tangy and fresh, but the rest was not my thing. It is unisex, but it leans masculine to my tastes. I had to wash it off, but even then I could still smell it. Too bad this one doesn't seem to share the longevity problems that plague this niche brand. Would that it had worn off a lot sooner! I sprayed Amyris over it, and it got better.

I got a tester of this along with my purchase of Fleur de Peau Eau de Parfum .
It reminds me of Eau de Rochas L'Essentiel which is far less expensive and projects better. For me, both scents are a bit too 'cologne-ish'. If that's what you like, this is okay, but I think there are many, less expensive fragrances in this style.
I miss the depth and sophistication of - say - Eau de Rochas (2015) (speaking of 'less expensive'!) that has a perfumey twist while remaining fresh and great for 'cutting through the heat'. This one will do just that without some warmth and kindness to it (at least that's how I feel about it).
More masculine than feminine in my opnion.