Autoportrait Olfactive Studio 2011

Autoportrait begins a note of chilled smoke; it is serious and weighty, and befits the name. Very manly, authoritative, powerful, like the smell of wood in the houses of old money. About fifteen minutes in, there’s a shy floral that plays peek-a-boo with it, but the overall feel is one of chilled, smoky vetiver. Over time, it becomes a pepper-laced vetiver, but even as it dwindles, it remains forceful, rugged, and masculine. Its projection falls off rapidly after hour three or so, and there is no real development. It lasts at least six hours, and I expect it would last even longer with a spray as opposed to a dab. This scent is like a declaration of a noble man, yet it does not wear you as Yatagan does. Recommended.

AUTOPORTRAIT is my favourite fragrance from Olfactive Studio.
Although it is almost too manly for women, I like to wear it, but it must be donned very carefully.

So, a self-portrait - I do not know, who shows himself when Nathalie Lorson is staring in the mirror at the beginning of a normal day, but she surely must have scary mornings!

AUTOPORTRAIT is strong, woody, spicy, smoky and sweet, I could compare it to a very rude FAHRENHEIT, without Fahrenheit's creamy milky-ness. Sillage: 100%, even if you wear it under your clothes, it will find the way to your nose. Longevity: 100%, lasts even 10 hours, even if you are begging him to not do so.

I was soooo looking forward to trying this! I saw elemi as a note, and I love elemi. This smelled like chemical wood mixed with chemical pepper. It was awful! And it was tenacious. I washed twice and could still smell the chemicals wafting up to my nose. Smelled like Iso E Super and ambroxan. Why do people like stuff like this? Headache-inducing and smells cheap. Big miss.

I don’t get any cedar, pepper, or citrus; instead, I get a beautiful, soft resin/balsam that is sweet without being too sweet. There’s something in here that reminds me of a traditional Chinese balm my late grandmother used. It’s not at all sharply medicinal, just calming and lovely.

I find it difficult to pick out what notes are in here, but I love this perfume and find it comforting and warm. It’s fairly close to the skin, not much (but not zero) projection. Longevity on the skin is a few hours. I think this is one for if you don’t necessarily want others to think “oh wow, that person is wearing perfume” but are wearing it primarily for yourself. Others will merely catch a whiff every once in a while of a delicious scent and wonder if it’s you

Autoportrait begins with a bright but soft whisper of bergamot, which is soon rendered soft by the warm, resinous, spicy, and slightly peppery dimension of elemi. This opening is crisp and clean, but it quickly runs deeper and more contemplative.
At its heart is a stunning fusion of incense and benzoin. This is not the heavy, liturgical incense of the ancient cathedrals, but rather a more transcendent and soothing smoke wafting through the composition. The benzoin is comforting and refined, warm, and vaguely sweet, a faintly balsamic quality that tempers the starkness of the dreariness with a function of psychological comfort. A feather of animalic musk rounds out the signature softness that is intentional and skin-like.
The true identity of Autoportrait can be detected in the base. A dry elegance of cedarwood and vetiver provide a solid and functional base. The cedar is clean and pure, sleek and well-behaved, whilst the vetiver's dry earthiness is clean smokiness, with none of its harsher characteristics typically associated with vetiver. A small quantity of oakmoss adds a classical touch of green elegance and longevity to the dry down.
Autoportrait is a versatile and classic fragrance that knows no seasons or gender. This one's for the engaged individual who appreciates art and contemplation. Autoportrait is made for quiet places, creative acts, and also for the people who want a signature scent for everyday use, valuing their fragrance more as an enjoyment for oneself and not as a loud pronouncement to the world.