My interest in the fragrances of Olfactive Studio was sparked by a sample of Lumière Blanche. While this scent is not one I would wear myself, I found it intriguing and pleasant. Additionally, I like the design of the bottles, and so I am currently in the process of testing all the scents.
I tested Still Life in Rio in Düsseldorf at a small perfume shop. The somewhat unfriendly gentleman showed me this perfume, and already on the test strip, the scent had won my heart. The man's grim expression did not prevent my gasps and a big grin on my face. So I asked him to spray it on my skin as well. After that, I left the store and made my way to the car. Before that, I had been at Schnitzler and bought two Guerlains; whether I found the scent so brilliant due to all the happy hormones or if it really is that brilliant... More on that below.
To begin with: I am not familiar with the scent Still Life, whether that is good or bad I do not wish to judge. But perhaps this is important information for some of you... I have often read that Still Life is supposed to be miles better than Still Life in Rio. If that is really the case, it means my olfactory demise. Still Life in Rio is already epic stuff; what would Still Life do to my senses?!
But I digress a bit... You now know that I do not know Still Life and where I tested Still Life in Rio. For those who have not switched off yet, here is finally some reading material about the scent:
I am somewhat shocked by the negative statements about Still Life in Rio. How can that be? On the test strip, the scent smelled simply magnificent, so I fell in love. On my skin, that love turned into true love. Even my boyfriend thought the scent was great, and he is quite often annoyed by my perfume obsession.
The scent ends as it starts, and the middle part has little change. Some may like it; most find it a shame. I belong to the group that does not mind this - on the contrary, I sometimes really enjoy it. I know what to expect, and there is no unpleasant note that one has to endure, knowing it will be good again later. With Still Life in Rio, it remains equally brilliant from start to finish. Only the lemons from the beginning fade away after a while and recede a bit into the background.
It starts off citrusy. It is not a full, plump, fresh lemon like when you smell it while freshly pressing. It is a cake lemon note, like when baking, very present, very loud, somewhat synthetic, yet refreshing. This fades after a while but remains subtly in the background. What remains is sticky, refreshing, pure good mood: a moist, cheerful coconut, rum, sugar, Caribbean party.
The coconut also does not smell fresh after preparation but is more like a coconut water with a splash of rum.
Do you know that sugar rim on drinks? That’s exactly how this stuff smells. You feel like you are drinking a delicious cocktail with that sugar rim. I absolutely cannot get my nose off my wrist. I keep being drawn back there. Especially in summer, the scent is heavenly. This good mix of sticky sweet and refreshing is very pleasant. I do not perceive mint and pepper at all; however, those components surely play their part in this Caribbean cocktail. Ginger keeps the sweet notes in check; it provides a kick and helps give the scent a certain maturity. Still Life in Rio is sweet, sticky, playful, and somehow refreshing, but definitely not childish or immature. The comparison to a flamboyant person, as made in the statements, is also off. Of course, it is a bit flashy, but whether it is pepper or ginger that makes it mature, the scent is not flamboyant. And if it is, then I just like to smell like I’m at a flamboyant ball.
In addition to the extremely good scent, I am surprisingly convinced by the longevity. I never thought it would last so long. Even the next morning, I can sniff myself and smell it. The sillage is okay, not a monster, but especially in the first hours, it is present.
Conclusion: I would have never believed I would write such a long comment. I often digressed, but I always had the heavenly Still Life in Rio in mind, pardon... in my nose. That really means a lot: apparently, the scent has stolen my sanity. It is a refreshing, sticky summer cocktail that spreads good vibes and lingers on the skin for a long time. For those who like coconut, rum (with a low alcohol content), and lemon, and want to lick the cane sugar off the cocktail glass rim: go for it!
Top Notes 
Lemon
Ginger
Mint
Yuzu
Mandarin orange
Heart Notes 
Coconut water
Black pepper
Jamaican chili
Pink pepper
Base Notes 
Rum
White leather
Brazilian copaiba balsam
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