![Arcane]()
Arcane
4
If only...
...those Rituals... would last a slight bit longer. Then the Amsterdam-based brand, with their slick presentation and accessible stores happily peddling a pseudo-spiritual wellness experience, would definitely be higher up in the hierarchy of Planet Fragrance by now. As it stands, the longevity, or rather brevity of their pleasant perfumes has prohibited that ascendance. But perhaps that is not their goal at all. Perhaps Rituals...' main focus is 'just' to produce ephemeric little olfactory treats that are affordable and leave a smile or two on the face of those who wear them. In a world filled with ugliness, that in itself is an accomplishment.
And so we come to the EdP that is evocatively named Bleu Byzantin, a creation from 2015 and still available. It smells almost exactly like the notes listed above, with the juniper, cypress, water mint and vetiver claiming the lead at various stages. While this one may be listed as 'fresh-aquatic', it has refreshingly little in common with most of the mainstream freshies. For its regrettably short presence in the air and on the skin, it emanates a certain sophisticated coolishness, perhaps it is even a tad arrogantly aloof. As for sillage: when in doubt, spray more.
For the casually yet smartly dressed, Bleu Byzantin could well do the trick in spring and during summertime. Since Rituals... offers handy travel-size 15 ml-flacons of their perfumes (priced at 14,50 euros), there's no need to worry about the longevity issue on any given day. They are more or less garden gnome versions of the 60 ml-bottles; same sparse and elegant design, same quality click-caps with excellent atomisers.
Although the brand's core clientele seems to be the thirty-ish happy-go-lucky crowd, I'd qualify Bleu Byzantin (and a number of other perfumes in the R...-catalogue) as equally well-suited to the forty-plus and even fifty-plus audience who like to steer clear of that ocean of juvenile generic blue scents.
Is it outdoorsy or indoorsy, you ask. Actually it's both, so there's another plus. Regardless of the season I like to spray this – or the Maharadjah d'Or from the same brand – on the back of my hand in the early morning before showering. Just one little spray, only to enjoy the opening and a bit of the dry-down. It's like welcoming the day, if you will.
So, coming back to that longevity thing: is it worth griping about? Yes and no. Yes, if Rituals... would put their minds and noses to it and improve on that (with the deeper scents especially), there can be little doubt that they'd have a few worldwide smashers on their hands. And no, not really; their scents, as short-lasting and moderately-projecting as they may be, are exactly those affordable little treats that anyone anywhere can enjoy. And think about it: a travel-size bottle of Bleu Byzantin will set you back the amount of a movie ticket. Now I ask you: which of the two lasts longer? Never underestimate relativity. So there it is, the long and short of it.
Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
Funkymonk
PedroCabral
DottiPandova
