Encens et lavande Serge Lutens 1996

This is what I have been searching for; an intense, herbal, pure dry lavender. I have been trying to get my hands on a sample of this for over a year, but until recently it did not seem to be available in the USA. This scent thankfully has no powdery edge whatsoever that so often clouds lavender’s natural pungent edge. Instead, incense provides a smooth base instead of a sweet cover. This is an academic scent, for projecting an image of intelligence and austerity. It is a winter scent for reminding yourself of growing things. I am absolutely in love. It is the grown up version of the pure lavender body splashes I would spray on my clothes and sheets when I was younger. Longevity seems to be good so far - a dab behind my ears has preserved the opening lavender scent, perhaps in my hair, since the application to my wrists has dried down to the smooth, dry incense that underlies the initial opening bite of herbs. The warmish heart of lavender, sans edge, can still be appreciated in the dry down, so it is not completely lost. Now begins my search for a full or partial bottle.