Initial idea: “A black incense, addictive and carnal”
Main ingredient: Resin Incense Somalia
Creative approach: The sensuality of the Incense note is accentuated by Labdanum Absolute Andalusia and Benzoin Absolute Laos. The addictive facet is supported by Coffee Extraction Venezuela and Vanilla Absolute Madagascar.
NOTES
Top: Coffee
Middle: Incense, Vanilla Absolute
Base: Benzoin, Labdanum
PERFUMER
Aurélien Guichard
HOW IT WEARS
Encens Suave opens with the earthy richness of coffee, which soon gives way to the dark incense and sweet, soft vanilla. On the dry down the resins on the base of the fragrance awaken, and the notes dance together in a sultry swirl, like a super luxurious candle that has just been snuffed out. The projection and longevity of Encense Suave is impressive – it lasts about 8-10 hours on the skin, and you won’t be able to stop smelling yourself in that time.
LORE LOVES
We love the subversion of a traditional churchy incense that Encens Suave provides. It’s rich, balsamic, treacly, ambery and even a little bit smoky. It is immaculately balanced – the coffee and vanilla notes work so well to take away any harsh sharpness from the incense. It’s sultry and alluring, but in an elegant, refined way. It’s an addictive, erotic kind of sweet that isn’t too dessert-y but is still very much edible.
ABOUT THE BRAND
Debuted in 2019, Matiere Premiere (or “Raw Materials” in French) is the work of renowned nose and master perfumer, Aurélien Guichard.
The core objective of the Matiere Premiere range is to put a spotlight on some of the most precious fragrance materials from around the world, and to hero the beauty and elegance of a single note fragrance.
A 7th generation perfumer born in Grasse (arguably the perfume capital of the world), Aurélien Guichard has a passion for fragrance running through his veins. He has been the nose behind nearly one hundred fragrances and has worked with brands such as Givenchy, Narcisco Rodriguez, Gucci and Commes de Garcons.
Guichard is also the owner of an organic farm where he produces Rose Centifolia and Tuberose, some of which is used in the Matiere Premiere line, making it one of the only brands in the world to own and produce some of the raw materials used in their fragrances.
“Growing our own rose is a way to reconnect with the essence of the work of a perfumer – creating the fragrance itself, but also supervising the quality and production methods of the raw material” – Aurélien Guichard.
Matiere Premiere is all about honouring the beauty and sophistication that lies in simplicity – one raw material can contain a plethora of olfactory facets ripe for exploration and interpretation.
