L'Eau d'Armoise
Serge Lutens (2019)

In late summer and early autumn, especially on a misty, damp day, the sprawling fields of mugwort that grow at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA perfume the air with their scent that is sweetly camphorous and tranquilizing. It is reminiscent of sage, juniper, and chrysanthemum, with an ineffable quality that can only be described as the smell of cool dew.

L'Eau d'Aromise smells just like this. Sweet mugwort dreams. Spray this on your body and your linens for the perfect fragrant nightcap.

Footnote: To those who keep referencing wormwood, mugwort/armoise (Artemisia vulgaris) is a different species from wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and while there are some similarities, their scent profiles do differ.

I have no idea what mugwort smells like in the wild
but if it is indeed one of the main notes (and reasons)
for the existence of this fragrance then I'm a fan.
Bergamot....hmmm, not so much in evidence to my silly
nose but immortelle does seem present in a gently
spicy, cumin-like iteration; not, thankfully, however, in
a next-day-post-curry-underarm-kind of way. Phew!

It doesn't hang around for long but is both unusual
and perfectly pleasant in its quiet, inoffensive whisper.

The opening blast is a mix of bergamot and the mugwort that gives this creation its name. This duo works well together.

Soon an immortelle is added; a soft and discreet immortelle on my, with less spiciness than expected from this plant usually. All together these three notes result in an unsual and very pleasant mix.

Later on whiffs of artemisia appear, giving the whose a nigh-medicinal untertone at times.

I get moderate sillage, very good projection, and eight hours of longevity on my skin.

This autumnal creation is a simple scent, but, nonetheless, has an original touch to it. The spicy mix intense without being heavy or cloying, the bergamot adds a touch of brightness and lightheartedness in the earlier phases. The immortelle is quite a restraind team player here 3.5/5

It is a lovely, spiritual, soul-enriching Incense Light. Bright. Fresh but not overly fresh because it's also, warm but not at all cloying.
Happy, It is aroma-theraputic' smelling. REALLY nice on sweaters or scarves; Sort of like 'temple incense'; in fact, it reminds me (in category, not smell!) of the eponymous: 'AEDES de VENUSTAS' EDP (the special edition one Aedes had made for them by L'Artisan Parfumer) with Musk, Strawflower, ancient Japanese incense and leather.
I bought L'eau d'Armois blind hoping it's profile of being 'Herbal' would mean that is is a nice light (what I call) 'Incense fragrance', in other words, a simple pleasant smell that you would want in your home, (like a 'THYMES' Home Fragrance Diffuser) or on your pillow or wearing to work OR play,.. and it is all these things!

It is a return to 'Sheldrake'-inspired classic form, from for Serge I agree. It HAS gotten too little attention, BUT it is that sort of time of year, people are busy, looking forward, planning gifts for others, (ALTHOUGH THIS would be a lovely gift for man or woman that wants something simple and pleasant bisecting their day). Once it starts to get word of mouth (and the people into Mugwort for Dream Therapy hear of it! Talk about a pillow spray...)

I don't think it's unusual for a $140.00 retail item to show up at one or two places for $20 or $30 less in the month leading up to Xmas; that doesn't reflect on the product,. After all, SERGE is UNIMPEACHABLE! :) I only saw ONE out there for a low price, (on eBay 3.3Oz for $65 with a Boxed Set of three Serge Deluxe Samples for free) they only had one so I bought it right away! :) I ADORE the 5ml Serge Miniatures and the sale had 3 ones I have never tried as 'free bonus' (All four items were a gift the description said; so they clearly didn't know what they had.) Armoise or Mugwort, (the plant and essential oil, is 'Soul Freedom Potion' because it MASSIVELY increases Lucid Dreaming,. (You might occasionally see people with '#GotMugwort?' shirts and mugs, this is in reference to the 'cult' status of Mugwort for it's dream enrichment.

Edit 5th Sept -- Just a heads up that after a proper wear this fragrance is strikingly similar to Fou D'Absinthe, so both in your collection may not be needed.


I love this and a huge return to form for Lutens imo.

Wormwood or Artemisia gives the fragrance a herbal kick, the bergamot, a freshness and the immortelle a smoky-sweet vein.

A simple formula maybe, but it smells wonderful.

Amazingly, it is simultaneously light but powerful.