Marque-Page
Ormaie (2021)

I was ready for another Ormaie disappointment (I've had too many to count...) but, from the initial, unusually loud burst of incense and spices, strangely not at all devotional or 'churchy' in character but rather uplifting, the perfume shows its chops, it comes out fighting. Just like with the other Ormaie fragrance I was impressed with, 28º, it has stamina and power to last the course too. It's on my skin 24 hours and a shower later, and, for a formula meant to be constituted entirely from natural ingredients, this is really quite a feat! I won't say it's particularly complex, or that it develops a 'journey'-like evolution, the incense I smelt the very first moment survives, alongside heavy-lifting doses of patchouli, woods and amber, till the dry-down, finishing not unlike the magical (albeit marmite to some...) sweet funk of Lutens's Chergui, minus the hay. Not one for the laundry fans but a very impactful statement, especially for a natural. Jaw-droppingly expensive, as you might expect...