Best Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 The Queen and the Viper by Stephane Humbert Lucas 777 Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Does Los Angeles have a scent? It’s impossible to say. So Etat Libre d’Orange collaborated with someone who knows all there is to know about perfumes as well as LA: a perfume critic-connoisseur-writer Chandler Burr and a perfumer Caroline Sabas.

You or Someone Like You is a fragrance that an LA woman might wear and it bears the title of Chandler’s recent novel, set in Los Angeles.

The perfume is freshness itself  created from molecules one finds in mint, shiso, violets and citruses but not from essenses corresponding to any particular plant.

Call it naturally synthetic or synthetically natural but perumer created something nature hasn't, and it's fun.

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Scent and Chemistry on You or Somebody Like You:

"The intelligent translation of a story's protagonist, especially one torn apart in cultural and personal identity, into a scent and the unusual shiso–green banana, herbal-vegetal harmonies make 'You Or Someone Like You' to us the most interesting and beautiful perfume of 2017 so far. More than that even an artistic masterpiece. Huge cudos to Caroline and Chandler."

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Persolaise on You on Someone Like You (a 60 seconds review).

An ancient ritual. The wonder of green, perfumed resin flowing from the tree. It is reminiscent of journeys along the perfume routes, of the magic of nocturnal ceremonies. Fresh, intense notes of Incense, Opoponax, Storax and Tolu.

Madagasgar’s threatened forests are home to some of the most intoxicating plants in the world. Including vanilla. Which smells loads better than a lemur.

But we’re not talking about ice cream or a shot of vanilla goo in a skinny latte. No, this is naked vanilla packed with luxurious orchid warmth. Blended with the best Madagascar has to offer including ylang oil, vetiver,violet, musk, jasmine and cloves.

Think of this it as an ecosystem in a bottle; a hug from mother earth. You get the picture.

Inspired by the majestic Helix Nebula, known as the “Eye of God,” this extrait captures the mystical balance between infinity and the now. Radiant spice notes open the experience, followed by a complex heart of smoky buddhawood, charred birch tar, earthy moss and leathery oud. The chorus of woods is unexpectedly tenderised with cotton candy and vanilla. A metallic coolness adds an almost otherworldly aura to the composition. A fragrance for those who seek to be present in the deepest aspects of their lives.

An addictive chill fragrance — a fresh but physical interpretation of weed that’s more about the feeling than the actual smell. The fragrant, herbal aroma of cannabis has become one of the defining smells of the modern world. Haze classes up Class B drugs in a green but smoky scent that encourages you to chill, even when you’re stone cold sober.

A rich, aromatic bouquet with a modern Provençal twist — this contemporary fougère blends spicy, herbal and green notes into a sophisticated accord. The crisp freshness gently gives way to warm, woody depths, creating an evolving scent that lingers with elegance. Featuring ultra-premium “Diva lavender”, this elevated lavender sings out alongside fellow Provençal ingredients — fruity-earthy clary sage and lemony-minty hyssop — to reveal its distinctive character.

Brocéliande is a bewitching concentrate inspired by the enchanted forest of Arthurian legend. Combining the power of the forest with the magic of the animal world, this extrait’s bergamot and lime opening leads to an unexpected wander through ginger, cinnamon and iris. A whisky sweetness rubs up against the velvet leather of civet and castoreum.

In the branches of a sprawling thorn tree, a boisterous flock of lovebirds gathers, undeterred by the African savanna’s scorching heat. Cheerful chatter fills the air as they flit and weave, playfully hopping from one partner to another. Amid the lively commotion, one pair slips away to a quiet perch. Snuggling head to head, they preen one another, their affectionate chirps muffled against velvety soft feathers. The setting sun captures the intimate encounter, washing the glorious hues of the lovebirds’ intertwined plumage with a golden glow.

Zoologist Lovebird bottles the thrill of budding romance in a single spritz. It opens with a playful burst of kiwi, orange, and passionfruit, as sweet and fleeting as a first kiss. A captivating blend of ylang-ylang, lavender, lily of the valley, and heliotrope weaves an intimate connection, drawing you deeper. Finally, ambrette, musk and amber ignite a sensual embrace, leaving a warm, lingering glow of enduring love.

Still Life in New York is a perfume built on contrast: cozy and warm notes are set against cool and fresh materials.

The photo for this smellscape was taken by an artist who only shoots cities in the snow. She might be trying to capture that feeling of being snug while it’s snowing heavily outside.

The perfume design is toying with the same idea. Cozy warm notes of saffron, leather, smoky birch tar and vetiver are highlighted by a generous portion of cool clary sage and violet leaf.

The perfume feels like standing by a window in winter to peep at the falling snow and being able to feel both the cold ambiance coming from the glass and the warmth of the house in the background, the fireplace, steaming tea and cashmere blanket.

Perfumer: Jérôme Epinette

Photographer: Vivienne Gucwa

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The Sniff on Flash Back in NY:
"Imagine that you are walking along a city street in the winter. The air is cold, crisp, making your lungs tingle as you breathe it in. You’re wrapped up nice and warm but the end of your nose is cold. Up ahead is a youth in a battered leather jacket smoking a marijuana cigarette and you get a second-hand whiff of it as he exhales a plume of smoke. That’s exactly what this perfume reminded us of."

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Perfume: Karine Vinchon

A new addition to Bloom’s portfolio, an elegant cologne with herbaceous and woody undertones.

With classic formulas it’s the quality of the ingredients that matters. Marie Jeanne might be a new perfume house, but it’s founded by a young perfumer from a family connected to Robertet for several generations.

Robertet is a bit like De Beers of the fine natural perfume materials, for decades they have been dealing with the finest, purest and most precious stuff a perfumer can dream of.

This is Marcel, a classic elegant herbaceous cologne but with highly likely the best bergamot from Italy, ylang-ylang from Madagascar, vetiver from Haiti and patchouli from Indonesia among other notes in the formula.