by Mark
Given my enthusiasm for Maurice Roucel's previous fragrances for Editions de Parfums and Le Labo, I was excited to smell Dans tes Bras. Even before reading the advertising copy, which proclaims in part "An intimate but deep sensuality, an exalted skin scent, the real essence of the perfume", I was mindful of the warm sensuality of Musc Ravageur and Labdanum 18, and was hoping for another sex bomb.
Spraying it on, I was greeted by the fresh scent of violets and cool damp earth. It was as if I had just torn a violet plant out of the ground and mangled it in my hands. Bergamot and clove here do not produce a citrus or peppery feel, more like a background vegetal accord that I took for a time to be coriander.
Gradually, the violet accord deepens and becomes sweeter. After a while, a green camphoraceous note swells up through the violet; this may be attributed to the combined effects of violet leaf, patchouli and salicylates which act to amplify floral and camphoraceous notes. The blending is excellent; while one can discern the outline of patchouli, it never comes fully into view.
Cashmeran's effect is generally, and I think accurately described as spicy, earthy woods, and that accent is certainly present here.
After some time, the vanilla and almond tones of heliotrope and the "clean sheets" smell of white musk warm and soften the fragrance. It has moved from the garden to the bedroom... but it is wearing a cotton nightie, nothing racier.
While you might very well want to get close to someone who smells of Dans tes Bras, this is not a pant(ie)s-dropper in the style of the Roucel works mentioned earlier. Advertising copy notwithstanding, I find it to be a cool and intellectual scent, rather than a warm and sultry one. The undisguised use of aromachemicals as named in the list of notes is a peek behind the laboratory door; fragrance composition is a science, with carefully calibrated choices, and the gears are visible in this one. It's certainly pretty, and I like it... but I don't know if I want to take it home.
Perfumer: Maurice Roucel
Year: 2008
Notes: Bergamot, Clove, Violet, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Salicylates, Incense, Cashmeran, Heliotrope, White musk
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