First Impressions – Maison Sybarite, Histoires de Parfums

Maison Sybarite 720 – I was introduced to Maison Sybarite through the the kindness of my Instagram friend Tete @niche_rare_fragrances last year. Tete sent me a sample of their Bed of Roses, a powdery rose that I enjoyed. I obtained samples of their other 3 scents recently. Opulent Wood and Spicy Calabria weren’t quite to my taste, but 720 was right up my alley.

For those of you new to the brand, Maison Sybarite is a new French house that creates ethyl-alcohol free scents that use an oil in water solution that blends with the skin. All their scents are housed in Sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging. Spraying the scents is certainly a unique experience. From the sample sprayer, it creates a fine mist that has an almost creamy, moisturising texture upon contact with skin. I love the innovation.

720, composed by Antoine Lie, is my favourite from the house. Birch Tar and lavender are listed as the top notes. I don’t pick up a huge amount of the birch tar, but the lavender is a prominent feature. It gives the opening a spicy, clean, smooth feel. I particularly enjoy the scent in mid-development where the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom come into play. The cinnamon starts to dominate and gives the scent an enveloping warmth. There’s an enjoyable creamy, sweet, milky aspect as the scent goes along, perhaps from the tonka bean. The scent sits on a very well-judged dry-earthy base of cedar and patchouli. Beautifully balanced with an excellent 10-hour longevity for an alcohol-free scent. Very well done indeed.

Histoires de Parfums 7753 Unexpected Mona – I’m a huge fan of this brand, their output is of a consistently high standard. I own 1828 Jules Verne and 1899 Hemingway. I probably won’t add this one to the collection, but it is extremely interesting, and as one would come to expect well composed. The citruses in the top are fleeting on my skin, with the main protagonists being a spicy, green herbal ivy sprinkled with nose tingling pepper. Things get going in the mid when the dominant note of tuberose comes to the fore. Tuberose is a hard note to hide, and you have to love the white floral to love this scent. I’m a fence sitter when it comes to tuberose. The tuberose in 7753 has me sitting on the positive side of the fence. My interest piqued as the scent developed. The “unexpected” interplay between the creamy tuberose juxtaposed against a green background of traditionally masculine notes of vetiver and oakmoss creating a rather unique scent profile. Throw in a juicy pear note and a sandalwood/patchouli base to hold it all together and I can highly recommend sampling 7753. I’ll happily wear my sample, just not sure it’s my style.

Have you tried either of these 2 scents?

Note: All samples obtained by the author. Bottle images courtesy of Fragrantica