L'Artisan Fragrances • Fou d Absinthe • Fragrances

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auxin2 on 3/25/2013 10:33:00 PM more reviews by auxin2

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

FdA opens sharply (gin on the rocks?) and soon turns into a warm, soapy, and slightly powdery scent that is quite unique. A bit on the masculine side, but very wearable. Definitely worth a try.

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*TOP REVIEWER* sissyfris on 6/16/2012 3:24:00 PM more reviews by sissyfris

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

"Taste the bewitching green magic of this potent liquer, with it's chilling yet burning herbal, spicy, woody blend." Huh. Maybe the French to English translation is skewed. Normally 'bewitching green magic' has me in it's clutches every time (OJ woman, MMM untitled, Nanadebary green... I'm a sucker for green magic.) but...no. While possibley green, that mental image is driven by the absinth aspect since the scent itself says woody. Sure, there may be some leaves on the tress in that forest, maybe some patches of grass on the dappled sunlit ground, but this is way more Big Bear than Black Forest. That said, if you're taking a vaction in the woods in the summer, or spent time in a cabin as a child and have fond memories, this could be your kind of magic. To me, it's a pass. Money saved, I guess. Honestly, if I recieved a bottle as a gift, I can't see wearing it. There are just other things out there that float my boat way better.

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*TOP REVIEWER* HelenVanPattersonPatton on 8/21/2011 4:02:00 PM more reviews by HelenVanPattersonPatton

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I like this but have to admit it is one of my least favorites from L'Artisan. I enjoy the beginning due to the anise, but I prefer MCMC Maui for my anise scent. After the initial top notes dry down, I find Fou d'Absinthe to be too masculine for my liking. That said, I really can't say I would love and adore this on a man. It's a bit boring in its dry down, which is quite rare for L'Artisan (one of my favorite lines). I have to agree it smells a little like a man's deodorant and a little less like absinthe. For my own absinthe needs I will stick with my bottle of Douce Amere, which is delicious and gets me compliments.

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PlasticFace on 6/16/2011 11:21:00 AM more reviews by PlasticFace

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

So, I love this and am already on my second bottle after around 8 months. I'm surprised at how many people refer to this as a men's fragrance.
I tried this in the boutique and initially it was "eh". About half an hour after I'd left, I found myself with my nose glued to my wrist. I went back twice on seperate days to try it out because yes; it is way expensive, but ended up ordering it and am so glad I did.
When it arrived I asked several of my office colleagues (men and women ages 35+) what they thought of it and got overwhelmingly positive responses! They are a fussy/boring buch so I was surprised.
It's a truely unique fragrance so I can see how some people would dislike it.
Oddly, it has always reminded me of those little egg custard tarts with nutmeg sprinkled on top. Nutmeg is one of the notes so that may be why! It's deep, complex, and a little woodsy. The spices really come through but whether that could just be my skin chemistry.
If you try it, give it a while to settle before you judge it. On me, it starts out very crisp but throughout the day settles into a wonderful warm smell that is completely addictive.
Overall this is one of my top perfumes, I'm currently rotating it with Fresh Sugar (which I've been wearing for several years).

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*TOP REVIEWER* WentworthRoth on 12/13/2010 11:23:00 AM more reviews by WentworthRoth

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Notes: frozen alcohol, absinthe, blackcurrant buds, angelica, star anise, four spices cocktail (pepper, clove, nutmeg, and ginger), patchouli, pine needles, cistus and fir balsam

This fragrance opens icy and crystal-clear like a snow crystal on a bed of bitter green notes. As the head notes settle the icy aspect and the bitterness disappear; the fragrance gets drier and warmer because of the spices notes. I associate it now with a pine forest near a beach caressed by fragrant summer winds; this is not the same dark and resin-dripping pine forest of Fille. Unfortunately this pleasant fragrant accord does not last very long, after roughly one hour the fragrance changes again as it progresses towards the end. The pine accord weakens considerably until all I smell is a ”green” patchouli note. Lasts for about 5 hours on my skin

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*TOP REVIEWER* lemonlye on 8/1/2010 3:03:00 PM more reviews by lemonlye

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Fou d'Absinthe smells true to its notes. Well, I wouldn't know about the absinthe part. But I do get the swirl of anise/licorice at the opening, and then lots of deep, dark conifer woods--pine and fir and such. Someone on Luckyscent compared it (unfavorably) to SpeedStick, and all right, I see that, but I like that style of scent (on guys, preferably, but I don't mind trying it on). Makes me think of a pagan god taking human form and skulking in the forests. I don't adore it enough to justify a purchase, but I'll continue enjoying the sample.

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*TOP REVIEWER* KKAI on 7/30/2010 7:44:00 AM more reviews by KKAI

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

Surprisingly I really like this! It starts with a cool and sweet alcohol smell that warms up rather quickly. Definitely a unisex scent but not very masculine in the "aftershave-y" way. Refreshing and different to wear on a hot summer day. Good lasting power especially for L'Artisan standards. I would be really intrigued to smell this on a man but I do not love it enough to purchase a full bottle.

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SwedishGirl26 on 6/5/2010 9:24:00 AM more reviews by SwedishGirl26

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is sex in a bottle! I'd ♥*~*♥purrrrrrrrrrr♥*~*♥ if a man wore this around me. Very sexy as a intimate date perfume for a male.

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*TOP REVIEWER* fpih on 5/27/2010 2:02:00 AM more reviews by fpih

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Strange as it seems reading the other reviews on this fragrance, for me it was love at first sniff! I adored it from the moment I tried it and, because of the high price, proceeded to order 2 more samples of it so I may indulge myself once in a while. I know most people find it masculine but to me this is the definition of unisex. I don't feel strange at all wearing this in public and I strongly appreciate its cooling, calming effect now that the summer is almost hear. The anise note is quite prominent on my skin during the whole time and balances the herbs beautifully, mellowing them so I can't detect any sharp pine notes like others do. The lasting power is also very good. It slightly reminds me of Mechant Loup, another favorite l'Artisan perfume of mine, and even less of Bois Farine, or more likely, of the calming 'aftershave' effect that BF has on me after wearing it for several hours. If you do like unisex, non-sweet perfumes, do give this one a try; for me it's a winner.

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*TOP REVIEWER* prettykitty1 on 1/15/2010 12:01:00 AM more reviews by prettykitty1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

This is a complex scent full of evergreen needles, warm kitchen spices, and the breezy scent of freshly chopped fennel. It's officially a man's fragrance, and yet I can definitely see the unisex aspect others have noted. Underneath all that green woodsy feeling, there's a soft, alluring drydown.

This is not a scent I would wear in public, as the masculine aspect of the fragrance doesn't suit my personality, but I really do like dabbing this on when I'm home alone and I feel like enjoying an unfolding scent drama. This is a fragrance that is equal parts coldness and warmth, and in the space of several hours, the two personalities graciously take turns in the spotlight.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MellyHelly on 3/20/2009 7:11:00 AM more reviews by MellyHelly

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I said I would re-purchase this because I really would buy this if I were a man! Definetely a lovely scent for an attractive man (maybe my inner man? LOL). On my skin is very pleasant and can't say I wouldn't wear it anyway, but actually it's not my kind of personal frag. I'm much more into flower-oriental highly feminine scents.
The jus itself is nothing so original. It starts green and boozy in a nice way, then after a few minutes it settles to a woody green soft man scent, like one I smelled around many times. It reminds me of classic Polo Ralph Lauren, which I also like. Very piney, but cheap, I would give this to a young adult sporty but classy attractive man if I knew any.

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ikura on 9/21/2008 1:13:00 AM more reviews by ikura

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

starts off wild and herbal (leaf, roots) booze. The alcohol evaporates, and a lighter, watery, almost metallic pine takes shape, very resinous and smooth. Heady aromatic herbs and trees cool off, warm and simmer into the skin, and then flash cool hits of green. Good for a wild, dirty mood.

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LianH on 7/31/2008 11:12:00 AM more reviews by LianH

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I smelled it and adored it, maybe not for everyday on me but definitly everyday on my more manly half ( I can´t say better half).

It´s very sharp, strong and loud at first but mellows out a little later on. It´s fresh but boozy so it´s not like other perfumes where it is about smelling clean and fresh because it offers something more than just that.

I think you need to be the right type of person to pull this off, if you are looking for something that smells fresh but without the clean trend and something noticeable instead this might work for you.

For women i think this can be easily layered to make it a bit more wearable if you find it too masculine.

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debrsl on 3/31/2008 3:04:00 PM more reviews by debrsl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Sadly, this one is absolutely masculine on me. :o( Pine, all pine. This turns into a soft, pleasantly herbaceous scent at four hours, but it completely gone at six hours. The herb scent is more unisex. But those topnotes....I don't see it on me anyway.

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*TOP REVIEWER* maia0x0x on 12/20/2007 11:32:00 PM more reviews by maia0x0x

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i dunno...i get about 5 minutes of the anise top note, but after that all i get is pine. Still love the idea of an absinthe scent, fleeting as it is.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BasiaS on 8/7/2007 11:38:00 AM more reviews by BasiaS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is a really terrific new blend from the impressive L'Artisan line that has a rather masculine opening but then morphs into something softer, cozier and more unisex. It begins smelling like a fizzy, sweet absinthe-tinged drink. I don't love this stage - it's a bit too strong and sweet for my tastes - but I do find it interesting. The drydown makes this fragrance, though - it's a soft, musky blend of woods, greens, herbs, amber, soft spices and pine trees. Fou d'Absinthe is a lovely, deep scent that sadly lacks any real staying power. A winner in my book. Notes: absinthe, star anise, dry pine, cistus, angelica flower, blackcurrant buds, clove, ginger, nutmeg, patchouli, pepper, pine needles, fir balsam.

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odysseusm on 5/9/2007 1:53:00 PM more reviews by odysseusm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! And rather different from what I expected! I was expecting a somewhat boozy firecracker of a fragrance. Instead, in Fou d’Absinthe I found a warm, utterly attractive scent that combines woods and herbs in a way that I’ve never seen before. The opening has two parts: the first is aromatic and herbaceous, the second is aromatic with cedar and resin. The absinthe (wormwood) and angelica have stated their case, and done so in a unique and striking manner. Then, a spicy-cool middle appears, as promised. There is a hint of licorice (anise) but it is very minor and adds just a note of interest. Then... magnificent pine and balsam appear... dry, authentic, deep, compelling, and WARM! Many pine scents have a ‘chilly’ aspect, but not this one. This is one of the best pine notes I’ve experienced, and I’ve tried Knize and Blenheim Bouquet. The dry-down is very attractive, and generates quiet heat. This is a complex, sophisticated scent. It is dry and classy enough for day wear, but sensual and intriguing enough for the evening. L’Artisan Parfumer has a magic touch with woods (see also Méchant Loup). Yes, this is a man's fragrance. And this man loves it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* MelissaM on 1/17/2007 12:38:00 PM more reviews by MelissaM

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

First, this is clearly a man's scent. It couldn't be more obvious if I doused myself in Aqua Velva. But if you're a lady who can carry it off, more power to you. Even I, with my odd skin that turns everything sweet, smell like a gussied-up sailor on shore leave. This scent has a depressing retro-aftershave quality that I can't get past, like something men might have wore in the 1950's. Something very cheap, available at every drugstore in every small town. My nose picks out one or two of the notes, but in the final analysis, there is just too much going on in this fragrance, thus rendering it rather innocuous, a sad, generic little scent striving to live up to its Uber-hyped perfume house's reputation. Fou d'Absinthe might work best if it were more transparent - it would also loose a lot of its generic aftershavey quality, too. I wouldn't like smelling this on men my own age, and I would never EVER give this to any man under the age of retirement. The lasting power on this stuff is insane. I wish it would go away. I think I might have to shower before I feel compelled to wander into a corner barbershop and start shooting the breeze. Ugh. What a disappointment from L'Artisan.

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TheresaDiMoan on 10/4/2006 2:40:00 PM more reviews by TheresaDiMoan

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

A nice bittersweet fougere, with notes of Artemisia and tonka bean and lavender. One of my favourite l’Artisan scents, even though it’s not the most original of the bunch.

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*TOP REVIEWER* PrettyL on 9/10/2006 10:15:00 AM more reviews by PrettyL

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This has a very sharp, medicinal quality to it. Smells a bit like pine or citrus, overpowering and bites the nose. Definitely unique and clean smelling.

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