Hey Hey Olfactoria’s Travelers,

Portia with you today from Australian Perfume Junkies and Perfume Posse

Independent Perfumers rate high on my list. they are free to experiment, can get away with totally unregulated amounts of quality ingredients and don’t have to bow to a thousand rounds of public screening. It does make a lot of their work more polarising but that also is a plus, it means that some kind of interest will be generated during the wear, it may not suit everyone but when it does. MMMMMMM…

Originally today’s fragrance was created for IndieScents but I can’t find it on their site anymore. To be honest I also have no idea where this sample came from either, it may have been a GWP from Dawn or a fragrant pack from someone.

Ruba’iyat by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz for DSH Perfumes

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

DSH Perfumes gives these featured accords in one line:
Ambrette Seed, Australian Sandalwood, Centifolia Rose Absolute, Cumin, Davana, East Indian Patchouli, East Indian Sandalwood, Egyptian Rose Geranium, Frankincense co2 Absolute, Gaia Perfumes, Galbanum, Gallica Rose Otto, Incense, Labdanum, Myrrh Gum, Myrtle, Oude / Agarwood, Saffron Absolute, Spice Notes.

Spicy, sizzling spices yet warm and resinous, I can smell the patchouli oil and roses that seem to be drizzled in honey and amber. Thick and luscious to start the whole fragrance loosens up after about 15 minutes and there seems to be some air let in, some light and colour. Ruba’iyat is surprisingly comfortable, smoother and cushioned. It feels like I’m smelling a beautifully scented person just outside my personal space rather than the often heavy, dense scent of the middle east on my person. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fragrant and I smell amazing but Ruba’iyat does not overtake the room and punch you in the nose till your olfactory bulbs give up in despair.

Photo Stolen WikiMedia

What Ruba’iyat does smell of is quiet international luxury. If you’ve ever been through the top of Africa or the Indian subcontinent, bought stuff and had it shipped back then you’ll know what I mean. It’s the opening of those boxes, an indescribably haunting and enticing fragrance that you want to go on forever, a reminder of the magical holiday times and a whiff of the magical smells there.

Longevity is really good for a natural and I am still fragrant about 3 hours later, the fragrance has warmed through but still the lovely spices sizzle softly underneath. You could wear Ruba’iyat even to work if you are sparing but I prefer to wear it heavy and create a bit of a cloud. Gorgeous.

From DSH Perfumes: Inspired by the Persian poetry form of the same name, and traditional oudh designs of the region. Created for indiescents.com, Ruba’iyat is a glorious all botanical middle eastern oudh, incense, saffron, and spice perfume. I don’t need to tell you that it’s as complex and intriguing as the patterns on the walls of a sacred mosque.

Further reading: Ca Fleure Bon
DSH Perfumes has samples from $5 and some lovely bath & body choices too.

Have you tried any of the DSH Perfumes range? Who is your favourite Independent Perfumer?
Portia xxx