Several months ago, I sampled the Patchouli Elixir fragrance from French company Reminiscence. At the time, I couldn’t find a distributor for the fragrance anywhere in the U.S. and my email to the Reminiscence company went unanswered. Luckily, I was tipped off by a thread on POL that Beauty Habit now carries the brand, so I finally have a bottle in my hands.
It was worth the wait.
Patchouli Elixir is a stronger, more intense version of the soft, sweet original Patchouli fragrance from Reminiscence, and it easily runs in the same league as Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 — lots of potent green and camphorous patchouli for the first few hours, gradually softening into woods with a dusting of vanilla-cocoa over the rest of its long life-span.
But I want to stress that the juice goes on very strong. The BF, who’s the warm and huggy type, walked up to me for his usual morning squeeze only a few minutes after I’d sprayed some of the Elixir on, but a look of alarm flashed across his face when he got close and he suddenly veered off with just a quick pat to my shoulder, so if you’re planning on going out anywhere and you want to wear some Reminiscence Patchouli Elixir for the day, either apply with a light touch or give yourself a couple of hours before walking out the door.
I’m tellin’ ya, this stuff is a serious patchouli stink bomb right out of the bottle.
Since the Elixir is a souped-up offering from the Reminiscence line, it runs a little more expensive than their other fragrances and comes in a very distinctive curved, etched and mirror polished gold bottle — if you’re into that kind of thing. I can definitely say that it makes for an attractive presentation for gift giving purposes (nudge nudge).
Photos below:
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Hi! This is told to be a feminine fragrance at their website. Do you think it´s ok for men?
Thanks!
Yes, definitely. It straddles the line between feminine and masculine, not leaning too far in either direction. But be forewarned — it’s a *very* strong patchouli scent, and it lasts a long time.
Thanks for your reply and for the review! I´m going to have to try a sample of it.
Well, I got the bottle not sample. It´s really great indeed but my only “issue” is that top notes smells like chocolate to me. After some hours, pefume turns much better to my taste. Excellent! I always thought that patchouli was the scent responsible for that “incense hippie stores” smell that I like a lot but I´m not sure since I´m not an expert in pathcouli at all.
That “incense hippie store” smell is often a combination of different elements: sandalwood, frankincense, patchouli, amber, myrrh — whatever they decided to burn that day.
Patchouli itself starts off smelling almost like camphor (mothballs) and then gradually transforms into a dry, woodsy scent. Some types of patchouli can have a noticeable chocolate quality, which is why you’re smelling the chocolate in the Reminiscence Patchouli Elixir.
I’m glad to see someone else commenting on this fragrance. I’m a big patchouli fan and this is one of the best I’ve come across. I bought a sample from Beautyhabit and now I’m just waiting for the right time to buy a bottle. The patchouli note is very strong, but it’s very rich as well and the hints of cocoa set it apart from say, Montale Patchouli Leaves.
I fully agree. A very potent patchouli, but with some well considered additions to the mix that add richness and depth. Patchouli Elixir should satisfy any serious patchouli fan — I’m happy to see it finally available to the U.S. market.