Under my Skin

Under My Skin is my take on the animalic theme. I was fascinated by strong animal scents, and I tried to create my own; but I had to realize that what I like in other people's creations isn't necessarily what I like creating myself.

So after adding animalic materials, going in the heavy, soft, or stable direction, I had to gradually eliminate them, arriving at this solution that suits me best: a leathery, slightly animalic, powdery, velvety, and elegant take. It goes hand in hand with my personality and my style, and when I finally realized that this was my path, I was finally happy and relieved.

The name comes from a conversation with an artist and fragrance lover, who said it's as if the scent emanates from the skin. This concept of "Under My Skin" reinforced my journey to enter something more subtly "human" than overtly "animal." The heart of the perfume is a combination of animalic and leathery notes tamed by iris butter (with 15% iron!). After working on this core, I worked on the base notes, composed of tolu balsam, Peru balsam, tonka bean, and various woods.

The final step was the opening, where I used grapefruit and lavender. I was a lavender hater, but here it plays a subtle and elegant role. I was amazed at how well it paired with this fragrance, adding brightness and elegance.

Note: grapefruit, lavender, black pepper, spices, Bulgarian rose, carnation, orris butter, musk, castoreum, ambergris, leather accord, costus, tonka bean, tolu balsam, Peru balsam, mysore sandalwood, vanilla, tree moss.