You can follow the develop of Sepia through the letters of Mandy Aftel and Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scent Studio on Nathan Branch’s blog. Sepia is inspired by ghost towns. I like that.
EDP Review
Sepia opens as a “pink” citrus melody. The entire scent hits me as a salmon shade. It’s not frou-frou. I get a raunchy barnyard oud with indoles working its way through. There’s a bitterness from sulfuric grapefruit peel that blends with bitter, green florals. When the perfume warms up on my skin, I’m hit with an indolic jasmine. The base is dusty and does remind me of the color sepia. It’s a salty amber mushroom.
Parfum Review
The parfum is denser. The pink fruits and citrus in this appear fuchsia to me. They’re richer and more concentrated. It’s fruitier and a tad sweeter. The jasmine is waxy and adds a warmth. With time the jasmine becomes more indolic. The base does smell “sepia” – a mushroom amber.
I prefer the parfum over the EDP. I like its richness and it’s much longer lasting on the skin. I can see how someone would prefer the EDP since it is less fruity.
Notes listed include blood cedarwood, yellow mandarin, pink grapefruit, pink lotus, strawberry, jasmine grandiflorum, cocoa, coffee, flowering tobacco, oud, indole, ambergris, cepes and labdanum. Launch date 2012. PERFUMER – Mandy Aftel
Sepia is skanky. Try it if you like indolic jasmine or real oud. Give it a try if you like Aftelier Oud Luban, Ramon Monegal Ambra di Luna, Opus Oils Cowboy, Ayala Moriel Razala, and/or DSH Perfumes Hand of Buddha. Sepia is unisex.
For a natural perfume projection and longevity are average. Compared to synthetic or mixed media EDPs and parfums, projection and longevity are below average.
The 1 oz EDP and the 1/4 oz parfum retails for $170 at Aftelier.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Animalic fruity floral. This fruity floral does not shield you from the funk found in nature.
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*Disclaimer – Samples provided by Aftelier. I am not financially compensated for this review. My opinions are my own. Jobyna Ralston pic from www.doctormacro.com
You really got the true nature of Sepia into this great review Victoria! The photograph of Jobyna Ralston is perfect & precious, thank you so much!
xo Mandy
You’re welcome!
I have a sample of this coming and I cannot wait to try it. There’s nothing I like more than a good skanky perfume/ edp. I’m liking the indolic flowers nowadays ie orange blossom, jasmine, tuberose.
Can’t wait to hear your impressions!
If you are going through an indolic flower kick these days, you’ve got to try that LUSH Flying Fox shower gel. BAM! Skanky jasmine and honey. It’s not too femme either; my husband uses it.
[…] Bouquet a try if you are looking for a “floral leather”. Or if you like perfumes like Aftelier Sepia, Aftelier Wildflowers, JoAnne Bassett Colette, LUSH Smell of Weather Turning and/or Opus Oils […]