The Beach Eaus – A month of beach and ocean inspired perfumes.
In case you’re just tuning in, I’m a huge fan of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes work. In fact, she’s partially responsible for why EauMG still exists today. Her perfumes were my first real introduction to indie perfumery. Since trying her perfumes, I have tried hundreds of indie perfumes, many I have covered on this blog.
So, I’ve learned with DSH, there’s a massive catalog of scents, and that I shouldn’t make any assumptions about the fragrance until I try them. I mean, this woman convinced me that there is a pear perfume out there that I’d actually wear! Even if there is a genre or note that I’m not usually interested in, I’ll try it if DSH uses it.
With coconut, it’s sort of like, what can you do that hasn’t been done? I recently shared a list of my favorite coconut perfumes. I tend to like those that are creamy, fatty and well, not that innovative. And (sadly?), most coconut-centric perfumes fall into this category. DSH Perfumes Maui is a coconut perfume that promises that it’s unlike a lot of those other coconut perfumes…
From the very beginning, you get all the coconut in Maui. It’s creamy, woodsy and sweet. However, it has a couple of aspects that I usually don’t get from coconut-centric perfumes. One aspect is that there is a sweet white chocolate that adds a richness and cocoa butter-like quality to the fragrance. The other is a mineral, dry accord that pumice stone or like volcanic rock. Maui is predominantly a coconut fragrance with a creamy sandalwood. The Hawaiian sandalwood, which is a more sustainable sandalwood, is what keeps this fragrance from smelling like a functional fragrance or like a frozen alcoholic beverage. This sandalwood emphasizes the coconut’s sweetness in a way that doesn’t make it come across like a dessert. Yet, it’s still sweet, creamy and smooth. When I smell these two together, I realize how perfect they are for each other. It’s like having two of your friends fall in love and one day you’re like “Oh, this totally makes sense. I get it now”. The dry-down of Maui is creamy woods and warm amber with an actual vanilla bean pod. It smells like hot sand and sun-bleached driftwood. It’s simple but it’s pleasant. I’m not saying Maui is the coconut perfume for those that don’t usually like coconut. It’s just a quintessential coconut for those that like the note. It’s also like a “sandalwood on holiday”. If you like creamy, warm scents, then you’ll be happy with Maui.
I enjoy Maui on its own but this really is the sort of fragrance that is effortless for layering. It can emphasize creaminess in figs (like Diptyque Philosykos) or gardenias (like Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion). It also adds a nice gourmand quality to ambers or tobacco perfumes (Elizabeth & James Nirvana Bourbon). But, something I didn’t expect is how well this layers with iris/orris perfumes, fragrances like Dior Homme or Serge Lutens Daim Blonde.
Notes listed include coconut, ambrette, Hawaiian sandalwood, cedar, orris and Tahitian vanilla. (Re)Launched in 2018. PERFUMER – Dawn Spencer Hurwitz
Give Maui a try if you like coconut or woodsy gourmands. Or perfumes like Daniella 4D, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, Opus Oils Tropique, Honore de Pres Love Coconut, House of Matriarch Coco Blanc and/or Ramon Bejar Secret Sandalwood.
Projection is below average. It wears closely to the skin. Longevity is average to above average.
Maui comes in a few sizes with the 1 oz retailing for $80 at DSH Perfumes.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Sandalwood and coconut. It’s simple but it absolutely works. I hope Sandalwood and Coconut invite me to their wedding.
*Disclaimer – Sample provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for my reviews. My opinions are my own. Product pic from the brand. Fiona Campbell-Walter pic in a Givenchy cashmere beach towel (yes, that’s apparently a thing) by Georges Dambier, 1954. And the more I think about it, the more Maui reminds me of a cashmere beach towel.