Edward Bess is best known for his makeup line of beauty staples (and his perfect hair that looks like its straight from a Romanticism painting). In 2016, the brand launched three perfumes. I don’t really expect for makeup brands to be able to do everything. Frankly, my expectations were low. To my surprise, these perfumes are excellent. Not just one perfume, but all of them. It’s a rarity for a brand to have good makeup, skincare and perfumes.
Spanish Veil opens as a dry, creamy sandalwood. It’s bittersweet and nutty. It smells like a sandalwood Spanish fan. I also pick up on plums and black licorice. It’s not listed, but there is a lot of benzoin (one of my favorite resins). This benzoin may come across as doughy to some, on me it’s like a resinous vanilla. The heart is a boozy tonka bean and powdery, almond-like heliotrope with iris. The dry down includes smoky woods used in incense and a powdery benzoin.
It’s one of those sort of gothy perfumes. It smells sweet, smoky and “noir”. It brings to mind fans and black lace, so I have to love it.
Notes listed include sandalwood, tonka bean and guaiac wood. Launched in 2016. PERFUMER – Carlos Benaïm
Give Spanish Veil a try if you like sandalwood perfumes or sweet, woodsy incense perfumes. Or perfumes like Serge Lutens Boxeuses, The People of the Labyrinths Luctor et Emergo (sans the cherry), Penhaligon’s The Tragedy of Lord George, Guerlain 180 Ans, Prada Candy and/or Givenchy Gaiac Mystique.
Projection and longevity are above average. On a side note, I love the minimalist/Deco-y bottles.
The 3.4 oz bottle retails for $175 at Osswald.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Spanish sandalwood fans and benzoin incense. It’s my sort of thing. And I really, really want a bottle.
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Oh crap. I have to try this.
I wish I could tell you otherwise, but I can’t. You do. You need to try this. It’s been one of my favorite launches of this year (so far).