Oraz came to Paris from windy Turkmenistan. He has always wanted to travel the world, and to make his dream come true, he decided to study foreign languages. French is the one that has now become an integral part of his everyday life.
Language skills helped Oraz to visit different countries and to get to know himself from unexpected perspective. He discovered that every part of the world as well as every person has its unique scent. Oraz started to search for the accords that could emphasise his own mood and personality.
While working at L’Oréal, Oraz fully emerged himself into the world of perfumes. His journey began with the classic fragrances of the leading perfume brands, but by now he has learnt to appreciate the special charm of niche fragrances with concentrated oils and perfumed body care products from small boutiques.
Oraz shared with us his recent findings among the perfumery shops in Paris and four of his favourite fragrances.
Parisian boutiques
Paris has become a source of perfume luxury for me. When walking down the streets of Marais, you can easily find a little unknown brand with magnificent products. My recent discoveries are Officine Universelle Buly 1803 on 6 Rue Bonaparte and L’Eau de Cassis, two small worlds with their treasures. Buly 1803 charmed me with the natural ingredients and touching story of the brand. The boutique looks like a sophisticated 19th-century pharmacy with miraculous oils and creams in porcelain bowls. I liked the Damask rose body lotion that leaves a light floral tone on the skin for a long time. L’Eau de Cassis captivated me with its simple but bright concept of the Southern France. The son of the perfumer lives in Paris. He works in a boutique in Marais, can introduce you to the wide range of scents and suggest which perfumery ritual suits you best.
Four special perfumes
Niche perfume 6 Place Saint Sulpice by Yves Saint Laurent is perfect for dank days. The fragrance opens with a light bouquet of lavender and bergamot, accented by distinct yet intriguing notes of saffron, leather and oriental spices.
Take a look at L’Artisan Parfumeur which enchants me with its elegant packaging and amazing combination of notes. I got stroked by Noir Exquis: its deep base embodies the embrace of coffee and dried fruit. This scent will please those who prefer the unusual sweet fragrances.
Next scent to introduce is a fragrance for every day by one of my favourite brands Diptyque. Floral L’Ombre Dans L’eau deepens into a sensuous heart of juicy notes of currant and rose.
Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium is familiar to many, but a lot of people still avoid vintage perfumes. I think they shouldn’t, because their skin can react quite differently to the fragrance, and there is a chance that several notes will unravel themselves throughout the day. At first the perfume unfurls with warm incense, and in an hour — with gentle mandarin in the oriental framing.
Oraz recommends
My recommendation for beginners in the perfume world is to explore your preferences, your nose and your body. This can be a long, but adventurous journey of self-discovery. For the doubtful ones, there are always places to get a piece of advice: go to the popular Nose boutique, test perfumes with an expert and select your individual product line. That is a worthwhile investment, I promise!
All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina