Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Diptyque- Philosykos


The figs on the box of Diptyque Philosykos always looked to me more like mutant hazelnuts than as my favorite fruit. But that's the only imperfection in this Olivia Giacobetti creation that set the standard for fig perfumes.

Philosykos has all the elements we usually find in a fig scent- green leaves, bleached dry wood, a little sap and just a hint of barely there sweet creaminess without going fully into coconut milk territory. The secret of Philosykos is in the careful balance between all these elements. I'm not brave enough to test myself on blind identifying each of my fig perfumes. I'd like to think that I can- each one of them highlights another aspect of the tree and its fruit. Philosykos would probably require the most attention because none of the notes takes center stage for very long. It's the most synergistic of the ever-growing bunch.

Philosykos maintains a crispness that makes it appealing for men and women alike. It has cool green leaves and smooth warm wood in a perfect (here's that word again) balance. I like my fig fragrances in winter, when they remind me of long summer days to come, just as I love them as the easiest choice when summer days finally arrive and one needs a perfume that can stand up to them.

Philosykos ($88, 50ml) is available from all Diptyque stockists- Luckyscent, Aedes and Beautyhabit, as well as Barneys and Saks. There's also a travel set and body products. I've been eyeing the body cream for a while now, so maybe it's time I do something about it.

Art: Study of a fig tree by John Singer Sargent

4 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! I adore Philosykos and reading this makes me want to smell it again, alas I left the almost empty bottle at my parents' house. It was one of my first forays into the world of niche perfumes, and remains a summer favorite.

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  2. Like you, I love all things fig, and this is on the top of the heap for me too. Nothing says 'summer evening sipping wine on a patio' to me more than fig perfumes, and they evoke strong memories for me as well, although I don't think I have ever smelled a fig tree in real life. Lovely, lovely image as well--so evocative!

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  3. I love all things fig too! Philosykos is way out of my budget at the moment, but I've been wearing Ava Luxe Figuer Noir (a beautiful, rich, creamy fig wood) layered with Royal Apothic Fig (doesn't last long at all and gets a bit soapy in the middle) and it's not bad. Haha, someday though!

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  4. Oh yes, buy the body cream!! I've got the travel size. It's easy to carry in my purse or to take on trips. It smells exactly like the perfume, which is something you can't say about all body creams/lotions.

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