Combava-Cédrat

• Everyday
• Work

Combava-Cédrat does not set out to be a classic citrus, but rather to show the full richness of these zests, with something edgier and more crafted.

The fragrance opens with a dazzling, almost prickly freshness and a very realistic zesty effect, like peel squeezed between your fingers. Then the kaffir lime brings a greener, slightly bitter facet that adds depth and keeps it from feeling too simple.

Over time, the fragrance settles a little while keeping that energy. Woody, musky notes give the whole its structure and extend its longevity without taking away the freshness.

Affinessence is a French perfume house founded in 2015 by Sophie Bruneau, which turns the classic structure of perfume on its head. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience in olfactory analysis and an artistic background spanning dance, music and sculpture, Sophie Bruneau treats perfume as a material to be worked and shaped, rather than unfolded according to an established pattern. Her approach rests on a simple but defining idea: breaking away from the traditional olfactory pyramid. Where perfumery usually organises its creations in three stages: top, heart, base. Affinessence chooses to isolate each level and make it the very centre of the perfume. The first collection, Notes de Fond, explores deep, persistent materials such as woods, resins, musks and spices. Each creation is built around two main ingredients that converse with each other and shape the whole composition. The Notes de Cœur collection focuses on more floral, gourmand or spicy materials, worked with the same density and longevity as notes that are usually lighter. Finally, the Notes de Tête collection applies this approach to fresher, brighter accords, designed to keep a real presence on the skin.