Coming in February from Serge Lutens will be Jeux de Peau ("Skin Games"), a new unisex addition to the export range.
What we know so far: it was inspired by the smell of toast with butter, a smell dear to Lutens' childhood, and it might be a woody oriental. According to Osmoz, the notes might include sandalwood, flowers, something like licorice, maybe something like apricot.
That's as much as we ever know, right? (via conseillere-de-beaute.fr, osmoz)
Update: see a review of Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau.
I’m trying to picture toast and butter in a fragrance, and since it’s Serge I’m assuming it will be a crisp, chewy French toast bread and not the uniform square-shaped toast, and that the butter will be rich and creamy, and maybe there will be a hint of smoky accord that will smell like the crisp brown or black edges of slightly-burnt bread…
Anyways, a Serge woody oriental sounds mighty fine, but I’m secretly hoping it won’t be *too* fine because I’ve already got 3 L’Artisans now on my list of FB must-haves… Is there a stage you get to at some point in this.. hobby.. where you’re a bit afraid to try any more samples in case another one comes up that you absolutely must have?
Yes, but then I found that my bottle collection grew to the point where I wasn’t so desperate to buy things, even things I really would like to have. I add to my collection VERY slowly now!
I sample a lot but, to be honest, I don’t love – or sometimes even like – most of the fragrances I try. If I love one (and it is about one out of every ten sampled these days), then I next buy a decant (usually 8 ml). My general rule is that I only consider buying a full bottle if I get through an 8 ml decant in less than two or three months. Actually, I’m surprised by the number of decants that last longer than that because, even though I love wearing a fragrance, it might not be appropriate for many occasions. For example, I really love Safran Troublant, but it is so strong on me that I have to be careful where I wear it, so my decant has lasted ages – no FB. I wish that more perfumers would offer 15 and 30 ml bottles though.
Sounds interesting, I love toasted aromas (just got a decant of Aomassai) and sandalwood. However, I’m hoping that the licorice either turns out to be something not very licorice-like, or it’s not too prominant. I really don’t like it, but it does seem to be one of the notes of the moment.
I read recently that once Serge finishes one scent he immediately starts work on another, which I guess explains the rate of output.
His rate of output is low compared to many other niche brands though. Although I do appreciate Frederic Malle: usually one a year.
That pretty much sums up the behavior of just about any creative person. Painters, composers, writers–as soon as they finish one creation, they begin on another. Having a strong creative strain myself, I can understand this. There is a deep need to be always working on something.
It’s all we ever know until we smell it. Toast with butter actually seems a fairly direct sort of hint for SL – there are no cicadas or open doors of gated Koranic schools this time!
I’m really looking forward to this one. The potential note list conjures up Santal Blanc, Douce Amere and El Attarine, three of my faves. I love “breakfast” skin scents, too: thinking of Miroir des Envies from Thierry Mugler. Also, that Aomassai Tortola mentions.
Oh, Koranic schools? Was that ad copy for Arabie?
Wasn’t it for Al Attarine?
Yep!
Yes, I am disappointed that we still have to wait for the SL quote! It’s my favorite part.
Love the idea of toast with butter perfume. Wonder how SL will play it out, it won’t be straightforward for sure
Not the hugest Serge fan here (although I do love that ISM), but this is the first of his offerings that I’m genuinely excited about. Buttered toast, how great is that? So long as he’s not slathering curry, pine needles, and mothballs on his baguette, I’ll be happy.
Mothballs. Ha!
I think the name loses something in translation. Since I don’t know French, Jeux de Peau looked so pretty – but, wait – it means ‘Skin Games’? That just sounds silly.
would “skin play” sound better ? sexier perhaps…
That does sound better!
Jeux de Peau is a play on words I presume, from “Jeux de Paume”, a racquet sport that also has a famous French treaty named after it. I’m still not sure the name makes a whole lot of sense, but it seems like the obvious root of the name
Yes, it does sound like Jeu de Paume (the Serment du Jeu de Paume was one of the great moments in the French Revolution: it is called thus because this agreement between all the factions against the King took place in the Salle du Jeu de Paume in Versailles).
‘Jeux d’eau’ means ‘games involving water’, therefore ‘Jeux de peau’ means ‘games involving skin’. Use your imagination… LOL!
When i first read the name, it sounded like ‘Juxtapose’ in my head, but then i dont know how to pronouce any french words properly.
Actually, “Juxtapose” would be a great name for a perfume!
Well, this is for you, then: http://belabela.posterous.com
I had recorded the name Jeux de Peau in anticipation of the launch next year, but I thought I should post it earlier.
I am HUGELY excited about this fragrance… I’m not sure if I’ve been this worked up about anything before—and the notes sounds *weird*, but weirdly wonderful! Serge fanatic I am not, but I’ll be at the Perfume House man-handling their tester the moment it’s available!
You and me both!
Ooo! I’m excited! Still searching for a Serge that I love (altho MKK and AS are soooo close!)
For me sa maj la R. and fille en guilles come close, but not quite close enough….
Believe it or not – bas de soir only just came out here and it was a total scrubber on me. I was pretty surprised as a lot of people loved it.
I didn’t care for it either.
They were discussing this on Basenotes a few months ago and it sounds like a must buy for me. $150 of my 2011 budget gone and its only December!
Bring it on!
I often put a little sugar on my buttered toast. Could he include a note of caramelized sugar? I need to know! Yes, I also need the Serge quote ….:)
I will want to try it, for sure. I’m trying Douce Amere for the first time today, BTW, and loving it!
Douce Amere is my favorite SL, and I am not a fan of licorice-like notes usually. Too bad it has been discontinued.
It hasn’t been discontinued, just moved to the Exclusive line. It’ll be harder to get, but still out there.
As it happens, I wore Douce Amere today, and though I put it on twelve hours ago, I can still smell it clearly on my skin. It has got some serious lasting power, and is spectacularly beautiful to boot. One of his top ten scents in my book, for sure, maybe top five.
I think I would be willing to buy Jeux de Peau without even smelling it. I have a good feeling about it.
Hey, thank you for that information!! Luckyscent announced that it was being discontinued and they had bought-up the remaining bottles. I also read something about it being discontinued on Basenotes. So glad to know it is sticking around.
If you say that Douce Amère has moved to the Exclusive line it makes it sound as if it is now in bell jars and sold exclusively at the Salons. It doesn’t seem to be the case: it still appears under Spray bottles (not under Exclusive bottles) on their website.
As far as I know, the only fragrance that migrated from the Export to the Exclusive range was Miel de Bois.
Douce Amere is just thrilling me! FYI, I see it for sale on the Luckyscent website. I’m very tempted to order it, along with my long-wanted Gris Clair, and be done with. To heck with Robin’s quarterly confessional, I say!
A woody oriental from Serge Lutens…I’m shocked…shocked!
I don’t love the name, but it sounds interesting, at least until I came to the word “licorice”…hmmm… I’m not sure how buttered toast with licorice will work out? However, buttered toast with apricot sounds yummy – toast and jam!
Really looking forward to trying this. Am a big fan of Mugler’s Miroir des Envies….all I felt it was missing was the butter
When I hear “butter” all I can think about is Halle and the gagarificness of that buttery-caramely thing. Lord. So, this might not be so good for me. I generally am not inclined toward the smell of butter – it is too oily and thick. It is not an enticement in the movie theater.
A colleague is invited to the launch and me not, I am so envious! But never mind, he will splatter marmelade on his toast and also cuir/leather, because of the peaux, of the “skins” which means a playful interaction of butter, toast and skin.
No, that is probably NOT the intendend thing *lol* sounds more like breakfast in bed, when you are a kid, and some warm skin (your mom’s or sisters) next to you.
Still, I really feel his Girl on Needles. Not enough for a spurleg, but I like the madness of it.
Just got an offer for a sample of this ahead of release from Serge Lutens. not sure if it is available outside of Europe, but if you are signed up for their newsletter, you might have received it.
Just got my free sample today.
It has the distinctt “Serge Lutens scent”. I can’t explain it exactly, but it seems like all his perfumes have the same undertone.
This is nice, I definitely get a buttery feeling at first. Doubt I will buy a bottle though.
i bought this today. it is beautiful.
it is a light gourmand, burnt sweet bread with hints of flowers and sandalwood. My first Serge Lutens fragrance :).
i find ‘Jeux de Peau’ a daytime scent in colder weather.
i like it, it is delicious and smoky in the simplest and most modest way.