Here they are, the finalists for the 2016 Prix Eau Faux, our contest to honor creative fragrance writing or “faux ad copy” (you can read about the contest here). Huge thanks to everyone who entered! 

The judges (me, Angela, Erin, Jessica , Kevin, and Kafka from Kafkaesque) have whittled the field of 37 entries down to 5 finalists.

In order to make this as fair as possible, I won’t post the names of the entrants until after the winner is selected, and I respectfully ask that the entrants not “campaign” for votes here or elsewhere…just let the best entry win. Votes will be taken through 12 noon (Eastern Time) Tuesday, and I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Here are the entries, presented in the order in which they were received:

L’eau de l’eau de l’eau Eau légère Noir Extreme Pour Femme by Dumont d’Urville Parfumeur

Mahogany night. Crystalline snowdrift.  

Inspired by the intoxicating allure of the most elusive and exclusive locales, L’eau de l’eau de l’eau Eau légère Noir Extreme Pour Femme harnesses the forces known only by the Gods.  Wind. Ice. Darkness. Eternity. Two lovers wrapped in endless night, enraptured by the power of the Antarctic’s brumal embrace, become as one. Wrapped in the mesmerizing scent of life-giving water, all earthly cares melt away.

Created with the rarest accords of Ice Orchid™, Rain Musk ™, Air Lily ™, L’eau de l’eau de l’eau Eau légère Noir Extreme Pour Femme will transport you to a world far away. But still here.

Oubliette Scents Closer To Death

From Oubliette Scents--"Planned Obsolescence Through Perfume"--we present our Closer To Death collection.

Is irony the trend, or is the trend itself ironic? Absconding with the concept of "Color of the Year," we present our "Smell of the Year," with a unique delivery system--you receive 365 vials. The first is 100% pure perfume, the second is 364 parts perfume, diluted with one part alcohol. And so on through the year, the scent becoming weaker and more attenuated, just as you yourself do. By December 31st, with your fragrance just 1 part perfume to 364 parts alcohol, you will indeed be one year Closer To Death. Oubliette Scents--irony in action! (Additional charge to start the year on your birthday, or to add oud.) 

Metaphysical Perfumes Archytas

Metaphysical Perfumes has the mission of bringing classical metaphysical themes to the realm of empirism by translating them into olfactory experiences. Named after the Pythagorean philosopher who wondered if he could extend his arm beyond the limit of the universe, Archytas explores the theme of infinity. Our in house perfumer, Clarice Varonska, wanted to convey an actual infinite space, which she achieved with a clever composition centered on ambrette seed. Top notes of bergamot and Persian lime, a heart of precious rose from Grasse and a base featuring Syrian labdanum and Siberian incense surround our exquisite ambrette note as it expands and conjures the image of a sparkling infinite array of galaxies against the darkest sky. All at once, defying reason, but not sensation.

Eau Chat by La Maison de Choupette

Her scent wafted upon the night air, awakening in him primal instincts he thought long tamed. He was overcome with animalistic desire. He made his torment known by scattering his litter box contents to the four corners of the room, as she had broken and scattered the pieces of his heart. He arched his back and sang out a song of torment and desire for all to hear. Her musk had enchanted him. Was it natural or was it...Eau Chat?

Eau Chat, the world's first civet soliflore, is the intense flanker to Eau Pee Pee...is it pamplemousse or is it Pee Pee?

Médusé by Maison Ozeanisch

Created through contemporary frustrations, arrives Maison Ozeanisch. A spotlight on the missing aura of today's fragrance market centerstage. Entranced by notorious lilliputian migraines, Maison Ozeanisch was born to endure the changes of eras both past and current. As each drops contrives essences of everlasting euphoria, Maison Ozeanisch's seducing sillage commends the dreams of better tommorows.

The conception of Médusé harbored on contortionist cleverness subdued by Shakespearean sophistry. Harboring dreams of Sophia Loren and beguiling Betty Boop, Méduseé entices kawaii top note seductive fantasty of Machiavellian majesties of plum with a hint of myrrh for a touch of Sargon of Akkad realness. From refined fields of lush colorful floral fields of amethyst ambrosia lavender to gorgeous grainy lumbersome walnuts, sashay playfully through a natural world unheard of today. Recalling a game once foretold by priestesses on a distant typhoon prone island, Médusé ventured forth from the ever yearning for fragrant buoyancy missing from today's ever-changing, ever-rearranging youthful atmosphere.

Voting is now closed.