Photo courtesy of JoAnne Bassett

California luxury botanical perfumer, JoAnne Bassett has created an ultimatum; the aroma of a sybarite. The word is defined as, “someone dedicated to luxury and pleasure.”  Somewhat of an anthem for any perfume, JoAnne follows through in her work, using a stock of oils she collected in her global travels in the 80's and 90's. The name Sybarite arrived by coming across the term in Conde Nast magazine, and finding it fitting for herself, JoAnne naturally turned this term into an olfactory concept. While available in many options, JoAnne works with a local glass blower who makes artisan bottles for her collections, in this case a blue bottle the color of churning, bubbling seawater encased inside a book box complete with hand sewn pillow, involving yet another local artisan.

Icon of Style Audrey Hepburn wearing a floral Hermes Scarf and carrying vintage Louis Vuitton bag and luggage

Not that I am overly familiar with such things, but somehow Sybarite is the inside of a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk- bought for Audrey Hepburn and ready to be filled for the voyage across the sea. There is a self-proclaiming sophistication about Sybarite's opening, a body of Bulgarian rosa damascena v. alba purchased in 1999 (white rose otto-  JoAnne refers to this as the “flower of Light”) and Egyptian rose otto hobnob with neroli, orange blossom and osmanthus.  A botanical Hermes scarf with apricot osmanthus jam criss-crossing and encircling orange blossoms. Already, there can be no mistake- this is an aroma of refinement. While mellow and approachable- nothing has been spared Sybarite's gilded presence.

Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (r) and wearing  golden gown by Ceil Chapman photo by Richard Avedon 1952 for Harper's Bazaar

Sybarites find ways to support their indulgences and the perfume supports itself upon, what else? More luxury. Poised upon botanical musk and oud, finally it's revealed where the steam trunk illusion came from and it makes for a not quite leather but born to be spilled into fine leather handbags aroma. Oud is certainly carrying the osmanthus fruit hint and the musk is proof positive of worn clothes tossed casually for the jaunt. This expensive base accord gives Sybarite longevity and projection with a “look but don't touch” perimeter. Cistus has been added to keep anything musk well-groomed and frankincense to remind one of good manners and a lightness which Sybarite carries.

Sybarite natural perfume

A collection of notes which calls for beauty, Sybarite is the classic refinement which fulfills the homage of it's name. Notes: Bulgarian white rose otto, orange blossom absolute, osmanthus absolute, neroli oil, Damask rose absolute (Egypt), hydro-distilled frankincense, oud-agarwood, natural musk, and cistus.

-Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor

disclosure: my sample was received from JoAnne Bassett for review.

Thanks to the kind generosity of JoAnne Bassett, we have a one ounce bottle of Sybarite valued at $190 for one US reader. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Sybarite and  what true luxury and indulgence means to you.  Draw closes 2/14/2015

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize wil be just spilled perfume