PROVISION Las Flores (Sherri Sebastian) 2017-New Perfume Review + Just Be Draw

photo via  @wildandfree.corina wildandfreeblog.com

"Life is what we make it, Always has been, always will be"– Grandma Moses

Most perfumistas have no trouble admitting that we’re obsessed with fragrance; we adore our perfumes, often tailoring our scent of the day to the weather, our clothes, or the new handbag we got during the Nordstrom Half-Yearly. But I believe  scent goes deeper, that we don’t just look at perfume as another way to accessorize. You can’t spell armor without aroma, after all, and I know that perfume sets my mood and helps me power through the day, no matter the challenges I face. Fragrance can profoundly affect our well-being, and yet some days I stare at 200-plus bottles and feel paralyzed. I have “Comfort Scents”, “Desert Island Scents”, “Office Scents”, “My-Skin-But-Better Scents” and “Sexy Let’s Stay Home tonight, Hon Scents”, but until recently nothing for simply being present in the moment…to just be.

Sherri Sebastian of PROVISION

A few weeks ago I received a lovely package in from master perfumer Sherri Sebastian. Ms. Sebastian has 24 years experience as a professional perfumer, devoting two decades of her life to crafting fine fragrances for many brands, as well introducing two lines of her own.  In addition to being on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Perfumers, Ms. Sebastian is also a contributor to CaFleureBon, sharing her insights and her expertise in the monthly “Notes From the Lab” series.

PROVISION line at NY NOW in August

Two years ago, Sherri, who has worked on thousands of formulas over the course of her career, set out to create a line of fine fragrance and luxury body care. Her goal was to create a line that was sophisticated in its simplicity; use the best ingredients possible for the ultimate experience in self-care, ensuring that each and every product and fragrance worked together to enhance both mood and environment throughout the day. After spending several weeks with her collection, I can tell you unequivocally that she succeeded! Today I’d like to focus on Las Flores, which has been my constant companion as I have faced personal challenges these past few weeks.

Orange blossom and wood still life via flickr

Las Flores was the first perfume I reached for in Sherri’s beautifully packaged Discovery Set. I am incapable of resisting anything floral, and I had the sample sprayed on before the box was even completely open. The most gorgeous orange flower surrounded me, no screechiness whatsoever; just incredibly pretty, gently scenting the air around me. 

photo via  @wildandfree.corina wildandfreeblog.com

But within a few seconds, I began to realize that Las Flores was not a floral fragrance at all; I began to get a little hint of woods, the warm scent of dried grass basking in the afternoon sun, and something that reminded me of a cool breeze dancing with the grasses as it swirled through the woods.

Las Flores Cyn Rd sign via @sherri_sebastion

And then it all clicked; Las Flores Canyon. I spent most of my adult life living in southern California, and it is almost uncanny how perfectly Sherri has captured the sense of place here, as well as the serenity of escaping the hustle and bustle for a few precious hours, hiking the canyons trails.

via @sherri_sebastian digitalized MC

Like all three of the fragrances in the Provisions line, Las Flores defies categorizing. For those who like to know these things, it has floral facets, woody/grassy/resiny facets, a hint of spicy greenness from the poplar bud. But to me, Las Flores is as much an invisible environment as it is a perfume. I’ve found it to be incredibly calming; a beautiful soothing presence in the background of what has lately been a very stressful world.

I am no minimalist, and have no plans to downsize my perfumes collection any time soon; in fact, Las Flores has just increased the size of my “Desert Island Perfume” list! But Sherri has changed the way I think about fragrance overall, and I highly recommend the entire Provisions collection to anyone who is looking for a beautifully scented life.

Disclosure: My review is based on samples generously provided by Sherri herself, (whose handwriting is exquisite, by the way). Thank you, Sherri!

Tammy Schuster, Sr. Contributor (with contributions from Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief who also is the Art Director.

Sherri at The Modern Chemist photo by Hernando

Editor’s Note: Sherri, who lives in Southern California recently visited NYC and held a master class at Smith and Britt in New York City, as well as a PA at The Modern Chemist in Brooklyn, which Sr. Contributor Hernando Courtright attended.  

Provision Las Flores 

Thanks to Provision we have a draw for 3 registered readers in the USA (you must do this to be eligible) for a 50 ml bottle of Las Flores or a discovery kit of Las Flores, Maitri and Resonance. Please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Tammy’s review, your choice of discovery kit or Las Flores should you win, if you ever wear a fragrance to feel calm and centered and where you live. Draw closes 10/19/2017.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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28 comments

  • Nice review. Tammy really captured the love of scent in general! I would choose the discovery set because Resonance sounds captivating and I’m curious what the cork note is! In the US

  • I can relate to this. My collection is no where near 200 bottles, but some days I cannot decide. Other days the decision is quick and easy. I might not ever get out the door if I had to choose from 200. Love how it took Tammy back to a special place. Being an ex California girl, I know how rare it is to find a quiet place there. That area is a good one. I would love to try this and see if it reminds me of the area (I haven’t been back in over a decade), so Las Flores would be my choice. For calming/centering I usually go for a gourmande, maybe it’s comfort food for the nose. Thanks for the great article.

  • I can relate to this so much. In a hectic world, I use scent and fragrance to ground me and provide a calming peace. I often choose a scent that I instinctively know will provide a certain feeling and will restore my wellbeing. So wonderful to hear about this unique brand and what Sherri is creating. I would be interested in Las Flores should I be selected. I am in the USA. Thank you

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    I would love to be able to escape to Las Flores canyon–even vicariously through fragrance! The notes do sound calming and peaceful, so I would select Las Flores if I am so lucky as to win. Today I was in need of a virtual comfort hug, so I wore FSSA Vaniglia del Madagascar, which helps. I live in the USA.

  • The article kept my interest and I like that. 🙂 Put me down for the bottle of Maitri, I’m drawn to the musk accord and the oakmoss. US

  • I enjoyed Tammie’s enthusiasm for this fragrance, so evident in her review, a fragrance that captures Las Flores Canyon’s scent and feel sounds beautiful. I am in the US and if lucky enough to win, I would select the bottle of Las Flores. I can’t say that I wear specific fragrances to feel calm and centered but many perfumes achieve that feeling.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I’ve never been to southern California, but this review made the canyon come alive to me. Every day that I wear perfume it’s chosen to keep me calm during a hectic day. I really appreciate the scents that amplify my sense of peace and calm. Powerhouse scents are not really my style these days, as they can be overwhelming with everything else that life has to offer. Thank you for the review of this gem, and thank you for such a generous, generous draw. I would choose Las Flores. Thanks again. I’m in the USA.

  • Las Flroes starts as a floral withorange blossom prominent note but then veers into a different direction including woody aspects. It also captures the essence of California for those who grew up in California. I must say, I love the bottle with upper half painted while the lower half showing perfume and glass. My choice is Las Flores. I am in US.

  • oldandsmelly says:

    I live in the US and I really loved Tammy’s description of Las Flores ” I began to realize that Las Flores was not a floral fragrance at all; I began to get a little hint of woods, the warm scent of dried grass basking in the afternoon sun, and something that reminded me of a cool breeze dancing with the grasses as it swirled through the woods.” That is something I would love to wear, a floral that is not a floral. If I was to win, I would choose a 50 ml bottle of Las Flores. And yes, I do wear fragrance to feel calm and centered, the choice of fragrance changes but usually is one with sandalwood, balsam or tea notes or an iris leather.

  • Southern California is one of my favorite places. Any scent that captures the feel of place there is a must try for me. I have perfumes that relax me but not center me. I like the idea though. I would most like the bottles of Las Flores. In the US.

  • Beautiful review!!!!
    It sounds beautiful-” floral facets, woody/grassy/resiny facets” and “spicy greenness”. I guess it’s very complex perfume.
    yes, I have some perfumes, which give me relax.
    I would most like the bottles of Las Flores.
    USA, DE

  • Great points made in this review. One thing I really enjoy about perfume is the never ending discovery that this lovely road takes me on. Not only with different scents, but how they interact with my feelings as well as those around me. I have many times tried to select one of my fragrances to wear so that it makes me feel peaceful, calm, centered. I’d select the discovery kit, as I would like to experience all 3. thank you. I’m in US and registered.

  • I also have my perfumes in different category like, ‘hike the woods’, ‘comforting’, ‘my best skin’.
    I agree that the to be there in the moment to ‘just be’.

    I have not known about this house earlier so thanks for introducing a new house to me.

    I would choose the Full bottle Las Flores as I don’t have any floral/woody.
    But the notes in Maitri and Resonance also sound good.

    In USA.

  • Lovely descriptive review, I enjoyed being transported to one of the most perfect places on earth. I used to live in California and just loved sitting on the beach with my eyes closed, listening to the waves and breathing in all the delicious seaside scents. When I need to feel calm and centered I just wear some lavender essential oil or diffuse some cedar wood. I live in the US and would love to try Las Flores. Thank you for the generous draw!

  • Nice. Thanks for the giveaway. I would prob go with
    The bottle of Las Flores. Like to check this green floral woody
    Out.

  • I have checked out the website and really love the positive and spiritual messages of each product. For me las Flores and thanks Tanny as I am one who needs to know these things
    Also enjoy the article on musk

  • What an interesting statement/description of this fragrance “Las Flores is as much an invisible environment as it is a perfume”. You have me intrigued! The notes sound soft and beautiful.

    Fragrance, for me, is like daily medicine. Depending on my mood, I will choose a scent to either uplift me or calms me. I have several I choose from to spray on myself before going to bed, to help relax me and ease me into sleep.

    I live in the U.S. (New York)

  • doveskylark says:

    I read this review and I felt relieved to know that I am not the only one who needs soothing, not the only one going through some stressful times. Tammy’s review made me think about nature and canyons as well. I definitely wear fragrance to feel centered. Equipe by Hermes makes me feel in control and well-put together, even when I am a wreck inside.
    I’d choose the discovery set.
    I live in the USA.

  • i like the idea of sophisticated in its simplicity; the way she interpretes perfumes just gets me. i wish i had a nose like that. i would like the discovery set. NC usa

  • How could I not want the bottle of Las Flores after reading Tammy’s review? There is too much distracting discord around these days. I would love to have something that places me in a peaceful time zone. And wherer do you guys keep finding all these perfumers I’ve never heard of?! Thanks Tammy for the info that this is a California Canyon, that makes understanding the fragrance even more special. USA

  • I saw this on Instagram as I follow Cafleurebon and I am glad I read this beautiful review. I definitely would love a perfume that lets me just be
    Las Flores is not far from where I live in Orange County

  • The review hits home on so many aspects- the most compelling being the idea of “an invisible environment” available and accessible to each by themselves alone. In a world that moves so fast our self hurts, escapism is more than welcome.
    I would love Las Flores- if only to give a break to my 2-3 airy incense or floral perfumes that I normally use to calm down. I’m in the US.

  • Tammy said that this particular fragrance was her companion through difficult times. I find that to be a tremendous recommendation. Given the background of Ms. Sebastian, I would very much like the Discovery Set should I win. Thank you so much for the draw. I live in the USA

  • “fragrance can profoundly affect our well being”…so very true! Las Flores sounds divine and I would love to add it to my collection. I am in the USA.

  • What a lovely introduction to a new (to me) house! I agree with Tammy that you can get so caught up in the pursuit of a scent for this or that mood or activity that you forgets to look for fragrances that allow you to relax and ‘just be’. All of Sherri’s fragrances sound beautiful and distinctive, but Maitri wins by a tiny margin. Although I’m very curious about the ‘cork absolute’ in Resonance, I could use something uplifting these days! Thank you for the review and draw. I’m in the US.

  • I enjoyed Tammy’s review and agree “You can’t spell armor without aroma, after all, and I know that perfume sets my mood and helps me power through the day, no matter the challenges I face.” I live in the US and would choose the discovery kit. Wearing a fragrance (no one in particular, but definitely a woody fragrance) usually does help me to feel calm and centered.

  • A big thank you to Tammy and everyone who left a comment. I just came back from a hike in the canyons today and thought of all of your thoughtful notes as I spritzed myself with Las Flores before heading out the door. Thanks again and stay tuned for more to come!