New Perfume Review:  En Voyage Figa (Shelley Waddington For ÇaFleureBon Project Talisman) + We Got the Power Draw

 

Figa by EduardoTaborda ©

No matter where you are in the world one click of the T.V. remote to the news station will show substantial proof that we are currently living in a time where evil prowls about like a lion seeking whom it may devour. From political issues to global warming concerns and the audacious moves of large corporations exiling indigenous peoples from their homelands to exploit the natural resources evil is every where. How do we keep hope alive in such a time of peril? Where do we turn for comfort and reassurance that everything will be ok in the long run?

In the past our ancestors used long forgotten stones, tablets, and amulets for protection against evil spirits, and in the lands of Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Brazil the Figa talisman was commonly used to protect individuals from evil doers and to empower them to overcome any of life’s trials and tribulations. Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes chose to draw inspiration from the powerful closed fist with the tip of the thumb poking out between the index and middle finger for her fragrance submission for ÇaFleureBon Project Talisman.

Photographs by Marcio Freitas of models portraying women who are abused are displayed on Copacabana beach with 420 pairs of underwear at a demonstration against violence against females on June 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro,

“Figa is slyly political in the face of tough contemporary political issues, and is specifically designed to wear for personal protection from evil, be it from people or governments.” Shelley Waddington, En Voyage Perfumes

Dreamers, by Natasha Wright

 Figa eau de parfum is the fragrance equivalent of the powerful Figa amulet and each precious oil it contains is a celebration of strength, vision and success and reflective of their ritualistic uses. The opening to Figa is strong and bright with bergamot like the powerful glory of a shining savior sent from the skies to help mankind. Soon the freshness of geranium is detected along with the loving affection of rose, sure to remind the user that all hope is not lost and compassion shall be restored amongst society once again. As the fragrance dries down cedarwood imparts its honor and dignity into the heart while patchouli wards off any other remnants of evil and the soothing aromas of amyris and sandalwood continue the healing and restoration process. After the final show down between good and evil is complete the sweet smell of vanilla lifts the spirit and makes a promise of good fortune while labdanum focuses the attention and reminds man that in order for peace to continue on earth we must take responsibility for our actions and be mindful of who we impart power to.

All in all Figa was a wonderful fragrance to experience, the projection is excellent, has a soothing effect and the sillage very good- a fragrance that is perfectly balances. I would say that this fragrance knows no gender and could be worn year round.

NOTES: BergamotGeraniumRoseJasmin – Violet –  Patchouli – Cedarwood – Amyris – Sandalwood Vanilla Labdanum 

Breathless by Natasha Wright ©

 Senhorita Figa by The Nosey Artist

"Senhorita Figa, Senhorita Figa

They don't believe ya

The promises they make,

Come from lips too eager

Senhorita Figa, Senhorita Figa,

Protect me from evil

I'm aware of the stare,

That I get from the people

Unfocused, by Natasha Wright©

May your vanilla sooth my sovereign soul,

May your jasmine bring me warm blessings

Let your patchouli protect me from perils,

And your rose essence radiate affection

There's a blanket of evil of that hovers,

Like a cloud that hangs low to the ground

I need your labdanum's power to cover,

Open the eyes of all who are confused and dumbfound

There's a spiritual war that's among us,

Those in office are plotting a plight

Their greed is brooding with hunger,

We need your power to stand up and fight

No one is safe from the terror,

That the thief shall bring in the night

We make the fist and point out the errors,

And united we shout as we fight

Senhorita Figa, Senhorita Figa,

They don't believe ya

The promises they make,

Come from your lips too eager

Senhorita Figa, Senhorita Figa

Protect me from evil

I'm aware of the stare,

That I get from the people"

 

Disclosure: I received my sample of Figa courtesyof Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes

Art Director and Creative Director for Project Talisman, A Multi Perfumer Collaboration to Celebrate ÇaFleureBon’s 7th Anniversary  Michelyn Camen, Editor-In-Chief. The words Figa and Fica have dual meanings, Fig and women’s genitalia. The mana fica  connoted to me women’s rights although the scent is unisex. Most of the Art is By Natasha Wright a New Zealand fashion illustrator based in New York City.

Thanks to Shelley Waddington we have a world wide draw for Figa for two of our registered readers as follows: 1 15 ml bottle for a USA reader and a 5ml (you have to be a registered reader to be eligible). Please leave comment below what you liked aboutThe Nosey Artist’s review and rap poetry, where you live and if you have a favorite En Voyage Perfume.

We announce our winners on our site and via our Facebook page so be sure to like CaFleureBon (WE ARE REALLY CLOSE TO 7000 SO PLEASE RECOMMEND TO A FRIEND) and follow our RSS feed or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.

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18 comments

  • What a beautifully worded/ scripted review. Does the fragrance transcend the words or carried by them. Could bE either but I perceive it’s the perfume that creates the text, inspiring it to narrate this journey. I wanted something of mine reviewed in this way as I was reading it- producing an envy which is an emotion I rarely feel. I have experienced Shelley’s work and it is marvellous and would truly inspire a writer to lay words at its feet. Throughly enjoyed and thank you. I especially love the perfume with cocoa of Shelley’s . I love rap poetry and am lucky enough to be at Womad in NZ this weekend where they are featuring some! Hey that Kiwi ( Natasha) is a beautiful artist too Thanks as well for a generous draw

  • What a great read! Hard to choose a favorite part. Figa’s notes sound fabulous, I am a huge fan of Shelley’s work.
    My favorite Envoyage perfume is either Zelda or Go Ask Alice. I live in the U.S. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

  • Kathleen Smith says:

    I love the idea of fragrance as personal protection from evil! And I can relate to the feeling of my fragrance being a buffer from the world, cocooning me in comfort and safety.
    I’m a fan of Shelley Waddington’s creations. I recently ordered a bottle of Zelda and am working my way through samples of her other fragrances.
    I live in CO, USA

  • The review and the poem go hand in hand. I love the explanation behind the fragrance and this particular part of the poem had a deep meaning for me: “May your vanilla sooth my sovereign soul”. Soothing the soul, I guess we all need that!

    Reader from the EU. Thank you! Wish you all the best!

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    I have 2 of Shelly,s creations, L’hombre from I9jEEn Voyage and Civet from Zoologist! She is a wonderful perfumer that has and does create outstanding fragrances!! I am sure this one is no less extraordinary !
    I am from the US. If I win in the draw, great, if not I will search this out!!

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Please leave comment below what you liked aboutThe Nosey Artist’s review and rap poetry, where you live and if you have a favorite En Voyage Perfume.

    I love this, love how the perfume becomes a female goddess or angel almost, a guardian to protect the wearer. I love this idea of anointing yourself with something that has a power. The drydown sounds wonderful as well. I’m in the US, and have never tried an En Voyage perfume!

  • fazalcheema says:

    I like Figa and the idea behind it. The protest has as much place in our world to protect the values we treasure as other forms of democracy including voting. Shelley has proven herself to be a great perfumer who seeks inspiration from classic perfumes so I expect Figa to be great. My favorite from Shelley is Zelda. I am in the US.

  • What wonderful poetry and art work to be included in this great review. I’ve loving the notes and the concept. I love Rainmaker and the Seven% Solution. thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Wonderful! Difficult to say which part of the review is fascinating the most, but in short I agree with the comments of MichelleU. Rather the whole poetry is awesome.
    Thanks to Shelley Waddington for the generosity and Cafleurebon for the opportunity.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Michelyn, this project is so timely and it was a true honor to be included. Thank you for selecting the Figa symbol for me, it’s so spirited and powerful. Nosey Artist, I’d really like to hear the beat along with those splendid lyrics. As a performance piece, accompanied by the fragrance, would be SPECTACULAR at protests.

    Many thanks for this most meaningful review.

  • I like the idea of a fragrance that provides a protective shield, as illustrated in the rap. The bergamot opening sounds bright and nice. My fav En Voyage perfume is Zelda. USA . Thank you for the review/rap/draw.

  • doveskylark says:

    I like the description of the notes and I do believe that rose offers “loving affection.” I love the poetry, especially the line “i’m aware of the stare/I get from the people.”
    I haven’t tried any of Shelley’s creations, but I want to try Rainmaker.
    i live in the USA.

  • This was a very informative post and I always enjoy The Nosey Artist’s rap poetry. I have worn talismans before, but never a fragrance “specifically designed to wear for personal protection from evil, be it from people or governments”. I live in the US and have not yet had the pleasure of wearing an En Voyage Perfume.

  • Another amazing poem and read. This fragrance sounds quite interesting. I haven’t tried anything from this house, but definitely will in the future. I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw!

  • I always love and am amazed by the imagery the contributors have in their articles about the fragrances. Its like vision boards for each of the fragrances:) This article was no exception! Would love to win Figa and start warding off some of those evils out there:)
    Im in the USA. Thanks for the opportunity

  • I love hearing that this scent comes with a political message. we are indeed living in desperate times. The scent itself sounds so wearable, the kind of perfume I’d find myself reaching for every day. I’ve had En Voyage bookmarked forever because I want to buy one of their sample sets. I live in Canada, thanks.