Strangelove silencethesea Review (Christophe Laudamiel) 2016 + Beauty of Ambergris Draw

 

Strangelove silencethesea review 

Strangelove silencethesea photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

As I walk into the sea, its softness caresses my skin. I dive into it with no effort, just stiffen the muscles and let myself sink slowly beneath the ripples of small waves. One deep breath, and down I go with eyes wide open, my hair swirling slowly upwards around my face.  The surface of the sea closes above my head and the sea envelops me, shutting out the sounds coming from the beach. The deeper I go beneath the surface, the darker become hues of blue, and slower the movements. If the surface of the sea is painted transparent blue with watercolors, the deeper down you dive its texture is more like a dense aquamarine-colored tempera.

At moments like this, I become one with the sea, and as soon as outside world sounds are muffled and gone, the silence of the sea draws me in its soothing embrace.

best ambergris perfumes

 Diving, photo by Pexels, edited by Elena Cvjetkovic

And after a late swim that evening after the sundown, I went to sleep with my hair and skin still salty and wet, unwilling to wash away traces of the sea’s soft embrace. I felt as cozy as I imagine a closed oyster would feel tucked safely in seagrass swaying slowly at the bottom of the sea. And if I stick my nose into my elbow and take a deep sniff, my skin smells like the finest, natural ambergris. Or is that the trace of the fragrance I wore earlier that day, Strangelove silencethesea ?

Since forever, people have wanted to smell like the sea, and since the perfumery reached the mass production phase, many more could do so: the 1950s gave us Ambroxan, and the 1980s an aroma chemical called Calone. Then came all the Acqua di’s and L’Eau d’s – becoming the most popular scents of the 90s. Many featuring whooshing notes of salty ozonic air, crushed seashells, seagrass, cold melons, coconut, and cocktails under a meticulously groomed palm or fig tree. Trends come and go, but the Marine/Oceanic fragrances keep rolling in like high tide come every summer with beach-y, summer-y, fresh but showing off glowing sun-tan vibes. And there are the different ones, square pegs in round holes, the ones that make you feel overwhelmed by their sheer beauty. Like Strangelove silencethesea.

Strangelove slilencethesea Christophe Laudamiel

Adriatic Sea, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

It’s composed in a different way, and signed by Christophe Laudamiel – the hyperactive, highly inventive, and unrestrained in his eloquence– Mr. Chemistry Wizard and Mr. Master Perfumer at once, Osmocurator and a creative force behind many provoking fragrances  (I’ll never stop regretting that I do not own Le Coffret he made for Thierry Mugler, containing a line of fragrances based on Patrick Suskind’s book “Perfume, The Story of the Murderer“, or at least just the one and only perfume dedicated to The Plum Girl). Add to this that he’s using the finest raw materials out there, aided with a palette of Givaudan’s best -thanks to the Strangelove brand owner Elizabeth Gaynes, and creative director Helena Christensen. Prepare to be challenged, surprised, engaged, and thrown into the world of intense olfactory art!

Some call it difficult, some say it’s disturbing, and yet Strangelove silencethesea is at its core a masterfully blended fragrance that revolves and shifts shapes around the utterly fascinating, natural ambergris. The kind of ambergris that makes it perfectly clear why it’s priced as gold per gram: soft, slightly salty deep down in nostrils, smooth, with an addictive animalic facette that feels like human skin, transparent and glowing, like the surface of the sea it floated upon for many years. It brings images of mermaid tails, wrinkles upon Jacques Cousteau’s forehead, sounds of whales singing, and smiles of dolphins frolicking in sparkling seawater.

strangelove silencethesea

 Washed Ashore, Strangelove silencethesea, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

If you’ve never had a chance to smell a tincture made of natural ambergris, this might be the most specific one you might come upon by a long shot. Intrigued by its distinctive character I asked Christophe Laudamiel what in the world did he do to make it so impressive, and he told me that the ambergris used in this fragrance comes from a tincture made from the selection of natural ambergris he made himself, with his production procedure.

Strangelove silencethesea immediate opening is like deliberately breathing in a fine sea-mist splashed over sea-grass mossy rocks at the seaside. It then draws you in and pulls you deeper inside, like a wave pulling away from the shore and curling itself into depths to gain force. Misty floral accords arise, but they feel twisted and shaped to fit into the indolic, gently animalic curves of ambergris, not to make it lighter, but to add depth and darkness to it. Forget the fragility of dainty daffodil flowers: this absolute shows the true, mythological character behind the name – an opulent, dark heady floral-animalic side of it, carnal, earthy and entrancing. The deeper you go through the development of the fragrance on your skin, the more mysterious it gets: the addition of oud made me visualize a white chunk of perfectly aged, sun-bleached and salt-soaked ambergris making its way back into the whale’s inside, into the liquid-black cradle where it originated from, and this felt strange and so intimate at the same time.

It reminded me of a moment when I was cleaning freshly caught cuttlefish for the first time, removing the teeth, carefully pulling out their insides to single out and remove ink-bags, meant to use for risotto nero I was preparing. My hands smelled like this when one of the silver-colored small ink-bags broke, and ink spilled all over my fingers, tainting them so much that it took days to wash it off.

ambergris tincture

Sunset, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

Just when the depths of the fragrance get saturated and seem like about to tip into a feeling of heaviness, a ray of light comes from the dryness of incense, shifting it into another direction, upwards toward the surface of the sea. Even that is just yet another distraction from that unforgettable ambergris centerpiece: soon the animalic nature of deep-sea glides in again, carrying hyraceum like a strong underwater current. It rolls abundantly in its animalic-leathery warmth, with deeply sensual, musky undertones. And yet again, the overall experience Strangelove silencethesea provides is like you are not wearing a fragrance at all. It’s so spontaneous, uncensored, and primordial:  you are immersed into the essence of the sea that’s playing with your senses, making you aware of its dark might lurking from the depths and drunk with it translucent beauty on the surface. If this is a bond between two lovers, like the copy for this fragrance suggests, then what a deeply profound intimacy it is!

Dark is the sea when you dive beneath the surface, dark and mysterious. Wild and untamed, always moving, and changing. This is what SilencetheSea feels like: natural, stripped of all the artificial decorations, unapologetically innovative, and boldly sensual at the same time. I tested and wore Strangelove silencethesea for three weeks, took it to the seaside, crawled around beaches with it while sniffing rocks, pebbles, and sand, fresh and dry seagrass washed up on the shore, and yes, it was worth it. This is by far the most unique marine-themed fragrance I ever came upon.

Notes (as listed by the brand) : pure ambergris, black oud, blue chamomile, natural narcissus, natural tuberose absolute, mimosa, white truffle, angelica.

Additional, researched notes: deep sea accord, asian lime, elemi rasin, fresh frankinscense,ambrette, ambrettolide, ambrox, African hyraceum.

Elena Cvjetkovic, Editor and Author of The Plum Girl

Disclaimer: A 15ml bottle of silencetheSea EDP was kindly sent to me by Strangelove for my consideration. Opinons  are – as always – of my own.

strangelove silencethesea oud aquatic

Strangelove silencethesea, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic

Thanks to the generosity of Strangelove, we have a 15ml bottle ($125USD) silencethesea EDP for one registered reader in the US, EU and UK (you must register on our site or your comment will not count). To be eligible, please tell us what you enjoyed or found interesting about Elena’s review, if you have tried a Strangelove perfume before and where you live. Draw closes 7/17/2020

Editor’s Note: Take advantage of Strangelove’s 20% off sitewide promotion and complimentary world-wide shipping through July 19, 2020. Enter code: springblossoms

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91 comments

  • breakthetedium says:

    Elena’s review took me back to my childhood in Sydney, the sporadic visits to the beach and the discovery of a new world come summer. Her words are true to what those visits allowed me to discover, reading them i could smell the ocean air again. I’d like to do so once more with silenceandthesea. I’m living in Paris and have not yet had the chance to test a strangeloveNYC perfume!

    Michael

  • I was so swept along reading this review! It sounds so beautiful I want to experience this scent too and feel the sea. I have never tried any by Strangelove and would love the chance. I am in U.K.

  • Wow does this sound intense! I loved the memory it drew of hands smelling after the cuttlefish ink sack ruptured. I’ve never tried any Strangelove fragrances but I would LOVE to experience this! I’m from Pittsburgh, PA

  • A great detailed, in-depth and personal description of the author’s experience with this fragrance. I have not tried a Strangelove perfume before. US

  • Wonderful in depth review of silencethesea. I’m not very familiar with oceanic notes and in particular Ambergris and would love to try this perfume.

    I have not tried a Strangelove perfume before and I live in the UK.

  • I have not tried Stranglove perfume before bu this quote from Elena makes me want to try silencethesea “It rolls abundantly in its animalic-leathery warmth, with deeply sensual, musky undertones. And yet again, the overall experience Strangelove silencethesea provides is like you are not wearing a fragrance at all.” I am in US

  • I am intrigued silencethesea is a somewhat challenging yet a beautiful creation. I have never tried anything from the brand yet. USA

  • Whoa. What a fascinating review. So beautifully described. This is right up my alley.
    Here is my favorite part.

    Strangelove silencethesea immediate opening is like deliberately breathing in a fine sea-mist splashed over sea-grass mossy rocks at the seaside. It then draws you in and pulls you deeper inside, like a wave pulling away from the shore and curling itself into depths to gain force. Misty floral accords arise, but they feel twisted and shaped to fit into the indolic, gently animalic curves of ambergris, not to make it lighter, but to add depth and darkness to it. Forget the fragility of dainty daffodil flowers: this absolute shows the true, mythological character behind the name – an opulent, dark heady floral-animalic side of it, carnal, earthy and entrancing. The deeper you go through the development of the fragrance on your skin, the more mysterious it gets: the addition of oud made me visualize a white chunk of perfectly aged, sun-bleached and salt-soaked ambergris making its way back into the whale’s inside, into the liquid-black cradle where it originated from, and this felt strange and so intimate at the same time.

    It reminded me of a moment when I was cleaning freshly caught cuttlefish for the first time, removing the teeth, carefully pulling out their insides to single out and remove ink-bags, meant to use for risotto nero I was preparing. My hands smelled like this when one of the silver-colored small ink-bags broke, and ink spilled all over my fingers, tainting them so much that it took days to wash it off.

    Thanks for the very generous giveaway, I live in the USA. I have never tried this House.

  • Shamrock1313 says:

    Great review and definitely soup like it may be challenging for the faint of heart lol.
    Personally, I love frags that aren’t run of the mill and the ambergris in silencethesea sounds wonderful.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • What a wonderful review Elena. Your description of Silence the Sea is captivating and very recognisable. I often went to the Red Sea to swim with wild dolphins. Spending a week on a yacht anchored in a reef where every day dolphins come to rest and play. The mix of the smell off the sea weed, coral, fish, salt water and drying mahogany wood has been a smell I was looking for for many years. I can stop my search now. A big thank you from Belgium!

  • ooh, this sounds lovely – we just spent the week at my parent’s home near the beach, and just enjoyed exploring! I was lucky to win a sample of an ambergris scent which is just so complex and enjoyable, so this also sounds lovely. i have not tried any other Strangelove perfumes, but this really does sound lovely. I’m in the US. Thank you for the review and the draw!

  • A masterfully blended fragrance that can be difficult and disturbing to some, but which smells like fine sea mist…sounds fascinating to me! Thanks for the introduction to this brand, I have not tried Strangelove perfumes yet. I live in the USA.

  • Taryne A. says:

    A windswept shoreline, fresh, brisk breezes, the briny tang of the sea, replete with the scent of ambergris. Sandy beaches scattered with the shells of former marine inhabitants, bleached by the sun. Glittering sea glass tangled amidst the stringy seaweed and coarse sand at water’s edge. Gnarled driftwood, like weathered fingers jutting at unnatural angles. Sea spray, bracing, salty, stinging my face whipping my hair into twisted strands. Gentle warmpth of sun kissed shoulders and face. The ragged, raw majestic ocean. Such beauty, solitude, peace. This is what my mind’s eye imagined with Ekena’s review. It brought me to such a place of beauty and serenity. This perfume and her review of its many facets speak to that longing to be part of the sea.

  • Taryne A. says:

    A windswept shoreline, fresh, brisk breezes, the briny tang of the sea, replete with the scent of ambergris. Sandy beaches scattered with the shells of former marine inhabitants, bleached by the sun. Glittering sea glass tangled amidst the stringy seaweed and coarse sand at water’s edge. Gnarled driftwood, like weathered fingers jutting at unnatural angles. Sea spray, bracing, salty, stinging my face whipping my hair into twisted strands. Gentle warmpth of sun kissed shoulders and face. The ragged, raw majestic ocean. Such beauty, solitude, peace. This is what my mind’s eye imagined with Elena’s review. It brought me to such a place of beauty and serenity. This perfume and her review of its many facets speak to that longing to be part of the sea. I’ve not tried Strangelove perfume before. I’m in the USA.

  • Taryne A. says:

    **Addendum : I was remiss to mention in my previous post that I reside in the US and have not had the pleasure of experiencing any Strangelove fragrances. Also, my apologies for misspelling Elena’s name.

  • I have try the line strangelove before, silencethesea, melt my heart and lostinflowers and the best one would be silencethesea. It have a very resemblance to the aquatic o most as you can taste it as my memory serves a salty aquatic smell. I really like Elena break down on the scent, she visualize it in her mind as I would say. I live in Texas USA which is a long distance drive to the beach.

  • Elena’s review is truly sensuous and evocative. From Jacques Cousteau’s forehead (when have you heard that in the context of a scent review, or any review?!) to the “indolic, gently animalic curves of ambergris,” her words convey the sensory experience masterfully. I can imagine myself walking by the ocean and smelling the melange of salty, mossy and oud-y notes. Based in the US.

  • Trinity33 says:

    I loved reading about Elena’s experiences with swimming and fishing in the ocean. It can be humbling and thrilling being in a space so vast and potentially dangerous. I smelled natural ambergris years ago. It was a fascinating scent. I wasn’t sure if I liked it but I kept wanting to sniff it again and again. I would love to try silencethesea because I love the idea of a scent inspired by the ocean but I’m not very fond of the Calone dominated scents. I’ve never tried any Strangelove perfumes before. Commenting from MD, USA.

  • Wow, just wow!!! This would be my dream fragrance! I have lived on a boat in Santa Barbara for 10+ years, and my soul soaked to the sea!!! The accords of tuberose and white truffle make my skin prickle!!!!! Those are my favorite things ever!!!! This would be a blessing to only smell one time… but to own it would be the best scent I could imagine!!!! I’m in Florida USA thanks so very much for the enticing review and the luck of the draw!!!!

  • I do love the scent of open water, of any kind: lakes, rivers, the ocean, even a pond in the woods. Thanks for another great article and generous draw! Mich USA

  • This sounds so awesome
    Sea notes are not something I usually gravitate towards but ambrette is my favorite note, just does something special on my skin I feel like – would love to try!!!

  • isaaclopedia says:

    Shocked that a Strangelove fragrance is being given away! I love aquatic scents, especially ones that bring ambergris to the forefront. Elena going to the beach and sniffing rocks and seagrass is a pretty funny image, but I have to admit that it piqued my interest! I have a friend who wears LostInFlowers by Strangelove on special occasions and I have been interested in this perfume house ever since.

    California, USA

  • I haven’t tried any of the fragrances from this line yet but I’ve been interested for a while. I enjoyed reading Elena’s review and I am especially drawn to her description of the pure ambergris note. This fragrance sounds intriguing and unusual. I live in the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Than you for the great review Elena.
    I’m all for aquatics that are actually reminiscent of the ocean in all it’s depth – murky, inky, salty, dank, algal, seaweedy.

    One of the most photorealistic representations of the ocean that I have expereinced is a fragrance called Arcane Abyss from a small soap company in Georgia – Southern Witchraft. I highly recommend checking out their offerings.

    I unfortunately have not smelt a Strangelove fragrance before.

    Cheers from WI,USA

  • sniffinggood says:

    I enjoyed Elena’s poetic review of this fragrance, and ambergris is my favorite note in perfumes. I have never tried a Strangelove perfume before and I live in the US.

  • I’ve always been a fan of ambergris and I’m really fascinated by how this one seems to be more animalic. I also have a feeling it’ll be very different for many different people, so it sounds fantastic!
    I’ve never tried anything from this house before. I’m from the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • What I enjoyed most about elenas review was how transportative it is, it took me back to the seaside which is my favourite place in the world.
    This sounds divine and like melt my heart by them I’m sure that quality is just as good.

    I’m from Ireland, EU

  • It’s so spontaneous, uncensored, and primordial: you are immersed into the essence of the sea that’s playing with your senses, making you aware of its dark might lurking from the depths and drunk with it translucent beauty on the surface. If this is a bond between two lovers, like the copy for this fragrance suggests, then what a deeply profound intimacy it is!

    Dark is the sea when you dive beneath the surface, dark and mysterious. A wonderful description by Elena piqued my interest I have not smelled ambergris and intrigued by this fragrance. A house that I have not tried anything by as of yet. Curious to know hiw how this smells on skin. Thanks a lot from the United Kingdom

  • I tested and wore Strangelove silencethesea for three weeks, took it to the seaside, crawled around beaches with it while sniffing rocks, pebbles, and sand, fresh and dry seagrass washed up on the shore, and yes, it was worth it. This is by far the most unique marine-themed fragrance I ever came upon.

    Notes (as listed by the brand) : pure ambergris, black oud, blue chamomile, natural narcissus, natural tuberose absolute, mimosa, white truffle, angelica.

    Additional, researched notes: deep sea accord, asian lime, elemi rasin, fresh frankinscense,ambrette, ambrettolide, ambrox, African hyraceum. A beautiful piece by Elena has piqued my interest especially the notes of black oud, tuberose and ambergris. This is a house that I am not familiar with but I am equally curious about. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • NiceVULady says:

    I’ve not tried a Strangelove perfume before. This sounds so interesting. Elena says it be, ” Wild and untamed, always moving, and changing. This is what SilencetheSea feels like: natural, stripped of all the artificial decorations, unapologetically innovative, and boldly sensual at the same time.” What a wonderful review. Thank you to Stranelove for the awesome draw. I’m in the USA

  • Stefan Cretu says:

    Thanks for the contest! I wanted to try FallintoStars very much but didn’t have the chance yet. I think this one sounds also very very intriguing, I’d be thrilled to test it.
    Stef, EU

  • Bryant Worley says:

    Elena spun a wondful tale, built around the main ingredient. There were 2 things that I enjoyed/stood out to me im the review:

    “Some call it difficult, some say it’s disturbing, and yet Strangelove silencethesea is at its core a masterfully blended (ultimate selling point) fragrance that revolves and shifts shapes around the utterly fascinating, natural ambergris”

    and

    “It’s so spontaneous, uncensored, and primordial: you are immersed into the essence of the sea that’s playing with your senses, making you aware of its dark might lurking from the depths and drunk with it translucent beauty on the surface.”

    After this review, I’m sorry that I’ve never tried anything from this house. Soon to change. I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • What a great description of a scent that I would love to try. I would definitely want to immerse myself in the sea looking down in to the dark abyss but constantly pulling me up to the shore. Loved this and would even love it more if I could try. Haven’t tried anything before by Strangelove. Living in the EU

  • Ooooh, Elena’s descriptions of the sea uncanningly match my experiences. The review makes me crave the smell of the sea via silencethesea.
    I’m in EU, Slovenia.

  • LinePlaneVolume says:

    Such exhaustive detail in Elena’s review… I must smell what she described, or eat the dish she made with the cuttlefish! I have never tried a Strange love scent before. Writing from Washington State, US.

  • Wonderful photos and description of the fragrance, a dip in the sea, but a clear, beautiful, liberating sea. Usually I don’t like marine fragrances but this perfume seems an exception with its soft amber. I don’t know this brand, from your articles I guess they are great value perfumes.
    Linda EU

  • awesome, has taken me on a trip to the beach and the sea
    I live is Spain, I hope I can be lucky enough to smell this wonder

  • Dear Elena, what an inviting review! I admire Laudamiel style, and…strangelove has always been under my radar (but…never tried one yet).
    I live in Italy. Thanks for the draw!

  • I once had a chance to smell this one presented by CL himself. He also showed another version without ambergris to let us understand the effect of the material in the whole creation. It was very educational.

    Thank you for such a detailed review. I love the cuttlefish preparation story.

    I live in EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • This review brings back memories of boat riding to a deep diving spot, and, given the current circumstances, it only makes me melancholic… I live in the EU and no, I haven’t tried a Strangelove perfume before.

  • What a beautiful review! I have yet to try Strangelove out and would like to! Hope to experience the oceanic notes here!
    Florida, USA

  • This sounds like a dream from the depths, and like it may be the marine scent I’ve been searching for: “Spontaneous, uncensored and primordial”. Elena has such a poetic way with words. I have never tried a Strangelove perfume and I live in the US.

  • I was lost in this review. Elena’s review of Silence the Sea was artwork all on its own. Wonderfull creative in her descriptions, I could almost feel that I was the one experiencing her words.
    My love for the sea is great and I don’t live anywhere near it.
    I haven’t tried Strangelove. US reader.

  • patrick_348 says:

    I love the idea of a fragrance that smells like you are not wearing a perfume at all. I don’t care for perfumes that smell too “perfumey,” but like the ones that come off as the fragrance possibly being your natural smell. So this sounds very provocative. I don’t know any stragelove fragrances, but would like to. I live in the US, in NC,

  • Sometimes all you need is the ocean 🙂 what a lovely draw, thankful for this mind-trip. I never smelled something from this house and will be happy to change this.
    I come from EU.

  • I loved reading Elena’s review of Silencethesea when she described “I tested and wore Strangelove silencethesea for three weeks, took it to the seaside, crawled around beaches with it while sniffing rocks, pebbles, and sand, fresh and dry seagrass washed up on the shore, and yes, it was worth it. This is by far the most unique marine-themed fragrance I ever came upon.” I have not tried any of Stranglove’s fragrances. After reading, I need too. USA

  • Param Iyer says:

    Elena’s reviews are always so detailed and straight from her heart. Whenever I read her reviews I could actually imagine myself being her and experiencing what she experiences as she’s reviewing and enjoying the perfumes. I’ve never tried any Strangelove perfumes and would be thrilled to have one. Currently I am staying in Terneuzen, Zeeland Province, The Netherlands.

    Param

  • Elena’s wonderful article evoked the neverending, infinite fascination of the sea. With its many smells, the life it hosts, the salt, the herbalness, the softness, it is in itself such a wonderful naturo-chemical blend of elements. I also love the assonance in the name – silence the sea. Almost evokes the flutter of waves.
    I have never tried Strangelove before and I would love to have such a magical fragrance be my first experience.
    I am in the EU.

  • Elena, thank you for the tremendous review. Christophe merci pour ce parfum extraordinaire. To the wonderful folks at Strangelove, thank you for this perfume and the generosity of the draw.

    Growing up less than a half hour from Cape Cod, the ocean has always been my warm weather playground. No matter whether it’s the North Atlantic or the Pacific, there’s something majestic and glorious about the smell and feel of the sea. This review not only captures the beauty of the perfume, but also the beauty of the worlds oceans, and the romance they kindle in each and every one of us.

    This sounds absolutely fantastic, and a must have! I have not yet tried a strangelove perfume, but this sounds like the perfect initiation.

    I’m in the US.

  • I read so many divisive comments from this perfume on Fragrantica. Someone loves it, someone hates it. But I’m very curious, and I would like to try it. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • I love ocean scents and how detailed Elena gets in this review.
    Thank you for the draw!

  • William Thomas Smallwood says:

    I visited the Oregon Coast recently and was reminded how much I love the sights and smells of the Ocean. Watching seals play in the surf as wind whips the sea salt air is the height of ecstacy. It has sent me on a search to find a natural aquatic perfume. Your words bring me back to my own experiences on the coast.Thank you for this wonderful review. I have not tried anything by this house. Oregon,USA

  • So beautiful review… Bravo Elena!
    Especially, I liked this very beauiful part: “…you are immersed into the essence of the sea that’s playing with your senses, making you aware of its dark might lurking from the depths and drunk with it translucent beauty on the surface. If this is a bond between two lovers” – very nice:
    Sounds interesting- animalic-leathery with musky undertones (which I couldn’t find in pyramid).
    I am not familiar with Strangelove.
    USA

  • Elena has written such a wonderful review with such vivid imagery of the smells and images and sounds of the sea. I have not tried Strangelove perfumes, yet, but may take the plunge with their discount offer. I have tried aqua/marine type fragrances but not sure I have tried any with such a strong ambergris note as in silencethesea. With pure ambergris, black oud, blue chamomile, natural narcissus, natural tuberose absolute, mimosa, white truffle, and angelica this seems to be a lovely perfume. Also, reviews on Cafleurebon for Strangelove have always been so full of praise that I want to try these out. Thanks for the draw and the review. Writing from the USA.

  • I’m very intrigued to the ambergris, white truffle notes in this. Elena’s description of the narcissus having “an opulent, dark heady floral-animalic side of it, carnal, earthy and entrancing.” just adds a mythical sounding quality to this fragrance. I would love to smell it myself. USA

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    A fascinating perfume and review! I found the story of the cuttlefish particularly interesting, and love the list of notes. So varied! I’d love to experience how the different notes interact with the ambergris. Thank you for the review and generous draw. I’m in the USA.

  • JoeFrank9 says:

    Loved the review and how Elena tramported us from the beach and the surface of the sea deep into the insides of a whale and then back to the light and surface. Sounds like a really complex fragrance that Im dying to try. One of my favorite genres in perfumery is the aquatic marine one so this one sounds incredible, Ive never tried real ambergris besides. Thanks for the awesome draw, Im in the USA.

  • This fragrance is like poetry. Described well and you can imagine it. I’d like to try this out. Thanks, Ca

  • Pixiedust2 says:

    I’ve been trying to get my hands on real ambergris for a few years. Just enough to smell. It’s my unicorn, and this scent sounds like the closest I might ever get. I even read a book about it, just in case I ever happen upon some on a beach, which I know is virtually impossible. But I can dream.

    I loved most Elena’s description of how dark and mysterious this fragrance is. As she said, primordial! I would love the opportunity to smell this and become one with the dark sea. I’ve not had a chance to try anything from Strangelove before. What an amazing giveaway! I’m in the US.

  • This was absolutely a fascinating and breathtaking review. The imagery was wonderful. The fragrance sounds so intense and unique. I know I have not experienced anything even close to the realm of this fragrance and it would be a privilege to get to try it. I’ve not yet had the good fortune of trying any Strangelove perfumes. Thank you for the generous draw. From the U.S.

  • aurora_ru says:

    “It brings images of mermaid tails, wrinkles upon Jacques Cousteau’s forehead, sounds of whales singing, and smiles of dolphins frolicking in sparkling seawater.” How you can resist!??? As a big fan of Laudamiel’s work I can’t. This sounds something totally different. I know only one scent from this brand – deadofthenight – and it is best quality oud fragrance.
    Thank you for an amazing and generous draw,
    I am from the EU.

  • marcopietro says:

    Thank you Elena for your passionate e capturing review, recently I started looking for a fragrance where ambergris has a preponderant role. I was rather disappointed with what is on the market, this fragrance created by one of my favorite noses could be the answer I’m looking for. It seems to wonderfully recreate the ambivalent relationship we have with the sea, a mix of attraction and fear.
    I never tried a Strangelove perfume but I know many creations by Christophe Laudamiel, in particular I love what he produced with the Humiecki & Graef brand.
    I live in EU.
    Thanks!

  • SivaScents says:

    I loved the introduction of this review and the vivid imagery that it creates of going beneath the surface of the water at a beach and the feelings it evokes. I also really enjoyed the description of the silencethesea in the 8th paragraph. I am so intrigued to hopefully try this out myself. (UK)

  • The Plum Girl says:

    Thank you for all your comments! I got carried away, just realized that upon seeing a comment “what you wrote in 8th paragraph” And the funny thing is, I still feel I could talk more about silencethesea. Especially it’s “dark side”…Good luck, and do let us know your thoughts should you win this extraordinary fragrance!

  • My oh my I don’t like aquatics but this review of silencethesea might change my mind. The photos and Elena’s writing was magnificent. My favorite and I bought after reading CAfleurebon is melt my heart.. I also might put this in the shopping cart with Fallintostars that a nose knows wrote about.

  • Thank you Elena for a fascinating description of Ambergris. I’ve smelt and loved fragrances featuring it but have not had an opportunity to smell a tincture and this review gives a better description than those I’ve seen before. I’d love to try silencethesea out. I’m in USA

  • I have always had strong feelings about the sea, ever since I met her, 45 years ago… Every time I go, there is a communion that I feel very present through the touch, the scents and the sounds of the water. And the silence, and the wind and all the creatures around. My dream is to live by the sea, so I can feel this communion all the time. A perfume reminding me of all these would be just perfect. Strangelove SilencetheSea sounds like a predestination. I don’t know any of their scents, but this one would be a good start. Thank you, Elena, for bringing the sea closer to me with your review!
    I live in Romania, EU.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Thanks for this review and this draw. I always wanted to smell like a mermaid, this seems to come very close to the scent. I live in the EU.

  • Steliyan Syarov says:

    The only fragrance I smelled so far that uses the note of ambergris is invictus aqua. I’m intrigued to find out what a fragrance purely based on ambergris smells like – If I would like it or not. By the way Elena describes this one I’m expecting a heavy sea scent, drying down to animalic leather. Seems a very suitable summer casual fragrance. Thanks for the giveaway. EU

  • Excellent review by Elena. Her
    description of Silence the Sea is beautiful. I . The mix of the smell of the sea weed, coral, salt water and drying mahogany wood has been a smell I was looking for for many years. I never tried anything from this house. MA/USA

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    I love fragrances reminiscent of the sea. I’ve never smelled natural ambergris but I do love it incorporated in fragrance. This is truly interesting sounding fragrance I’d love to try. Thank you for the draw. In the US.

  • genmartini says:

    After reading Elena’s review, clearly these are words spun by a unabashed thalassophile, I thought,..if Bjork’s Oceania song had a scent, it would be this perfume.
    “One breath away from Mother Oceania,
    Your nimble feet make prints in my sands.
    You have done good for yourselves
    Since you left my wet embrace,
    And crawled ashore.”

    I have not yet tried anything from Strangelove, but have 2 oil vials in my cart of meltmyheart and lostinflowers (another by Christophe Laudamiel)…

    ~ USA

  • I enjoyed how Elena captured the many facets of the sea and how it can be warm and inviting or dark and mysterious. I’ve never tried this line, but this sounds like a wonderful place to start. I live in the USA.

  • Jake Dauod says:

    I really enjoyed the description of this fragrance. I love that it isn’t trying to be mainstream and appeal everyone, rather it is diving deep into olfactive art. I love this brand because of their vision and that they use natural ingredients that are extremely high quality. I have tried Lostinflowers from Strangelove and it is gorgeous and it transports me to my family cabin every time I smell it. Thank you for the draw and warm regards from Illinois, USA.

  • Sunny Chaudhary says:

    A great detailed, in-depth and personal description of the author’s experience with this fragrance. I have not tried a Strangelove perfume before.

    I am based in USA

  • Laurentiu says:

    I am very curious of that note of pure ambergris. I know it’s kind of rare and only few independent or artisans perfumers really use it in their composition.
    I have not put my nose on any from this house, unfortuantely. Thanks! I am in the EU.

  • Meowmomma says:

    I have not heard of or tried strangelove perfume before. I have smelt a natural ambergris tincture before and have long looked for something relatable and overall not found it. I like that in the review it is noted it may be close as you will get. I’m very intrigued now and want to smell this.

    I’m in USA, north carolina

  • Growing up by the sea myself, this great review brings back some great memories, and i’ve never tried any of their perfumes yet.
    Greetings from Denmark

  • doveskylark says:

    Christophe Laudamiel is certainly a wizard and an artist. I have only sampled Dead of Night from Strangelove and I will never forget its powerful and haunting scent. Elena’s description of cleaning cuttlefish is a haunting image. I think I have an idea of silencethesea will be like just from that image.
    I live in the USA.

  • I am still waiting to feel like I am breathing in the sea smell in a fragrance. Many promises, little deliverance.
    “Dark is the sea when you dive beneath the surface, dark and mysterious. Wild and untamed, always moving, and changing.” – althought very frightening, these words draw me like a light draws the moths :).
    I’d like to try this particular fragrance, who knows, maybe this is my shore.
    I’m based in Europe and have not yet had the chance to test a StrangeloveNYC fragrance.

  • valentine says:

    Oh, my nose needs a little holiday! I really need some vitamin-see 🙂 I first heard about this perfume house at Dana Sandu A nose knows and ever since it keeps popping up in my universe 🙂 Unfortunately, I didn’t have the change to try anything yet from Strangelove. I live in EU

  • mleenstra says:

    This sounds beautiful! I miss the sea and Elena does such a wonderful job describing the nostalgia of the sea side. I often have trouble smelling ambroxan and calone, they give a very sharp sensation to my nose and often overpower the opening and final phase of drydown of fragrances. I have never smelled real ambergris and would love to try it and smell the animalic sea… Marit UK

  • This was such a beautiful description. Reading Elena’s review felt very magical in the sense that it tells a story to draw you in. I love ambergris in perfumery, and was first introduced to it from Acqua di Parma. I have not tried Strangelove perfumes but this is definitely one that I want to sample. From the USA.

  • The animalic part of the review got me totally curious about the fragrance. Would Love to learn more about the brand enjoying and reviewing Silencethesea for our CzechoSlovak fragra community! Greetings form Prague!

  • I loves tge description “a fine sea-mist splashed over sea-grass mossy rocks at the seaside” and also the notes are really summery/sea-side open wide beach.I never tried a Strangelove perfume.I live in UE
    THANK YOU for the opportunity

  • This is such a unique aquatic/marine style fragrance! I love that it also contains frankincense and ambrette. I’ve never tried any StrangeLove fragrances. They sound incredibly unique.
    I live in the US.

  • LORI LAWS says:

    Excellent review by Elena and I loved the description of Silencethesea! Her words helped me to envision the sea and somehow smell the fragrance. This sounds amazing. My favorite part was: “Prepare to be challenged, surprised, engaged, and thrown into the world of intense olfactory art!
    Some call it difficult, some say it’s disturbing, and yet Strangelove silencethesea is at its core a masterfully blended fragrance that revolves and shifts shapes around the utterly fascinating, natural ambergris.” Unfortunately, I have never tried anything from this brand. Thanks for the generous giveaway and I live in the US!

  • ScentitarFragrance says:

    I enjoyed the description of the feeling and emotion of the fragrance of the deep water and soft waves down there in the ocean. Meticulously pruned fig also gets me thinking ! Perhaps it is a very clean and even crystalline fig. I have not tried the brand , but have been really wanting to try this one ! I live in ms, usa !

  • Dubaiscents says:

    Wow! Elena is clearly passionate about this scent and it makes me want to just buy a bottle right now! I adore ambergris scents where they smell like the actual ocean, not fake aquatics with too much calone. And throw in tuberose and narcissus, I’m hooked! This house makes so amazing scents. I can’t wait to try this one. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • This was such a joy to read! Very literary and descriptive. I’m a big fan of literature and this review definitely conjured vivid imaginations of what this scent smells like. Never even heard of Strangelove before but I would love to try this. Live in USA