En Voyage Perfumes - Figa

The perfumer, Shelley Waddington, was offering a giveaway of samples of her fragrances (by contest) in one of my fragrance groups.  While I was not fortunate enough to have won the giveaway, Ms. Waddington was kind and generous enough to extend a prize to some that had not won; in her Portland based saying to “put a bird on it”.  The charming phrase, which being an East Coaster I had never heard before, refers to a little addition; the cherry on top if you will. 

In this case my “cherry” was a sample of her fragrance Figa.  While I’ve seen this fragrance classified as an oriental floral it does in many respects defy the nomenclature.  The genesis of this scent and its purpose are based in the history and magic of talismans.  In her words, “Figa Eau de Parfum is the fragrance equivalent of the powerful Figa amulet. It celebrates strength, power, vision and success.”  And really, who couldn’t use a little more of that?!

Figa opens with a strong rose de mai and orange blossom.  The fragrance immediately reads as a floral.  After about 30 minutes wafts of smoke begin to appear.   The smoke is incense-like and reminiscent of deep spiritual prayer.  Over the next hour I get the subtle additions of bergamot, geranium, and jasmine touched with the slightest hint of musk.  An hour later I get a soft powdery violet which seems to revive the fading incense note.  During the drydown, there is a very clean patchouli and a delicately sweetened light cedar.  There is a light balsamic quality to the woody finish which I assume derives from the amyris.

There is an accomplishment in having beautifully created the feel of a protective amulet with Figa.  The fragrance takes the wearer on a journey that feels very much like a spiritual devotion.  Figa wear on me for about 6-7 hours with light projection.

Notes:  rose de mai, orange blossom, smoke, amber, musk, bergamot, geranium, jasmine, violet, patchouli, cedar, amyris, sandalwood, vanilla, labdanum

Perfumer:  Shelley Waddington