Hey Heyy Niche Nerds,
So you may be familiar with the brand names Nez a Nez or So Oud? Here is the man who created some of those fragrances. The scentbloggosphere has been quite slow to catch onto this house but my mate Sandra from Olfactoria’s Travels put me onto them earlier in the year and I went straight to Ruth at FFF (Facebook Fragrance Friends) and grabbed some of her splits. This was quite a while ago and I’m only now fully getting to the bag she sent, time has been a very scarce commodity around here lately…….
Khôl de Bahreïn by Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 2013
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Violet, sweet notes, resins
Heart: Iris, sandalwood, ambergris
Base: Peru balsam, musk
Khol has long been used through Asia, Africa and the Middle East on children to strengthen their eyes and ward off the evil eye, it was also thought to help kill bacteria from flies and other insects. The lead in khol has been noted as high as 84% and the authorities are trying to regulate it better to make it safer. Khol can be seen around the eyes of many adult women through all the regions and is particularly spectacular when worn with headgear that leaves only the eyes uncovered, framing glorious eyes with black really makes them pop and gives added nuance to every movement of them.
Photo Stolen Wikipedia
MMMMMMMM the opening after I spritz reveals a warm, sweet and engulfing mix of resins, I am surprised that there is no vanilla listed because I get a very bakery themed gush. You know when a fragrance makes you feel safe, loved and hugged from the outset? Here it is. This is the most comfortable comfort scent. Khôl de Bahreïn is what teddy bears should smell like, and fresh washed duvets. Resins, cream, wood that all meld together to smell the way a perfectly polished piece of amber that has warmed in the sun or on your skin feels against your face.
Photo Stolen Flickr
Dense but surprisingly light, and simple but not boring Khôl de Bahreïn reminds me in mood of two of my favourite amber fragrances, Ambre Ceruleen by Huitieme Art and Dries van Noten by Malle. Here we have a scent that hits and triggers every one of my safe, loved and happy buttons. So vanilla it’s almost a hot chocolate, that kind of warming right through feeling and experience. There is a very slight animalic and furry note that creeps in through the heart: it has my eyes rolling in the back of my head as I compulsively sniff myself. Khôl de Bahreïn, where have you been all my life?
Photo Stolen Wikipedia
Thank Sandra for this particular lemming, though I think we must have talked of it because I can’t see a review. Now that I’ve tested it Sandra, even in the high heat of Sydney’s summer Khôl de Bahreïn wears a winner for me. Damnit! I thought I’d finished my amber search and had enough……..
Further reading: Ca Fleure Bon
LuckyScent has $220/50ml and samples
First In Fragrance has €148/50ml and samples
Have you heard of this brand? Is it on your radar? Will you be trying Khôl de Bahreïn?
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I am so glad you reviewed this one! I have been wondering about the brand and in fact have ordered a sample of K de B. From your description it sounds like a cuddly sleep type scent…can’t wait for it to arrive!
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Hey there JackieB,
Yes, totally cuddly, sleepy time or other bed sports. I think KdB could be very enticing….
Portia xx
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Hi Portia! KdB was the one I tested and loved from this brand. I am still lemming over it and will have to order another sample before buying a bottle. I tried it in the summer and will have to test it in the cold now. so happy you like it! Sandra xoxo
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I bought this decant after talking to you about it Sandra. It’s been sitting here all year awaiting notice.
So many things remind me of our amazing time in Vienna with you guys, a couple of the PGs and Huitieme Art, a Petit Guerlain, Hermes and a slew of other things including McDonalds. Yes, you and Sean have imprinted permanently.
Hope you’;re all well.
Portia xx
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As have you! Sean still talks about you and we all look forward to your next trip. xoxo
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KdB is gorgeous! I really think of it as a warm violet-iris rather than an amber but, of course, it really is an amber. It is one of the only iris scents I can wear and it’s totally a weirdly ethereal comfort scent. Like bundling up and taking a stroll on a cool, foggy morning.
Most of the SHL 777 scents are pretty great. O Hira is gorrrrgeous but way out of my price range.
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This is my first in the 777 lineup but it has me wanting more MikasMinion.
My body almost completely glosses over any violet and iris, interesting how chemistry plays stuff differently on each of us.
Portia xx
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I get no iris from this one. And I have looked for it multiple times. The warm honey is luscious and I love that I bought a full bottle in Dubai when they were first available.
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Ahh, ME TOO Nancysg,
I completely miss it. Bummer!
How lucky you are to have grabbed a bottle in Dubai, were you working or holidaying?
Portia x
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I was visiting my daughter (known as Dubaiscents on the forums). I visit twice a year and we go on perfume shopping marathons together.
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Ahhhh! I chat with your daughter, she is an APJer too. How lucky you both are to have sniff family, IN DUBAI!!!
Wow. I’m pretty jealous right now.
Portia xx
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I have 2 different 777 samples at home. Couple of mls of each. Not this one, but two other ones that I cannot remember the names of. The scents were equally as memorable. They reminded me of about 75% of all the other stuff at the perfume shows. Sorry, I feel kind of bad ……… not. Bussi. xxx
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Home now. I have Rose de Petra and Une Nuit a Doha. Trying them both again.
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I will await your verdict Val, I hope they happily surprise you.
Portia xx
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Ah what a shame Val. As always one mans trash is anothers treasure.
Portia xx
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Hello Portia, I LOVE Khol de Bahrein. I first read about it in Kafka’s blog and I knew I must have it. Back then, it was only available in First in Fragrance and I just won’t pay the hefty shipping fee so I asked my favorite Basenotes splitter if he would split this and lo and behold, I got my partial bottle (my “35 mL sample”) 2 months later. LOVE. Powdery Iris, light amber and sweet (like the hard sugar coating of jordan almonds). My only complaint is the when I make little samples, I end up with more product on me than inside the vial but of course, I smell fabulous whenever I decant this.
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Hey there Hajuusuri,
35ml is enough to last a perfumista a lifetime, good thinking on the split.
Yes it is lovely. I have used about 4ml of mine already, just for reviewing.
Portia xx
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I love your opening Niche Nerds! No I haven’t tried anything from the line but this one is on my list as of now. I think I’ll get it from First in Fragrance. I’ve never used it before but you think they’re pretty good. Yes??
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I love the First in Fragrance guys MeganInStMaxime, you get a 2ml spritz sample. I have even been to their workshop in Brucsal Germany and spritzed some samples for people myself.
Portia xx
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