New Perfume Review: Olivier Durbano Lapis Lazuli + The Epic of Gilgamesh Draw

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Detail from Ishtar Gate, Pergamon Museum, Berlin

“'O Gilgamesh, will you not be my lover?

Give me that fruit the tree of man yields to woman.

I will give you myself as wife: you shall be my husband!

For you I will give a chariot made of lapis-lazuli

Yes, too, and of gold!

Its horns – they shall be of brilliant brass.

Storm demons I will hitch to it for your mules!

There shall be a great fragrance of cedar

On the occasions when you enter our house” — The Epic of Gilgamesh, Book VI, translated by Robert Temple

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Detail from the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo, 1508-1512

The rapturously swirling evening of Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the reaching azure of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel are imbued with the semiprecious stone lapis lazuli, which creates the profound blue of their skies. It is fitting, then, that the 12th perfume in Olivier Durbano’s Pierres de Poemes series is named for the stone that for many hundreds of years painted heaven.

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Lapis Lazuli

In its natural state, lapis lazuli is a saturated blue often fraught with gold pyrite or white calcite streaks, like sun breaking through cloud. The stone has many cultural meanings dating back thousands of years, including uses in sacred amulets and for cylinder seals in Egypt and Assyria, respectively.

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close-up of the lapis lazuli inlays in the 25th-century BC Statue of Ebih-Il Louvre

It is also one of the first gems associated with poetry. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the world’s earliest surviving literature, the half-man, half-god hero is offered lapis lazuli by the goddess Ishtar. In Sumerian myth, Inanna, goddess of love, wore a lapis lazuli necklace as she entered the underworld and it is said Cleopatra used powdered lapis as eye shadow.

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Raquel Zimmermann by Mikael Jansson for US Vogue, September 2015

As its subtitle “Pierre du Ciel” or “sky stone” implies, Lapis Lazuli is a scent of contradictions where airy and earthbound elements poise against each other. The opening is intensely mineral, damp and cool with artemisia and tea tree. Within a few minutes, a dark cypress note rises up. Shadowy is the word Lapis Lazuli summons at this stage, the crooked cast of trees against a hillside or the long darkening streaks of filtered sunlight on the forest floor. A camphorous note breaks into composition here, which I take to be the clove, though it is not immediately identifiable as such. But stepping away from the fragrance for a moment, the clove note becomes warmer, and the perfume more herbaceous.

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Bioluminescent bay, Maldives, photo by Will Ho

The second stage of Lapis Lazuli is resinous and woody, very much of the earth, as vetiver comes to the forefront along piney elemi and with more woods. Cedar becomes more pronounced and there is smell of wet earth. But it is the woody notes that dominate here, the trees that reach skyward.

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Lapis Sky Photo by Chad Powell

As it dries down, Lapis Lazuli does something unusual: the moist, arboreal notes begin to warm, become comforting, perhaps from the balsamic tolu and ambergris in the base. It is as if the forest of Lapis Lazuli is being tempered by the sun. The sky of Durbano’s perfume is the cerulean canopy that peeks through these trees.

Notes: artemisia, cypress, tea tree, clove, rose oxide; thyme, plant milk, spelt, iris; vetiver, cedarwood, elemi, ambergris, musk and tolu.

Lauryn Beer, Editor

Disclosure: I received my sample from Olivier Durbano, merci beaucoup!

olivier durbano grasse

Editor’s Note: Recently Olivier opened a new store in Grasse where his perfumes, jewelery and shawls are sold. You can read about it here. Olivier Durbano exhibited at TRANOÏ Paris Parfums September 30-October 3, 2016

Olivier Durbano LapisLazuliCafleurebon

Thanks to the generosity of Olivier Durbano, we have a 15 ml bottle of Lapis Lazuli for a registered reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Lapis Lazuli from Lauryn’s review, where you live and if you have a favorite Olivier Durbano perfume. Draw closes 10/06/16.

We announce the winners only on 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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45 comments

  • fazalcheema says:

    I am intrigued because the stone that has inspired this perfume Lapis Lazuli has a rich history. It has been featured in ancient mythologies and has also been used to create art masterpieces. This fragrance has pine and vetiver among other votes and looks like an appropriate perfume for fall. My favorite from Olivier Durbano is Black Tourmaline. I am in the US.

  • I like woody perfumes, and this blue-colored juice is swoon worthy! Gorgeous photos to illustrate the story! I am in the USA. Thanks for the review.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    “The sky of Durbano’s perfume is the cerulean canopy that peeks through these trees.” Beautiful review. Thank you for it and the generous draw! I’m in the USA. This sounds as beautiful as its namesake.

  • I enjoyed reading about the different stages.

    I’ve never tried Olivier Durbano perfume so I don’t have a favourite.

    Hello from Canada

  • I did not know that about the lapis and the artwork. What a beautiful color, would look so nice on my dresser!! I am not familiar with Durbano’s work. The notes in this fragrance are fascinating and I would love to experience how they all work together. Never tried spelt or plant milk in a fragrance before. I live in the U.S. Thanks for always brining us such good information and as usual…..great photos. Rox

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Wow! What a brilliant blue that juice is…and the stone as well. I love all the images in the review, as this is one of my favorite shades of the color. Arborial, woody, earthy notes spiced with clove sounds absolutely intoxicating. Great review and please enter me in the draw! My favorite Durbano is Black Tourmaline in all its burnt-woody goodness. I’m in the US.

  • The color of that perfume appeals to me right off. 🙂 By the description I’ll bet this will be quite nice in the coldest of weather. I have never tried an Olivier Durbano but friends speak most highly. US

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    I love Lapis lazuli and all the history behind this beautiful Stone. It has played in all cultures a very important role and still Plays.

    the perfume sounds great and I would love to have a bottle of this precious perfume.

    Thanks for the draw, I live in the EU.

  • Wonderful review, and very nice pictures. I have never had a chance to try any of Olivier Durbano perfume. From the review Lapis Lazuli sounds very unique and interesting. I would very like to try it. Thank you for the draw. i live in Europe.

  • Opening is very mineral, damp, second stage is woody, very much of the earth, as it dries down, Lapis Lazuli s the moist, arboreal notes begin to warm, and become comforting. Great review. I love idea of naming scents by semi-precious stones. And my very fav is lapis lazuli put in my silver matte ring bought in Bruxelles. I am in Europe.

  • marcopietro says:

    Lapis lazuli is one of my favorite semiprecious stones, I could admire for hours the changing universe closed in it, it looks like a miniature galaxy. The complexity of the universe locked in a gem and Lauryn’s review describes exactly the contrasts and wonders of that immensity.
    My favorite Durbano fragrance is Black Tourmaline, I love to wear it.
    I live in Italy-EU
    Thanks for the draw!

  • The colour is simply amazing! I have not had a chance to try any offering yet, unfortunately. The late stage ambergris seems perfect for the colder weather which is coming. I live in Croatia (Europe).
    Kinda regards

  • I have three by Olivier durbano rock Chrystal Heliotrope and Promothee
    I want Lapis Lazuli as well
    Thank you for the beautiful review and the piney notes with ambergris sound wonderful
    The beautiful opening of Gilgamesh stopped me in my tracks
    USA

  • Lauryn’s review makes this sound like a clove perfume that doesn’t turn sweet but surrounds you with a misty woodsy halo, I’d love to try it, as I have not had the chance to try any other of Oliver’s perfumes yet! I live in Canada, thanks for the draw!

  • I love a lot the colour of Lapislazuli stone and og course the wonderful colour of this bottle, dark blue, so beatiful. the notes are also appealing to me and I don’t know any perfume in the market with all of them.
    I don’t know any of the perfumes of Olivier Durbano, I have always been curious since you often make reviews about them…Let’s see if I am lucky this time 😉
    I’m in Europe (SpAIn)

  • Lapis is one of my favourite stones for thecolour alone, it’s themost mesmerizing blue! The notes sound extremely interesting and the colour of the perfume is the perfect blue! Black ourmaline is a favourite too!I am in the UK, thankyou very much for the draw!

  • What a wonderful review! This part very much appeals to me.

    As its subtitle “Pierre du Ciel” or “sky stone” implies, Lapis Lazuli is a scent of contradictions where airy and earthbound elements poise against each other. The opening is intensely mineral, damp and cool with artemisia and tea tree. Within a few minutes, a dark cypress note rises up. Shadowy is the word Lapis Lazuli summons at this stage, the crooked cast of trees against a hillside or the long darkening streaks of filtered sunlight on the forest floor. A camphorous note breaks into composition here, which I take to be the clove, though it is not immediately identifiable as such. But stepping away from the fragrance for a moment, the clove note becomes warmer, and the perfume more herbaceous.

    I live in the U.S. And sadly have not tried anything from this house.
    Thank you for the generous giveaway!!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Lapis Lazuli (لاجورد) has many uses since long. The lapis was used to make beads, small jewelry items and small sculptures. Powdered lapis was used as a cosmetic and a pigment. Now thanks to Olivier Durbano for its use in perfumery.
    These lines of Lauryn’s review are appealing to me……….”As it dries down, Lapis Lazuli does something unusual: the moist, arboreal notes begin to warm, become comforting, perhaps from the balsamic tolu and ambergris in the base. It is as if the forest of Lapis Lazuli is being tempered by the sun. The sky of Durbano’s perfume is the cerulean canopy that peeks through these trees.” and perhaps “I will give you myself as wife: you shall be my husband!”
    My favorite is Olivier Durbano Black Tourmaline. Thanks for the draw.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • This sounds like a fascinating scent! It makes perfect sense that it is dominated by mineral notes, given its name. Minerals are a class of fragrance I’ve been increasingly curious about. I know I love woodsy fragrances and ambergris is one of my favourite notes, so I’m sure I will like this one. I read a review if one of his other scents on here and remember how lovely his scarves are as well. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • It sounds from the review this perfume goes through distinct stage, I like that. Mineral smells done well can be quite nice, especially during the winter. If I am picked this would be my first try with an Olivier Durbano. U.S.A

  • Great photos first of all! I think this fragrance is very interesting, don’t have anything like this in my collection. I’d love to get my nose on a mineral smelling fragrance. I’m in Canada and thanks so much for the draw!

  • My favorite one is Black Tourmaline (but I don’t know very well the others yet, a shame…).
    I’m in France. Thanks for all the draws !

  • doveskylark says:

    Lauryn’s review made me think so much of the world is meant to be discovered–forest, woods, minerals, sky, earth, sunlight, hills. I just got the feeling that it’s all there, right now, and it’s enough.
    I like Black Tourmaline.
    I live in the USA.

  • Love the colour of the perfume. Also like the unusual combination of ingredients and very intrigued by the review. Haven’t tried anything by Durbano yet. Thanks for the draw. I live in EU.

  • Vetiver, pine, cedar, wet earth smell sounds right up my alley. Would definitely like to see how this one smells. I haven’t tried any of Durbano scents. I live in Europe.

  • hugogrotius says:

    I fell in love with this beautiful shade of blue! Pictures Used by Lauryn are wonderful, mysterious and breathtaking. Thank you for that great experience, many thanks to Monsieur Durbano for his generosity and his great talent for I am a huge fan of Chrystolithe and Lapis Philosophorum( right now I own a full bottle of Turquoise). I live in EU.

  • mmmmadmichal says:

    “Lapis Lazuli is a scent of contradictions where airy and earthbound elements poise against each Other. ” this caught my attention. This sceny could really be something very fascinating. Btw I also adore this color! Somehow it is giving me the vibe of ultimate freedom and liberty. From Olivier’s work I love Heliotrope and Rock Cristal. I live in Poland, EU.

  • I love woody perfumes.Beautiful bottle and the bleu colour is very elegant.Also very interesting combination of the notes.I would like to try it.I havent tried any perfume of this house.I leave in EU.Ty for the draw!!!

  • skiclimblive09 says:

    I live in the US, and I have never tried Olivier’s perfume’s. Honestly, the deep color of the perfume is gorgeous. the notes sound beautiful as well. Especially the contradictions in the notes. the wormwood sounds mysterious, and vetiver, as common as it is, has always been a favorite. fingers crossed on this one.

    C.

  • Lapis Lazuli is such a lovely stone, and Lauryn’s description of the fragrance lives up to its beauty! The initial herbaceousness, and the woodiness topped with a camphorous note (perhaps the tea tree along with that clove you have noticed, Lauryn?) is what appeals most to me.

    Black Tourmaline is currently my favorite from Olivier Durbano, but I think Lapis Lazuli might top it.

    I am in the US.

  • I am bewitched, bothered and bewildered for this perfume and it’s all because of this line “It is as if the forest of Lapis Lazuli is being tempered by the sun”. Yes please!Thank you Lauryn for wonderful review, merci beaucoup Olivier for your generosity and your gift, thank you to cafleurebon for draw. My favourite from Parfum de Pierre Poems collection is Rock Cristal, Black Tourmaine and Chrystolithe. I am in the EU.

  • Lapis lazuli is my favorite semiprecious stone, I love the depth and richness of the color blue in all its grandeur, closed in it. The amazing pictures in this wonderful review prove once more the truth of my thoughts, thank you for sharing them with us.
    I enjoyed Lauryn’s review because it describes exactly through lapis lazuli the contrasts and complexities of the universe. I also adore woody perfumes, I love pine and vetiver notes!
    I very much like from Durbano fragrances Black Tourmaline.
    I am a registered reader living in EU.
    Thank you for the lovely review and draw.

  • cinnamon tree says:

    Lapis Lazuli is a very special stone for me, looking so mysterious and reminding me of so many beautiful moments in my life when it was accompanying me in a form of a ring. I’d love to have a “matching” perfume. My curiosity is even bigger because I haven’ t tried Durbano fragrances yet. What a nice draw, thank you! I live in the EU.

  • The review sounds great, especially the fragment saying that “Lapis Lazuli is a scent of contradictions where airy and earthbound elements poise against each Other”. This is what I love in fragrances.

    My favorite Durbano scents are Black Tourmaline and Rock Crystal and I hope Lapis Lazuli is not going to disappoint me! I live in Europe and thanks for this generous draw!

  • Lauryn I am very happy you mentioned The Epic of Gilgamesh, I love when perfumes are associated with something ancient and as fascinating, as I hope Lapis Lazuli also is. Its color is so intense, almost like there is magic in it. I look forward to try this gem! I live in the EU.

  • I have never tried Durbano fragrances and I am more and more curious of them with every review. Lapis Lazuli is my favorite semi-precious stone and I believe I have never seen any perfume being SO BLUE! How did you do it, Olivier? It really looks like a starry night in the bottle!

    I love ambergris and tolu/elemi combination. Thank you for the draw! I am in the EU and I hope I’ll win this time.

  • What an awesome review and awesome fragrance! Woody notes are among my best olfactive “friends”. Now, when the autumn becomes more and more rainy and cold, I need some new perfume beauty to enjoy. My favorite fragrance in Oliver’s collection is Rock Crystal so far, but who knows, maybe Lapis Lazuli one is going to take its place? Thanks for the beautiful review and a promising giveaway. Greetings from Norway.

  • What captured my interest even more than the beautiful pictures is the use of a tea tree note in the fragrance. It’s a very unique note which I can so far only associate to a skin-purifying cosmetics, where it smells strongly and with a great dose of something “medical”. It’s interesting that Lauryn says about a camphorous note being there because of the clove. Well, I’d vote for a tea tree being responsible for it. I’d love to try the fragrance and check if I’m right. Thank you for such an interesting article and a draw!

    (EU)

  • I like the description of how Lapis Lazuli changes with time, showing different aspects of its beauty: “The opening is intensely mineral, damp and cool with artemisia and tea tree. Within a few minutes, a dark cypress note rises up. Shadowy is the word Lapis Lazuli summons at this stage, the crooked cast of trees against a hillside or the long darkening streaks of filtered sunlight on the forest floor. A camphorous note breaks into composition here, which I take to be the clove, though it is not immediately identifiable as such. But stepping away from the fragrance for a moment, the clove note becomes warmer, and the perfume more herbaceous”. Sounds fantastic! My favorite stone perfume from this line is Jade, but this one sounds even more interesting.

  • I admire how creative Oliver Durbano is and I like many of his perfumes, including Rock Crystal and Lapis Philosophorum. Now there is another “Lapis” added to his famous collection and it sounds great (and looks great, too). And what exactly plant milk smells like? I have to try this composition! I am in the EU.

  • Miss Almond says:

    I love the images and everything that is dark, deep blue. Having Lapis Lazuli is almost like having a perfume which is also a piece of jewellery, so these two of my favorite things joined together are double joy. I’d love to smell ” the forest of Lapis Lazuli … being tempered by the sun”. And I am fascinated by the photo of a bioluminescent bay – what a miracle of nature! I live in Europe.

  • I have many favorite perfumes by Durbano, Lapis Philosophorum and Rock Crystal being the ones I like most. Oh, and also Heliotrope. Taking that into account, I believe the next one of his creations will also be great. Iris, tolu, cedarwood sound very warm, feminine and sensual. I’d love to have my own bottle to enjoy the scent created by as interesting and talented person as Oliver (love also his shawls and necklaces!)I live in Europe. Thanks for the opportunity!

  • I love the whole review, but it is the last sentence that won my heart: “The sky of Durbano’s perfume is the cerulean canopy that peeks through these trees.” Just awesome. Makes me want a bottle so badly. EU.

  • I love all aspects of the review but what i love most is that there is tea tree in it and that the opening is mineral and damp!! i Think i will love it as i love and own Heliotrope, Rock Crystal and Black Tourmaline!
    I use tea tree a lot to clean my face and that smell alone attracts me already!

    I would be very thankful if i win this draw!
    Thank you so much and good smelling regards from the Netherlands!

  • Gosh, thank you so much for all the kind words — Olivier Durbano makes writing about his lovely perfumes easy!