D:SOL Sombra Review (Marie Urban Le Febvre) 2023 + The Dark Path Giveaway

DSOL Sombra

D:SOL Sombra official brand photo 

From a conceptual and visual point of view, D:SOL is one of the brands that rings all the bells of my artistic-minimalist Pavlovian reflexes. A fresh and sleek reinterpretation of what modern luxury should be all about, D: SOL is a European brand founded in 2020 in Berlin by beauty expert Dennis K. Werner. The attention to detail is evident in all the aspects of the brand – working with the best perfumers and manufacturers in order to go back to the roots of real traditional artisanal production. D:SOL perfumes are meaningful and inspirational both from an artistical point of view but also  in their business ethics.

Dennis K. Werner of D SOL

Dennis K. Werner photo, via the brand

One of the core values that is evident in every detail is the sustainability aspect. The heavy glass bottles, the sophisticated artisanal hand-made finishings, the tactile heavy Bakelite caps, and the ingredients, ethically sourced and produced at Accords et Parfums (a small perfume house from Grasse) and composed by acclaimed independent perfumer Marie Urban Le Febvre –all testament to their pledge to an ethical way of approaching the art of perfumery.

 Marie Urban Le Febvre perfumer

Marie Urban Le Febvre, photo via Urban Scents

The inspiration for the first collection was Dennis’ life journey between Mallorca and Berlin which aimed to capture the effervescent magic of the Mediterranean and the powerful collective energy of modern Berlin. Duality melted into one “sunshine state of mind” and translated emotions and memories of sun-kissed moments into an olfactive journey composed of three sophisticated, sunny, and sensual perfumes.

DSOL MMXVI perfumes 

D:SOL collection, collage by Nicoleta with official images from the brand

Herbes: a.k.a. The Hidden Path

Time of day: early spring morning

Mood: deeply green, apothecary potion, mouth-wateringly bitter

Smells like: herbs placed to dry on an ancient sun wheel

Aesthetics: #witchcore #wiccaherbalism #whimsigoth

Tesoro: a.k.a. The Sun-lit Path

Time of day: midsummer, midday

Mood: pale blue, sweet yellow, melted orange icecream

Smells like: sun-kissed skin and bitten lips

Aesthetics: #Y2Knostalgia #normcore #hotgirlsummer

Terram: The Silent Path

Time of day: late autumn, evening

Mood: melancholia, hushed voices, black-out curtains

Smells like: specks of dust dancing in the last ray of the sun

Aesthetics: #darkacademia #darkfairycore #coastalchic

Sombra from DSOL MMXVI

D:SOL Sombra official brand photo 

A new chapter begins, and from light, we step into the dark with the new triptych, an exclusive collection of high-end oud creations with 25% oil concentration, D:SOL Sombra being the first release. When I asked him about the creative process, Dennis answered: “I write the storyline first, have an idea of the main ingredient, and then will work from there. We work most of the time over  1 year on one creation. Open-minded and willing to take the time needed. We play four-handed until the moment we feel it is ready. The moment to call it final is always a very special moment in the process”

Sombra by D SOL

 D:SOL Sombra mood AI-generated by Nicoleta

 D:SOL Sombra is the first step on the dark path. The sun has long hidden below the line of the rocky horizon, near the seashore. Blurred traces of light still linger in the air, softly melting the sharp contrasts and saturated colors of the day into a haze, as if a darkened sepia filter has been placed on the world. Salty cold skin, with goosebumps from the sea winds, rushed gestures of nervous hands, packing the remains of the day into the backpack: the pale glow of the clementine peel, the mandarin slices that have dried up the sun, the half-bitten tea cakes covered in the sweet crunch of pink peppercorns.

Great AI photos

D:SOL Sombra, AI-generated by Nicoleta©

Climbing up the rocky pathway, away from the shore and deeper into the night, the sounds and lights of the city come closer, slowly gathering in intensity, mixing with the cool air of the night. Traces of dark rose oils mixed with exotic spices form a trail of dark pulsating light, like a scented Ariana’s tread that does not take us out of the labyrinth but lures us deeper into the heart of the night.

Best Perfumes of 2023

 D:SOL Sombra mood AI-generated by Nicoleta©

Feels like trying to run, during a fever dream, with time melting in reverse, like a cascade of honey that muffles every sound, replacing it with a thick, warm silence. We finally step into the souk, surrendering completely to the ancient call that has guided us away from the light. Then, an explosion of fervent, dizzying aromas wraps us in a silky sensual embrace. Oud from Laos, vetiver from Java, tolu resins, luxurious leather divans, covered in heavy oriental carpets – a vision that raises the pulse and ignites the soul. The alchemical transformation has started, and the two souls are finally meeting, melting into one singular shadow.

D:SOL Sombra is a mermaid call, a darker spectrum of sensuality that somehow manages to keep the essence of light – even in its absence – woven into its fabric. Dark, deep, and warm, this is an olfactive journey that plays on the ancient delightful triptych of oud-rose-saffron, contextualizing it through a cinematic and modern lens. I can’t wait to see the story unfold further, with the next two releases.

Top: Yuzu, Clementine, Mandarine, Pink Pepper, Timut Pepper; Heart: GeraniumRosat, Turkish Rose Absolute, Saffron, Nutmeg; Base: Oud, Tolu, Vetiver, Leather

D:SOL Sombra is a Extrait de Parfum, with a oil concentration of 25% oil

–Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

Disclosure:  Samples kindly offered by the brand, opinions are my own

 

 

DSOL MMXVI Sombra review

D:SOL Sombra via the brand

Thanks to the generosity of D:SOL we have a100 ml bottle of Sombra for one registered reader in the EU, US, or CA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s  *startlingly evocative* review, overview of D:SOL and where you live. Draw closes October 30, 2023

*Michelyn’s words

Also,  please check out former contributor Cristian Marianciuc’s amazing review of Terram

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45 comments

  • Patricia R. says:

    All four fragrances sound very promising. I liked the characterization of the fist 3 by setting the mood, time of day and the aestehtic. I also like when Nicoleta writes Sombra is a mermaid call. I live in the EU.

  • philippsi says:

    Nicoleta’s review of D:SOL and the description of D:SOL Sombra is intriguing, especially the way it combines elements of darkness and light in its scent profile. The focus on high-quality ingredients, sustainable practices, and the artistic approach to perfumery is fascinating. I’m particularly interested in the idea of a darker spectrum of sensuality and how it’s expressed in the fragrance.

    I am from the EU (Germany)

  • TimoF says:

    I really like the the AI generated images to bring forth the mood of D:SOL Sombra together with the description of the scent as a journey that ends in a souk. I live in the Netherlands (EU).

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    The alchemical oud transformation has started, and the two souls are finally meeting, melting into one singular shadow.
    I am from EU

  • FC says:

    D:COL Sombra is a warm dark composition inspired by Dennis’ life experiences in Germany. Dennis states he is willing to invest a significant time in creating the perfume until he is feels it is right. I am in US.

  • mdellaroc says:

    This really says everything: D:SOL Sombra is a mermaid call, a darker spectrum of sensuality that somehow manages to keep the essence of light – even in its absence – woven into its fabric. Dark, deep, and warm, this is an olfactive journey that plays on the ancient delightful triptych of oud-rose-saffron, contextualizing it through a cinematic and modern lens. I can’t wait to see the story unfold further, with the next two releases.

    In maryland

  • INYA says:

    Herbes is definitely calling my name. I do enjoy green herbal fragrances. I enjoyed Nicoleta’s descriptions of all of the perfumes. The citrus notes in Sombra are what draws me to it. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff. Mich USA

  • Arron_Q says:

    Though many would argue the rose-oud-saffron combo has been overplayed, I still love it, especially when done with materials of exceptional quality. Laotian oud is among my faves because of its deep woodiness, whisps of smoke, and a touch of carnality without going full funk. I must say, though, that it’s the tolu balsam in this that has me most excited. I adore balsam mixed with leathers and ouds for the shadowy medicinal quality it can bring and I would love to see what depth and darkness it brings to this fragrance. Best of luck to all. I live in NC, USA.

  • Doni says:

    Startlingly evocative is an understatement! Almost neo cryptic, casually foreboding, with elements that could describe the dark night of the soul for those with a tenuous grasp of waking reality. What a journey! The AI generated imagery is perfect accompaniment, and more than once have I resonated with the idea of seeing the world through a darkened sepia filter. But my favourite image was that of a scented Ariadne’s thread made of dark rose and exotic spices leading one away from a solution rather toward it and into greater mystery. Just, wow. If that really was the reference (and I’m hoping it was!), I’m in awe and deeply impressed. The abstractness itself warrants genuine appreciation and an open minded sampling of the fragrance. If Sombra does indeed manage to interweave light within its dark threads, it could very well be a perfume that exemplifies the times. Doesn’t sound like a typical rose-oud to me. This is something more. Props to Nicoleta for her exceptionally creative review! Canada.

  • Frank G says:

    What sparked my interest based on Nicoleta’s review was how one of the core values that is noticeable in every detail is the sustainability aspect. The production of heavy glass bottles, the sophisticated artisanal finishings produced by hand, the tactile Bakelite caps which feel substantial and the ethically sourced ingredients produced at Accords et Parfums. Thank you for the opportunity. From New York, USA.

  • FragranceIsMe says:

    Nicoleta, you captured my attention with this fragrance at “a 25% oil concentration” and held it with “Dark, deep, and warm, this is an olfactive journey that plays on the ancient delightful triptych of oud-rose-saffron, contextualizing it through a cinematic and modern lens.”
    The notes in this creation are calling my name. They sound wonderful.
    USA

  • Petra says:

    I like D:SOL’s aesthetics and ethics policy. I have not tried Sombra but after Nicoleta’s rewiew, I am intrigued. Citrus top, rosy heart and oud base sounds lovely.

  • Max Corvinus says:

    This would suit my dark tendencies, one more Oud-Rose combo is always welcome in my collection. Just hoping it is not too fruity since I am no big fan of fruity scents.
    I live in Zagreb, Croatia

  • bigpapa says:

    The fact that D:SOL used AI to generate images that create scenes based off of how Sombra is described and what you should be picturing when smelling it is actually genius. I really feel like that adds another dimension to a fragrance brief instead of myself trying to imagine a scene in my head. NYC USA

  • Salem says:

    How gorgeous they all sound, especially Tesoro and Sombra, which Nicoleta so beautifully reviewed. The color theme of sepia and reds, scents from oriental lands, rose, oud, leather and saffron, they all paint Sombra in absolutely gorgeous hues and dress it in precious fabrics.
    Sounds like an incursion into Scheherezade’s dreams.
    Would love to smell it, and looking forward to read about the other releases from the line.
    From the EU.

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    Ah perfectly written and transfixing in its written allure. The dark path is always strewn with light and illumination exists on the darker side. An evocative and interesting perfume I would love to own. Thank you I live in SW France.

  • Doubleoh says:

    The review of D:SOL has my imagination rolling. I could picture a night out and the clothes I am wearing and everything. deep, dark and warm….that is right up my alley. The descriptions of the notes have me thinking of the contrast of light and dark and how there is a focal point on the art of perfumery from the scent to the bottle.
    The note breakdown of the other fragrances will have me on the lookout

  • castlemicro says:

    Hello from Florida, and thank you to Nicoleta for the review!

    Sombra really does sound like a gorgeous “fever dream” of a scent, with some of my favorite notes like tolu balsam, pink pepper, and geranium. I’d love to give it a try!

  • Laurentiu says:

    Very interesting review! Of them all, the one that I think I would enjoy most is Terram: The Silent Path, as it is aligned with my nature as a human being. I must admit that Sombra appears to be a curious creation as well, mix of citrus and oud – something you do not get to try everyday, as oud is normally not associated with light, citrus notes.
    Thanks!!

  • Annika says:

    A very poetic and heartfelt review, Nicoleta! I appreciate D:SOL’s commitment to sustainability and ethically sourced ingredients. Quality products respect our relationship to the earth and our place in it. I also like fragrances that tell a story and all four in the collection give us a sample of the Berlin to Mallorca experience through seasonal glimpses. Sombra sounds like a lovely modern take on the oud/rose/saffron triumvirate. I’m in the US

  • emorandeira says:

    Here we have a new amazing review by Nicoleta. I had not the opportunity of trying DSol perfumes but now i am really Looking forward to do It! I liked how she shows the philosophie of the brand: 3 perfumes for there different modos and moments. A fresh herbal for morning time, a solar scent for midday, an earthy perfume for the evening and the new one, sombra, which should be amazing, for Night time, combining pepper with cítrics over a base of oud, vetiver and Leather… Dark but very attractive.
    I am posting and reading you from Spain and It would be great to win the giveaway

  • Shibuichi2000 says:

    I find the names utterly beautiful – pretty much as all Nicoleta’ s reviews.
    Sombra sounds like a very thin line between dusk and dark, heavy night.
    I particularly appreciate the glimpse into the process – I’m guessing only passionate individuals take one year in developing a scent.
    Amazing bottle, too – attention to detail till the end.
    I’m in EU.

  • Dof1024 says:

    I have an obsession for deep resinous oud based fragrances. What interested me was that this is somehow dark and brooding but also has elements to warm it up and balance out the compositi on. Would love to win the bottle so I could add something special to collection and hopefully something near and dear to my heart. Thank You, I live in Jacksonville, NC USA

  • Tveta says:

    I have yet to try anything from this house, but looking at the notes, I think I will like Sombra. Oud, vetiver, leather – does not sound bad at all!
    Thanks!

  • perusegenesis says:

    Thank you for your review, Nicoleta! It got me into Halloween mood, somehow, you really have a way with words. This fragrance sounds extremely evocative, I’m curious about their entire lineup now as well. It intrigues me that it’s rose-oud-saffron (an adored combination), but make it cinematic. Everything about this sounds so good. <3 I'm currently residing in Romania, Europe.

  • athy16 says:

    I know exactly what time of day Nicoleta is referring to. EXACTLY. And I know exactly where I am when I’m reading the review. What a way to describe the mindset of the scent. This has to be a dreamy sultry fragrance.

    I live in the US

  • olgAPOISON says:

    I love how every perfume has an aesthetic, colour, vibe. Dark academia one sounds lovely! Sombra sounds like a spicy dream. I’m from eu.

  • moisesst says:

    I’m honestly enjoying the AI-generated images in these reviews. I love the dark theme and dark bottle. Sombra in Spanish means shadow, and I can see this fragrance being a dark shadow that is separated from your own shadow; it is the sillage that follows you, not an actual shadow. Sustainability is very important to me, so it is good to see this house is making an effort to bring us a beautiful presentation and fragrance, keeping in mind the world around us. I love the imaginative, “smells like” section within this review. Contrast is key to life, and I love the juxtaposition between lighter notes like the citruses, and the darker ones such as oud, vetiver, and leather. Laotian oud is one of my favourites, and I think the sweetness from it will aid in the transition from the citrus into the earthy vetiver, like “two souls meeting.” I live in the US.

  • Lisa Binkman says:

    I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Oud, saffron, and rose together and like you said something different is taking place on this olfactive jouney from light to dark, sounds carnal…sensual…deep and beautiful. I want to take that journey. Thank you Nicoleta for the review and D:SOL for this generous draw.
    Lisa US

  • Teresa C says:

    Oh, my! sounds like the perfect mood for the oncoming Dark Season of winter approaching! I love the moody gothic feel evoked here. I live in the U.S.

  • AlisaA says:

    Such an interesting article !! I really enjoyed reading and like visuals too.
    Love oud , saffron and rose traditional arabian combination but done for not Easter noses )))
    Sombra is intrigued!
    Unfortunately I am not familiar eith this brand !
    US

  • Torax says:

    Loved this review by Nicoleta
    I have to admit that this is my first time reading something about the brand D:SOL but it is surely promising. I would love to know more about them and try as many fragrances as possible.
    Sombra really caught me off guard. I love all about hand made products and this one is surely an amazing one. I also love the 25%oil concentration.
    The darkness in here is surely that stands out. I also love the concept behind this fragrance and of course that I have to try it
    U.S. here

  • Sngash says:

    Wow Nicoleta this review is epic and I really liked the imagery of managing to keep the essence of light even in its absence. Sombra sounds like a beautiful fragrance that can bring out our innermost thoughts. I’m in TX USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the writeup Nicoleta!

    Interesting take on an oud fragrance. I love the story being told as what I interpreted to be a dark and perilous route to the souq, that contains a treasure trove of beautiful and rare materials -oud, vetiver, saffron, leather and spices.

    Really liked the use if AI images in this.

  • mmerline says:

    There are lots of interesting ideas in the way Le Febvre interpreted the solar theme in the SOL line, like bitter herbs and dust highlighted in hard light. Composing three dark, oud perfumes feels almost exactly opposite, but Sombra highlights more unexpected choices. The use of bright citrus, pepper, and geranium over the leathery vetiver and oud base sounds like a notable contrast. Great review, Nicoleta.

    I’m in the USA. Thanks!

  • Michael Prince says:

    What sparks my interest based on Nicoleta’s review of D:SOL Sombra is learning more about the brand D: SOL artistic-minimalist Pavlovian reflexes. A fresh and sleek reinterpretation of what modern luxury should be all about, D: SOL is a European brand founded in 2020 in Berlin by beauty expert Dennis K. Werner. Marie Urban Le Febvre is a brilliant and talented perfumer. I loved learned about this new dark and mysterious oud line featuring Sombra. I am from the USA.

  • hthanass says:

    Despite what other would say that rose-oud-saffron combo has been overdone, It’s still one of my favorite combo and i own several from the same genre, especially done with top quality ingredients. What sparks my interests in this review is the choice of words and photos, they really gave the impression of a dark themed fragrance without even looking into the notes, i would love to get my nose on this beautiful creation. I live in France (EU).

  • Yonel says:

    Wow! When Nicoleta says that “Sombra is a mermaid call, a darker spectrum of sensuality that somehow manages to keep the essence of light”, I expect a veil of fatale and unusual sensuality, which starts even from the sophisticated appearance of the bottle.

    I love her tastes, always unique & bold, plus I think that a rose lover like me can’t never have to many oud / saffron itterations of this particular flower.
    D:SOL & Cafleurbon & Nicoleta … thank you!

    I live in EU.

  • nenik says:

    Great review!!! very interesting description about the creative process by Dennis. I live in the EU.

  • ioannaI12 says:

    All the fragrances from the first collection sound very interesting and especially because they have been inspired by Dennis ‘s life journey

  • wandering_nose says:

    I have to agree, Nicoleta’s review is startlingly evocative indeed! D:SOL fragrances are amazing in terms of the underlying philosophy, the execution and uniqueness, and Sombra sounds like a beautiful beginning of an entirely new chapter on the brand’s creative path. Also, I love the minimalist bottle in black. I would be curious to see how the lighthearted and zesty notes of mandarin and clementine interplay with the ever respectful trio of oud, rose and saffron. I am based in the EU.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I’m liking that it’s a heavy bottle and cap. I can’t express how much I dislike a lightweight cap, magnetic is bonus. The notes in the sound amazing, dark yet with lightness. Like his life between Mallorca and Berlin. Beautiful photos. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Barber82 says:

    I like the dark , deep and warm picture so well painted by Nicoleta Tomsa. D:SOL Sombra is a dark and mysterious fragrance with vetiver, leather and honey coming from Germany.
    Thank you
    Germany