Aesop Eidesis by Karl

“There was a pool, limpid and silvery, whither no shepherd came nor herd, nor mountain goat, and never bird nor beast nor falling branch disturbed its shining peace, grass grew all around it, by the water fed, and trees to shield it from the warming sun.”-Ovid.

Aesop Eidesis takes the idea of evoking a particular image within one’s mind and allowing a full immersion of the senses to focus clearly. This evocation brings us to the tranquil experience of Aesop Eidesis created by Barnabé Fillion (Arpa Studios). Intended as a disruption of daily experience by changing the levels of the senses, Aesop Eidesis, the new addition to the Othertopias Collection, explores a blurring of boundaries between humans, nature and space.

“The next chapter in the Othertopias fragrance collection takes the wearer to an imaginary world beyond the surface of the mirror, a place where wooded depths lead to hypnotic spices and a pool of liquid stillness, fused with watery iridescent florals.”-a note from the brand

The opening is warm, spicy and a touch intimate. The fusion of black pepper, petitgrain mixes with cumin, noted within the heart, but immediately present on my skin. These notes are layered with cedarwood, also an ingredient I notice in the initial spritz. These blend smoothly and whilst the black pepper is present it does not overwhelm. The cedarwood experience has a synthetic touch akin to ISO E Super and this pushes the fragrance out and helps to boost it. In turn Aesop Eidesis works excellently in Autumn here in the UK where the air is cool, and the natural rustiness of ochre-coloured leaves are carried in the breeze.

Barnabé Fillion by Julian Thomas Hamon

This feeling of heat is slightly subdued by the introduction of frankincense, which amplifies the earthy tonality of cedarwood and acts as a fixative. This calms the initial spicy and slightly animalic aspects balancing the composition and softening it. For me this is the sincere heart of Aesop Eidesis and represents the silvery pool mentioned in the brand press release.

 Aesop Eidesis by Karl

Into the base we experience sandalwood, vetiver, and the aforementioned cedar. To my nose it is green and rootsy as opposed to creamy and milky, something sandalwood tends to deliver on. When I explore my Aesop skincare range, I find that Eidesis mirrors the feeling of many of their products. It is tranquil and relaxing. As a wearing experience it delivers on being extremely likeable and one can envisage lovers of woody and spicy perfumes will gravitate towards it. Will Eidesis appeal to “artistic” perfume enthusiasts? As an easy wear, for sure. However, keep in mind that it purrs rather than bites.

Notes: Petitgrain, Black Pepper, Floral Accord, Frankincense, Cumin, Cedar, Sandalwood, Vetiver.

Aesop Eidesis EDP kindly sent to Karl for review purposes by Seen Group PR UK, thoughts are my own

Aesop Eidesis is available now in Selfridges, John Lewis, and Beauty Bay in the UK.

In the USA you can purchase at Aesop’s online store, Neiman Marcus and select stockists.

Aesop is an Australian luxury cosmetics brand owned by Brazilian company Natura & Co that specialises in skin, hair, and body care products headquartered in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.

Karl Topham, UK Brand Ambassador & Senior Editor

Please read: Aesop Tacit by Guest Contributor Clayton Ilolahia,  Aesop Mystra & Marrakech by former Managing editor Mark Behnke here

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