Lili Bermuda Nautilus Review (Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone) 2019 + Maritime Fougere Draw

 

Lili Bermuda Perfumery nautilus

 Lili Bermuda Nautilus artwork courtesy of the Lili Bermuda Perfumery ©

Even in our brave, new world of “gender fluid” fragrances, there are still olfactory personas easily recognizable as masculine or feminine.  While I applaud polarity, I often find that many of the scents designed specifically for men sacrifice symmetry and balance for a strange and artificial notion of what it means to be fresh, invigorating and clean. The ultra bright, in your face introductory blasts of “masculinity “ that  characterizes more than a few popular, designer and even niche men’s fragrances often miss the point of what it means to smell good. Over wrought and overly engineered, these attempts at olfactory machismo simply come across as too harsh and edgy or too seductive (yes there can be such a thing).  Happily Lili Bermuda’s new Nautilus Eau de Toilette for men is the antithesis of the old and stereotypical  definition of what it means to smell like a man.  Lili Bermuda Nautilus is at once fresh, balanced and invigorating with just enough discretion to be mysterious.  Inspired by the sea and the perfect wave, Nautilus reflects the symmetry of the nautilus shell – elegant and strong, like the men I love…or the man I would be.

Lili Bermuda Nautilus for men review

Pearlized Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) with Lili Bermuda Nautilus Eau de Toilette.  Photo by Gail Gross ©

It was once believed that every Nautilus shell demonstrated nature’s perfect design  – the golden section (golden rectangle).  Now it seems that only one species in the genus (the rare Crusty Nautilus) presents a relatively close mathematical match to the golden ratio. Nevertheless, the proportions of seashells, especially those of the nautilus, continue to inspire and dictate aesthetics in music, literature, architecture and even in olfactory art.

Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone of Lili Bermuda Perfumery

 Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. Photo courtesy of Lili Bermuda Perfumery ©

The order and beauty of the pearly chambers of the nautilus shell, as well as the power and energy of a storm at sea, have inspired Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, the owner and perfumer of the historic Lili Bermuda Perfumery, to create her new Lili Bermuda Nautilus for men. “I wanted this fragrance to be an oceanic reflection of Bermuda and I wanted to give it a very masculine aura…a beautiful emotion shaped by ocean and revealed in a masterpiece that combines energy, science and great fragility.” – Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone.

best masculine fougere aquatics

 Photo of a Wave via Pixabay ©

Lili Bermuda Nautilus begins as a breath of brisk, salty sea air and cool sunshine. If you spend any time on or near the water you will immediately recognize this vibrant, honest, crisp opening, an impression masterfully recreated in scent from a well considered blend of bergamot, verbena and petit grain.  The initial keen breeze of fragrance is freshened and fortified in the heart by a brilliant oceanic accord; the pleasures of fair winds and following seas nuanced with notes of bright lavender, spiced with geranium leaves and flowers.

Lili Bermuda Nautilus review

 Chambered Nautilus with Lili Bermuda Nautilus Eau de Toilette.  Photo by Gail Gross ©

As Lili Bermuda Nautilus dries down, the maritime fougère fuses with the resinous, woody mysteries of vetiver.  For at least ten hours on skin and over twenty-four on clothing, Lili Bermuda Nautilus creates a confident aura of masculinity and leaves me with the bracing sensation of an energetic day well spent on the ocean.  I realize that the effect and especially the longevity of a fragrance will not be the same on a man as on woman. That being said, I have no gender bias when it comes to perfumes and colognes. I wear what I love, and today I am loving and redefining who I am, the image I project and the woman I imagine myself to be with the balance, symmetry and elegant masculine energy of Lili Bermuda Nautilus Eau de Toilette.

Notes:  Bergamot, verbena, petit grain, lavender, geranium, Stormy Sea Accord, vetiver root and white musk.

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank The Bermuda Perfumery for my cherished bottle of Nautilus. My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

 

Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebon, @azarsmith7 and @lilibermuda

should perfumes be labeled for him and for her

 

 Lili Bermuda Nautilus Label.  Photo by Gail Gross

 

Thanks to the generosity of Lili Bermuda we have one 100 ml bottle of Lili Bermuda Nautilus available for one registered reader worldwide. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Lili Bermuda Nautilus, based on Gail’s review, and where you live.  Do you believe that fragrances are inherently masculine or feminine? Draw closes 11/8/2019

Editor’s Note: Senior Editor Emeritus Robert Herrmann (RIP) was a 2019 Perfumed Plume finalist for his essay “Scented Spirits” Lili Bermuda Celestia

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43 comments

  • cwoody says:

    You had me at Stormy Sea Accord. I enjoyed Gail’s honest review and would love to give this one a try. USA

  • twong says:

    While the aquatics are not my most favorite genre, Gail’s review intrigued me with her description of a well-balanced oceanic fragrance that also has a mysterious edge to it. Sounds like something that I can even share with my spouse. I do not view fragrances as inherently gender-specific, but to me certain scents do smell more alluring on women than men, and vice versa. Really depends on the user’s taste as well as people in his/her surroundings I suppose. Thanks for organizing the draw. Best from Boston USA.

  • xoe says:

    I too am not bothered by whether a fragrance is labeled as masculine or feminine. I wear what suits me at the time. Lili Bermuda sounds like a dream. I am in the US.

  • chrystyna says:

    I believe there are only a few exclusively masculine or feminine fragrances, everybody can wear whatever he/she wants. This been said, I would love to try Lili Bermuda Nautilus, as the review presents it like a true maritime fragrance. I live in EU, Romania.

  • aud604 says:

    This fragrance sounds ‘classic’ in the timeless sense. A very succinct but descriptive review. In from Canada.

  • Mohamed Tarek Ahmed says:

    Aquatic fragrances usually shines the most in the summer, but I always wear them all the years.
    I would love to try it. KENTUCKY-USA

  • FC says:

    Looks like an interesting marine fougere and a new twist on the fougere category. I dont think fragrances are inherently masculine or feminine but cultural norms may define some as such. I am in US.

  • Shamrock1313 says:

    Oh wow – love fougere & aquatics! I would love to try this one – the describe is fantastic.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • patrick_348 says:

    I liked how Gail made a distinction between what you might call the masculine and the hyper-masculine and I found myself wanting to try Nautilus because it would define me as masculine in a way that would not completely erase my feminine side. I don ‘t like a lot of aquatic, but her description of how it develops into a vetiver is intriguing. And I like few things as much as a long-lasting fragrance, which it sounds like this is. I live in the US, in North Carolina.

  • chrisskins says:

    I do feel that some fragrances lean masculine or feminine, but many don’t! This one intrigues me because of the promise of a well thought-out oceanic. So many aquatic accords trip over themselves. I live on the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    10 hours? 24 hours on clothing? This moves into a different realm. The note description remind me of Rochas Aquaman and Aquawoman.
    Thanks for the review, Gail!

    Love from Madison, WI, USA

  • Crisstyyn says:

    It really sounds masculine, at least for me this is the pure masculine scent. I would love to smell it on my husband. Congrats for the review and thank you for the draw!

  • marcopietro says:

    Really interesting review, I love marine fragrances, especially dress them in winter to give body to summer memories.
    I have always been fascinated by the golden section and Verne’s novels, so Nautilus is a name too evocative for me to go unnoticed.
    The fragrance sounds masculine and classic but with a modern vibe and a dynamic aura.
    Masculine and feminine in perfumery are terms obsolete and in some cases decidedly inappropriate, as could be applied to the culinary world. This does not exclude that I do not feel good with notes historically linked to the iperfeminine world of coutesan or burlesque like the tuberose or flowered in doses to be blown away.
    I am in EU
    Thanks!

  • Amaziz89 says:

    I am intrigued by the notes of stormy sea accord, vetiver root and white musk. Cheers from UK

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    What grabbed my attention is the longevity of this fragrance and really intrigued by vetiver root and sea accord. I tend to prefer masculine fragrances but need to add more feminine to my wardrobe. Cheers from UK

  • RobertQ says:

    Story sea? I’m intrigued!
    Growing up my family would go on holidays to the coast and typical irisherwood weather it was stormy. So that sounds perfect to me.

    I don’t thinknow fragrance has a gender at all.

    Just like food , if it tastes good then eat it.
    Music , if it sounds good then listen to it.
    Movies ,if it looks good then watch it.

    Fragrance, if it smells good then wear it.

    From Ireland.

  • Steve A. says:

    I want to experience that “stormy sea accord”. Fragrances didn’t start out as inherently masculine or feminine once upon a time, and I think it’s fine that way. US

  • Monica Beaton says:

    Having grown up in the middle of the Canadian Prairies, I now absolutely love the smell of the ocean and can’t imagine being away from it. Capturing that brisk, fresh scent in a bottle is nothing short of a gift. This scent sounds wonderful – great review Gail. I don’t think of fragrances being “male” or “female” anymore – I think the industry is changing and people just buy and wear what makes them feel good and what they love. I now live in Australia.

  • Vicki says:

    Lili bermuda makes lovely perfumes. I bought a bottle of sunkiss after reading Gail’s review and Coral when I was in Bermuda on vacation.nautilus sounds like a great fragrance to share with my husband

  • Doni Light says:

    I’ve always been intrigued by the unique accords perfumers put in their compositions. Everything from Lauder’s ‘sky air’ to Josh Meyer’s ‘salvaged shipwreck.’ In the case of Nautilus, it’s stormy sea! Being a huge fan of both fougeres and vetiver fragrances, I can’t imagine anything more perfect than combining the watery facets of a mass appealing aquatic, with the woody and earthy aspects of a good fougere. And with the addition of verbena and petitgrain, it’s virtually a gentleman’s dream come true. Love that Isabelle wears it proudly. After all, a scent is a scent. Gender association is merely a habituation. Canada.

  • drewactor says:

    Right off the bat I enjoyed this review for calling out all the “masculine” fragrances that get thrown around in ads all the time and that this fragrance tries to do something different than the norm. I also appreciate an EDT that lasts about 10 hours and has a vetiver dry down. I live in the VA, USA. Thanks for the draw.

  • Alen says:

    Oh this one sounds really really awesome. I’ve never tried anything from Lili Bermuda house but i see a lot of praise in the fragcom for their fragrances. Thank you for the draw, i’m in the EU.

  • Salem says:

    Sometimes a good ol’ fresh/aquatic perfume is exactly what is needed. I find the problem with this family of perfumes is the fact that more often than not it results in a harsh, chemical dimension. By the sound of Gail’s review though, this honest and crisp perfume should not be the case. I also couldn’t care less about “genders” in perfumes. As a woman, I love and have worn Cartier’s Roadster, Dior- Fahrenheit and Corteccia by l’Erbolario just to name a few. I also know more than one man who wears, enjoys and rocks a perfume marketed for women. I just think, if you like it, wear it! I would love to enter this from Europe.

  • Diana D says:

    This sounds so incredibly fresh with those wonderful notes of bergamot, verbena and vetiver. I do feel like most fragrances are inherently feminine or masculine but that doesn’t sway me whether or not I would wear it.
    I live in the US.

  • donguri says:

    i spend a lot of time hiking the california coast, so i truly want to know if bergamot, verbena and petit grain recreate that “breath of brisk, salty sea air and cool sunshine”! fragrances do not have a gender, but are marketed toward cultural inclinations

  • Annatar says:

    A scented reminder of a day spent by the sea is in plentiful need: the weather’s getting gloomier every day, and I miss the smell of salty air.

    I believe that anyone can wear what they want, no matter how unconventional their choice of perfume might be. I, for one, have at least a dozen bottles that are supposed to be worn by men (Kouros, Aramis, Pour Monsieur de Chanel, Antaeus et al.). It’s a matter of taste (and avoiding overspraying).

    I’d be very happy to try Nautilus. Thank you for the draw. Russia

  • riddlemo says:

    This presentation, firstly, is so classy and elegant. The smell, sounds second to none. Such a review is as refreshing and invigorating as the contents inside this bottle. I love the idea of a fresh fragrance that doesn’t feel as though it has been overdone. (Commenting from USA)

  • hkmadani says:

    Anything that reminds me of a beach makes me happy and, according to Gail, Lili Bermuda Nautilus does just that. But, I disagree about gender neutrality. To my nose, there are fragrances that are clearly gender-biased one way or the other and smell odd on the wrong gender. VA, USA.

  • Ginger McGuinness says:

    I love how Gail relayed she has no gender bias for scents. I sometimes enjoy wearing fragrances marketed towards men and believe any gender can wear any scent that appeals to them.
    Gail had my attention as she explained the scent as opening with a breath of brisk, salty sea air and cool sunshine, sounds divine!
    Greetings from USA.
    Special thanks to Bermuda Perfumery for offering this giveaway!!

  • Vahagn says:

    Thank you for Gail for this review. Owner and perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone’s words intrigued me “..very masculine aura…a beautiful emotion shaped by ocean and revealed in a masterpiece that combines energy, science and great fragility.”
    It’s so long time that there are no elegant aquatic perfume in market.
    I would like to win because I need elegant fresh perfume in my collection. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Lili Bermuda perfumes. From Armenia.

  • m.r.everything says:

    My uncle had a place at the shore and my family and I have been going down there every summer since I was 6. My parents bought a place of their own when I was 9 and we still have and love it to this day. When I was younger we would go down every single weekend in the summer and most weekends in the spring and fall. I still go down just about every weekend and I am just shy of 30. I enjoy my time at the beach and love it down there. It is only about an hour and a half from home, but the 2 places seem like a world apart… southern Delaware is completely different then northern Delaware (as I’m sure most states differ like this). It is a much slower pace down there and just a relaxation destination beyond belief. It is our sanctuary and our home away from home. Just going down and doing nothing is one of my favorite things to do. Sitting out on the beach, having a bonfire at night, or relaxing in the dunes… it is all just bliss. Sorry, all this rambling to say that I can really relate to Nautilus by Lili Bermuda….. this is definitely my kind of fragrance! The stormy sea accord, bergamot, verbana, petit grain, and variety of other notes make this a very beachy and memorable fragrance for me! The sounds of a winner for sure! I am a hundred percent with Gail when she says that she has no gender bias when it comes to wearing fragrance…. I could not agree more! I wear what I want, when I want… although I think some fragrances may be a tad heavy for summer, and some a tad light for winter, if I want to wear it, I do! I think every occasion has a scent and I have a little something for every occasion, ha. Thank you Gail, for bringing up so many memories of the shore for me, and thank you to team CaFleureBon and Lili Bermuda for putting this all together! I live in Delaware, US! Good luck to all and I hope everyone has a great rest of the day!

  • Bryant Worley says:

    This sounds wonderful. I mean, what man can’t appreciate the vision of the perfumer. From the salty sea opening to the woody dry down, perfect! Along with the excellent choice of notes, is the(guaranteed?) 10 hours on skin. I want one for each hand. Also, fragrances have no gender – wear what you want/makes you feel……

  • NiceVULady says:

    I love all the sea accords which she had included in this fragrance. I think that masculine and feminine partake of the culture in which they exist. Inherently, I don’t think there is any different in scents. Thanks for a lovely review and generous draw. I’m in the USA

  • Caliwas says:

    Beautiful review by Gail of Lili Bermuda Nautilus Eau de Toilette. I love the Stormy Sea note. Also the maritime fougère fuses with the resinous, woody mysteries of vetiver. Thanks for the draw. I live in CA, USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    Gail, great review of Lili Bermuda Nautilus. I can appreciate this fragrances inspirations of the Nautilus oceanic reflection of Bermuda. A fresh, oceanic, and marine experience. I think most fragrances are inherently unisex if we get past the influences society has put on what is masculine or feminine. I am from the USA.

  • CuteGuy says:

    Sounds nice. A stormy sea accord is interesting and I like how it leaves you with an energetic day out in the Ocean. Thanks, Ca

  • samppahoo says:

    I would like to try this perfume if it’s as good as Gail described it. I like refreshing, energetic aquatic perfumes and this one sounds very much like it, with its “stormy ocean” vibe. I myself do not know feminine perfumes so well to have one which I can wear myself, but I believe perfume doesn’t have a gender. Thanks for the draw! From the EU.

  • ScentitarFragrance says:

    What appealed to me most is that this is described as a confident and even mysterious aquatic, when other aquatics are usually modest and even bashful.I live in the usa, Ms. I feel that some fragrances do have those characteristics or suit one or the other better. However, I do not think there should be a cultural or social expectations for one or the other to wear a certain scent profile,style of scent or certain fragrance notes. The stormy see accord won’t leave my mind as i post my comment !

  • Onyinye says:

    I love that Lili Bermuda Nautilus lasts up to 10hours on the skin. It “begins as a breath of brisk, salty sea air and cool sunshine and resinous, woody mysteries of vetiver”. Sounds like a classic to me.
    I do believe there are some fragrances meant for masculine or feminine respectively but at the end of the day it’s one’s choice what they wear.
    I live in USA.

  • Sunny Chaudhary says:

    What grabbed my attention is the longevity of this fragrance and really intrigued by vetiver root and sea accord.

    Gail review is to the point and perfect in my point of view. I personally love her reviews.

    I believe fragrance are not masculine or feminine and i don’t buy them on that basis. If i love something, i buy it.

    I am from USA

    Sunny

  • Gail says:

    I would like to thank everyone for their comments and kind words and for taking the time to enter the draw. Please don’t forget to check back here at CaFleureBon for the winner of Lili Bermuda’s wonderful Nautilus.