Perfumes For The Year of the Dragon 2024 + 3 You Should Be Wearing Giveaway  

Perfumes for the Year of the Dragon 2024

Year of the Dragon 2024, collage by Rachel

 The Year of the Dragon 2024 has arrived! While some might immediately picture the fire-breathing mythical creature of House Targaryen, tradition from East Asia depicts an animal more closely associated with water who breathes clouds and symbolizes strong positive energy. Lunar New Year is celebrated today, February 10, and is the beginning of the Year of the Dragon 2024.

the Year of the wood Dragon 2024

collage by Michelyn

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2024 will be a rare combination of the dragon’s power and wood’s creativity, bringing innovation, vision, and growth in the Chinese lunar calendar year. Abundance for all is the sign of the times.  Visionaries, innovators, leaders and problem solvers step up and make things happen with their strong positive energy. The color symbolic of the Year of The Wood Dragon is gold.

Rich Mess Striking

Rich Mess Striking, collage by Michelyn

Visionary and innovative thinking in the world of perfume immediately calls to mind the cutting-edge work of Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel. Maître Laudamiel’s creative vitality springs from his unending work in all facets of olfaction, as a perfumer, scent sculptor, Osmocurator, lecturer, writer, and chemist. Ryan Richmond, Creative Director of Rich Mess, (who attended Pratt institute, where in addition to drawing and painting, he pursued fashion advertising, art directing and graphic design) enlisted Christophe Laudamiel to create his latest scent, Striking. Rich Mess Striking captures the fiercely positive energy of 2024’s Wood Dragon and is high voltage confidence in a bottle. Pink peppercorn and a vibrant lightening accord dazzle in the opening. Sensual fruit notes of watermelon and guava mix with lush jasmine and night-aired sage. An ingenious use of crocodile eaglewood, a cousin tree to agarwood that grows in Borneo, adds leathery animalic intonations to the warm woody base. A wash of golden petrichor reminds me of wet city streets on a hot night and other pre-dawn escapades from my twenties. Rich Mess Striking captures the power and magnetism of the dragon without falling into any clichés; rather, it breaks new ground for a new Lunar Year. Notes: lightening accord, pink peppercorn, watermelon, guava, ginger, jasmine, sage, amber, crocodile eaglewood, petrichor

Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM 

Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM bottle, collage by Michelyn

 Growth, especially positive personal growth, is a goal often associated with the new year. 2024 brings a rare opportunity to focus on, and find, powerful improvement during the year of the wood dragon. Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM (pronounced Oh-Calm) is a fragrance that emanates personal flourishing and achievement. Tranquility meets the heights of elegance in this wood-forward fragrance. True to the originality and vision of the wood dragon, OKLM has an avant-garde formulation. The perfume opens directly into heart notes of musk and East Indian sandalwood (the fragrance does not have traditional top notes). The materials in this bottle are sure and long-lasting, much like the progress we hope to see in the year of the wood dragon. Serene sophistication is at hand with a dry down of cashmere and amber. Perfumer Darren Alan draws inspiration from his many creative talents, including perfumery and music. A manifestation through scent, Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM is the embodiment of the growth and success we will surely find in the Year of The Dragon 2024. Notes: musk, east Indian sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, cashmere, white amber

DSH Perfumes Become the Shaman to wear in the year of the dragon 2024

 DSH Perfumes Become the Shaman bottle, collage by Michelyn

Creativity is the standard for perfumes you should be wearing in the year of the dragon 2024. Perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes is a creative force. Her multifaceted artistry runs the gambit from perfume and visual art to jewelry. Dragons are considered Yang (masculine) in nature and 2024 combines their strength with wood, which is also an element of Yang masculinity. In Asian cosmology, wood represents the energy of spring reaching toward the sun while also deepening roots into the soil. No other scent embodies this mystical balance evoking the energy of spring sun better than Become the Shaman which was created for ÇaFleureBon’s 7th Anniversary in 2007. The golden warmth of woods in this fragrance is cosmic in its balance and synergy. Palo santo and copal create a sense of flowing sap, enlivening pinewoods and pulling nature’s heartbeat awake from its wintering. Braids of white sage, Texas cedarwood, and guaiac wood create a magical aura slightly sweetened with tonka and ornamented with incense. DSH Perfumes Become the Shaman is the perfect fragrance to celebrate and center the cosmic forces at work in the Year of The Dragon 2024. Notes: palo santo, copal, tobacco, milkweed accord, amyris, white sage, peru balsam, Texas cedarwood, tonka bean absolute, vanilla absolute, guaiac wood, incense

Bottles my own, opinions my own

~ Rachel K. Ng, Senior Contributor

Rich Mess Striking, Darren Alan OKLM and DSH Perfumes Become the shaman

To celebrate the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon 2024, we have a reader’s choice for a registered reader of  one of the three perfumes in this article USA ONLY.

Thanks to Ryan Richmond of Rich Mess we have a 100ml bottle of Striking for a registered reader

Many thanks to DSH Perfumes for a 30ml bottle of Become the Shaman for a registered reader

We are grateful to Darren Alan Perfumes for a 50ml bottle of OKLM (your choice) for a registered reader

To be eligible, please leave a quality comment about what appeals to you about each fragrance, what you learned about the Year of the Wood Dragon and your choice should you win. Please state that you live in the contiguous USA. Draw closes 2/13/2024

Last Lunar New Year 2023 was the Year of The Rabbit. Read Karl’s choices here

Editor’s note: As a Fulbright Scholar, Rachel studied Chinese opera at The National Academy of Theater Arts in Beijing (中国戏曲学院, and has a Doctorate in East Asian languages and cultures.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @rachel.k.ng @darren_alan_perfumes @dshperfumes @christophelaudamiel @rich.mess

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so “like” ÇaFleureBon and use our  blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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32 comments

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    It sounds like a fun concept to celebrate the year of the dragon through fragrances, especially the wood dragon. Each of these 3 fragrances brings a unique vibe to this concept. Tranquility meets the heights of elegance in OKLM. I’d love to win this fragrance. I haven’t tried any fragrance by Darren Alan, but I keep hearing good things about them. I’d like to win OKLM if I win this contest. I live in Maryland USA.

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    Not very familiar with the Year of the Dragon but pretty cool that this year it’s a rare combination of the dragon’s power and wood’s creativity. Each fragrance has its own appeal. The one that stood out for me was Perfume Becomes the Shaman. I’m drawn to the combination of Woods and Tobacco. Right up my alley.

    Los Angeles Ca. USA

  • Amy L says:

    I learned that 2024 Chinese New Year wood dragon represents power and creativity, with possibility for abundance for visionaries. I would love a bottle of Become the Shaman for this year.
    CA, USA

  • Steve A says:

    The appealing aspect of Striking is the lightening accord. That OKLM does not have traditional top notes and I find that appealing. The appealing aspect of Become the Shaman is the unusual addition of palo santo. I can’t say I learned anything new on the year of the dragon. My draw choice is OKLM. US

  • JSO says:

    The woods of these three fragrances caught my attention, which is appropriate for the year of the wood dragon. My love of sandalwood draws me to OKLM. However, the year of the dragon is supposed to symbolize transformation and growth. With that in mind, maybe I should look beyond what I would normally lean towards. If I am lucky enough to win I would appreciate receiving Rich Mess Striking. I live in New York State.

  • mdellaroc says:

    I would have to pick rich mess simply for the most interesting of notes. I can’t pick become the Shaman as I already own that. But these are all amazing sounding. In maryland.

  • Arron_Q says:

    I really love the idea of looking at fragrances through the lens of the Chinese Zodiac. It makes me wonder what I might choose to represent the Wood Dragon’s strength and powers of innovation and creativity. Nez Adorem, perhaps? Or, maybe I would go with L’artisan Parfumeur Passage D’enfer? So many possibilities.

    Rachel has picked some intriguing ones for her list. Rich Mess Striking sounds phenomenal. I have heard great things about this house but have not sampled any of their offerings yet. What catches my eye about Striking is the combination of juicy fruits like guava and watermelon alongside that mysterious lightning accord. That one is moving to the top of my must try list.

    DSH Become a Shaman also sounds quite interesting. Another house I am not very familiar with, I am slowly but surely adding more of their scents to my ever-growing sample list. Become a Shaman interests me because of it’s use of multiple woods and balsams, topped with incense.

    Unlike the other two houses featured today, Darren Alan is a brand I am incredibly familiar with. I adore Darren’s neo-vintage style and own several of his perfumes. OKLM is one that I sampled not so long ago. As Rachel said, OKLM goes straight to the heart and immediately envelopes you with a shroud of musk and creamy, vanillic sandalwood. It is a warm hug in a bottle and has incredible longevity. Scent- and style-wise, it’s a bit of departure from most of Darren’s other work, but it’s quality is just as impressive. It is one that everyone should try.

    Wow, which would I choose if I were to win? This is one of the toughest choices I have faced in a while. I think I would go for Rich Mess Striking because I have been wanting to get my nose on their scents and this one has such an unusual combination of notes. Best of luck to everyone. I live in NC, USA.

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    This is a very nice appealing aspect of Striking is the lightening accord. That OKLM does not have traditional top notes and I find that appealing. The appealing aspect of Become the Shaman is the unusual addition of palo santo. I can’t say I learned anything new on the year of the dragon. From PA,USA

  • sav17 says:

    I am excited for The Year of the Dragon. I admit that I’ve always associated dragons with power, fire, and darkness. However, it was interesting to learn that dragons are actually associated with positive energy and water. Rich Mess Striking sounds very interesting. I don’t think I have ever tested a fragrance with a lightning accord, but I am curious. I love petrichor and it makes sense with the lightning accord, so Striking would be an intriguing fragrance to try. Darren Alan OKLM has an interesting name, but knowing it’s pronounced “Oh-Calm) is all I need to know to want it. I am all about calm this year. I love all of the included notes, especially the combination of musk, vanilla, and cashmere. DSH Become the Shaman is another perfect choice for this year’s fragrance. I love everything Dawn does and this fragrance is no exception. I love the palo santo in it; it’s so meditative and peaceful. It was interesting to learn that wood represents spring’s energy reaching the sun.

    I would love the opportunity to own DSH Become the Shaman or Darren Alan OKLM. If I had to choose only one, it would be OKLM since I have not tried it and it sounds so comforting. Thank you, Rachel, for the great reviews, and thank you to all three sponsors for the giveaway. I am located in the USA.

  • garlandloydt@aol.com says:

    I love that this year will be filled with dragon energy bringing growth and inspiration for growth! The lightning accord in Rich Mess Striking is very intriguing. OKLM sounds incredibly soothing and Become the Shaman seems powerful. I would choose Rich Mess Striking. I live in New Orleans LA

  • garlandloydt@aol.com says:

    I love that this year will be filled with dragon energy bringing creativity, growth, and inspiration! The lightning accord in Rich Mess Striking is very intriguing. OKLM sounds incredibly soothing and Become the Shaman seems powerful. I would choose Rich Mess Striking. I live in New Orleans LA

  • chrisskins says:

    Since my family has a lightning protection business, Rich Mess Striking is the one I’m drawn to the most. It also sounds like the fruits will keep it from smelling “too intellectual” which marries my desire to be more light-hearted in the year of the dragon whilst (hah!) retaining brooding bookishness. I’ve been making year of the dragon decorated oyster shells this year and my realization was that I really enjoy the aesthetic of thee Chinese New Year. I live in NY.

  • kusudamakitten98 says:

    Thank you for writing this post; as a Chinese American, I think it is extremely cool to see an article that talks about a connection between the Lunar New Year and fragrance! 新年快乐!

  • Teresa C says:

    Well, I actually learned a lot, starting with the fact that there are different types of dragons in the calendar. Also some new notes I’d never heard of til now, like Crocodile Eaglewood, and some old friends, like Palo Santo. I suppose I should lean towards something I have less experience with if selected, so while DSH’s creation calls me (will have to seek that), I would choose Strikign if my name came up. Cheers to the year of the Wood Dragon! I do indeed live in the contiguous USA

  • clarchik says:

    I am in the US and would love to win either Rich Mess Striking ornIKLM (already have Becoming the Shaman). Such a great article about work of 3 very innovative perfumers. Reading the description of Rich Mess Striking I could almost picture a dragon in all its golden beauty. OKLM with its rich materials sounds like a manifestation of wealth!

  • Trinity33 says:

    I assumed a dragon was linked with fire and didn’t realize the Chinese dragon was more associated with breathing clouds. I love the scent of ozone and petrichor in fragrances, Rachel has some great choices ro celebrate the lunar new year and I’m drawn to Rich Mess Striking for the petrichor note. I’m in the US.

  • thee_boy_wonder says:

    1. The fusion of pink peppercorn and lightning accord in Rich Mess Striking perfectly embodies the electrifying energy of the Year of the Wood Dragon. As a perfume enthusiast, I’d love to experience its innovative composition.

    Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM’s focus on personal growth resonates deeply with the spirit of the Wood Dragon year. The blend of musk and sandalwood promises a journey of tranquility and elegance. I’m excited at the prospect of exploring this fragrance’s unique formulation.

    DSH Perfumes Become the Shaman encapsulates the cosmic balance of the Wood Dragon’s energy, drawing inspiration from nature’s awakening in spring. I’d be thrilled to experience the mystical aura created by the blend of Palo Santo, copal, and incense.

    Pennsylvania, US

  • opalbear says:

    I learned that this year is the year of the innovators and creatives. I truly believe the world always needs folks like this, but especially now. There are some antiquated ideologies that we must break past to survive. All three of these perfumers are just amazing although I am much more familiar with Darren Alan (wore Hekate yesterday such a stunner) and DSH. This makes it such a hard choice!!!! I do love a petrichor and the idea of bottled lightening? I will opt for Rich Mess Striking please. In California

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I like that the color is gold and this unique year is to be a prosporous one. That Rich Mess looks interesting with those notes. Watermelon is a note you don’t see much in fragrance. I was out for Chinese food last night for New Year’s at a local mom/pop shop. I’d love to win OKLM, looks like a really serene combination. Thanks for the chance. Happy New Year. USA .

  • Ben A says:

    Though I’m not Asian, I grew up in Northern California, where Chinese New Year was always very visibly part of the culture. Having lived far from any large Chinese communities for the greater part of the last forty years, Chinese New Year always makes me think of my childhood. And, in 2024, the world certainly needs the positive energy and creativity that is associated with the Wood Dragon.

    As for the three fragrances: Striking sounds, well, striking…but it doesn’t sound like it’s for me; the watermelon and guava make it sound like something I wouldn’t wear. I love sandalwood, so OKLM is more up my alley. But it’s Become the Shaman that really draws my attention. I love the smell of palo santo and copal…but I happen not to have any fragrances that feature them. So Become the Shaman would be my choice if I were to win the draw. I’m in Oklahoma, USA.

  • absurdnose says:

    I”m not going to lie, these all sound incredible and seem perfectly fitting for the Year of the Wood Dragon. Yet, Become the Shaman sounds amazing for ringing in the Chinese new year with those beautiful woods and resin notes. I love Copal and Palo Santo. I’ve been dying to try it and I’m on a real naturals kick which I know DSH is known for. Thanks for the draw and write up. I’m in the USA

  • MelKT42 says:

    I live in the contiguous U.S. and would love to win a bottle of Rich Mess. I was surprised and delighted by the focus on wood for the year of the dragon, but the petrichor note in Rich Mess and the reference to pre-dawn forays in the review is what pulled me in…

  • Chuck says:

    What fantastic choices for the year of the dragon.
    Since I am a big dsh perfumes fan I would love become the shaman

  • eps says:

    I knew it was the Year of the Dragon, but didn’t know what exactly a Wood Dragon was. Thank you, Rachel!

    Rachel’s lovely conceptualizing of Creativity touched me most. “In Asian cosmology, wood represents the energy of spring reaching toward the sun while also deepening roots into the soil.” … I have yet to try a DSH fragrance, but adore a woody one, especially palo santo. This seems quite a fitting group of notes for the year. I would love a chance to with a bottle of Become the Shaman. — I’m in the US

  • recursivemask says:

    Peppercorn, lightning, and jasmine sounds aboslutely divine for Rich Mess. I can see walking through wet streets, just after a storm, jasmine blooming and fruit stalls bustling.
    OKLM seems like an interesting direction, a rich and understated fragrance that’s in it for the long haul.
    Become the Shaman sounds like a luxurious wood and spice scent, evoking a curated garden full of exotic resinous plants.
    I didn’t know the year of the wood dragon was so harmonious and auspicious!
    I pick Become the Shaman. Contiguous US.

  • foreverscents says:

    I didn’t know that wood combined with the dragon in this year’s Chinese Zodiac. I am happy that strong positive energy is associated with this year’s zodiac.
    I enjoyed reading the reviews for the three fragrances. I am a big fan of both Darren Allen and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. Both OKLM and Become the Shaman sound grounding and balancing.
    If I were the winner of the giveaway, I would, however, choose Striking from Rich Mess. I love guava and watermelon and I am intrigued by lightning accord.
    I live in the USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Excellent list highlighting woody perfumes for the Year of the Dragon. I’m particulary intrigued by Laudamiel’s Striking; I’m often impressed by his compositions, but the lightening accord, tangy fruit notes, and unusual crocodile eaglewood are attention grabbing. And like Michelyn said, no clichés here. OKLM’s shearing off of the top notes in favor of a dive into warm woods is interesting as well, and I’ve enjoyed my sample of Become the Shaman, with its nature-meets-incense sensibilities.

    I’m in the contiguous USA. If I were to win, I’d choose the Rich Mess Striking.

  • NCJayG says:

    With Striking, what struck me was a note of watermelon, which is one I’ve not smelled in a fragrance before, and I’m intrigued.

    For OKLM the lack of top notes is an interesting one and I’d be interested to see what that translates to as the fragrance sits on your skin over time.

    Become the Shaman features Palo Santo, a note I adore, with other notes that suggest a striking wood scent.

    Before reading Rachel’s article, I was not aware of the ties between Wood and Dragon though I did know that it was the Year of the Dragon, adding the extra context was insightful.

    Of the three given a choice it would be Become the Shaman. I’m in North Carolina.

  • FragranceIsMe says:

    I find each creation to bring a special attribute to my liking. With Rich Mess Striking, it is it’s positive energy. With Darren Alan Perfumes OKLM, it is tranquility meeting the heights of elegance. Lastly, with DSH Perfumes Become The Shaman, it is balance and synergy.
    To pick which one is tough. However, after considerable thought, my choice should I win is DSH Become The Shaman.
    Pennsylvania, USA

  • Kris Drawdy says:

    I learned about the Year of the Wood Dragon (and really hope it comes true) that abundance for all is the sign of the times and world leaders and visionaries will step up and make good things happen. Fingers crossed. All three of these fragrance’s have an abundance of various wood notes in them, which is what makes them appealing to me. Especially Become the Shaman due to the mutiple wood accords and that I have read so many great reviews about many fragrances from DSH, and have unfortunately never sampled anything from the house yet. I actually have a small 1.5 ml sample of OKLM that was sent to me when I ordered a 10 ml of Dorians Fougere (which is great if I do say so myself) from Darren Alan’s website. OKLM is a really great smelling fragrance, and crowd pleasing too as I received two compliments the day I wore it out and about. I have never sampled anything from DSH or Ryan Richmond, but both of these sound amazing based on the notes listed. Rich Mess Striking sounds interesting with the petrichor and crocodile eaglewood (which is a new ingredient to me). Selecting only one of these three is difficult, but if I had to make a choice for one it would be Become the Shaman based on the notes, that I have yet to try something from this house, and the name of the fragrance is awesome. Thank you for the draw! I’m in NY, US.

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    Rich Mess is such an Oplulent perfume , it exudes elegance to any black tier event. From PA,USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for all these lovely fragrances to celebrate the year of the dragon.

    Of the three fragrances, Chris Laudmiel’s work is the one that appeals to me the most. I do love the positive energy of this scent with its use of watermelon and guava. Crocodile eaglewood is an interesting material that I have not heard off before and need to research it.

    Cheers from WI, USA