Essential Parfums

Essential Parfums is an independent house from Paris, set up in 2018 by Géraldine Archambault after a long career in the fragrance world. The idea is simple: let the perfumer lead. The result is perfume that feels clear and well built, without fuss. Bois Impérial is the one to know. Quentin Bisch created it, and it opens with basil and a zesty timur pepper that tingles more than it burns. Underneath, akigalawood, vetiver and patchouli build a dry, green-tinged wood with a slightly earthy edge. It is unisex and easy to wear in any season, from a cool morning to a late dinner. A small bottle is a good way to see whether this peppery, aromatic wood suits your skin before you commit to more.

1 perfume from Essential Parfums, decanted in sizes from 3ml so you can try before you buy a bottle.