What does Tristesse smell like? Tristesse, a fragrance from DSH Perfumes, is an intriguing blend of notes that come together to create a truly unique olfactory experience. Released in 2013 by perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, this fragrance is designed for both men and women who appreciate complex, sophisticated scents that tell a story. The production of Tristesse may have been discontinued, but its memory lingers on in the minds of those who have had the pleasure of experiencing it.
Tristesse opens with a refreshing burst of petitgrain, a zesty note that immediately grabs your attention. Imagine walking through a sun-drenched orchard, the bitter-sweet scent of green leaves mingling with the citrusy aroma of ripe fruit hanging from the trees. As the petitgrain fades, the silver fir comes into play, adding a resinous, pine-like quality to the fragrance. The combination of these two top notes creates a vibrant and invigorating opening that sets the stage for the rest of the composition.
Moving into the heart of Tristesse, we encounter a blend of kelp, rose attar, and tear accord. The kelp note brings a touch of marine freshness to the fragrance, reminiscent of a cool ocean breeze on a misty morning. The rose attar adds a floral elegance, with its rich, velvety aroma that evokes images of a blooming garden at dawn. The tear accord, with its salty, slightly metallic undertones, lends a subtle hint of melancholy to the heart of the fragrance, creating a sense of depth and complexity.
As Tristesse dries down, the base notes of choya nakh, hyraceum, and oakmoss come to the forefront, anchoring the composition in a warm, earthy embrace. Choya nakh, a traditional Japanese ingredient derived from dried fish, imparts a smoky, almost primal quality to the fragrance, adding a dark, mysterious edge. Hyraceum, also known as "Africa stone," brings an animalic, leathery note that gives Tristesse a sensual, primal feel. Finally, oakmoss lends a woody, green undertone that ties the entire composition together, like the roots of a majestic oak tree reaching deep into the earth.
The type of person who would wear Tristesse is someone who enjoys exploring the intricate nuances of fragrance, who appreciates a scent that tells a story and evolves on the skin. This is a fragrance for the introspective, the brooding, the ones who find beauty in sadness and solace in solitude. Tristesse evokes a sense of longing, a yearning for something just out of reach, like a memory fading into the mist. It is a fragrance for those who embrace their emotions, who are unafraid to explore the darker corners of their souls.
Wearing Tristesse is like stepping into a dreamscape, where reality blurs and emotions run deep. The scent of petitgrain and silver fir transport you to a sunlit forest, where the crisp air crackles with energy and possibility. The heart notes of kelp, rose attar, and tear accord create a hauntingly beautiful melody, like a soulful ballad sung by a lone troubadour under a moonlit sky. And the base notes of choya nakh, hyraceum, and oakmoss ground you in the earthy, primal depths of your being, connecting you to the ancient wisdom of the natural world.
Tristesse is a fragrance that lingers in the air, a haunting echo of memories long past. It is a scent that invites introspection and contemplation, that speaks to the heart of those who seek beauty in the shadows. If you are drawn to fragrances that tell a story, that evoke emotions and memories with every whiff, then Tristesse may be the perfect scent for you. Let it transport you to a world of dreams and memories, where sadness and beauty are intertwined in a delicate dance of light and shadow.