Darkness Illuminated from Within

For a fragrance composed entirely of heavy base notes, it's miraculous how light this feels - in both strength and luminosity.

In Meo Fusciuni's pursuit of “light,” he seems to have stripped the ingredients down to their most spartan forms. There's a damp mossiness, only hinting at a full-bodied patchouli; a leathery essence that smells more like fresh birch than anything hide-like; and a faint smoky veil, like watching tobacco wisp through a moonlit forest from behind a glass screen.

As it dries, it becomes clear that Luce is built around benzoin. When rich and resinous, it's my absolute favourite note. But here, wrapped in those strangely muted accords, its usual warmth feels obscured.

As fascinating as it is to experience the lighter alter ego of these familiar notes, what lingers on the skin ultimately feels rather ghostly. For a fragrance that lasts up to twelve hours, leaving subtle whiffs for almost the entire duration, that’s a curious thing indeed.