L'Ombre dans l'Eau

One of my wishes is that those dark trees, / So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze, / Were not, as ’twere, the mere mask of gloom, / But stretched away unto the edge of doom.

-Robert Frost, “Into My Own”

L’Ombre dans l’Eau (literally “The Shadow in the Water”) is a green, floral, and cheekily aquatic scent from Diptyque. Like many of Diptyque’s lineup it’s obsessed with painting a picture. You’re walking along a trellised walkway; it’s hot, but you’re fully shaded. There’s a fountain or stream in the distance. You can feel the earth under your feet. It’s a vibe.

There’s a faint hint of something fruity, but mostly on the initial hit you’re getting blasted with florals. Rose, geranium, maybe even a little lilac if you go looking for it.

Some vegetal notes appear shortly after the florals, and the overall greenery is great. Leaves, stems, and just enough of something woody that you might’ve stepped on a twig. Black currant and bergamot join the party. There’s a surprisingly late appearance of something citrusy (not a major component, but it sticks its head out).

Like many of Diptyque’s scents, L’Ombre dans l’Eau gets a “you’ll love it, just be aware that…” kind of recommendation. And for this fragrance the caveat is the greenery. If you blind bought a bottle reading it was floral, and can’t comprehend why someone would want to smell like a tomato vine, you’d likely be in for an unpleasant surprise. But beyond that asterisk, it’s absolutely lovely. The performance is totally respectable for the category, and the sense of place it has is truly a delight.