Seconde Peau
Courrèges Seconde Peau Eau de Parfum is a green scent made of three materials, and all three of them are the cool, dry sort rather than the sweet sort. Tea leaf opens it, and that is the material that sets the tone: dry, slightly astringent, bitter in a clean way and closer to a handful of leaves than to anything brewed. Pine follows, resinous and cold, the smell of sap and needles rather than a cleaning product, and it pushes the scent further towards the outdoors. Vetiver finishes it, rooty and earthy with a faint smokiness, and it is what gives the composition weight when the first two have thinned out.
Three materials, no fruit, no flowers and no sweetness anywhere in the list. That is unusual enough to be the reason to try it, and it means there is no development to follow: what arrives in the first ten minutes is the whole proposition. The eau de parfum concentration matters here, because materials like these would evaporate quickly at a lighter strength. As it is, you get several hours of clear wear and a dry trace afterwards, held close to the skin rather than thrown outward.
It reads as unisex and works best in warm weather and daylight, where the green bitterness feels refreshing rather than severe. Anyone who finds most fragrance too sweet should find this a relief, and anyone who wants comfort and warmth from a scent should look elsewhere.
Courrèges started in Paris in 1961. The white and silver geometric clothing of its mid sixties collections is what it is known for, and perfume came along in 1971. The business has not run continuously under one owner, and its current scents date from a 2021 relaunch.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
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