The Ghost in the Shell by Etat Libre d’Orange

Hi Posse. Let’s talk about a FABULOUS title for perfume. WOW! The Ghost in the Shell is amazing. Long and kind of embarrassing to say if you are asked but a serious head turner of a name. You probably wouldn’t wear this to mass, temple or mosque anyway. Kinda cool for funerals though? Too soon? Lately ELdO have beeb doing some interesting stuff. I really love Spice Must Flow and have continued wearing it into warmer weather, which is a surprise.

From ELdO: Ghost in the Shell, a perfume that speaks of the human phenomenon and its paradox, a perfume to wear on oneself ab libitum, at one’s pleasure. A perfume as a propagation towards the other, that makes you the axis and the arrow of evolution; modern, indeed! From the bottom of the matter, rise up.” – Etienne de Swardt 

GOSH! That seems like a bunch of random words thrown on a page. Like the Brad Pitt CHANEL No 5 commercial. Hard tp type or sniff perfume with your head so far up your own ass I suppose.

The Ghost in the Shell by Etat Libre d’Orange

The Ghost In The Shell Etat Libre d'Orange

Fragrantica gives thee featured accords:
Top: Aqual™, Yuzu HE, Hexyl Acetate (MANE Biotech)
Heart: Jasmin absolute, Mugane™, Milky Skin Accord
Base: Moss Accord, Vinyl Gaiacol (MANE Biotech), Orcanox™

OOH! It’s slightly aquatic on open, no it’s definitely aquatic, A citrus/floral/aquatic. The Ghost in the Shell is running cold water in a stainless steel sink as it opens but some very pretty puffs of white flowers distracts that sense quite early on. Within five minutes we get some warming, yes, the note list nails it. Milky skin, sun warmed, smooth and youthful with a soft bronzing. Sadly this section doesn’t last long enough. I wanted to kind of immerse myself here for a while, it’s so beautiful. Ah! The excitement of its arrival only has a couple of minutes before some vaguely industrial warehouse smell intrudes and takes us in another direction.

The Ghost in the Shell by Etat Libre d'Orange

The Ghost in the Shell is a strange bird. OMG! That’s exactly what the heart of this smells like. The soft, powdery feel of a downy feather found on the seashore. As it dries and becomes fluffy it retains hints of the sea and the living bird it came from. Interesting linkages in my brain.

After this, about 30-40 minutes in the fragrance collapses into a whisper. It’s a very safe, dark woody nothing that seems utterly inoffensive and barely there. You are still fragrant, and it’s nice, but it’s just a slightly sweet skin scent with hints of wood. Better in silage that up close sniffing.

Totally unisex. Excellent longevity and very low sillage after an hour. Introverted fragrance.

My decant came from Surrender To Chance.

I’m wondering who among you might wear The Ghost In The Shell?
Portia xx

  • causticfish says:

    I’m pretty sure the name was a reference to the 90s anime of the same name. The protagonist was an android, and the cool metallic notes sound like it was trying to invoke a similar scent profile. I’m personally more of a gourmand gal, but the description of the fragrance sounds interesting.

  • Musette says:

    Not me. Definitely NOT ME.

    Everything about this gives me the flux – except your gorgeous (and hysterical) review. Times like this make me SO happy!

    xoxo

  • Kathleen says:

    I tend not to wear introverted fragrances. I prefer big perfumes that create a perfume cloud around me; however, I understand the need for a quiet perfume. Not a fan of aquatics so I don’t think this one would work for me. I missed your Spice Must Flow review as well, off to search. xoxo

    • Portia says:

      Fair call Kathleen, I prefer a scent cloud usually too.
      So strange you all missed that piece. It was a while ago.
      Portia xx

  • March says:

    I absolutely love the name of this! And it’s always nice to have something a little quieter when you need it (I think you are generally attracted to BIG perfumes as much as I am!) Xo

    • Portia says:

      Hey March,
      Yes, mostly my wardrobe is about statement frags. There are a few low key beauties too. Usually Hermès fills that spot, and a couple of the CHANEL Les Exclusifs range. BOY being my go-to sotto voce frag.
      Portia xx

    • Musette says:

      M – you lunatic! This has frog in it. F.R.O.G.
      FROG!

      Other than that, Mrs Lincoln…. 😉

      xxoxoxo

  • Eldarwen22 says:

    Just ordered the sample set of Etat Libre d’Orange from Luckyscent and I will start there before seeking this one out.

  • cinnamon says:

    Sigh. What a name, but doesn’t sound like the juice lives up to it. I will certainly sample, but not holding my breath.

    • Portia says:

      You know what Cinnamon,
      It’s nice. Maybe a little too low key for me but if you have less scent-eating-skin and don’t like to be overwhelmed by fragrance all day, just softly pumping out something nice, then it could be for you.
      Weird but very introverted.
      Portia xx

  • MMKinPA says:

    I don’t know that I’ll run out for this one (who am I kidding, nothing interesting is available near me) but how did I miss the Spice Must Flow review? THAT one will get me to make an effort. Always interesting, ELDO…

    • Portia says:

      HA! You and Alityke BOTH said that MMKinPA. Spice Must Flow is an old trope done perfectly. I’m calling it as the gold standard.
      Portia xx

  • Alityke says:

    Anything “aquatic” is hell for me so I won’t be getting my nose on this anytime soon. Having reread your Spice Must Flow review that seems much more up my alley.
    I’ve taken my eye off so many new releases in the last 5 years. Not just niche but all newness.
    I Must pay more attention!

    • Portia says:

      Hey Alityke,
      It’s IMPOSSIBLE to sniff it all. Even as much as I get to smell it’s just a drop in the ocean of releases. I find it best to notice when brands that work for me or perfumers/perfumistas/bloggers I admire go ballistic over a new brand. Patty here on Perfume Posse is one of my bellwethers.
      Also, aquatic can mean so much more in 2021 than it did 10 or 20 years ago. This is more oceanic than old school aquatic.
      Portia xx