Hi Posse. Here’s another perfume house I’m just learning about now. Der Duft are an interesting crew. They have 6 scents created in collaboration with different perfumers. Act has been created with Prin Lomros. You’ll know the name from Prin, Peissana, Pryn Parfum and Strangers Parfumerie. Prin has also worked on a number of the Zoologist perfumes.
From director Anselm Skogstad on the Der Duft site: “I created a perfume house with a brand name that conveys a simple message to anyone interested in scents. There is no need for further explanations or complex stories. Calling my brand ‘Der Duft’ (The Scent) is to the point. The intention is that each perfume, each scent creates its own story and association for the person wearing it.”
Act by Der Duft 2021
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Bitter Orange, Ambergris, Tobacco, Cypress, Lime, Musk, Carambola (Star Fruit), Moss, Lavender, Vetiver
The philosophy that we all get a chance to wear the fragrance without a story attached is new. I like it. Suddenly I’m not trying to fit the fragrance into a vision provided by a marketing team and creative director. It doesn’t need to make me feel sexy, thoughtful, male or female, melancholy, energised or whatever claptrap they offer up with pictures of one of the world’s iconic actors or starvation sick models on a motorbike. So in this vein i’m going to refrain from telling you anything but what I smell.
Opening is citrus but I also smell that amazing Thai Penang curry. Maybe it’s the lime and star fruit but nowhere accounts for that spicy/creamy hit I’m getting. Super weird. Beautiful. Could the vetiver be giving a lemongrass vibe? Woods arrive, they are sharp and green, very lightly salted. So many nuances and I’m loving it.
About 30 minutes in there is a very industrial undertow. Like a salt water swimming pool. Very cool addition. The first hour of Act could easily fit into the mid Christopher Chong years at Amouage. Then the fragrance pumps itself out, slowly fading for the next hour or so till it’s a soft melange of the major players, a whiff available only up close.
Unisex, longevity good and projection moderate after the first 20 minutes. I’m really glad Act was my first sniff of the Der Duft line. It has whetted my appetite for more.
Something else about the brand, 50ml is 120 euros. It’s not cheap but it is affordable by modern niche standards. Also Der Duft site has a 5 x 2ml sample set for 20 euros.
You can see by the picture above that I grabbed my decant from Surrender To Chance.
Does it sound like a winner for you?
Portia xx
Hi Portia, I’m testing Act right now. Love the opening, and for me it is just as you have described. A little like a tropical breeze. [“Would you pour me a Cuban Breeze, Gretchen…?”] Sorry. I don’t usually like anything I would describe like that but now, now… I tested this yesterday, also. The dry down made me think of soft suede. Very nice frag!
Act doesn’t sound like a winner for me, Portia. Meanwhile, I’m working on samples. Wearing Gucci Tears of Iris today, and also wore 31 Rue Cambon this week, trying to enjoy and thunk them eventually. Cheers!
Hey DinaC,
Your wallet thanks you.
Gucci Tears of Iris is the only one of the price line I own from them. YUMMY! Loved the Tiger one too but there’s enough ambers here.
Portia xx
Hmmmmm, sounds interesting! I remember trying something awhile ago that made me think of curry, and I liked it! I do agree there’s something liberating about a line not going all in on some marketing story about the fragrance, what it’s supposed to make you feel, etc. Thanks for the review!
Heya March,
Was that the Parfum d’Empire curry one? Can’t remember the name but I loved it
Portia xx
These sound intriguing but probably not a ‘must-try’ for me – but, as cinnamon says, maybe that’s a mistake.
xoxo
Musette,
I cannot imagine you loving this, but never say never eh?
Portia xx
Never tried any of them and probably wouldn’t order a sample based on the notes and description, but I do love two by Prin: Ma Nishtana and Cachouli.
Fair enough TaraC,
Ah! I’ve not tried either but now my interest is piqued.
Portia xx
Hmmm… I’m sure I’ve sampled one or more of these at some point but zero memory. Tobacco always piques my interest; lavender is not a note I’m not enamoured of. Not sure about this. I think if I find myself in a shop that stocks the line I’ll have a (another??) look but it’s not something I’ll look for in samples. But who knows: maybe that’s a mistake.
sigh. not a note I am enamoured of.
Heya Cinnamon,
Act is good, different, a little left of centre. It was a very nice ride and I’m intrigued by the line now. Is it now on the To Buy List, probably not. Being a salt-in-fragrance lover there are half a dozen here already and I really only give a couple any skin time. My worry is that Act might sit here neglected.
Portia xx
There are a few samples in my Thunk It box by Prin. of those I’ve tried I haven’t particularly enjoyed them. I so wanted to love Strangers Salted Green Mango, but failed.
Reading your thoughts on Act I suspect it’s in the same ball park as SGM.
OH! One of my fragrant besties Kerri is a Salted Green Mango fan. She wears it so beautifully. Though I liked it, was impressed by the way it feels put together and loved how it smelled on her it wasn’t something I wanted to smell of when I tried it on me. Completely different.
Portia xx
Interesting notes. You got me at “woods, sharp, green and lightly salted”.
I’ve tried the other 5 from Der Duft and they are all interesting in a good sense, very wearable but not the usual crowd pleasers. My favourites are Bubble – a realistic sweet champagne and Monopteros – a milky rose with raspberry. It’s a perfume house I liked overall and I’m happy you bring it to our attention.
Hmmm- Bubble sounds like one that I’d like to try. The others? Not so sure.
You always were a champagne tastes kinda guy Tom.
Portia xx
OOOH! Neva, thanks for the low down. They both sound really interesting.
Portia xx