Hey Posse. Do you remember when the scentbloggosphere went bonkers for Khol de Bahrein, properly spelled Khôl de Bahreïn? It was 2013 and I’d only been blogging for a year or two and suddenly it was everywhere. The house was brand new and dropped about five perfumes all at once but it was KdeB that scored the love of all the people. In 2022 they did one of those weird, enormous Insta-Line releases of seven fragrances in their Serpent Collection. It always baffles me that a line would do this. Rather than have me running out to try them it all it makes me ignore them. Who can seriously try seven new releases in one sitting and give them all attention? Silliness. My thought is, give me two incredible releases and let me wear one on each arm for a day.
I refound this decant, bought from a long defunct split group way back when and have been wearing it for my Decant Demolition 2025. Even in the midst of Sydney summer heat it has been breathtaking.
From the brand, “Khôl de Bahreïn is a glamorous fragrance that refers to the Khôl, an ancient cosmetic eye used by the Egyptian Pharaohs and queens and still worn by women in Middle East.”
Khol de Bahrein by Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 2013
Stéphane Humbert Lucas gives these featured accords:
Top: Violet, Nougat, Gums
Heart: Iris Powder, Sandalwood, Mixture of benzene Amber
Base: Musky Balsamic notes
Khol de Bahrein opens with a strangely alluring sweetness that is more burnt caramel toffee than nougat. It’s underpinned by a very bitter green that smells more like wormwood that the usually bright green of violet. I also smell a very pithy citrus. It’s eye poppingly good and like nothing else I know.
The heart is amber and the sandalwood seems to have that slightly medicinal astringent Australian Sandalwood vibe. What are we going to do now the Oz Sandalwood industry has collapsed? Where is CHANEL or DIOR to buy it all up and run it profitably?
Finally and it lingers for hours Khol de Bahrein’s base is a beautiful, vegetally sweet amber. So bloody gorgeous.
Funny thing, I remember these first being released and being outraged at the price. Well, things being what they are today I now find Khol de Bahrein €155/50ml reasonable. Guerlain Shalimar Jasmin is €122/50ml. How times have changed.
March wrote about SHL Mortal Skin in 2015.
Do you remember or were you a big fan of Khol de Bahrein?
Portia xx
This one was a dislike, although I made no notes as to why and can’t remember. Their 2022 campaign featured colorful glitzy snake bottles with sparkling eyes. I succumbed and ordered samples but just didn’t feel it and have now given up on that house entirely. In other news, I am happy to report that after several weekends of working through my huge backlog of samples, I did finally hit upon two that may be fb-worthy: Arielle Shoshana Tuesday and Villa Erbatium Allegria. I’m especially feeling a vibe with VE and will need to explore more from that house.
BUMMER about KdeB but YAY for two new loves VerbenaLuvvr,
Arielle is so passionate about making quality perfume, it doesn’t surprise me you fell in love with one. I’ve not heard of Villa Erbatium but you’ve piqued my interest.
Thanks,
Portia xx
I remember reading the hoohaa about SHL777 but saw the price & turned down the volume in my head. At the time I remember wondering what the ethos of the house was. There didn’t seem to be any cohesiveness. My memory also tells me I was more interested in Neela Vermeire & Papillion Artisan Perfumer which felt cohesive & more appealing.
Won’t be exploring now even though that opening sounds fabulous!
Hey Alityke, I hear Neela is working on something new! Very bloody exciting.
Portia xx
Excellent! You’ll get first dibs, can’t wait!
ME TOOOOOOOO
I had a moment wondering how I missed hearing about this, and then reminded myself that 2013 was the year I quit my job, went back to graduate school, and swore off perfume blogs so I wouldn’t go lemming after anything while on a poor graduate student budget. This one sounds lovely! I would have been sorely tempted.
Congratulations on going back and doing it. Learning is bloody hard. I hope you succeeded Calrayo.
Portia xx
Thank you! Yes! I have a great job and get to dip my toe back into the perfume community, so a win all around. 🙂
YAY!
I absolutely remember the initial flurry of interest way back when because I added some to my sample order from Luckyscent (something I haven’t done for many years). Of the 3 I think I got this one was the standout and it was I NEED A BOTTLE before the sample was even half used. I don’t know if Luckyscent still charge a king’s ransom for shipping to Aus but back then they most certainly did so I’d have to buy a couple of things to justify the shipping costs. Can’t remember what else I got but was so happy to receive this! It was about 2015ish I think.
And the nozzle is tuned to give the most perfect fluff of a spritz! Light and diffuse and the perfect amount. I’ve never really worn it in summer but it’s a favourite winter scent.
Heya Lynley,
In Australia Cosmetics Now has it for only AU$200.
https://www.cosmeticsnow.com.au/iteminfo/stephane-humbert-lucas-777-khol-de-bahrein-eau-de-parfum-spray-50ml
I’m not affiliated but love to help an Aussie out.
Portia xx
I have no memory of this House AT ALL!
But this sounds delicious!
YOU would rock the shit outta this Musette.
Portia xx
Whoa, I forgot alllll about this. Yeah, look how reasonable that price is now lol. I should scare up a sample, I bet StC has it! Thanks for the reminder!
Hey March,
HA! Yeah, we are in a new economic world.
STC has some of the range but not KdeB. Bummer. They still have Mortal Skin which was another that the scentbloggosphere did high jumps for.
Portia xx
Portia – I own a bottle of KdB that I picked up on a trip to Dubai when it was first released. I’ve probably used up half of it….such a lovely fragrance. However, I’ve not tried any of the other scents from this house….I see the newer releases but they’ve kind of fallen off my radar. Thank you for this post!
WOO HOO! Hiya LemonCake. Love that you bought and used half your bottle. Lucky you. It is lovely.
With so much new stuff being pushed every week it’s easy to loose track of individual houses.
Portia x
I remember when everyone was raving about Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777, but I didn’t try any at the time. I did try some later and…..not for me. I did think “Wish Come True” was pleasant and recently a friend gave me some samples that she didn’t like and I don’t either. “Lady White Snake” was one (great name) and I should love it but, no.
YAY! Someone remembers the madness. Thank you Maya. I was seriously doubting myself for a moment. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to take a whole brand off the to try list. With so much on offer it thins the herd.
Portia xx
I must have been distracted by my teenagers in 2013 cause I don’t remember this one at all Portia. But I’m happy to hear about it now. Sounds kind of intriguing since I do like a green scent — I hadn’t heard that Aussie sandalwood is collapsing. What happened? Was it over forested?
WOW! Four people I’d have thought all over the SHL777 adventure didn’t even know them DinaC, I remember it being written up everywhere. Clearly my memory is playing tricks.
As below: Oz sandalwood industry went bust. Can’t even think why and we’ve not been given a low down but usually it’s bad and careless management. With the rest of the world’s sandalwood in dire straights it’s going to mean perfume trouble and soon.
Portia xx
I never liked this one, for some reason it smelled off on me. The only one I own is Taklamakan and I never think to wear it.
What happened to the Oz sandalwood industry? I wasn’t aware there was a problem.
Interesting TaraC, one of the wonderful things about perfume is we all smell different things from the one scent.
Oz sandalwood industry went bust. Can’t even think why and we’ve not been given a low down but usually it’s bad and careless management. With the rest of the world’s sandalwood in dire straights it’s going to mean perfume trouble and soon.
Portia x
Like Tom, no memory of the house at all. Looks like Harrods has it, and a couple of the online places. But, as I’m not buying samples going to have to wait for a trip up-country. The notes for this sound very intriguing.
Interesting Cinnamon, that two heavily perfumista peeps didn’t know it. Maybe I’m in a very closed echo chamber.
Portia xx
I don’t remember these at all, but I get overwhelmed with houses that debut with 437 scents. I agree with you: give me one or two at a time. Even at six month intervals. I mean, I like pizza, and I like seared salmon, and filet of beef and ramen and gyros and Thai and fettuccine carbonara, but not all at once.
Great analogy, because it’s true.
Agreed Maya.
PERFECT Tom, BUT I bet you do when you hit a smorgasbord!
The boys at Le Galion told me a few years ago when I asked WHY?!? It’s the selling agents, they want it. It’s stupid, and I really do think it makes people shy away.
Portia xx