Ffern Summer 24

artwork by Ffern artist Claire Basler

Ffern, out of Somerset, UK, puts out one scent per quarter for subscribers only, delivered on the solstice/equinox. Seems a little gimmicky, and I'm susceptible to gimmicks (see Scentcraft.AI and Snif Slice Society). I had ignored the occasional ad for Ffern that popped up in my social media feeds, but when an entire episode of the On the Scent Podcast featured their fragrances, I could no longer help myself. Part of me thought "how can it hurt? I'll likely be on the waiting list for months!" That part was wrong, when 10 days later I received a text saying I was now on the roster and would be receiving my first bottle, Summer 24, post-haste. A little over a week later, I had it in my hands. 

Ffern packages their products with nice little extras. There was a sample to try before opening the bottle; if I didn't like the scent, I could return it. There was also a small clay medallion decorated with a sun motif to spritz with Summer 24 and use as a diffuser or to scent linens, a folded information sheet that had a lovely poster by artist Claire Basler on the reverse, and two herbal teabags. Additionally, all of the packaging elements are 100% biodegradable (and the bottle is recyclable). The web site has a seasonal fragrance-related short film to watch, information about the perfumers François Robert and Elodie Durand, and an interview with Basler. It's all visually stimulating and interesting. But what about the fragrance?

I love it.

Ffern Summer 24

Lemon Rind, Pink Peppercorn, Grapefruit Rind, Green Mandarin Rind, Olibanum, Fennel Seed, Blood Orange Rind, Bay Leaf, Neroli, Bergamot Rind, Coriander Seed, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Red Champaca Flower, Red Cedar, Vetiver, Benzoin Siam, Brown-eyed Rock Rose, Hay

This is a lovely herbal fragrance, redolent of citrus rinds that have been left to dry in the summer sun, the aromatic scent of bay leaves and anise-y fennel, and subtle floral and spice notes. The bay is very prominent in the opening, evoking classic masculine bay rhum aftershave while still remaining quite unisex. The citrus is somewhat dusty, as if the dried rinds had been pounded into a powder, and the fennel vibe is strong, the whole of it giving hot Tuscan summer. Though, when I don't have nose stuck to my wrist, the fragrance that wafts about me gives an impression of dried ginger root. And the next day, the smell left on my shirt is all green herbs. 

Because there was such a generous sample included in the package, I didn't even bother to test this on the included testing strips, it went directly onto my wrist. I loved it almost immediately; sadly Mr Minx did not. He smells mostly pepper and spices, which he prefers with a warm vanilla or amber base. But he generally doesn't seem to smell what I'm wearing, so I will be wearing this one all Summer 2024 and beyond.

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Posted by theminx on Minxstinks
Note: this post is my opinion. I am not affiliated with the companies mentioned in this post or any other companies.