Ondine. An ondine is a water nymph, beautiful and immortal according to German folklore. Ondine is also the namesake of a natural fragrance worthy of adorning that nymph. That is if the water girl likes to be anointed with milky blossoms washed over transparent woods.
Lisa Fong, creator of Ondine and her line Artemisia Natural Perfume, has made this water lovin’ gal particularly happy as I am partial to woody florals for autumn. Although, it’s not so much woody, but more suggestive of woods. Kewda attar is in the Ondine blend, which is made from the essential oil of kewda flowers and sandalwood oil. I have not smelled kewda flowers on their own, but the attar has a spring bouquet intensity, not unlike hyacinth, which is undeniably flowery. Narcissus is immersed in Ondine’s floral brew as well, making for heady bulb bliss.
I know some of you turned the other way after I mentioned hyacinth. That note seems to be a game changer for many. But read on. It’s not a literal hyacinth that I’m speaking of, the kewda attar simply reminds me of hyacinth upon its opening. The narcissus actually plays a more pivotal role in the topnotes, and the heart gets more earthy-floral as orris and violet leaf wrap themselves around the creamy, gentle sandalwood. Myrrh also gets into Ondine’s business, tiptoeing on the skin so its resinousness is soft and warm, rather than sharp or bitter.
And that’s how Ondine continues…shifting more into the earth, but never completely away from the flowers that blossom out of the earth. Seaweed is also mentioned in the notes on the Artemisia website. (This is a perfume dedicated to a water nymph afterall). However, I never sensed the seaweed, nor a watery or aquatic nature to Ondine. Nevertheless, gorgeous creatures deserve to have a lovely fragrance bestowed upon them, why not a springtime woody floral to keep those darker days at bay just a bit longer?
Ondine is available at Artemisia Natural Perfume. $78 for 17ml.
Posted by ~Trish
Ondine photograph at Ballet.co Galleries
thefloraesthetic.com 
I like this one from Artemisia..to me its very watery. Have your tried her other perfumes? White lavender and Havana (use to be coffee flower) are my favorites. I have the 17ml of Coffee Flower. All her scents have a similar note but i am not sure what it is.
A,
I love how we all have varying experiences of the same perfume! How wonderful that you found it watery 🙂 Do you smell the seaweed note?
I have worn this a handful of times, but never in rainy weather. Maybe that will bring out Ondine’s water nymph aspect more for me? I do love it regardless though!
I do not have white lavender, but I do have a sample of Havana. It’s been a while since I wore it, but I remember enjoying it. I need to spend more time with it though. Yuzu Citrus (which I mentioned in my Bee Here Now post) remains my favorite.
~T
no, seaweed note. I find it a very watery violet. I think its a spring scent.
Watery violet…..sounds so luscious! I completely agree that Ondine speaks to the spring. Very much so. I can’t wait to wear it in the spring, but am enjoying it as the fall approaches. The sandalwood from the attar makes it very comforting as the air beings to cool.
~T
I have never tried any Artemesia scents , but I love the word Ondine .
Off topic , I wanted to tell you I recieved a box from Strange Invisible Perfumes today , and it was a FULL BOTTLE of Fire and Cream they sent , not just a sample !
Thank youi so much to you and SIP !!
Wow Carol, that is so awesome 🙂
Congrats to you!! I hope you enjoy it. I will definitely be looking for that blog post now 😉
I love the word Ondine too….rolls off the tongue
~T
Hyacinth-like kewda AND narcissus? Now you have my attention! This sounds just lovely. I have an infinite capacity for those spring florals that are intensely heady yet not sweet.
Many years ago there was another perfume called Ondine that I loved to distraction – it’s gone now of course, but it lives in my scent memory. I am glad that the beautiful name is back in use anyway. 🙂
D,
I’ll bring it on Friday 🙂 I think you’ll love it!
~T
I LIVE FOR FIG!!!! It is the most delicious fragrance – quite literally. Simply can’t believe I missed the SIP fire and cream give away! Desperate sense of loss… (insert self-directed invective here)
Miss you and scent pilgrimmaging.
You are too crazy girl! Go figgie. Aftelier’s Fig is amazing for sure 😉
Too bad you missed the S&P goodness my dear. I guess you will have to stop by the boutique and spray yourself. Let me know what you think if you do!
Hugs,
T
PS: Awesome event happening at the end of Oct. Blunda/Vert collaboration on Abbot-Kinney with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. Be there!!
I’m not greedy . E-mail me if you want a samp of Fire and Cream…
That’s very sweet of you Carol, I’ll make sure duVergne sees your offer 🙂
~T