Symmetry

Pure Laotian oud and Mediterranean neroli stand on opposite sides, yet neither gives way. SARAH BAKER Symmetry draws its balance precisely from this tension: light does not dilute darkness, but rather sharpens its edge.

Bergamot, petitgrain, and neroli open the composition bitter-green and sunny. Orange blossom spreads Mediterranean freshness, but beneath it, oud is felt from the first moment as a dark line.

Christian Carbonnel takes on the challenging task of blending animalic agarwood with citrusy airiness. The composition is not a compromise where the two sides diminish each other; instead, each refracts through the other, making it appear clearer.

On the skin, 100% natural Laotian oud receives support from cypriol, amber, and musk. Cypriol enhances the dry woodiness, while amber and musk provide warmth without transforming the base into a thick sweetness.

If you expect a light neroli for hot weather, the oud will be too dark for you. If, however, you want the agarwood to completely engulf the space, the citrus half might seem too bright. Symmetry deliberately seeks both poles.

Towards the end, a ray of bergamot remains over dark Laotian wood, with orange blossom and cypriol in the same frame — a balance maintained by tension, not peace.