Ellipsis

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Ellipsis opens with an intense blast of concentrated jasmine flowers coupled with a sharp solvent lift. This heady initial punch lasts for the first fifteen minutes before the sharp edges soften. You will notice a dense white petal scent rather than a fresh or airy garden floral, accompanied by a faint alcoholic bite.

The fragrance transitions from a bold floral roar into a warm, creamy blend of Australian sandalwood and sweet cosmetic powder. Around the one-hour mark, the jasmine recedes while the dry wood gains a surprising toffee-like warmth. By hour four, it settles into clean cedar shavings and sweet milky resins that stay close to the skin.

Ellipsis lasts a solid 7 to 8 hours on skin and easily survives over 24 hours when sprayed on clothing. Heavy base fixatives and natural sandalwood oils anchor tightly to porous cotton and wool fibers. On bare skin, the projection fades after four hours, leaving an intimate, milky woody hum for the rest of the day.

Ellipsis projects outward 3 to 4 feet for the first two hours before settling into an intimate arm's-length scent bubble. It leaves a noticeable sillage trail when you walk across a room during early wear. Because the opening is potent, applying more than two or three sprays can quickly overpower small, enclosed spaces.

This perfume performs at its absolute best during cool spring days and crisp autumn temperatures between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius. Moderate temperatures prevent the sweet Australian sandalwood from becoming cloying while letting the white florals bloom clearly. High summer humidity makes the powdery sweetness feel heavy and suffocating, so avoid wearing it in July heat.

Ellipsis is best suited for evening dinner dates, weekend social outings, and relaxed creative workplace settings. Its bold woody character and distinct sweetness make it feel artistic and cozy for social evenings. However, its strong opening and powdery drydown make it too loud for conservative corporate offices, crowded airplanes, or medical clinics.

While marketed primarily to women, Ellipsis carries a unisex woody backbone that any confident fragrance lover can wear comfortably. The initial hit of rich jasmine gives it a feminine floral edge, but the robust Australian sandalwood quickly balances the profile. Men who appreciate dry cedar, sandalwood, and non-sweet florals will enjoy wearing this scent.

Ellipsis is much drier, woodier, and less sweet than Carolina Herrera Good Girl, which leans heavily into commercial gourmand notes. While Good Girl pairs jasmine with sweet tonka bean, cocoa, and almond, Ellipsis keeps things minimalist with Australian sandalwood. As a result, Ellipsis smells far more eccentric and niche than the mass-appealing Good Girl.

Ellipsis delivers exceptional value for money when purchased through online discounters where full bottles often sell under forty dollars. At that discounted price point, its eight-hour staying power and rich sandalwood foundation easily outperform many standard designer florals. Paying original full retail might feel steep given its polarizing nature, but discount prices make it a steal.

Ellipsis layers best with bright citrus colognes or dry cedarwood and ISO E Super minimalist scents. Misting a crisp bergamot or sparkling neroli on top cuts through the heavy jasmine opening and brightens the composition. Alternatively, adding a clean cedar or ambroxan base enhances the Australian sandalwood, emphasizing its clean, modern architectural woody facets.