Lacrima
Built for fragrance lovers who crave brooding, artistic scents rather than crowd-pleasing mall colognes, Lacrima delivers a solemn, contemplative wear experience. Les Liquides Imaginaires created this woody chypre around smoky cypriol wood, resinous elemi, and leathery castoreum, giving it the aura of ancient libraries, leather-bound books, and unlit church candles. It suits confident individuals who enjoy expressive niche perfumery during late fall, chilly winter days, and intimate evening dinners. While its bold animalic top notes require an open mind, those who appreciate earthy resins and smoky woods will find a steadfast, comforting signature for leather jackets, heavy wool overcoats, and crisp night air.
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Performance Metrics
225 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 8 to 10 hours of solid longevity on skin, extending past 24 hours when sprayed on clothing and winter outerwear. Projection reaches 3 to 4 feet for the opening two hours, leaving a distinct spicy-resinous trail, before settling into an intimate, warm leather bubble.
Notes Pyramid
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Lacrima presents a dry, resinous, and smoky aromatic profile centered on frankincense-like elemi, pungent leathery castoreum, and earthy cypriol wood. A brief crackle of pink pepper brings an airy, spicy top that quickly surrenders to a solemn church-like incense and dark, forest-floor woods.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe balsamic and woody accords dominate the foreground, giving off the impression of burning altar resin and aged pine floorboards. As hours pass, the leather and smoky facets expand, creating a warm, earthy musk on the skin that feels ancient, dry, and quietly comforting without ever turning cloying.
Community Data
448 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward night. It makes the most sense for date nights and casual wear.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Authentic, meditative church incense character built around high grade elemi resin
Impressive 8 to 10 hour longevity on skin with multi day staying power on wool
Deep, complex dry-down pairing smoky cypriol wood with warm castoreum leather
Completely unique scent profile that stands apart from generic department store releases
Calming, introspective aura ideal for solitary wear and reflective evenings
Performs cleanly in crisp fall and winter temperatures without turning cloying
Balanced unisex appeal suited for anyone drawn to resinous and woody accords
Gentle, non-intrusive arm-length scent bubble after the initial two hour burst
Distinctive bottle presentation from the creative mind of Les Liquides Imaginaires
Richly layered composition created by accomplished perfumers Amelie Bourgeois and Anne-Sophie Behaghel
Completely avoids synthetic sweetness, sticky gourmand vanilla, or screechy modern musks
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Opening castoreum note has a pungent, animalic bite that can startle beginners
Initial spray can smell slightly sour or pickle-like on certain skin types
Not safe for conservative corporate offices or enclosed healthcare settings
Struggles in humid summer heat where the animalic base turns heavy and sour
High niche retail pricing makes blind buying an unnecessary financial risk
Challenging bottle availability through mainstream retailers and local department stores
Zero crowd-pleasing sweetness, making it unsuitable for fans of modern gourmand scents
Polarizing profile that generates mixed reactions from friends and family members
Lacks versatility for casual gym sessions, sports, or sunny outdoor picnics
Requires patient skin testing since paper blotters overemphasize the sharp top notes
Subtle projection in the deep dry-down may disappoint those seeking massive room filling sillage
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Les Liquides Imaginaires Lacrima Review: Resins, Smoke, and Salted Tears”
Spraying Lacrima by Les Liquides Imaginaires triggers an immediate sensory shock that separates casual fragrance fans from adventurous niche seekers. The perfume opens with a sharp, stinging rush of pink pepper collided against dark, pungent castoreum. There is no citrus sweetness or polite floral greeting here. Instead, you get an uncompromising blast of warm, animalic leather that feels earthy, unvarnished, and slightly medicinal. For the first fifteen minutes, the air smells dense and stormy, carrying a salty, bracing undertone reminiscent of dried brine on weathered stones.
As the initial sharpness subsides, the scent warms up and reveals its true emotional core through elemi resin. The elemi introduces a lemony, terpene-rich freshness that resembles high-grade incense burning in a cool, quiet room. The harshness of the opening castoreum melts into this balsamic resin, creating a golden, candle-like glow that surrounds the wearer. It feels solemn and deeply reflective, trading the animalic edge for a tranquil, meditative incense character that keeps you constantly sniffing your wrist.
During the deep dry-down, roughly three hours into wear, cypriol oil anchors the base alongside a gentle reprise of castoreum. Cypriol, also known as nagarmotha, lends a dark woody texture that smells like damp forest roots, cracked cedar, and smoky peat. Combined with the lingering resins, the accords feel tactile and grounded, projecting like old leather boots resting near a smoky woodstove. The interplay between smoky wood and smooth resin avoids smelling stale, remaining surprisingly clean and dry on the skin.
In practical performance, Lacrima holds its ground remarkably well. On skin, it delivers a dependable eight to ten hours of longevity, while clinging to wool coats and knit scarves for several days. Projection starts strong, radiating three to four feet during the first two hours before settling into an intimate, one-foot scent bubble. Cold weather is essential here. Late autumn chills and crisp winter breezes give the resinous smoke clarity, whereas high summer heat causes the animalic notes to become heavy and sour.
This is an unapologetically niche offering that caters to fragrance collectors, artists, and lovers of dark, contemplative perfumes. It leans perfectly unisex, appealing to anyone who appreciates vintage leathers like Caron Yatagan or resinous mood pieces like Comme des Garcons Avignon. It is not an easy blind buy, nor is it meant for conventional office cubicles where clean laundry musks rule. Instead, it thrives during solitary weekend walks, quiet reading sessions, and evening museum visits.
Lacrima is a distinctive study in sorrowful beauty that lives up to its tear-inspired name. By blending prickly pink pepper, lemony elemi, and smoky cypriol over a leathery castoreum frame, perfumers Amelie Bourgeois and Anne-Sophie Behaghel created a challenging yet deeply satisfying fragrance. It may divide opinions among casual onlookers, but for those who value emotion and craftsmanship over mass appeal, Lacrima is an unforgettable experience.
FAQs
What does the opening of Les Liquides Imaginaires Lacrima smell like?+
The opening delivers a sharp, bracing blast of pink pepper mixed with pungent castoreum. Instead of citrus or sweet fruit, it presents a savory, animalic leather bite with a hint of smoky pine resin. This intense introduction lasts around fifteen to twenty minutes before softening into a warm, meditative incense aroma.
How does Lacrima transition from heart to dry-down on skin?+
After the sharp opening calms, elemi resin takes center stage, releasing a lemony, balsam incense that feels like lit beeswax candles in an old cathedral. Around the three-hour mark, dark cypriol oil and earthy castoreum take over, drying into a smoky, mossy leather skin scent that lingers comfortably for hours.
How long does Lacrima last on skin compared to clothing?+
On hydrated skin, Lacrima reliably lasts between 8 and 10 hours. When sprayed on fabrics like wool coats, cotton shirts, or scarves, the smoky cypriol and castoreum base notes easily endure past 24 hours. The scent retains its rich balsamic warmth on fabric long after the top notes evaporate.
What is the sillage and projection radius of Lacrima?+
Lacrima projects moderately strong for the first two hours, creating a noticeable three to four foot scent bubble of spicy elemi and peppery smoke. After three hours, it settles closer to the body, holding an intimate one to two foot radius that leaves a subtle, dignified leather trail without overwhelming rooms.
Which seasons and weather conditions suit Lacrima best?+
Lacrima performs at its peak during cool autumn and chilly winter weather, matching community votes that strongly favor fall and winter. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) give the dense elemi resins and smoky cypriol wood crisp definition, preventing the animalic castoreum base from feeling overly heavy or sour.
Is Lacrima suitable for office wear or formal occasions?+
Lacrima is better suited for casual weekend walks, evening dinners, artistic events, and quiet reading sessions than a corporate office. Its animalic opening and smoky cathedral incense can feel too intense for small shared workspaces, though a single light spray under clothing can work for creative or informal work environments.
Does Lacrima lean masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
Lacrima is a genuinely unisex fragrance with an earthy, woody chypre structure. While its smoky cypriol wood and leathery castoreum may remind some wearers of classic masculine barbershop chypres, the soothing, lemony elemi resin gives it a serene, balanced quality that smells striking on anyone who appreciates dry, non-sweet scents.
How does Lacrima compare to Caron Yatagan?+
Caron Yatagan shares Lacrima's castoreum punch and woody base, but Yatagan features bitter herbs, pine needles, and celery seed that create an outdoorsy, vintage barbershop vibe. Lacrima is smoother, warmer, and more resinous, trading Yatagan's sharp green herbal bite for the solemn, candlelit stone incense of elemi resin.
What bottle concentration is Lacrima and is it worth the price?+
Lacrima is formulated as an Eau de Parfum, offering high concentration oils that deliver excellent longevity. Priced in the luxury niche bracket, it is not an everyday bargain, but serious collectors who love artisanal balsamic and animalic leather profiles will find great value in its rare character and superior ingredient quality.
Can you layer Lacrima with other perfumes?+
Yes, Lacrima layers wonderfully with dry woody scents, smoky vetiver colognes, or simple vanilla oils. Adding a sheer cedar or sandalwood base helps ground its animalic top, while a light touch of non-gourmand amber can soften the sharp cypriol smoke and amplify the warm balsam facets of the elemi heart.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREWhile Lacrima has a singular personality, fans of Caron Yatagan will recognize its dark herbal woodiness and vintage castoreum edge. Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur shares the warm animalic base but leans significantly sweeter with vanilla and cinnamon. For the cold church incense vibe without the animalic leather punch, Comme des Garcons Avignon offers a cleaner alternative.
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