Lacrima Eau de Parfum
Created for lovers of gothic aesthetics and contemplative woody perfumes, Lacrima is an alternative to bright, crowd-pleasing department store scents. Wearers who appreciate solemn church atmospheres will connect with its blend of smoky elemi, sweet balsamic benzoin, and rich palisander rosewood. The inclusion of subtle castoreum brings a warm skin quality that balances the chill of mineral stone and green moss. It fits artists, writers, and fragrance enthusiasts who dress in dark knits and crave a personal scent that stays close to the body. Wear it on chilly rainy mornings, late evening strolls, or quiet coffee shop sessions where loud projection would feel intrusive.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
1,147 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
On skin, Lacrima delivers 7 to 8 hours of total longevity, while extending past 12 hours when applied to fabrics like wool or cotton. Projection remains modest throughout, radiating about 1 to 2 feet during the first ninety minutes before settling into an intimate personal scent within arm's reach.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
Lacrima presents a cool, meditative blend centered on peppery elemi, golden benzoin, and dry palisander rosewood. The opening sparkles with pink pepper before shifting into sweet balsamic wood, damp oakmoss, and a gentle warmth of animalic castoreum that mimics aged leather and candlelit stone.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe dominant amber and woody accords begin with an aromatic, pine-like freshness before melting into smooth, balsamic sweetness. As the hours progress, smoky incense tones intertwine with subtle leather facets from castoreum and earthy moss, drying down to a skin-close warmth like sun-warmed stone and antique cedar pews.
Community Data
801 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 winter and spring. The vote picture leans most toward night. It makes the most sense for casual wear and date nights.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Realistic sacred incense profile without harsh synthetic smoke
Calming, introspective mood perfect for focus and reading
Smooth balsamic dry-down rich in elemi and warm benzoin
Completely unisex appeal that leans neither overly masculine nor feminine
Intimate scent bubble makes it polite and office-friendly
Exceptional clinging power on knitwear, scarves, and coats
Subtle castoreum note adds organic warmth without smelling funky
Stands apart from common designer woody scents with unique character
High versatility for crisp autumn mornings and cold winter nights
Beautiful presentation and artistic concept from Les Liquides Imaginaires
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Sits very close to the skin after the first ninety minutes
High price per milliliter considering the intimate projection level
Sharp peppery opening can feel slightly medicinal to some noses
Somber church associations make it ill-suited for high-energy parties
Not designed for hot, humid summer weather
Lacks the crowd-pleasing sweetness typical of mainstream perfumes
Requires heavy spraying if you prefer noticeable sillage
Animalic castoreum nuance may polarize sensitive fragrance newcomers
Linear progression once it settles into the base notes
Can smell melancholic or funeral-like to certain wearers
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Les Liquides Imaginaires Lacrima Review: A Meditative Resinous Sanctuary”
Spraying Lacrima Eau de Parfum immediately conjures the hush of an ancient sanctuary on a crisp morning. The fragrance opens with a vibrant crackle of pink pepper and elemi resin, delivering a terpene-rich freshness that carries hints of green pine needles and lemon peel. Rather than hitting your nose like harsh charcoal, the smoke here feels gentle and transparent, mimicking the delicate wisps rising from a freshly snuffed censer over cold granite flooring.
Within twenty minutes, that initial brightness softens into a heart dominated by dry palisander rosewood and sweet balsamic benzoin. The transition is remarkably smooth, swapping sharp citrus sparks for a warm, dusty woodiness reminiscent of antique church pews. As the fragrance settles further into the skin, earthy oakmoss emerges alongside castoreum, introducing a subtle hint of worn leather that brings genuine body and warmth to the resinous core.
On warm skin, Lacrima showcases an intriguing contrast between mineral coolness and golden warmth. The woody and balsamic accords blend seamlessly, preventing the incense from turning sour or overly medicinal. The castoreum never veers into pungent barnyard territory; instead, it provides a lived-in, human undertone like the collar of a beloved leather jacket worn inside a centuries-old cathedral. It feels tactile, comforting, and deeply grounded.
In terms of performance, Lacrima prioritizes nuance over aggressive projection. During the first hour, it radiates roughly two feet, creating a calm personal boundary before settling into an intimate skin scent by hour three. You will reliably get seven to eight hours of longevity on clean skin, and spraying onto a woolen sweater easily pushes its life past twelve hours. This modest sillage makes it remarkably versatile for office wear, quiet coffee dates, and relaxed evenings at home.
This perfume speaks directly to lovers of contemplative, avant-garde perfumery who appreciate artful composition without loud bravado. If you enjoy dark minimalism, rainy autumn walks, or the quiet focus of reading in a historic library, Lacrima feels like a custom soundtrack. It is completely unisex, avoiding sweet floral flourishes or aggressive barbershop musks to present a pure study in sacred resins and aged timber.
Lacrima Eau de Parfum is an understated triumph for anyone seeking solemn, meditative incense without choking out the room. While projection hounds might wish for greater volume, its intimate sillage and smooth, balsamic dry-down make it an exceptionally wearable gothic staple. If you love resinous woods with a touch of historic mystery, pick up a sample before committing to a full bottle.
FAQs
What does the opening of Les Liquides Imaginaires Lacrima smell like?+
Lacrima opens with a sharp, vibrant burst of elemi resin accompanied by crisp pink pepper. This gives off a fresh, pine-like citrus aroma that feels like cold mountain air touching warm sap. The opening is lively and balsamic, clearing the senses before settling into its deeper, sacred incense character within twenty minutes.
How does Lacrima transition from its opening to the dry-down?+
After the initial peppery elemi fades, the fragrance warms into creamy benzoin and dry palisander rosewood. As the hours tick by, a subtle hint of leathery castoreum and earthy moss anchors the base. It evolves from a sparkling resinous top into a quiet, warm skin scent that evokes sunlit cathedral wood.
How long does Lacrima last on skin compared to clothing?+
On clean skin, Lacrima typically lasts between 6 and 8 hours, becoming an intimate scent after the second hour. On fabrics such as wool sweaters, linen shirts, or winter scarves, the heavy benzoin and palisander base clings stubbornly, easily lasting beyond 12 to 24 hours with delicate resinous trails.
What is the sillage and projection radius of Lacrima?+
Lacrima projects moderately for the first ninety minutes, creating a comfortable scent bubble extending one to two feet around you. After two hours, it pulls closer, staying within arm's length. It is not an overpowering room-filler, making it an ideal choice for wearers who prefer personal, intimate projection.
Which seasons and weather conditions suit Lacrima best?+
Lacrima excels in crisp autumn weather and cold winter temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool air sharpens the peppery elemi top notes while allowing the dense, balsamic benzoin and smoky woods to radiate warmth without turning heavy or suffocating. It struggles in humid summer heat.
What occasions and settings are most appropriate for wearing Lacrima?+
This fragrance is best worn for quiet daytime focus, solo walks, trips to museums, and relaxed evenings at home. Because its sillage remains restrained, it works wonderfully in professional office environments, though its introspective church ambiance also lends itself beautifully to intimate dinners or creative studio work.
Is Lacrima unisex or does it lean masculine or feminine?+
Lacrima is completely unisex. It avoids traditional feminine floral sweetness and masculine barbershop accords, focusing entirely on raw incense, balsamic resins, clean woods, and mild leather. Anyone who enjoys the timeless, neutral smell of burning resins and aged wood will feel entirely natural wearing this scent.
How does Lacrima compare to Comme des Garcons Avignon?+
While Avignon delivers a cold, stark, and austere Catholic cathedral profile with dry cedar and cold stone, Lacrima is notably warmer and softer. The addition of benzoin provides a balsamic sweetness, while castoreum introduces a gentle, lived-in skin warmth that makes Lacrima feel cozier and less clinical.
Is Lacrima Eau de Parfum worth the luxury niche price tag?+
Lacrima offers outstanding value for collectors seeking high-grade elemi and an authentic liturgical ambiance crafted with nuance. However, if your buying decision depends on loud projection and mass-market compliment pulling, the intimate performance of this Eau de Parfum may feel overpriced compared to louder niche alternatives.
Which fragrance note families layer well with Lacrima?+
Lacrima pairs exceptionally well with dry cedarwood, black pepper, or dark vanilla solinotes. Layering it with an amber or vanilla oil softens its gothic edge and boosts warmth, while combining it with a citrus or frankincense cologne highlights the fizzy, pine-like sparkle of the elemi top note.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
No owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREFans of Comme des Garcons Avignon will find Lacrima warmer and softer, trading stark Catholic cedar for gentle benzoin and castoreum. Filippo Sorcinelli Contre Bombarde 32 offers a thicker, sweeter liturgical presence, while Heeley Cardinal provides an airier, brighter alternative with a cleaner linen finish.
No User submitted dupes yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Live questions about Lacrima Eau de Parfum
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.