Seabreeze
Bluehill Fragrances (2020)

Flowers on the shore
Announce the wind's arrival
Yet never asking

Where it came and went
Believing in its goodness
And adding their own.

*****

Seabreeze was a blind buy, but I was tipped off by Ida Meister's "10 Best of 2020" vouch for it on Ca Fleure Bon, so I knew I'd like it, and I do.

(Photo of woman in an outdoorsy summer dress for cooler climes, standing on a rocky shore, looking out to sea.)

The ad copy photos describe the scent well. It smells reminiscent of a really clean seashore - although one should not be misled that it's too feminine. I am reminded of Acqua di Giò Pour Homme (but slightly saltier, less citric, and less masculine), L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme (but more natural), and Côte d'Amour (but more unisex). Seabreeze also reminds me of the more aquatic Hermès Jardin scents, but less vegetal and more mineral, allowing a fresh oceanic aqua feel to remain prominent.

(Photo of wild grasses and flowers on a sandy beach, looking toward sunrise over the ocean in the East.)

Many "marine" aquatics, intended to evoke a maritime setting, overdo the marine and saline aspects, to my taste, but when marine aspects are underdone, the scents turn into "freshwater aquatics" to my nose. Seabreeze not only hits the proper balance - it even gets the latitude right. I feel like I'm on an actual vacation.

The floralcy reminds me of another discontinued Ellena gem - Ailleurs et Fleurs - which has a very subtle aqua keeping the white flowers real. The aqua is more prominent here, taking us from rain-nurtured meadows to the seaside.

Seabreeze stays perfectly clean as it dries down, without veering from a natural freshness. The persistence on skin is good. The "happy aquatic" feel of the opening never goes away, but as it dries down, the subtle sweetness of the opening fades, and new aspects like clean musks become more prominent, keeping my interest.

Fellow aquaticists and "cleanies" take note! This is quite enjoyable, and my wife (current signature scents: Jour d'Hermès and Bulgari Pour Femme) approves. She bought me (her choices) Acqua di Giò and Pleasures for Men - it makes sense.