L’ATELIER PARFUM
Opus 1 – Douce Insomnie

2021

PERFUMER
Alexis Dadier

PINK PEPPER
ORANGE BLOSSOM

CAPPUCINO
HELIOTROPE
JASMINE

IRIS
WOODY NOTES
PATCHOULI
SANDALWOOD
VANILLA

I wore Douce Insomnie and Exquise Tentation at the same time and my thoughts on them are very similar, except the fact that I personally like Douce Insomnie better for sure. Both wear pretty nicely and at the price and presentation, you can do a whole lot worst, but at the same time, both smell like popular, sweet, women’s designers. A style I usually don’t enjoy and these would be among the better rendition of those ‘archetypes’, but they are still (in my opinion rather clearly) common designers pitched as niche offerings.

In the case of Douce Insomnie, the most referenced fragrance (and I would have to agree) is YSL Black Opium. This opens with a vibrant, brighter kick, but goes sweet soon after. The best part of the wear for me is that gourmand element; the coffee is well done. I much prefer the way the sweetness initially comes in here, versus in Exquise Tentation, which is why I prefer Douce Insomnie, however, that ‘advantage’ doesn’t last all that long.

After a short while, the coffee fades and the typical Sephora-isle bubblegummy, sugary sweetness, instead of more vanillic gourmand takes over. The florals get back in position after the coffee vanishes and I’d say as a whole experience, this is more musky bubblegummy floral than gourmand. If you like this style, but want more of the gourmand, I think there are Black Opium flankers that do it better.

That being said, for this style of fragrance, I like the way it wears. Aside from that, I feel less negative about the inspired-nature at €130/100ml, which is not far off or even in designer-territory price-wise anno 2025.