Our take
What does La Dompteuse Encagée smell like?
Serge Lutens released La Dompteuse Encagée in spring 2021. Christopher Sheldrake composed it, as he has most of the house's work. The name means the caged tamer, and the scent plays both roles. The brand lists only three materials: frangipani, ylang-ylang and almond. Yet the opening surprises with an almost camphor-like, minty chill that cools the flowers down. Then the warmth rises. Frangipani brings its waxy, buttery texture and ylang-ylang adds a ripe banana roundness. Several reviewers also smell jasmine, or something close to tuberose. The base softens into a nearly edible almond and musks without ever going gourmand. Compared with Fils de Joie, another white floral from the house, it feels calmer and less animalic. The development is fairly linear. The same flower changes its lighting more than its nature.
When to wear it
A white floral for warm evenings and for moments when you want to be noticed quietly. One spray on each side of the neck, no more.
It belongs to the Floral family. La Dompteuse Encagée is one of 31 creations by Serge Lutens in our encyclopedia.