By Sea Ebba Los Angeles for women

To my nose, "by sea" doesn't smell artifical, but it smells clean, clean, clean. It's a slightly warmer and more carnal version of crystalline, shower-fresh aquatics like "Inis" or "CLEAN". But that hint of warm carnality is what sets it apart. It's soapy-fresh, but it's soap that's been rinsed from warm skin.

"by sea" opens on a crisp, salty mineral note mixed with a violet that's grey and dry, but with an unusual oiliness that reminds me of hyacinth. A soft, sandy note emerges and mixes with the grey violet, giving a smoky, soft haziness to the "ivory soap" undertones.

A sheer, very subtle eucalyptus note brightens everything up and it conjures-up the image of the sun breaking through heavy, grey clouds and warming sand and sea. A salty, subtle skin musk lingers until drydown.

Some people dislike how clean this scent is, but what I find interesting is that it is very clean and fresh, but not sterile; there is moisture building on skin in there, a hint of heated nooks and crannies, warming deodorant, sand drying-out your skin lotion. I like it but if overapplied, the sheer, mineral middle notes take center stage and fill the air, tenaciously, with salt water and turpentine driftwood -- it's brisk and outdoorsy.

I only apply the tiniest drop to one wrist and then rub it around on my other and my neck. The "ebba" brand oils are an incredibly good value; this stuff last forever and there's complexity that radiates from these blends, a noticable character to your sillage, for hours (days, if it gets on your overcoat) and from the tiniest drop.

I am returning again and again to this brand. There is something fascinating about how it has such a distinct, unique aesthetic and this is translated through oils -- fresh, watery, but complex fruits mixed with a mineral sandiness, earthiness -- where subtlety and nuance in blends can sometimes be lost. I suspect I'll be adding many, more "ebba" blends to my collection.

Like the guest below I was excited at the prospect of a perfume featuring Eucalyptus and felt it was my patriotic duty as an Australian to dip my toes into By Sea's waters.

Sadly though, the Eucalyptus here is not doing By Sea any favours and is in fact primed to crash directly into the intersection of cheap bubble bath and the dubious eucalyptus 'flavour' found in household cleaning products. Aggressive white tea and powdery violet might also be playing a villianous role here.

To be honest, I don't get much of the marine reference Ebba was hoping to make. Yes, it smells fresh and clean, maybe a little salty, but not at all coastal.

I also think it would be much improved by the gloriously honest stench of decomposing seaweed on the beach. No, I am not being facetious, honest to goodness By Sea needs some *grit* to stop it smelling like the inside of a sparkly clean toilet bowl.

All in all, a terrific concept which didn't manage to make it off the ground.

i am very curious to know if anyone has actually tested this one yet?.it sounds very summery type of scent. i love scents with eucalyptus in perfumes.so id b greatful for someones opinion. thanks