Sex and the Sea
Price range: €7.00 through €249.00
Extrait de parfum
Accords: Oriental, powdery, fruity, animalic
Mood: outrageously seductive, original, naughty
This perfume represents the memory of a sensual encounter at the seaside. Far from being a fresh-ozonic, harmless perfume, it is a passionate and wild concoction of overheated skin, coconut sun lotion, saltiness of the sea and the sand, suggesting the atmosphere of a voluptuous rendez-vous behind the dunes.
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Description
Notes: mimosa, pineapple, coconut, immortelle, rose, iris, sandalwood, myrrh, labdanum, benzoin, ambergris, civet, vanilla.
This is an extrait de parfum, so use sparingly as the concentration is 25%. It has a great longevity (an average of 12h)
A personal, off-the-record story about Sex and the Sea
Sex behind the dunes…. an adult sexy dream, but actually this scent has a slightly different genesis.
During my childhood and teenage years I used to spend lots of time at the seaside. One of the strongest memories of that time is the smell of my skin, which I liked to sniff like a junkie. Eventually my parents sold the house at the seaside, and university, work, boyfriends etc. brought me far from that memory. Five years ago I moved to the Netherlands and I forgot the smell of my sweaty, salty skin.
Sometimes back I bumped into a face cream of L’Occitaine containing Immortelle. The odor of that plant was actually not so pungent in the cream, nonetheless it was strongly pulling out of my head the childhood memory of my skin.
I confess I had totally neglected the essential oil of Helicrysium which was sitting on my shelf. But now I smelled it again, with a new nose. I worked on a special amber accord, I would say — a human one. A Civet tincture reinforced this intimate atmosphere, while a special ambergris molecule added the mineral-salty touch.
So this was the starting point: a sun-burnt, sweaty, salty skin — one of the most comfortable, and probably weird memory I had in my heart.
While working on this core idea, inevitably other dirty-minded ideas popped up, and I added to this weird yet innocent idea a more sultry, sinful, decadent fantasy of remotely tropical, creamy, sticky skin after a sexual intercourse.
Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Aqua, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, D-Limonene, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl, Cinnamate, Anise Alcohol, Isoeugenol.
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27 reviews for Sex and the Sea
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Roberto Boertje –
Prachtig hoor, creamy, zoutig, bloemig en lekker zomers. Maar wel behoorlijk weird en voor bepaalde gelegenheden, geen crowdpleaser. Toch mooi en intiem. Drydowm is wel wat donkerder en meer balmy, wat ik wel wat mannelijker vind, zal de sandelwood, myrrhe, benzoine en civet wel zijn. 86
Gareth (verified owner) –
After ordering the sample pack, sex and the sea was a MUST!
Great silage and longevity on my skin. As a sun, beach and sea lover, I am amazed how well this captures all the best elements of a trip to the seaside. A hidden gem!
The packaging is simple and smart. I received 2 free samples along with this order (thank you very much). To top it all off it arrived bang on time. (I really appreciate this especially during the 2020 lockdown period)
Kathleen –
Can summer love last ? Sex and the Sea is about a love story in an idyllic place, on an exotic beach under swaying palm trees. This romance is full of surprises..The pineapples are not just juicy and sweet, they are nicely powdered with mimosa and presented on rose petals. Everlasting flowers seem to entwine themselves around unique coconuts- if you crack them open, you’ll find a creamy iris and vanilla heart. Sex and the Sea becomes deeper, slightly resinous and sandy as it unfolds, salty skins flush amber as they’re caressed by the sea breeze and a touch of incense. This fragrance is not a summer crush, this love is meant to last !
jjwhittaker (verified owner) –
I have been looking for a truly sensuous perfume for years, literally years! Then I found your house, Francesca! I ordered a discovery set and my only disappointment is they are all so good and I almost can’t choose. Sex and The Sea may win. I want to make love to the smell!
evangelos (verified owner) –
It was love at first sniff.
A unique fragrance.
Sweet and flowery at the beginning, but very soon it becomes powdery and slightly animalic on my skin.
It brings me up only good memories of a hot sunny day at a greek beach.
It’ s a beautiful, dense, intimate and sexy perfume.
That’s how niche perfumes should be.
ahmedkmal2020 (verified owner) –
Best perfume in my life
davbooker –
This is so sensual. I feel so good when I wear this and I’m smelling my wrists all day.
gavila9339 (verified owner) –
This is a wonderful fragance, sensial and attention winner.
fraglov –
Very unexpected fragnance, quite different from what you can usually find. Soft and sensual, a bit salty and a bit flowery, with animalistic touch, it gets better with every use and is quite addictive. As with other Francesca’s fragrances, an experience on it’s own, very recommended!
Lucia Fazzi –
Il mio preferito in assoluto. Lo amo in tutta la sua evoluzione…è cremoso, sensuale, luminoso ma ammiccante. Evolve in un meraviglioso profumo di pelle, sì, pelle umana…profumata dal sole ,dal sale, dall’influenza di una giornata calda . Pelle che incontra pelle. Sex and the sea non è un marino, ma raccoglie tutto ciò che sulla pelle rimane dopo una giornata al mare, culminata in un incontro appassionato. Estremamente sensuale
fisio.juliofr –
Esta fragancia evoca el mar, el relax, la sensualidad y todo ello llevado a un terreno sexi/sexual. Es muy evocativo. Me imagino en una playa con mi pareja disfrutando de los placeres que nos ofrece una playa solitaria y las olas.
Ana Tang (verified owner) –
i am enamoured by francesca bianchi’s creations, even if not all of them agree with my skin chemistry or my tastes. i find them to be very brave and creative, which i appreciate so much. i tried some in a niche perfumery shop, fell in awe, ordered the full discovery set, fell even more in awe. after that, i had to have a full bottle of this beauty — sex and the sea.
sensual, warm and sultry fragrances are usually my go-to scents, and this fills the bill perfectly. it’s sexy, tropical, carnal, sweet, and a shapeshifter! which makes things so interesting. thank god i love all its phases, specially on my neck. the unusual combination of pineapple and coconut with animalic notes works super well on my skin. i also get rose and mimosa prominently. it just works for me. this is a scent that holds my hand and looks me in the eye and says “don’t forget who you are”.
Fae Hicks (verified owner) –
Beautiful warm scent evoking a Mediterranean summer’s night, can’t wait to wear this in the summer
Montse Ipas (verified owner) –
Es una fragancia que efectvamrnte recuerda el mar, la sal …y con una intensidad sensual adictiva.
Silvia Locati –
Impossible to seize, yet there. Hazardous while innocent, then impenetrable, yet all over.
Like a myth. The best ever perfume I have tried. Simply fantastic for its everlasting and capturing sensual scent.
Elizabeth Dunn –
Sex and the Sea isn’t just about fresh, aquatic elements—it evolves into something more complex and intimate. The initial marine blast softens into a rich, smoky warmth, with subtle hints of resinous incense and soft spices that gradually envelop the senses. There’s an intriguing juxtaposition of freshness and depth, as if you’re experiencing the allure of both nature’s untamed power and the allure of a hidden, deeper sensuality. I am so grateful I obtained a sample of this fragrance because it’s made it to my “must buy” list.
Blanka Réti –
Maybe this is my absolute favourite from Francesca. This is so warm, so soft, so intimate. Like skin warmed by the sun. Starts with some saltiness then becomes sweeter throughout the wear, with a sticky fruitiness. A love.
mark.oquigley (verified owner) –
I can see this as a summer party scent. A little feminine. Gets better as it dries down for me. Fruity tropical and definitely fun loving.
yemapeljawan –
amazing perfume, it feels like being layed on the beach in the 80’s in the summer
kelykatampa (verified owner) –
The first bottle was gifted to me by my dear friend, Christi.
I knew I would love it from the description but when I actually smelled it I was amazed. So captivating, sexy, warm and beautiful. It’s like a loving hug . Balanced and unique composition which resembles no other house. This is what I love about Francesca’s creations . It will always be included in my permanent collection .
Elisa –
This is a memory, a reverie, a full on summer dream. This perfume captures exactly that scent that is left on your skin after a long day by the seaside: brackish water dried on sun-kissed skin, something sweet and salty and so warm, it is like a summer dress to wear during a long summer’s night.
ANITA CRESTANI (verified owner) –
Sex and the Sea è un inganno gentile, una sirena che canta una melodia dolce e quasi stucchevole alla prima snasata, per poi rivelare – lentamente, con maestria – la sua vera natura: mutevole, inafferrabile, sorprendente.
Non è un profumo da amare a prima vista. Ti prende alla sprovvista, con quella cremosità tropicale che sa di pelle salata e cocco, quasi un ricordo di vacanze lontane, di desideri acerbi. Ma è solo l’inizio. Quello che viene dopo è un’evoluzione continua, mai uguale a sé stessa, una pelle che cambia sotto la luce del giorno, un racconto che non si lascia mai davvero chiudere.
Nel cuore si insinua un tono più profondo, quasi carnale, un accenno animale che non irrompe ma sussurra, come una voce roca al crepuscolo. E poi, lentamente, tutto si placa. Resta qualcosa di fresco, trasparente, come un respiro a pieni polmoni davanti al mare calmo dopo la tempesta. Una nota pulita, acquatica, sottile, che consola.
Sex and the Sea è un paradosso: una fragranza che sembra parlare di desiderio ma che, in fondo, racconta di solitudine consapevole, di calma dopo l’urgenza, di un corpo che ha imparato ad ascoltarsi. Non sarà forse il profumo da scegliere ogni giorno, ma è quello che, quando torna, sa dirti qualcosa di nuovo ogni volta.
Albena Stoyanova (verified owner) –
To each their own, and to me this is the ultimate summer holiday scent. From tropical opening to woody and powdery dry down, this is beach holiday in a bottle and one that will travel with me always.
roabprins (verified owner) –
I got this as a sample with my purchase of an other gem of Francesca. This is really a beauty and must have. Combination of coconut and pineapple is so sexy. Its not in a sunscreen way but very elegant. For summer evenings this is perfect. This one I will also add to my collection.
tamatomoca (verified owner) –
Just as intended, warm cozy tropical with a seductive animalic undertone. The scent warms up so well worn, and after smelling the sample, it was a no brainer to purchase a full sized bottle to add to my collection. I dislike pineapples (as an olfactory or culinary experience), but the pineapple note in this one did not put me off.
mana –
I’ve never smelled anything like this in my life. Just perfect!
Alexandra Hnatiuk (verified owner) –
I have been wearing Sex And The Sea for a few years now. I absolutely love it; it’s distinct and unique and makes me feel elevated when I wear it. I don’t wear it every day, I wear it for special occasions or on days when my mood is low and I need to feel emotionally boosted. Thank you for creating this scent that smells like no other!