Papillon Artisan Perfumes Fragrance review
Papillon Artisan Perfumes Salome Review – A Bold Animalic Chypre
Liz Moores’ daring 2015 creation blends raw animalics with floral elegance for an unforgettable scent experience.

In this review
In the world of niche perfumery, few houses have made as bold a statement as Papillon Artisan Perfumes. Founded by Liz Moores, the brand quickly earned a reputation for uncompromising quality and fearless compositions. Among its most talked-about releases is Salomé, a fragrance that debuted in 2015 and has since become a cult favorite for those who crave the raw, untamed side of scent.
Salomé is not a perfume for the faint of heart. It is a chypre built on a foundation of animalic notes—hyrax, castoreum, cumin—that evoke warmth, skin, and something primal. Yet it is balanced by a lush bouquet of jasmine, rose, and orange blossom, with a smoky, leathery base that lingers for hours. This is a fragrance that demands attention and rewards patience.
In this review, we’ll break down every facet of Salomé: its notes, its evolution on skin, its performance, and who should wear it. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, prepare for an olfactory journey that is as provocative as it is beautiful.
$225-$225.50
Accords
Musky
Leather
Woody
Smoky
White Floral
Fresh Spicy
Animalic
Amber
Mossy
Citrus
Chypre
Resinous
Notes Pyramid
Top
Bitter OrangeBergamot
Heart
HyraxJasmineCarnationTobaccoTurkish RoseOrange Blossom
Base
CastoreumCuminOakmossHayStyraxPatchouliBirchVanilla
Performance Dashboard
Longevity
8-12 hours
Projection
Strong for the first 2-3 hours, then settles into a close skin scent
Sillage
Moderate to heavy – leaves a noticeable trail without being overwhelming
When to Wear
SpringOK
SummerOK
FallBest
WinterBest
Evening eventsDate nightsFormal occasionsCool-weather daily wear
Pros & Cons
- Exceptional longevity and sillage
- High-quality natural ingredients
- Unique and memorable animalic character
- Beautiful floral heart balanced by dark base
- May be too animalic or 'dirty' for some noses
- Limited versatility – not for all seasons or occasions
- Price point is high for a 50ml bottle
Price & Value
$225-$225.50
“Premium pricing reflects the use of rare naturals and artisanal production; good value for niche collectors.”
Reformulation History
No significant batch variations reported; Papillon maintains consistent quality.
Explore More
Similar Fragrances
Chanel Cuir de Russie
Chanel
Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan
Serge Lutens
Zoologist Hyrax
Rogue Perfumery Chypre-Siam
You May Also Enjoy
Papillon Anubis – darker, more incense-heavy
Papillon Tobacco Rose – sweeter, tobacco-forward
More from Papillon Artisan Perfumes
Layering Ideas
- Layer with a simple vanilla or amber scent to soften the animalic edge
- Combine with a clean musk fragrance for a modern twist
Final Verdict
Salomé is a masterful, uncompromising chypre that showcases Liz Moores’ skill with animalic notes. It’s not for everyone, but for those who love raw, sensual perfumery, it’s a must-try. The longevity and projection are excellent, and the quality of ingredients is evident from first spray to drydown.
More fragrances we love
Sponsored picksAlso worth your attention: watches
Sponsored picksYou may also like
Papillon Artisan PerfumesSaloméanimalic chypreniche fragranceLiz Moores2015 releaseunisex perfume
Bengale Rouge