Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
What is Vetiver?
A root that smells like earth, smoke and a freshly ironed shirt — Haiti, Java or Bourbon.
EDP vs EDT — what changes?
Concentration is oil in alcohol, not a quality score. EDT (about 5–15%) shows more top; EDP (about 15–20%) shows more heart and base. Houses vary; this is not a lab assay.
How should I wear Vetiver?
One or two sprays on skin or cloth — sternum or hair, not a cloud in a lift. Let it turn an hour before you add more.
Which season fits?
Warm to cool, shirt and office. Smoke-heavy Java can read as dirt on dry skin.
Does skin chemistry change it?
Yes. Warm, moist skin amplifies sweet and spice; dry or cool skin can turn the same juice woody, soapy or short. Test on your skin, not only a blotter.
What about IFRA and oakmoss?
IFRA sets industry limits on some naturals and synthetics. A reformulation is usually a legal edit, not a betrayal. This atlas is not a safety sheet.
The market for Vetiver runs from body mist to otto extrait.
Chanel, Guerlain and niche counters share a family and disagree on dose.
Houses
- Guerlain — The reference Vétiver.
- Frédéric Malle — Extraordinaire.
- Chanel — Sycomore.
- Lalique — Encre Noire.
- Tom Ford — Grey Vetiver.
- Carven — The other classic.
Price bands
- Encre-type EDT — Serious root, modest price.
- Designer office vetiver — Grey-weight.
- Heritage Guerlain — The teaching bottle.
- Niche root pile — Malle-weight oil.
Trends
- Profile labeling — Haiti / Java on the box.
- Iris-vetiver unisex — Sycomore children.
- Inky cheap-chic — Encre’s lesson.
- Erosion-story oils — Sustainability copy around the same hedges.
Stats
- Root, not blade — The oil is below ground.
- Two industrial poles — Haiti and Indonesia dominate volume.
- Longevity — High for a “fresh” masculine idea.
- Approachability — Split by smoke and peanut facets.
Price is not quality; it is harvest, IFRA and a story about Vetiver.
Origins & milestonesNotes & accordsCraft & methodCulture & meaningIcons & legendsHow to wearMarket & bottles