Eau de Parfum

Femme

Unisex

Masc

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Femme

Unisex

Masc

Debaser

Eau de Parfum

by D.S. and Durga

Perfumer
David Moltz

Released
2015

Country
United States

Ratings
15 REVIEWS

The Scoop

Blaring Pixies music on a hot day - that's the inspiration for D.S. and Duga's woody fig scent, Debaser. For anyone who has heard Pixies' front man Black Francis' wail, the thought of a fig scent may seem an odd choice. But Debaser, named after the band's 1989 hit, is not a typically creamy, lactic or fruity fig. It's a bright, hot green scent that opens with a waft of fig tree broiling in the August sun. It's an energetic, warm, bold and woody fig.

Debaser's refrain, "I am un chien andalusia, " is a nod to the title of Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí's classic surrealist film. Black Francis said of Buñuel, "I wish Buñuel were still alive. He made this film about nothing in particular. The title itself is a nonsense." D.S. and Durga's Debaser is therefor a tribute to a song about a film about "nothing in particular." And fittingly, it's a fragrance that becomes even more compelling in its drydown, when it sheds the specificity of its figgy verisimilitude. That's when a perfect blend of base notes - iris, coconut, tonka and moss - leave a cool, velvet-soft hint of wood on skin. Earthy and addictive.

Debaser Fragrance Notes

Bergamot, green leaf, pear stem, fig, coconut milk, iris, blond woods, tonka bean and moss.

Debaser Sizes Available:

50ml

$210

100ml

$300

0.7ml sample

If you like Debaser Eau de Parfum, we recommend you try:

Philosykos - Eau de Parfum by Diptyque

Ashoka by Neela Vermeire Creations

Coriander by D.S. and Durga

Italian Citrus by D.S. and Durga

Radio Bombay by D.S. and Durga

Sel Marin by HEELEY

Here's what other people are saying about Debaser...

I'm a fig scent enthusiast and have been meaning to try this for years. I got a sample and was disappointed. More than anything, I'd describe this as a green fragrance. It opens green and herbacious with some creamy fig and coconut notes. However, the green remains sharp and cuts through overpowering the other notes. Even in the drydown the green comes through strongest. I like my fig scents on the milkier side so this is a pass for me.

By Ashley - Sales from Los Angeles on 4/5/2024

I dunno. When I get the coconut notes, I really enjoy it, but I think the bergamot turns into this bitter green almost celery note in my nose.

By Jon Mathes - Realtor from New York on 12/19/2023

I really enjoy this one! DS & Durga is truly a solid line. Reminds me a LOT of Pulp by Byredo, similar figgy punchy vegetal notes. I daubed it on, 7 hours later it's a nice subtle remnant of what it was and I can still pick out a few distinct notes (bergamot but not chemical—beautiful). I am definitely thinking about a full bottle even though this won't be an everyday fragrance.

By Anonisme - Business from Boston on 10/23/2020

I sampled this one and it's definitely very similar to Philosykos, but the coconut keeps it from being *exactly* like Philosykos. It's interesting and slightly on the masculine side of unisex. Worth sampling if you want something a bit different from your tried and true figgy-green scents. Plus, who doesn't love a good Pixies reference

By sophie - Editor from Washington DC on 12/16/2019

I bought this blind for the Pixies reference and WOW. Came for the fig, staying for the green. And that metallic tinge from other reviews - it brings another dimension into the scent. I totally did not expect it to smell like this, what a very pleasant surprise. I’ve been looking for a green scent and it looks like I’ve found it. I agree Debaser is NOT Philosykos. It’s much better.

By Pazmarvelous - Artist from Singapore on 9/23/2019

Because of the coconutty aspect, and the fig, one can't help but compare to Philosykos. I've never liked the Diptyque and find all their fragrances hugely over-rated, but Debaser is absolutely marvelous! Much more naturalistic, better quality ingredients, a bit more woody, more steamy, less overtly tropical (the type of coconut makes all the difference). Dabbing from the vial lasted absolutely forever on my skin, more than 12 hours, no problem, and I could smell it the entire time. 5 stars for this beauty!

By Antoinette - Mommy from San Francisco on 8/22/2019

Yes it is a fig-based perfume but it is not Philosyskus. The fragrance features fig leaf and coconut notes in it. But what sets this one apart is the beautiful addition of tonka bean, iris, bergamot, moss and white woods which work winningly to give it a very fresh feel. Do not believe the naysayers, try it for yourself. Beautiful blending, unisex, with moderate sillage /projection and longevity. I get a liberating feeling the moment it lands on my skin. It is also a very safe scent to wear at work. The powdery dry down is heaven. Enjoy!

By Rajesh Balkrishnan - Professor and Perfumer from Charlottesville on 3/27/2019

I sprayed this on my wrist when I was window shopping last fall, and I couldn't stop smelling myself until it faded. It got to the point where I'd repeatedly go out of my way to go to this store and put it on, so I spent money I didn't feel like I had to buy myself a bottle. Almost a year later, I have absolutely no regrets. It's fresh, green, summery, and just a little sweet without being at all cloying. It is definitely a warm weather smell, but the spicy elements make it work all year. I've gotten so used to putting it on when I go out that smelling it makes me instantly feel better, like a reminder that no matter how sad I feel on any given day, I can always put myself back together.

By Sarah - Person from New York on 9/30/2017

It is absolutely lovely, but unfortunately doesn't seem to have any staying power on my skin.

By Kate - manager from London on 3/10/2017

Figleaf and coconut? Sure! This is indeed unisex in that soft clean fashion of 90s scents, with a nifty aldehydic-metallic note (familiar to those of us with fig trees handy) neatly carving that cloying edge off the coconut. Iris is here in its reserved and steady aspect, and the tonka and moss provide nice filigree on the drydown. (Not sure where the pear stem is or if I'd recognize it without a guide, but hey.) Summer or the promise thereof. Very nice.

By Angela - editor from Seattle on 2/22/2016

I get the name behind this one - the fig keeps hovering between the primal sweetness of being and the crisp white fluid that drips from a broken fig leaf - that latter greenness is like a distortion pedal getting kicked on. It's a little too metallic for me, but the composition is interesting.

By v. - lady from brooklyn on 2/8/2016

This takes me straight back to the early 90s. It's clean, androgynous, light, and optimistic. Putting my nose to my wrist, I can almost feel the fuzzy skin of a ripening fig tickle my lips. It is similar to Philosykos but has substantially more presence and staying power. Love it.

By H.L. - professor from dallas on 1/5/2016

Love this fresh scent, the combination of bergamot and fig make an enjoyable summer daily scent. Will be picking up a bottle now that there are no brokerage fees and free shipping to Canada, thank you lucky scent!

By Corey - from Ottawa on 7/16/2015

So, I'm sitting in the salon. My hair marinating in chemicals. The attendant giving me a hand massage says,"every once in awhile I get a whiff of something awesome." I offered my wrist and she says, "that's it!" This is that perfume. I agree, it is awesome. Everything in this line is awesome. So far Debaser and Coriander are my favorites. My DH has been wearing and enjoying this fragrance line as well. Give them a try. I don't think you will be disappointed. Well done!

By Taylor - engineer from Park City on 3/6/2015

I confess, I bought a bottle of this stuff, scent unsmelled, out of silly Pixies/Bunuel fangirldom. However, it proved to be a pretty good decision. It's VERY figgy at the outset. Every once in a while, I get a whiff that reminds me of that old '80s Paco Rabonne scent some dudes I used to know wore when I was in college--not my fave, but it's generally only momentary. I get lots of compliments on it, so it must be working with my body chemistry. I usually favor darker, heavier scents in the winter, but something about this mix takes the edge off the crispness of the fig. All in all, my favorite DS & Durga so far (though I still miss my 5-Step Waltz).

By brownrabbit - from DC on 2/20/2015

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