BergamotOpens with
Sea SaltHeart
AmbergrisDries down to
Aurélien GuichardThe nose · 162 fragrances · also made Intense Oud (2016)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Issey Miyake · Sold as masculine
L Eau Majeure d Issey Shade of Sea
The calm before the storm — a moment when the air is crisp, the sea glistens under a heavy sky, and you can almost feel the coming rain.
Full bottle: Mid-range tier, typically $40–100. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
L Eau Majeure d Issey Shade of SeaMid-range · $40–100
46%Similar accords, often for lessPisa · Lattafa PerfumesBudget tier, under $40 · shares 4 of its 6 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2019, L'Eau Majeure d'Issey Shade of Sea by Issey Miyake is a Woody Aquatic fragrance created by perfumer Aurélien Guichard. This composition opens with bright citrus notes from bergamot and lemon, followed by the aromatic freshness of rosemary. As it settles, sea salt adds a distinct salty edge, while frangipani introduces a tropical floral touch. The base notes of ambergris, sandalwood, and cedar create a warm, woody foundation that grounds the scent in a sense of serene depth.
This fragrance has a strong initial burst of citrus and aromatic notes that fade within two hours. The woody base develops slowly over time, so apply it to areas where it can warm on your skin, like the wrists or neck. It’s best for daytime wear when you want a scent that evolves throughout the day.
Fig. 01 — L Eau Majeure d Issey Shade of Sea, Issey Miyake
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
Live prices aren't shown yet. Each link opens that seller's own search; we may earn a commission.
Not sure it's you?
Five questions, about a minute, no account. You get a shortlist that fits how you actually wear fragrance.
Aurélien Guichard
Seven generations of Grasse perfumeryAurélien Guichard is a senior perfumer at Takasago, born and raised in Grasse into a family business growing roses and jasmine for major perfumers, and following his father into perfumery via the Givaudan Perfumery School.
The L Eau Majeure d Issey line
2 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Issey Miyake
More from the house · Japan
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Issey MiyakeL Eau Super Majeure d IsseyEDT · ★ 3.88Wearers say it smells similar
Dolce&GabbanaLight Blue Eau Intense Pour HommeEDP · ★ 4.13Similar notes and accords
Lorenzo PazzagliaSex-SeaEDP · ★ 4.25Similar notes and accords
Jo Malone LondonSea Salt & BergamotEDP · ★ 3.75Similar notes and accordsStill deciding?Try the Scent Finder →Love it, not the price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalL Eau Majeure d Issey Shade of SeaIssey Miyake · Mid-range · $40–100Lattafa Perfumes · 2024PisaShares 4 of its 6 notesunder $40★ 4.28 (784)46%Match
Maison Alhambra · 2022Dark Door SportShares 5 of its 10 notesunder $40★ 4.13 (491)
With Issey Miyake Nuit d Issey Polaris
Adds vanilla, leather and oud; shares bergamot and cedar.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 44%, disliked or hated by 20%.