Natural fragrances: Draw for free sample pack!
Fragrance is the fourth wall of a woman's wardrobe, a distinct signature, a flourish that affects mood. I adore fragrance and Le Duc is a fragrance nut, so there is no problem wearing whatever pleases me at home.
But when I'm in a group, I'm aware that some persons are averse to scent, so choose a natural fragrance. (A definition of natural vs. synthetic fragrance is here.) I sometimes wear nothing, but ask myself, Do such persons never pass a blooming window box or walk through a pine forest?
I especially like the natural, transporting scents made by Hiram Green, a native of Toronto now based in the Netherlands. When I heard he had released "Arbolé Arbolé", I ordered a couple of samples from my favourite online decant store, Perfumeniche.
Perfumeniche's Kay and Gwen provide detailed, accurate descriptions as well as personal impressions, which is like a peek into their journals. Service is warm and prompt; prices are fair. It's worth the equivalent of a fancy coffee to explore a fragrance at home, rather than being spritzed (if they even have it) in a bustling store. Ordering an, uh, reasonable selection each season is one of life's most reliable pleasures.
Green's "Arbolé Arbolé, named for the García Lorca poem, intrigued me: the mystery, sensuality and power put paid to the notion of all-natural as a weak sister. Though I don't mind practicing safe scents, I'd wear this one anytime, day or evening.
When trying a new fragrance, I avoid compulsive reading of reviews, which are lyrical (sometimes to the point of incomprehension), and contradictory because body chemistry may cause the same scent to sing on one person, cloy on another. The description of composition (top, middle and base notes) is useful, but in the hands of various perfumers the expression will vary markedly. More versions of 'rose' exist than I ever dreamed.
Kay knew that I once wore a perfume I'll call "1980s". The reformulation that muted its siren's song was called one of the most egregious insults committed on a fragrance. She owns a bottle of the original magic and sent a decant in my shipment, as a treat. (I'm using a pseudonym so Kay doesn't have to withstand begging.)
I waited, my patience evaporating faster than eau de toilette in a sauna; I checked the mailbox several times a day. It came, I pounced.
Poof! I was sitting in Bemelman's Bar in 1982, a white wine spritzer in front of me, a man in a Savile Row suit beside. The huge, complex scent unleashed the era, my peripatetic life then, and an Annie Lennox soundtrack. There's enough for another three or four trips in the Wayback Machine. Where are my platform heels? But if given the chance to make it my signature again, I would probably pass, because just like the man, I now see it was a real handful.
Draw for Passage des Perles "Naturals" Decant Pack
Perfumeniche have generously chosen a collection of six 1ml decants of their most stunning all-natural fragrances to give away through a draw in the Passage.
The six fragrances are,
1. Arbolé Arbolé, by Hiram Green
2. Venezia Giardini Segreti, by La Via del Profumo
3. Vamp à NY, by Honoré des Près
4. Rose Bohème, by Providence Perfume Company
5. Loup des Steppes, by SAMA
6. Exultat, by Maria Candida Gentile
Waant that "Naturals" pack for sure?
Perfumeniche are offering the six-decant pack for sale, too, beginning today. (Above, the other five, in addition to Arbolé Arbolé.)
To order, go their Decant Packs menu and select the PassagedesPerles "Naturals" Decant Pack; price is $CDN 28.00 plus shipping and handling. You will discover many other enticing packs there, which make delightful gifts.
But why not try your luck and enter the draw, honeybunch? There are few forms of fun as relatively good for you as six all-natural fragrances showing up at your door.
But when I'm in a group, I'm aware that some persons are averse to scent, so choose a natural fragrance. (A definition of natural vs. synthetic fragrance is here.) I sometimes wear nothing, but ask myself, Do such persons never pass a blooming window box or walk through a pine forest?
I especially like the natural, transporting scents made by Hiram Green, a native of Toronto now based in the Netherlands. When I heard he had released "Arbolé Arbolé", I ordered a couple of samples from my favourite online decant store, Perfumeniche.
Perfumeniche's Kay and Gwen provide detailed, accurate descriptions as well as personal impressions, which is like a peek into their journals. Service is warm and prompt; prices are fair. It's worth the equivalent of a fancy coffee to explore a fragrance at home, rather than being spritzed (if they even have it) in a bustling store. Ordering an, uh, reasonable selection each season is one of life's most reliable pleasures.
When trying a new fragrance, I avoid compulsive reading of reviews, which are lyrical (sometimes to the point of incomprehension), and contradictory because body chemistry may cause the same scent to sing on one person, cloy on another. The description of composition (top, middle and base notes) is useful, but in the hands of various perfumers the expression will vary markedly. More versions of 'rose' exist than I ever dreamed.
Kay knew that I once wore a perfume I'll call "1980s". The reformulation that muted its siren's song was called one of the most egregious insults committed on a fragrance. She owns a bottle of the original magic and sent a decant in my shipment, as a treat. (I'm using a pseudonym so Kay doesn't have to withstand begging.)
I waited, my patience evaporating faster than eau de toilette in a sauna; I checked the mailbox several times a day. It came, I pounced.
Poof! I was sitting in Bemelman's Bar in 1982, a white wine spritzer in front of me, a man in a Savile Row suit beside. The huge, complex scent unleashed the era, my peripatetic life then, and an Annie Lennox soundtrack. There's enough for another three or four trips in the Wayback Machine. Where are my platform heels? But if given the chance to make it my signature again, I would probably pass, because just like the man, I now see it was a real handful.
Draw for Passage des Perles "Naturals" Decant Pack
Perfumeniche have generously chosen a collection of six 1ml decants of their most stunning all-natural fragrances to give away through a draw in the Passage.
The six fragrances are,
1. Arbolé Arbolé, by Hiram Green
2. Venezia Giardini Segreti, by La Via del Profumo
3. Vamp à NY, by Honoré des Près
4. Rose Bohème, by Providence Perfume Company
5. Loup des Steppes, by SAMA
6. Exultat, by Maria Candida Gentile
- To enter the draw, leave a comment on this post and include "DRAW", by midnight EST, Friday, March 2, 2018
- One entry per reader, please; no entries by e-mail
- My neighbour Toni will draw the winner, which I'll announce on Tuesday, March 6
- The winner will send me a postal address; Kay and Gwen will then ship your little bubble-packed parcel of heaven
Waant that "Naturals" pack for sure?
 |
To order, go their Decant Packs menu and select the PassagedesPerles "Naturals" Decant Pack; price is $CDN 28.00 plus shipping and handling. You will discover many other enticing packs there, which make delightful gifts.
But why not try your luck and enter the draw, honeybunch? There are few forms of fun as relatively good for you as six all-natural fragrances showing up at your door.
Comments
I used to love Y (it had a very odd name) by Estee Lauder - but it was very strong and would probably knock me off my feet now.
My mother used to love L'Air du Temps. Scent can evoke so many memories....
There i was, thinking i loved you for your pearl knowledge...
These sound amazing - I would love to get to try these out!
Diane
Thanks for the opportunity.
Thank you Duchesse for your always interesting blogs on a variety of thought provoking
Subjects.
Jenny
http://passagedesperles.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-vanishing-point-of-perfumes-you.html
If you find a new fragrance that is your utter delight, and I hope you do, because an occasional whiff from an old bottle is pretty limiting- stockpile it even if the expense is serious, it's worth the pain- at least 2 extra bottles. Donna, warned about the oakmoss ban, bought 8 bottles of her original formulation Giorgio and plans (if there is any left over) to be buried with it.
This is wonderful, a scent of Spring :-)
I have loved Oceans, Bright Crystal by Versace, DKNY Be Delicious, Honey by Marc Jacobs and as always anything Armani, Acqua di Gioia. I love the pop of scent I get when I run my hands over the herbs in the flower planter by the walk. I even love the Michel Design Works soaps and lotions I pick up at gift and garden shops.
Any scents you choose would be a sure revelation.
Thanks!
Love your blog.
Susan D
Love your blog.
Susan D
Gauss: Buying a bottle 'just to try' or because someone recommends it is for those who like to gamble. That's called a "blind buy" and sometimes it works out, but given the price of good perfume, whew, a risk. Some women buy only decants (some decant shops offer several sizes) because they do not wear scent very often, and it can go "off".
Several commenters say, and one e-mailed me- that they have decades-old bottles of their favourite, or their mother's favourite, or something discontinued. While some notes persist, there will inevitably be erosion. Some fade away, some turn funky. You know to keep fragrance out of light and heat. But the best thing is to wear your fragrance.
When I buy a bottle,I always buy the small size (or decant) and re-up, rather than a big one .
DRAW
Thank you, Duchesse!
Tess