There are a few fragrances that feel so very me that I will refuse to tell someone what I'm wearing. What if they copied me? Fine, I know that's a silly thought but certain perfumes create a reaction in me akin to being in love. Not like "Oooooh I love this!" because I say that about lots of scents. More like I'm rendered speechless with the beauty of finding my soulmate. Moved to tears. I will wear them only on the most special occasions. When they run out I get depressed and no other perfume will do. I feel at my strongest and most authentic when I wear them and even a sniff of the bottle makes the whole world stop spinning for a moment. Who can say why? Why do we fall in love? No one knows. In the interest of this blog I am now prepared to disclose names and talk about my greatest loves. But don't even think about wearing these, I will cut you.
When I first met Sensi I had no idea how special it would become. I found it pleasant but a little bit strange, a little too light. But I gave it the same chance I give everything. I wore it on hot summer days when most other bottles in my collection felt cloying. One steamy August night it occurred to me that I was falling hard for Sensi. It has the oddest assortment of notes...almond, benzoin, black locust, wheat, even a hint of lime. And that rosewood oil, going along for the whole ride. Almost masculine and soapy when first applied, it dries down to a silky wood that is all woman. I began to only wear Sensi at night and only when I would be surrounded by enough people to make it worth using a few precious drops. When I learned that Sensi was discontinued it felt like I had been punched in the gut. I stopped wearing it and kept the bottle on my dresser for cap sniffing. I only have a milliliter left. It's like a ghost to me. Will I ever use that last bit? I just don't want this to be truly over. Nothing before or since has even come close to making me feel as beautiful and unique as Sensi.
ELIXIR de MERVEILLES by Hermes
It all started with a random sample of Eau Claire de Merveilles worn to a charity ball. Hermes is synonymous with elegance and this was no exception. A salty driftwood underscored with the tiniest amount of wildflowers, like the skin of a goddess in the hot sun. I became slightly obsessed when my sample was gone and found myself testing all the Merveilles line. The Elixir was my favorite version, as it was everything I loved about Eau Claire but with the volume turned all the way up and a few neat extras thrown into the mix. Elixir included bitter orange peel, caramel and patchouli over a variety of freshly cut woods. One night before a perfume sale, I dreamed that I was already at the store and a bottle lay before me. The next day at the real sale, what did I see but my vision come to life. I gasped and a woman next to me looked up. I couldn't help but babble to this stranger about how I loved this perfume and couldn't believe this was really happening. "Well try it on dear!" she said with the demeanor of a fairy godmother. I sprayed my wrist and suddenly a crowd of women gathered around wanting to know which one I had. I clutched the bottle to my chest, giddy that it was going to be mine and terrified that someone would wrestle it out of my hand. Another one that feels masculine when first applied and then dries down to reveal its feminine parts. I wore Elixir de Merveilles on my birthday this year and the whole day was infused with it's magic. If this were a person I would marry it. My bottle is now empty but so long as Hermes continues to produce this one, hope is alive in my heart that we'll be reunited soon.
SAMSARA by Guerlain
The oldest and most classic of my great loves. I was gifted a bottle by a flesh and blood great love so I suppose there is a piece of my heart tied up in the smell of Samsara. This immediately felt like it was created to help me grow into the woman I was meant to be. I was so in love with my man and the smooth sandalwood and jasmine of this potion seemed to agree that it was meant to be. Oh my goodness did we have serious chemistry! However, like romantic love, it's potent and could be suffocating if over applied. Samsara helped my younger self learn restraint. Love isn't always shouted from the rooftops of the city. With the smallest drop behind each ear, this love was lazy mornings kissing under the covers and ignoring the world outside. Eventually things came to an end with my guy, but Samsara remained as comforting as ever and became a staple in my wardrobe. Years later I ran into an old friend from this time period and as we hugged she remarked "This is your smell. This is how I remember you and it suits." It puts me in a contemplative mindset and always reminds me that love is not something you go out and look for. Love is already in you.
DZING! by L'Artisan Parfumeur
My newest love and to be honest, we are still getting used to each other. We started off as friends but now things are getting intense. A buttery leather, like a pair of soft gloves or a well worn jacket is the first thing I smelled. But after a little while the idiosyncrasies began to play peek-a-boo with my nose. Was that caramel apple? Ginger? Horse hair? What was that?? It scares me a bit and yet I find that exciting. I can't even say it's name without blushing, mostly because I'm not quite sure how to pronounce it or why it demands an exclamation mark. Dzing! is leading me to a side of myself that I never knew existed. I feel wild and free, like the world is at my fingertips. I don't know how long this infatuation will last but for now I'm head over heels. It's so well made and even if it all goes to hell in the end, I will always treasure my first date with this scent. Dzing! and I walking down the street, perfectly in sync, turning jealous girls' heads as we passed. Don't leave me. We have more adventures in store, so many secrets to reveal to one another.
