Retrodiva's Beauty Bar: scent

Showing posts with label scent. Show all posts

My New Fragrance Love: Carnal Flower by Fredric Malle

I recently ordered a decant of Fredric Malle's Carnal Flower from The Perfumed Court on the basis of the review in the book Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin (which I will review in greater detail later). It was a very smart move, as I'm in love with it.

I love heady, sexy florals in the summertime, especially if they have a tinge of beach to them, such as a coconut note. I'm not a fan of straight up coconut or pineapple pina colada scents. I want something mysterious and complicated. Carnal Flower fits that bill perfectly.

The perfumer who created it, Domonique Ropion, uses the highest concentration of tuberose available on the market. Other notes include bergamot, melon, ylang ylang, salycilates, jasmine, tuberose absolute, orange blossom absolute, coconut, and white musk. I read somewhere that Juicy Fruit gum was an inspiration to this scent, but don't be fooled - it's not sweet. The opening notes to me are quite green, which then gives way to a beautiful tuberose. The musk shows up in the drydown and makes it deeper and adds complexity. The coconut just throws a small beach note in there. It's not very noticeable - almost an unconscious association.

If you're a fan of white florals that go beyond sweetness, then give this a try. Especially if you like glamourous, complicated fragrances that are beyond the mainstream - Carnal Flower fits the bill perfectly.

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Ageless Fantasy: Can Perfume Make You Smell Younger?

I don't have the answer to that, but a new fragrance called Ageless Fantasy is supposed to make those anti-aging dreams of yours come true.

Here is what the company says about the formula:

"The blended tropical flavors of pineapple, mango and leafy greens have been known to bring a feeling of comfort often associated with positive childhood memories, thus giving a sense of coziness, youth and joy. Tropical notes bring a more youthful impression while indulgent, creamy florals - jasmine and cherry blossom appeal to the modern woman. Musk, dry woods and vanilla combine for an earthy, natural fragrance. Organic citrus natural compounds create a rich, sophisticated & energizing scent. Combined with antioxidant pomegranate AgelessFantasy® achieves powerful euphoric properties, sets off a feeling of youth and excitement. Smells youthful. Feels youthful. Is youthful."

This idea of using fragrance to influence others perceptions of your age isn't new. It wasn't so long ago that several studies were done showing that pink grapefruit scents seem to affect age perception, and this fragrance just builds on that.

So does it work? I don't know. I didn't find anyone who thought I was younger, but I did get a lot of compliments on the scent, and several people asked me where they could purchase it. It's a lovely light scent, citrus and floral being the dominant notes, not completely my style, but perfectly lovely nevertheless. Will it work for you? I don't know that either, but I'm betting you'll at least get a few compliments like I did.

Ageless Fantasy by Harvey Prince for Women, 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray, $120. Available at Amazon and AgelessFantasy.com.