It wasn’t always 90% sweet slop: Bath and Body Works used to make some very decent, even good, perfumes. (Just like America used to be a functioning democracy…). Moonlight Path was a musky aldehydic floral: Chanel No. 5 with training wheels. Cotton Blossom was a pleasant white floral cologne. Both available in a very affordable body splash format, no glitter to be seen. They were ideal starter scents for teenagers who wanted to try out being an adult. This was 25 years ago, which feels like a lifetime in terms of the perfume market and politics. I don’t live in the USA anymore and I haven‘t set foot in a Bath and Body Works in years. Good to know that they are still making something worth smelling!
Loved both of those - the texture of Cotton Blossom was so gorgeous. I also loved going in and doing a periodic restock of bathroom soaps - being able to make the choice to buy these rather than the supermarket iterations of Dial felt like such an adult indulgence in my early 20s!
B&BW has turned up in the UK and I've been interested in going in and sniffing all the things, in the service of "you really never know".... :)
This post was magnificent and poignant and spoke directly to my 50+ years of watching America's changing moods.... and also inspired me to go throw together a formula which is equal parts ambrofix & vanilla, with a hearty splodge of tobacco, some leather and patchouli, and the merest smidge of a very muscular new furry musk. Bizarre that I haven't tried this before - only portions of it. This more or less sets up a cage match battle royale between super aggressive materials! /laugh.... With luck they'll all shout each other down and a nice well behaved accord will result :) Thank you!
I'm a student of Political Science, aspiring independent perfumer, and avid Lana Del Rey fan. This is incredible. I'm not sure I have ever read something that resonated with me more. Thank you. I'm moved almost to tears.
I think the flavor of America described is very on brand from a Lana point of view but America is a very large country - even as an American, I didn’t fully appreciate this until I drove from one corner to the other and witnessed the difference in geography and local culture. And so I’m not sure the tones apply uniformly, though definitely reflect a subset.
Also, as someone raised in USSR, I can very much appreciate all the ways in which America is not at all like communism. Individualism is probably one of the most distinguished aspects of American cultural ethos and one you can easily follow in evolution straight to capitalism.
I did not expect to be crying by the end of this, but here I am.
It wasn’t always 90% sweet slop: Bath and Body Works used to make some very decent, even good, perfumes. (Just like America used to be a functioning democracy…). Moonlight Path was a musky aldehydic floral: Chanel No. 5 with training wheels. Cotton Blossom was a pleasant white floral cologne. Both available in a very affordable body splash format, no glitter to be seen. They were ideal starter scents for teenagers who wanted to try out being an adult. This was 25 years ago, which feels like a lifetime in terms of the perfume market and politics. I don’t live in the USA anymore and I haven‘t set foot in a Bath and Body Works in years. Good to know that they are still making something worth smelling!
I loved Moonlight Path! I would buy it if they still made it.
FWIW you can still get Moonlight Path online :) Maybe I'll wear mine tomorrow! https://www.bathandbodyworks.com/p/moonlight-path-fine-fragrance-mist-028008490?srsltid=AfmBOop7L_BirNFiKwA0vlBF7nhBnUQRsFHHGsuy5z1jk1c94hwuVOzs
Loved both of those - the texture of Cotton Blossom was so gorgeous. I also loved going in and doing a periodic restock of bathroom soaps - being able to make the choice to buy these rather than the supermarket iterations of Dial felt like such an adult indulgence in my early 20s!
One of your best pieces yet, and the bar is so high that is really saying something. As an American, I really FELT this.
This Writing is Utterly Delicious! 💥
Vanilla Cafe http://is.my newest favorite from Bath and Body Works, but nowhere to be seen right now. Sea Island Cotton is another dear one.
Your writing reminds me of Terry Pratchett. Love the style!
And… right. Watch the empire.
B&BW has turned up in the UK and I've been interested in going in and sniffing all the things, in the service of "you really never know".... :)
This post was magnificent and poignant and spoke directly to my 50+ years of watching America's changing moods.... and also inspired me to go throw together a formula which is equal parts ambrofix & vanilla, with a hearty splodge of tobacco, some leather and patchouli, and the merest smidge of a very muscular new furry musk. Bizarre that I haven't tried this before - only portions of it. This more or less sets up a cage match battle royale between super aggressive materials! /laugh.... With luck they'll all shout each other down and a nice well behaved accord will result :) Thank you!
I'm a student of Political Science, aspiring independent perfumer, and avid Lana Del Rey fan. This is incredible. I'm not sure I have ever read something that resonated with me more. Thank you. I'm moved almost to tears.
Beautiful writing. Thankyou
I think the flavor of America described is very on brand from a Lana point of view but America is a very large country - even as an American, I didn’t fully appreciate this until I drove from one corner to the other and witnessed the difference in geography and local culture. And so I’m not sure the tones apply uniformly, though definitely reflect a subset.
Also, as someone raised in USSR, I can very much appreciate all the ways in which America is not at all like communism. Individualism is probably one of the most distinguished aspects of American cultural ethos and one you can easily follow in evolution straight to capitalism.