I thoroughly enjoy your posts—so much so that I’ve become a bit obsessed with perfume samples and have twice ordered a slew of samples from different sources. Some of my friends are already growing weary of me thrusting my wrist in front of their faces, but they’ll adjust.
Along with the deep dives into perfume, culture, and history, your writing style is delightful. I see you mentioned that you write fiction “elsewhere.” Is that elsewhere someone can visit and read your fiction?
Thanks for a wonderful essay on what I’ve always thought is the most misunderstood note in perfumery (not to mention one of my favorites.) If you ever get a chance, try CB I Hate Perfume’s Patchouli Empire, particularly the water perfume version: it’s built around a beautiful cedar-patchouli accord that brings out the lighter, almost sandalwood-like facets of patchouli in a way that I’ve never smelled in any other perfume.
Christopher Brosius (CB) is one of the all-time great perfumers and scent designers. Used to have a retail shop in NYC but I believe it’s all online order now. https://www.cbihateperfume.com/
Fellow zealot of the funk here 🙋🏼♀️One of my favourites is Sticky Fingers by Francesca Bianchi. It, too, makes me question my sanity for the first fifteen minutes when I am transported right into a horse’s stable but then, oh does it ever do something powerful to my brain 😍
I admit that, as you mentioned, before I got into fragrances, my only opinion of patchouli was the oil that hippies/bikers would wear in the '60s & '70s. If anyone inside was wearing it, you could smell the oil on the other side of the department store. So much so that mentioning that you someone was wearing it was more of an insult than a compliment.
However, I have since come to appreciate it. It certainly seems to be in many popular scents. I have Monsieur and LOVE it. I also have Pasha Pafum by Cartier, and it has a nice patchouli dry down.
+1 with all the others. Brilliant, and so fun to read - such great style and substance. Love the blotter detritus; I had to laugh as that is my dining room table and surrounding furniture for the better part of a week after a department store/mall visit!
I saw the headline and knew that we would be best friends! I am one of those people who like you says that Patchouli by Reminiscence with its damn whiff is THE OF of the patchoulis. Period.
I thoroughly enjoy your posts—so much so that I’ve become a bit obsessed with perfume samples and have twice ordered a slew of samples from different sources. Some of my friends are already growing weary of me thrusting my wrist in front of their faces, but they’ll adjust.
Along with the deep dives into perfume, culture, and history, your writing style is delightful. I see you mentioned that you write fiction “elsewhere.” Is that elsewhere someone can visit and read your fiction?
Thanks for a wonderful essay on what I’ve always thought is the most misunderstood note in perfumery (not to mention one of my favorites.) If you ever get a chance, try CB I Hate Perfume’s Patchouli Empire, particularly the water perfume version: it’s built around a beautiful cedar-patchouli accord that brings out the lighter, almost sandalwood-like facets of patchouli in a way that I’ve never smelled in any other perfume.
That sounds amazing , never heard of of CB
Christopher Brosius (CB) is one of the all-time great perfumers and scent designers. Used to have a retail shop in NYC but I believe it’s all online order now. https://www.cbihateperfume.com/
amazing, I love your description on his patchouli water scent, might need to order it..
Fellow zealot of the funk here 🙋🏼♀️One of my favourites is Sticky Fingers by Francesca Bianchi. It, too, makes me question my sanity for the first fifteen minutes when I am transported right into a horse’s stable but then, oh does it ever do something powerful to my brain 😍
Another great essay. Thank you!
I admit that, as you mentioned, before I got into fragrances, my only opinion of patchouli was the oil that hippies/bikers would wear in the '60s & '70s. If anyone inside was wearing it, you could smell the oil on the other side of the department store. So much so that mentioning that you someone was wearing it was more of an insult than a compliment.
However, I have since come to appreciate it. It certainly seems to be in many popular scents. I have Monsieur and LOVE it. I also have Pasha Pafum by Cartier, and it has a nice patchouli dry down.
Keep up the great work!
+1 with all the others. Brilliant, and so fun to read - such great style and substance. Love the blotter detritus; I had to laugh as that is my dining room table and surrounding furniture for the better part of a week after a department store/mall visit!
Well, it looks like I will be dousing myself with Reminiscence Patchouli this evening. Another brilliant newsletter! My regards.
I saw the headline and knew that we would be best friends! I am one of those people who like you says that Patchouli by Reminiscence with its damn whiff is THE OF of the patchoulis. Period.
Brilliant!