The Armoire

Chanel No. 19 EDT

2018-12-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

The first time I smelled No. 19, I was in the middle of an Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles binge. I was reading Merrick at the time, which is my favorite book from the series. It's a crossover between The Mayfair Witches' books and the Vampire Chronicles. Merrick always caught my attention, being of a mixed race like me, I quickly felt identified. She was smart, seductive, a vampire/witch and gave the ultimate sacrifice, which was to die to save another fellow vampire. One of the things that caught my attention, was that she wore a Chanel fragrance, Chanel No. 22. Anne Rice later expressed how much she liked Chanel No. 22. I tried to search for it. The local mall did not have it and it was hard for me to get it online.

This is "the one that got away".

As usual, without even searching for it, I was walking around many perfume counters looking at a myriad of colorful bottles when Chanel No. 19 caught my eye. A simple brick-style bottle with bright green juice. It was so different from its Chanel counterparts with their pink, clear or amber colors. I thought, "well, it's not 22, but I've never smelled this one before". My brain was struck with the idea that if the juice was green, it must smell green too. I was not wrong, but it was not just green. It was an explosion of smells that I was not expecting.

Chanel No. 19 EDT is green and earthy. It starts out as a sparkling fragrance with hints of lemon, grass and hyacinth. After the sharpness disappears, enters the star of this fragrance: Iris. Now, Iris is a very complex smell. If you've ever smelled any kind of Iris cream, or even the flower itself, it's a fragrance that reminds you of grass and weird enough, leather. It's soft, but bold. The dry down is a lingering scent of leather, orris root, oakmoss, vetiver and cedar.

This fragrance is not a Merrick. Chanel No 22 is incense, aldehydes, musk and white flowers, like an astonishing Talamasca library. Chanel No.19 is a fragrance of the earth. There is something that reminds me of childhood, of abandonment and not being afraid of getting dirty. To me, it's a childhood scent that transforms into adulthood. There's a playfulness in it, but there is also a constant reminder that you changed, and change is a crisis, but it's a beautiful thing. Still a witch, but a different, natural and powerful witch.

I've read several reviews saying that it's the ultimate "corporate bitch" fragrance because it's not ridiculously loud but it does carry. I disagree. Even though I do wear it at the office, and it's my go to fragrance for job interviews, it makes me feel warm, cozy and I don't feel like I want to step on everybody in my path. It feels like an earthy cloud hovering around me.

I don't feel bad I did not find No.22. I found something else that touched me. Later on, I was swapping fragrances with a fellow perfume lover from another country, and she graciously sent a No. 22 sample. It was all I thought it would be, and I will review later, but it's not the explosive experience I was expecting. The best experiences regarding fragrances are the ones I'm not expecting, and I think it applies with all life experiences.

Hypnotic Poison

2018-12-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am not a shopping person. At least I haven't been for a while. When I find something at a store, most times it's completely by accident and I feel like I found buried treasure. I remember I was working in the mall and the closest parking space was at the JCPenney entrance. I had to pass the cosmetics counters, full of Flowerbombs, Lolita Lempicas and fruity florals that most of the girls seem to like. The Dior counter was close to the exit. That's when I saw this beautiful little poison apple.

During that time, my signature fragrance was Sensuous by Estee Lauder. I was already used to spicy, woody fragrances, but this one hit me like a ton of bricks in all senses. At first, I couldn't explain it. I was used to smelling Youth Dew, Beautiful, Sensuous, etc, so I was kind of used to powerhouse fragrances. Hypnotic Poison though, was different. It's predecessor, I can say was THE Powerhouse fragrance of the mid 80's. Launched in 1985, Poison was the embodiment of the 80's vamp goth chick.

However, in 1998, Hypnotic Poison was launched to be the second poison in line. Completely different from the first one, even though it doesn't abandon the bittersweet notes in its composition. HP was created by Annick Menardo and the face for the perfume in Dior ads have changed from Monica Bellucci to Mélanie Laurent.

The notes

First notes

When you spray, you get a mix of plum, coconut and spices, reminiscent of Poison, but I promise it's fleeting. It's what threw me off first and made me do the wrinkled nose face. I do appreciate a good plummy fragrance, but I was always used to have my plummy fragrances with sugar or flowers.

The Heart

After a while, you get the real witches' brew. Instead of frog eyes and bat wings, you're going to get white flowers. Now, I'm a sucker for white flowers. To me, their smell is intoxicating. Almost to the point of smelling something that's overripe. Gardenias, Orange flower, jasmine, tuberose, lilies, are great examples. HP has tuberose, lily of the valley and jasmine. To me, the smell of lilies is not apparent. I do get more of the tuberose and jasmine. The heart also has the spices and woods that gives way to the base of this fragrance.

The Base

Here is what makes this a very interesting fragrance. You're going to start noticing that the smell turns bittersweet. I can't stress enough that this is not a bad thing. Almonds and spices make their way to make this a fragrance that will be like no other. All of these notes melt down to the lingering smell of vanilla, almond, spices, sandalwood and musk.

The verdict

After testing it, wearing it for a whole work day in a busy department store, I purchased it during black Friday. I wore it once, and my now husband (note that he has asthma and has a ridiculously sensitive nose) went crazy and has been re-purchasing it for me when it's all gone.

The perfume lasts all day. It lingers not as strong as Poison. The only way I can explain it, would be like if you had a fire going and it has dimmed, but it never goes out. Even though there aren't any flames that flush your face, you get a constant slow heat that keeps the body warm and alive. Does it make sense? I hope so.

There are some other fragrances that I can recommend that share some notes, as if they were family. MMMM... by Juliette has a Gun, is a great example of spiced white flowers. Also Bond No. 9 Chinatown is from the same line of white flowers, only these seem like they're covered in candy. Imagine sweet mochi covered white flowers. Hypnotic Poison also has several flankers that followed, like one of my favorites "Eau Sensuelle" which is a powerful orchid and "Eau secrete" which is the smoothest. HP normally comes in eau de toilette, which is pretty impressive. A perfume that has that kind of strength in eau de toilette form is a keeper. Dior also launched an eau de parfum (I found it spicier, but alas, did not feel the magic) and a pure parfum which I am eager to try.

As you know, I'm a firm believer in wearing any perfume at any time. I wear this year round, but enjoy it more during the winter months. It kind of reminds you of fruity dense desserts and strong drinks. Most people enjoy this perfume at night and during colder months of the year as it makes them feel cozy.

Hypnotic Poison has a special place in my heart. It has been around during many life changes. It's a scent that makes me feel empowered, unique, sensual and it's a dark scent on its own. If you're feeling experimental and not afraid of exploring darker corners in the perfume realm, give this one a chance. There is more to perfumes than mainstream fruity florals and candy. And, if something catches your eye, give it a chance. You never know what can come out of it.

When, Why and Who

2018-12-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

When you start looking for a fragrance, be it for yourself or a friend, you tend to look for what they usually like in a fragrance. I normally wing it and get a fragrance that reminds me of that person. I haven't failed so far.

I remember once, I gifted a perfume to a friend and she told me: "this is the perfect night out perfume". I smiled, but in my head I was thinking...wait....why? Why just for a night out? Why not for the office? Or to go out shopping? Which takes me to a question that plagues people in search for perfume:

When should I wear it?

Short answer is whenever the hell you want.

Long answer:

Perfume and makeup companies sell their products by marketing. Do you need to feel sexy for a night out? Use this sexy, strong, spicy, heady perfume. Want to tip-toe through a prairie on a spring morning and roll around in daisies? Buy this juicy floral fragrance....what? you want to use the spicy perfume during the day? ARE YOU CRAZY?

No. You're not crazy. It makes sense that for a "night out", a perfume company might try to sell you a spicy, maybe hints of sweet and very heady perfume. It makes sense that if you're out clubbing, you need a strong perfume made to last. Perfumes are given labels and settings for when they should be used. For some people, if you can't go to a funeral dressed like a total vamp, then a perfume that smells like one should be out of the question. Strong perfumes are even frowned upon in the office environment because most people in the office or corporate environment find it offensive to the nose.

Marketing examples!:

Dior Addict has a very special place in my heart and will be reviewed soon. The original formulation, which I happen to have, is very strong and sweet. It's the perfect clubbing fragrance. It's spicy, sweet and it lasts forever on the skin.

Estee Lauder's Pleasures, while it's not by any means my favorite, I can admire it. It has ridiculous sillage (fancy french word for trail or in perfume talk, the amount of time perfume lingers when worn). It's pure lilies in a basket of fresh picked flowers.

Can you wear a basket of flowers for a night out on the town? Yes! You can.

Can you wear a Queen of Sheba perfume to go to work, shopping or having lunch alone? Oh absolutely.

Perfume is a way to express your individuality. If you need to tone it down because of work, try wearing less or just use a different one for the weekdays. It won't kill you and you need your job.

Who

I get this question a lot. Can men wear women's perfume? Or vice-versa?

First of all, this question merits an eye-roll.

Perfume has no gender. A man can easily wear Britney Spear's Fantasy and smell amazing. A woman can wear Égoïste by CHANEL and smell A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Our bodies are different and our skin chemistry will differ from person to person. A perfume will smell different on a person with dry skin than on someone with oily skin. Even age makes scents on your skin smell different.

So guys, feel free to wear that fruity-floral. Girls, feel free to smell like tobacco and leather. Do not stop wearing a scent because it's not nighttime. We're finally entering an era where makeup, clothes and perfume are making a boom in neutrality. We see men wearing makeup, women looking androgynous and experimenting with pieces of clothing the way it was not done in more than a decade ago and it's empowering.

I was thinking that it might be not such a bad idea to test perfumes during the day and post my thoughts on how it reacts on my skin. Also to test perfumes targeted for men to try and break that stereotype. I will also give recommendations on office perfumes and for other occasions.

-C

Introductions and FAQs

2018-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

Greetings and Salutations!

I wanted to create this blog as a way to making writing something habitual. The desire to write has always been something that I wanted to do, but I never make the time. There is no excuse. As an avid reader and someone who is a perpetual literature student, I must write and do it well.

Why perfume?

Scent, to me, is something very powerful. You can evoke whatever you want with specific scents and memories are triggered in such a way through scent that it has become a very significant part of my life. I believe that perfumes are a way of art, expression and part of your wardrobe. Also, I like to smell good.

Oh Connie...

I'm way too impatient for bubble baths (you know you heard it in her voice...*bubba baffs*) and I enjoy wearing different scents during the week.

Do you have a signature scent?

As a matter of fact, I do. Even though I own many, I use two of them the most: Hypnotic Poison by Dior and Alien by Thierry Mugler. This should give you an idea of the notes and perfumes I enjoy.

Will you only talk about perfume?

Not necessarily. I will pave the way to blather on about my interests, like literature, music, comics, food, makeup, etc.

Let us see if I can make this experiment work.

See you guys around!

-C