Nikki Saint Phalle is a viscous beast. Thick, tarry green, no limit to its depths. Kind of like a broccoli rabe reduction with a hint of arugula at the edge. I'm going to have to dip my toes in this pool a few times to see how I end up feeling about it...
...but I think there's a strong chance I'll enjoy the accumulated visits. (Could the adjective here be anything but "strong"???)
Meanwhile, wafting up and haunting me from another skin patch, a sample of Crepe du Chine. Holy cow. This one manages to be green and floral and bubbly all at once. Curse you, discontinued scent. Someday, I'm going to follow a heartbreak avoiding rule: unless the formula is in production RIGHT NOW, just don't go there. No sniffy. Forget the waft. Turn away. Do not uncork.
Unfortunately, I did not spare my heart today. There is this fabulous aroma rising from my elbow crook. A not too flowery floral, ever so slightly effervescent...not at all what I find when I put my nose to skin. Then it's green, a hint of bubble, just a little powder at the edges.
And all in varying degrees in the space in between. And therein lies the magic. Once upon a time, a history professor introduced me to the idea of the icon in the Orthodox church--it wasn't the object itself, but the space between the icon and the worshipper that was revered.
Nose down, or nose up, I am in a bit of a reverie. Perhaps I should root for disappointment on the return visit...and yet...today has been such fun.
15 comments:
What is this Crepe du Chine of which you speak? I went looking for information about it but didn't know the name of the house/perfumer.
Ditto! Intrigued.
Nathan,
The Crepe de Chine (Millot) has been out of production for 40 years. A kindly person sent me a vial, and I am going to be keeping it in the precious collection. I gather that Irma Shorell makes a dupe; I think this one will be the goad that finally sends me to try their product.
Lucy,
If I weren't such a calm, grounded person, I might be wringing my hands at the moment. Instead, I ply my digits at my keyboard, in search of a long lost bottle. Equally futile, but it feels more productive.
wow that sounds like lost treasure!
Lucky girl and yes there is nothing so horrible as trying on a truly discontinued scent.
Rose,
Lost, found, and lost again. :?
More to come on this front...
Jen,
Yes, in the case of this one, time is not on my side. I don't know if this hurts more than having to sort through reformulations, but I'm not fond of either.
I should go back to that polder and just stock up on Mastenbroek. If only I were a one scent kind of gal...
I have tender memories of the original Millot.
I agree- it's dreadful to fall for the discontinued- a form of exquisite perfumed masochism, perhaps.
The LLP of Shorell are often quite good- their Replique and Crepe de Chine, in particular.
They're not perfect- but they are delicious.
So sorry Nikki didn't sing for you; she likes me [ but I'm a very odd duck, pulling all the sweet in a scent, whee ostensibly one finds little, LOL].
That's what makes these explorations marvellous- the vastly varying perceptions and reactions !
Have you tried the parfum version of Niki? I started there, and it made me love the EDT, but I'm not sure it would have worked the other way around. The parfum is green, deep green, but somehow warm at the same time. It doesn't have the stand-up-straight chilly galbanum of No. 19 and its ilk. I find it sexy as hell.
Chaya,
It *is* interesting, the diverse diversions we find in the same scent, isn't it?
I had thought Nikki would sing...I like galbanum, green, etc. ...but I haven't given up. Yet. Sometimes one must get used to a new form of music.
There are other scents that quell or quease some, but I love...Black Cashmere being one. I wouldn't say I go big time down an "odd" path, but I am not adverse.
Will probably try the Shorell...how much smelly liquid can a gal handle??? ;)
Alyssa,
It is the parfum I am speaking of...a lovely presentation, btw. Vintage...I think...am now wondering if I need to try a different samp in order to make sure mine hasn't "gone off," or is simply doctored (it was purchased online), or if the effect is simply my own olfactory system.
I do plan on revisiting, and shall post results.
I doubt it's gone off. I have the impression that formula would survive a nuclear attack, along with the cockroaches. I ordered mine online, too, in that great square cobalt bottle with twining snakes. Maybe it was easy for me to love because I was expecting supreme strangeness, a galbanum slap, and then I got warm forest instead. Ah...
Do report back in! And if you really don't like it, you know where to send it. ;-)
Potential foster home noted. ;)
Hmmm...how many months later...just noting that yes, indeedy, I have fallen for Niki. Enamored of her viscous self. So, while no foster home needed--sorry--I will be officially reporting back in.
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