Sunday, September 28, 2008

Vetiver!

There's a very vetiver karma in the air for me this fall. I've been faithfully entering draws to win samples since crossing into this West Wing* of perfume, but have not been selected for anything. Until this month, when both Ayala Sender of Ayala Morel Perfumes and Helg of Perfume Shrine drew my name for...vetiver scents!

So, here are initial impressions of Ayala Moriel's Vetiver Racinettes and Andy Tauer's Vetiver Dance.

First of all, there's no denying the vetiver in either. But the Tauer dances in the light of the sun, while the Moriel pulses in the shade of the forest. (Ah, let the perfume talk begin....)

Vetiver Dance has a somewhat aldehydic feeling, and does indeed do a light-footed "dance" in the upper portion of your nose. A hint of something sweet, yet totally grounded by the vetiver. This to me is a new realm of green, which bridges the span between the (somewhat medicinal) grass of vetiver and bubbles of an aldehyde, with whatever simple syrup holds them together.

Vetiver Racinettes is something else entirely. Whereas Vetiver Dance is going to have you feeling all clean and sparkly, Vetiver Racinettes will set you down in the humus under the ferns, give you a bracing whiff of vetiver, and wash it down with one of the roots under the dirt--sasparilla!! It's the craziest thing; like someone mixed the syrup for a homemade root beer with this thick earthed vetiver, and stroked it onto your skin.

It's funny. I had received the Ayala sample first, and used it a couple of times--once in the midst of my flu-cold, when I hoped it would somehow bring comfort/relief. And, it did. But it didn't engage me as a perfume...until I tried the Tauer, just today. While there is a faint hint of something detergent-like in the Tauer (give me time, I'll nail it down--and it nearly disappears after the opening), I immediately took a shining to it. And smelling it gave me a deeper appreciation of what the Racinettes was accomplishing. In the same way I am happy to have multiple incarnations of my beloved iris, I am pleased to have both of these vetivers on hand.


*That's not a White House, but a "Dark Shadows" reference...ah, the days of youth, walking home for lunch, finding my Mom watching Barnabas Collins and ironing.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I've tried both of these and like you won them in a drawing. I have to say I prefer Ayala's which for me is a gorgeous vetiver tonic; perfect in hot weather. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is getting the detergent note from Vetiver Dance, unfortunately it blooms on me and actually overwhelms the vetiver; I'm pretty positive it is the Lily of the Vally note he uses, because the same thing happened to me with his L'eau d'epice.

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Ok- I need to start entering in these drawings! Can't believe you both won these- how lucky...

ScentScelf said...

Jenavira,

Sorry you have the opposite experience with Vetiver Dance; I actually liked it quite a bit in the middle. Your theory is interesting; you should investigate to see if others have the same experience. I was rather surprised to note that the Ayala actually lasted longer...usually the naturals fade the quickest.

Daily,

You haven't been? You really should! Perhaps you'll be lucky earlier in the curve... :)

tmp00 said...

Ooooh- there are such great vetivers out there for you! Lutens, Malle, Guerlain, Le Labo, etc...

ScentScelf said...

Uh-oh.
;)

Rose said...

I am intrigued by all Vetivers and haven't been able to try these so enjoyed the reviews.

It's the different company fleur de sal that i'm obsessed with at the moment though.

ScentScelf said...

Ah, nice obsession, that one. I enjoy almost everything from there...though I still think Rose Poivree goes best on Morticia Addams.

Abigail said...

Tauer's Vetiver Dance in on the list. I can't wait to try it.

Right now my favorite vetivers are FM Vetiver Extraordinaire & TDC Sel de Vetiver. I'm also smitten with Soivohle' Underworld but this is an entirely different vetiver - very earthy, dark and balsamic.

ScentScelf said...

Yes, that Underworld is an entirely different animal, isn't it? I'm still working my way around it...it can be a shapeshifter, and I'm not sure if it's weather, or me. But I'm always intrigued by it.

Ah! You've reminded me that now I've changed my mind, and need to add the TDC Sel de Vetiver to my "try it" list. It's hard to tell whether to rejoice, or suppress the urge, whenever a new door opens up in this scent odyssey... :)