Perfume Review: Cuir Amethyste by Armani Prive
Cuir Amethyste… how I love thee. Yes, I’m going to start this review by instantly revealing how much it has won my heart. It’s not often I get this entranced by a perfume. Sure, I’ve had several olfactory love affairs recently – Orris Noir, Amoureuse, Paestum Rose, to name a few. We’re still seeing each other and are very much committed. However, my use of the word “entranced” wasn’t unintentional for it has caused me to fall into a state of ecstasy, daze, and detachment from my physical environment simultaneously. This is by far my favorite new release.
So, “cuir” and “amethyste” – an unlikely combo. I know something about leather but I must confess my knowledge of precious stones is close to zero (thank goodness for Google). The leather here is achieved by combining birch and patchouli, with a soft resinous effect. The amethyste (if you can assign a scent to a stone) – by violet and coriander. It’s not predominantly a violet scent, however. The flower here is perfectly balanced with woody balsamic notes producing a luminous, velvety effect – luminous purple suede. No, I didn’t just mistype that – it’s both velvet and suede and definitely purple. It’s what I wanted Serge Lutens Bois de Violette to be which ended up being too heavy on cedar for my taste. That’s my impression based on a thorough sniff test. For a more basic, down-to-earth description, I’d liken it to the smell of dried fruits, sort of along the lines of Habanita by Molinard minus the tobacco note and just a tad more spice. I love every single stage here, and I especially love the sillage and the lasting power. It’s just perfect all around.
Cuir Amethyste features the notes of bergamot, coriander, crystalline rose, violet, silver birch, patchouli, benzoin, labdanum, French vanilla. It can be purchased at select Saks stores and Armani boutiques.
Image source: www.osmoz.com
24 comments August 20th, 2006