Perfume Review: Stoned by Solange Azagury-Partridge
March 21st, 2007
Stoned is the name of a perfume created by Lynn Harris (the nose behind Miller Harris scents) for a London based jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. The name very much reflects the general concept and aesthetic approach of this jewelry line that’s been described as “iconoclastic, irreverent and phenomenal” in reference to the precious materials. After browsing the Solange Azagury-Partridge collection online, I couldn’t help but conclude that the pieces are indeed eclectic and unconventional, yet done with the utmost taste and craftsmanship. Likewise, Stoned strikes me as beautiful in an unusual way. “This is the most fun one can have being stoned without breaking the law” - such is the main statement, and I can’t help but agree.
Before I dwell on the scent, I’d like to mention one peculiar fact about Stoned: it’s said to contain diamond dust. I’m not sure exactly what that means and how it affects the fragrance or why it’s even necessary in perfume. To be honest, I’m puzzled. Nevertheless, I choose to blindly follow my nose which declares over and over again its unconditional love affair with Stoned. It’s amusing at times to observe where your nose takes you. With Stoned, it took me to the paths well-traveled, so to speak, for I kept finding more and more similarities with some of my other favorite perfumes. This chameleon of a scent first resembled Voilette de Madame by Guerlain. Later it was Orchidee Blanche by L’Artisan. Then all of a sudden the drydown became almost a dead ringer for L’Air de Rien by Miller Harris. Upon further sniffs, I got Bois d’Armenie by Guerlain and Cashmere for Men by Cristiano Fissore. At this point you might say, “Forget it! It’s hardly worth it”, and you’ll be much mistaken for, despite its kindred spirit, Stoned is a scent of its own merit. Moreover, it’s multifaceted and multidimensional. The initial sweet, powdery notes of heliotrope and rose create a baby-powder-like effect but it doesn’t end there. The real transformation happens when labdanum and musk enter the scene - we get some animalic action. The drydown has a slightly dirty, mossy undertone which gives it a soft vintage effect. All that combined with the excellent staying power, truly funky bottle, and a hefty price tag makes Stoned unbelievably irresistible: you’re stoned indeed.
Stoned is available at Beautyhabit and Luckyscent (that currently has a free shipping promo with the code “stoned”). For more information on availability elsewhere, consult Solange Azagury-Partridge online.
Image source: luckyscent.com
Entry Filed under: New Perfumes, Perfume Reviews
21 Comments Add your own
1. March | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:24 am
I figure the diamond dust is a total gimmick (aren’t they sticking it in some high-end cosmetics?) but the rest of it sounds dee-lightful! Looking forward to a little animalic action
2. Marina | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:41 am
Diamond dust strikes me as such a tacky, Nouveau Riche thing to do…as does the bottle…But the scent, which it really is all about, is wonderful! I agree with all the comparisons you make and I agree that it still manages to smell original.
3. newproducts | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:42 am
Oh my, this one sounds wonderful! I wish they’d forget the diamond dust and reduce the price a little. I’m not sure I love the bottle. Maybe if that aesthetic does not match my own, the scent will not appeal to me either. What do you think?
4. Elle | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:59 am
That diamond dust bit is indeed puzzling. I know it doesn’t, but my first thought w/ that was that it would cut my wrists. Great scented paths you went on! Off to check out her designs.
5. Patty | March 22nd, 2007 at 8:14 am
This one just went to powder and stayed there on me, unfortunately.
6. Judith | March 22nd, 2007 at 8:49 am
Hmmm. . . not a great heliotrope fan, and Rien didn’t work on me, but the rest of this sounds great! I wonder whether I would love this or find it too sweet. Only one way to find out, I guess. . .
7. Teri | March 22nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
I received my sample of this on Tuesday and wore it yesterday and like you, Ina, it evolved and evolved some more on my skin. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, it pulls a chimera act and changes on you. Infinitely apealing stuff to someone like me who bores easily. And I adore the funky little porcupine bottle, too. However….and this is a big however…when I realized that the cost was equivalent to my car payment, I had to put the brakes on my lust and ‘just say no’. But when someone gets around to decanting this loveliness, I’ll be first in line to buy!
8. violetnoir | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I’ll be sure to test it when I visit luckyscent’s Scent Bar this weekend!
Hugs!
9. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
March, I wondered that, too. Oh well, the juice is awesome.
10. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Marina, I just don’t see the point of having it in the fragrance. It doesn’t add anything to the composition, so why bother? Tacky.
11. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Minsun, I’m not crazy about the bottle either. I’d rather it came in a spray, for one.
12. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Elle, cut your wrists? LOL! Priceless.
13. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Patty, ah, what a bummer! But the $$ saved, for sure.
14. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Judith, I think you might quite like it. It goes through stages, so it’s not all powdery sweet.
15. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Teri, the cost is indeed a bit atrocious. Decants will be indispensable.
16. Ina | March 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Robin, how fun! Lucky you! Enjoy your trip!
17. Aromascope » I Turn&hellip | March 27th, 2007 at 12:24 am
[…] To make it a bit more fun, I’ll do a drawing for a sample of Stoned. There’ll be three winners, so please mention in your comment if you’d like to participate. Update: the drawing is now closed. The winners will be announced tomorrow. Thank you for your comments! Image source: corbis.com […]
18. JillE | March 27th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Luckyscent stopped selling samples of Stoned. One eBay seller has them available. I am so curious about this perfume. I love the bottle.
19. Ina | March 27th, 2007 at 11:26 am
JillE, I’m not sure why they stopped selling samples. Beautyhabit should have them, though.
20. JillE | March 29th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Ina, thanks for telling me about Beautyhabit!
21. Solange - Stoned « &hellip | January 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
[…] Aromascope Scented Salamander A Minx by Any Other Name […]
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