Straightforward Perfumes
I’ve been playing with various samples this week, mostly digging through my sample boxes for scents I wanted to revisit. I came across quite a few Montale samples (I’ve always liked Montale creations in general but the fascination has been off and on), and I couldn’t help but notice once again how most of them are pretty linear fragrances. Linear doesn’t always mean bad, as long as it’s got some character. I played with several Montales: Aoud Cuir d’Arabie, Ta’if, Aoud Damascus, Aoud Velvet, Black Aoud (am currently in major love with this one). While some are more complex than others, a few are positively straightforward, and by that I mean not only the linear quality but moreso what one thing/concept each particular scent represents. You get what you see, plain and simple. For instance, Ta’if is all roses and honey, from top to bottom, while Aoud Cuir d’Arabie is a leather purse. Neither really go anywhere on my skin, they just sit there unapologetically making a silent but solemn statement as if saying, “Well, that’s what we are. Take it or leave it”. And I take it because I do like well-done, intriguing straightforward perfumes. Today’s topic is my rambling on the subject as well as a sort of a query: what other perfumes are straightforward and good? What about straightforward and not so good? The first brand that instantly pops in my mind is Demeter. Needless to say, the names speak for themselves: Play-Doh, Laundramat, Dirt, Ginger Ale, Fuzzy Navel (?!), Waffle Cone, and the like. I view them as objects of entertainment for the sheer pleasure of olfactory images more than scents I’d put on my skin. Same goes with all the versions of Clean perfume. Comme des Garcons is another line that seems to favor straightforwardness: its Sweet Series is quite fascinating, with such evocative and wearable scents as Wood Coffee, Sticky Cake, Burnt Sugar (same goes for their Incense series).
What perfumes are straightforward to you - good and not so good?
21 comments June 7th, 2007