Straightforward Perfumes
June 7th, 2007
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?
Entry Filed under: This and That
21 Comments Add your own
1. March | June 7th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
What a great question! In addition to what you named, the CB I Hate Perfume line has minimal development (although obviously that’s very much like Demeter in a way) and, while they’re experiential, I find many of them very wearable.
Often my favorite lighter-weight/summer fragrances are straightforward; paraphrasing Robin, for what they are, they are perfect. Apres L’Ondee, the Bvlgari teas, and several of my favorite colognes are pretty linear, and I love them for it. Some of my favorite incense frags do pretty much the same thing: Armani Prive, Passage d’Enfer.
2. Judith | June 8th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Interesting! The Montales are the main example that come to my mind, and I do love them (though I get black leather jacket–not purse–from Oud Cuir d’Arabie). I’ve been enjoying Ava Luxe Shisha lately, and it is definitely linear. I need more coffee before I can think of others. . .
3. Elle | June 8th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Apart from the ones mentioned, which I love, I’d also have to say the Escentric scents are linear, but still interesting. And Yosh’s Sottile, Stargazer and U4EAHH! are linear on my skin, but still lovely. Hierbas de Ibiza and Ciel, mon Jardin are two other linear scenst I enjoy.
4. newproducts | June 8th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Interesting post! Off the top of my head, I can’t seem to remember *any* straightforward frags. They all seem to change, even if subtly, on my skin, and I love that. I suppose La Chasse is one that’s pretty straightforward though it does undergo subtle changes.
5. Marina | June 8th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Just because I can’t think yet this early in the morning, I’ll go with Un Lys. It is straightforward in an enjoyable manner. As is Sa Majeste la Rose. I agree that many Montales are straightforward, and for me that is not a good thing about them
6. Leopoldo | June 8th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I haven’t loved any Montales as yet.
And I’m too Friday braindead to answer your question.
7. parisa | June 8th, 2007 at 11:35 am
The most linear scent for me is Ananas Fizz by L’Artisan and because of that, it’s hard for me to really enjoy it…it stays the same on my skin from beginning to end (about a whole hours worth). The most non-linear scent is Chinatown….every stage gets better and better.
8. Jennifer | June 8th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I would say most musk oils are straightforward and that is perfectly fine, Stella Rose Absolut is definately linear but I love it for that reason.
9. Divina | June 9th, 2007 at 2:22 am
I do not mind linear, sometimes it is a great blessing because -especially with perfumes I love- it means I don’t have to think too much. I wanted to comment on the GdC and Demeter frags though… I *loved* the sweet series but they disappear from my skin within an hour. Yes. Hour. The same goes for most of the Demeters, which are oh so interesting but so disappointingly fleeting. (and let’s not even talk about how expensive it is to order from the demeter site if you live in europe..)
10. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
March, CB I Hate Perfume fragrances are definitely in the category. Also agree on Bvlgari tea scents.
11. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Judith, leather jacket works, too.
12. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Elle, floral Yosh scents are definitely more straightforward. However, I find Omniscent and La Contessa quite complex.
13. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Minsun, La Chasse is just a straightforward white flower bouquet.
14. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Marina, Un Lys is more lilac on me than lily, believe it or not.
15. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Leo, this is such a straightforward question for Friday!
16. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Parisa, I agree on Ananas Fizz. On my skin, it’s a pina colada all the way.
17. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Jennifer, musk oils are often straightforward, agree. I also like Stella Rose Absolute.
18. Ina | June 9th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Divina, I know what you mean. I don’t mind linear as long as they’re interesting and lasting (hence my fascination with Montales). As for CdG Sweet Series and Demeters, yes, very disappointingly fleeting.
19. Theresa | June 10th, 2007 at 5:55 am
I really enjoy Kai oil and Yves Rocher Pur Desir de Gardenia even though both are really linear and pretty one-note.
20. aliki | June 11th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Straightforwardness happens to my nose when people spray their perfumes on their clothes, instead of skin. Unfortunately, this happens much too often in my office environment, for instance. Too much noise, too loud smelling, too boring.
21. Abigail | June 11th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I think most things sold in a mall, but not in a department store tend to be fairly linear.
For example Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, VS…
And I think that that for the price some of them are actually pretty safe choices, if only for work environments. The VS Midnight Mimosa I found to be an acceptable powdery floral, though I’m saving up for a Big Purchase so I did not buy.
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