I say this because, well, women matter to me. In a deep sense of reverence, we all know that the woes and pain associated with femininity are both intriguing and exasperating. Since i can remember I was taught that women get the shame and men get the name. I was taught that to be a young lady meant so many things different forming a young man, but not to be differentiated b society, because well, feminism...
Hmmm, the scent of a woman, our very body chemistry, our pheromones, or the genetic make-up is so different. And because of that my next blog is dedicated to my love of perfume, in my life. I grew up, with model mom, whom loved perfume. Very much so, her love was a fascination and she explained to me the difference between L'eau de toillėtte and l'eau de perfume at a young age. Her favourites were Shalimar, and Opium. I am not sure if they still are made, but I know my mom most likely has a bottle or two of each in her bedroom.
I could never make perfume last, I spray that stuff like its going out of style! Literally love the fragrances of vanilla, and oriental notes of musk, as much as I do make-up!
My first perfume, was given to me in Italy, and it was a lily of the valley fragrance, reminiscent of my innocence and purity. I think I was maybe seven years old. My aunt, the aesthetician gave it to me as a gift with a red Oscar De La Renta bathing suit for the beach in Terracina, the beach town where my maternal grandparents had made their dwelling before WWII. That perfume stayed with me until I was like twelve, and than CK ONE was like my everything, until I was about fourteen. Then I was on a L'eau D'issy kick until I was around twenty years old. AT twenty years old, I had decided to explore natural fragrances, and had studied plant chemistry and the basic knowledge of aromatherapy.
Some of my favourite oils, included the popular Lavender, I learned that there are varieties of lavender essential oils, some trace the chemistry of the plant d.n.a., others have specific plant parts used in distillation and etc. I loved bergamot, for its uplifting citrus and relied on ylang ylang and chamomile to help ease my nervous tension and still budding womanhood. My mom, she loves Jasmin Absolute for its exclusive fragrance and that also rubbed off on me.
I also used lemon when I had to study for exams, and was citrus-fied by the uplifting fragrance of this essential oil. I continued to experiment with essential oils throughout my soap making processes and in the making of some of my own face packs, Becoming particularly attracted to Frankincense Myrrh and Sandalwood for their unique and exceptional compositions.
Ylang-ylang, or cananga adroit, its scientific or INCI botanical name is prized for it's aphrodisiac properties. I like to use it in my hair masks. Other people prefer Ginger as a hair tonic because it stimulates the root growth. But I add it to my hennas and my oil treatments, for its relaxing fragrance, by itself. I consider hair, to be the spiritual antenna to the world, and very often I try and nourish and treat my follicles. Although often, you'll see me with a whole head of weave...
Bergamot, or citrus bergamia, its INCI botanical name, is positively a mood uplifter. I love it added to Jasmine scented lotions and, would dab it on as a perfume through out my pregnancy for its reputed benefits. Find it in Earl Grey tea, and if you want to try something different, make the most out of a London Fog lattè at Starbucks!
Jasmine Absolut, is a precious gem in the collection of my cherished aroma memories. This fragrance solidifies romance, healing, self care and nourishment. I add it to my favourite water based emollient products. because it's complicated profile I try not to add it to anything where it will be overpowered by other botanicals. One that I love is the Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum, from Avene .
Sandalwood, Santalum Album it's botanical name, was a treasure to me during my dance career. It shared with me a balance for every injury and a forgiving quality for every remedy to was my tension. This fragrance has soothed my soul back to life on more than one occasion.
Frankincense, or its botanical name Boswellia Sacra, is a mystery to me. I find it has power, to both reveal the self to the self, and protect the self from the self. I believe everyone has a shadow . I know my shadow, has a shadow side because I'm totally a runner. So I rely on this oil to help me focus my energies and honestly, I need this oil in my spiritual practice, However, it is also a tremendous cosmetic aid in retaining youth to the dermis forts clarifying properties. Frankincense is used in some Sisley products, such as their mask which I adore "Creamy Mask with Tropical Resins" I think its around $122.00 for a tube, so I quickly learned how to incorporate my own essential oil mix with face masks made at home. I could never quite figure out the Benzoin component of their formula, because it comes as a resin and is very difficult to coax out the bottle...If you have the money to spend on SISLEY skin care, go for it. They are overpriced but effective cosmetics.
Anyhow, from divulging some cosmetic secrets I seem to have gotten away from the sentiment in the post, supposed to be about fragrance !
This blog is fun because in my own silly way, I set out to make a video about my favourite scent, Vanilla!
On this journey I wanted to encourage very lady to retain their power and enjoy their perfume bottles...maybe even make their own by experimenting with layers of fragrance and essential oils!
But also, I wanted to lament about the Cartier brand revealing its new version of "panthere", because I adore the original version that was made in 1986 by, Alberto Morillas. That perfume was notes of exotic flowers and musk complimented by a bottle with a cute little exotic animal on top...And I loved it, I almost stopped wearing perfume when they stopped making it!
Cartier has reinvented the perfume, or come out with La Panthere, and I'm afraid that it's not the same. The other perfume that I so love for its vanilla notes in Casmir by Chpard in 1992. A vanilla base note mixed with balsamic florals for a delightful opulent fragrance that is no longer sold in stores today!
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