Ineverwas

Midnight Poison is dark, cold and magic like the silhouette of a tall gothic castle and its guarding gargoyles in a full moon night. Its somber halls are old, heavy and silent but there is also a sensation of coolness, a slight draft coming through the walls of this old building, from occult chambers that hide uncanny secrets. The narrow windows are adorned by thick dark-blue velvet curtains which shimmer dimly in the moon's light. Everything is still and awaiting an exceptional event. The tower clock at the end of the hall announces midnight.

Midnight Poison makes me think of a Lovecraft story. It's perhaps dark and tenebrous but also hypnotic and magnetic. It's a bit gloomy but also crisp and breezy. Midnight Poison is gothic, strange, alluring, cryptic, otherwordly: a ghost story – a bit eerie perhaps, but nonetheless utterly captivating.

Leaving the spooky stories aside though, Midnight Poison is technically a minimalist composition, a duet of minty patchouli and cold rose with barely a touch of citrus and vanilla. The magic must lie somewhere in the balance of these four.

For me, it was love at first smell. The richness of the luxurious Frangipani, combined with the exotic Tiare and hints of Ylang-Ylang opened as a joyful blast of dusty golden pollen that filled me with unexpected instant happiness. The jasmine and vanilla keep somewhat in the background and provide creaminess and warmth throughout the life of the fragrance.

Songes is a beautiful dream on a sunny Sunday morning, a happy, worry-free sleep in a soft bed with yellow flowered sheets. A cozy room in which the sun rays breeze in through white lace curtains. There's absolutely nothing dark about this fragrance, the oriental component is only here to bring it a honeyed quality and even more delight and pleasure.

I honestly didn't expect to like a predominantly floral composition to this degree, and yet I'm very much impressed with its beauty and dreaminess. Also, what a suggestive and alluring name it has.

In my opinion this is one of the best and most interesting L'Occitane fragrance I've tried so far. It's quite unique and I can't think of many perfumes that come close to its smell or style.

Eau d'Iparie is mysterious, spiritual and profound. The myrrh and incense confer a vaguely sacred aura that reminds of religion, churches, saints and the meaning of the divine adoration and yet, this perfume has a markedly dark character, a solemnity that may hide secrets and perhaps occult knowledge. At the borderline between grace and obscurity, this scent gives me quite a spiritual trip.

I think Eau d'Iparie is best suited for cold winter days, late autumn trips to old villages in France, Catholic sermons and why not, funerals. It's thoroughly well done and can really put you in a mystical mood, if you know how to wear it.

Tabac Blond is an exquisite golden tobacco-and-amber perfume from the great house of Caron. It's luxurious, mature, complex and very sensual, transforming any woman wearing it into a classy rich goddess. The leather and carnation add a bit of spice and a naughty twist to the more classical base of amber, vanilla, (light) patchouli and musk.

I'm very much in love with this fragrance, I adore its opulence and impressive style, but it is at the same time quite demanding and it would take a lot of self-confidence and a very fashionable outfit to pull off this one. Not to mention golden jewelry seems like a must when wearing it.

A grande dame of the classical school.

Warm, deep and complex, this perfume evokes to me the very essence of sensual femininity and mature wisdom. It's cozy and enveloping, like a hug from someone you love and at the same time it exudes strength and maturity.

Jasmine, ylang-ylang and vanilla are amazing together, but it's the rich sandalwood that really shines in this composition, giving it sensual and even spiritual qualities.

For me, Samsara is an incredible confidence booster. This perfume has a soul of its own and it feels like a loving companion that soothes and reinforces you all along the way.

I can imagine a mature, dark haired woman wearing this, someone who's strong and beautiful and wise. A woman who can keep her mind clear and her heart open and who lives life gracefully, with empathy and reason at the same time.

Lasting power and sillage are the best I have ever known (I own the EDP). This perfume lasts for more than 24 hours on my skin and it easily projects across a 10 meter room, so I'd suggest applying sparingly. There was not one occasion when I put this on and no one noticed it.

A true classic.