Friday, October 20, 2006

Mitsouko


Mitsouko (mystery in Japanese) from Guerlain is a perfume that you simply have to smell to understand. The perfume evokes an emotion to me I can't describe in words, it's especially hard to describe when English isn't your own language, but even in Dutch it would be difficult to describe. It's kind of a sad emotion in a way and at the same time it gives me an elegant and rich feeling. It's not a perfume that I would wear when going to work, it's more for special occasions, I can't imagine wearing this fragrance with a jeans but that's just my opinion. Mitsouko is a perfume of the Chypre family, it has oakmoss and I smell a lot of Labdanum absolute(Ciste or Rock rose) and a warm balsamic opopanax note. The topnotes are made of fresh citrus notes and the heart has rose, jasmine and lilac. I can smell something like thyme as well and some smokey notes that could be coming from birch tar. Guerlain started a new trend by adding a peach note coming from Aldehyde C14, many perfumers followed that trend. The peach note isn't overwhelming but ads a smooth fruityness to the other somewhat spicy harsh smokey notes. This perfume is so wonderful made that you have to smell it ones in your live.

8 comments:

FrankieCee said...

Very interesting analysis you have made. I don't know whether you are aware, but you are truly gifted when it comes to describing the things you smell. Has this talent come to you naturally or have you studied the different olfactory notes for so long that it is a second nature to you by now? I've read that Luca Turin has the amazing ability of describing the things he smells. Have you always had this talent? I know you possess the "love" it takes, but love alone does not, by itself, equate to an almost "otherworldly" ability. Just "curious" in NY, lol.

Jenny said...

Hi Frank,
I'm surprised you think that I'm gifted to describe the things I smell, I don't see my self like that, sometimes I have a hard time to find the right words.
I think it helps that I work a lot with the notes so I can recognize for example the oakmoss smell or the aldehyde C14 smell. When you work a lot on perfumery you will even recognize some structures like the structure of a chypre fragrance and smell around that accord so you recognize other notes besides the original notes.

FrankieCee said...

See that. You are so close that you can't even recognize your talent. Just the way you explain how you discern the various components, proves that there is an underlying talent. Well, just take my word for it then, lol, "you" have what it takes! Oh, incidentally, I could not find your date, just the fact that you are a Scorpio is not sufficient information, lol. Must I keep guessing? Must you keep us in suspense?

Jenny said...

Hi Frank,
You are flattering me Frank.
I thought the date of my birthday was in my profile but it didn't. My birthday is 31 October.

chayaruchama said...

Well, mijn geliefde-
You just described the first perfume I ever bought , and wore !
I was about 10 years old, and chose it for myself [between 10-12, somewhere in there].
[Before this, I loved Scandal by Lanvin, but my mother couldn't let a little girl wear that !]

I wear this even if I haven't yet brushed my teeth... it feels like my own skin.

I find it interesting how shy about wearing scent you are, in the workplace, or for everyday...

Why do you think that is ?
I need fragrance like I need breath, or to sing, or to love...

Dikke kus!

Jenny said...

Hi Chaya,

Your love for perfume started real young, an interesting choise for a 10 year old girl.

You're so right about wearing a perfume when ever and where ever you like. And I did were it with just a jeans because I love this perfume and wanted to study it.
But..I have to search for the words to explain....

I have the feeling I have to treat the perfume with some respect, I want to wear the proper clothes that fit to this perfume. I want to treat this perfume like something special. I want the picture to be complete. I hope you understand what I mean.

chayaruchama said...

Oh, absolutely...

Perfume has holy origins, for worship of all kinds- and yet, it is secular, too.

I was curious because many admirers
of this perfume are a little intimidated by it...
They feel that it "wears them" instead of the opposite.

I think that one can possess awe for something and yet not fear it, perhaps welcome it, instead...

That may sound silly and mystical to some.

My life is just like that- full of unexpected teachers [some of which are extremely painful !], and secret gifts in all kinds of disguises.

Also, hidden holy people masquerading as street cleaners, or grocery baggers !

Perhaps, you are one of these...

Jenny said...

Hi Chaya,
I'm not intimidated by this perfume I just admire it. I also want to dress proper with other perfumes, I just want to complete the picture of it. When it's cold and I'm wearing a cashmere sweater I think I will reach easier for warmer perfumes instead of a fresh summer scent. But it's true sometimes I just want to wear a perfume because I want to smell it the whole day whatever I'm wearing, but wearing a perfume gives you a certain feeling and I like that to complete with the way I dress.
I like the way you say that "your life is full of secret gifts in all kinds of disguises". Sometimes we don't even recognize the gifts our life brings us. Even painful experiences could be a gift afterwards.

Kus