I don't know how many of you know, I am a huge fan of Dawn's work and unfortunately for me, I seriously like pretty much anything I smell that she created. :)
So, it came as a surprise realization yesterday (I've been having those lately) that the reason I kept postponing writing about several perfumes I tried recently is because I don't feel I can give them a review they deserve. I mean, whatever comes into my mind as something I want to say about them doesn't feel as good as they smell to me.
But I decided that's a stupid reason for not writing about them, so here it goes.
The one I will talk about today is Antiu - I won't go into details about the name, you can read more about it on Dawn's site.
Top notes: Bitter Almond, Cardamom co2 Absolute, Fragrant Wine (accord), Galbanum, Lemongrass
Middle notes: Australian Sandalwood, Gallica Rose Otto, Honey Beeswax
Base notes: Copaiba Balsam, Mastic, Myrrh Gum, Peru Balsam, Pine Resin, Sweet Flag
For me, this starts as a spicy burst (that reminded me strongly of cinnamon which is featured prominently in the other 2 samples) that smelled at the same time green like peas and almondy. And that's before I read the notes (I just love it when I can smell something on my own). :)
It has a slightly citrusy tang and in the beginning smells to me like cinnamony grass. You know, spicily green. And absolutely wonderful (those are two smells I adore in anything). I still can't believe there is no cinnamon in this but then again, we put here in our warm wine cinammon and clove so it's no wonder that the fragrant wine accord will remind me of it. One variant of such wine is glög (that's what the Swedish do) and it's a bit more spicy and has a thicker consistency (I'm not sure from what) but cardamom is put into it.
I've heard people say that they don't like cardamom but I can't help but associate it with warmth and fragrant wine so when it makes a bolder appearance in Antiu, I really enjoy it.
Even though I mentioned winter customs, for me, this smells like a perfect scent for spring. It has some kind of sunny, breezy, grassy freshness and then gets a sweet aspect around the cardamom but in a light, resiny way. Well, if you take a look at the base notes, you can come to that conclusion as well. :)
Soon, I will talk about the other samples and one that is absolute cinnamon heaven for which a friend told me she doesn't consider that as something one might wear as perfume. Oh well, more for me.
If you take a look at Dawn's site, I'm warning you straight away, don't check the Mummy bottles because they are just way too wonderful not to be wanted for oneself. Which is a terrible torture as one costs 275 $.
Btw, it seems I decided to write about these perfumes at the same time as Krista over at Scent of the Day, so you can head over there and see what she wrote about Antiu.
Pic by: http://www.stanford.edu/
Great minds think alike! I love the cinnamon and cardamom that feature in many of the Secrets of Egypt scents too. But the grassy Antiu wasn't my favourite. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteKrista, I was pretty surprised when I saw your first post on the Egypt secrets at the time I was just smelling them and thinking how I can't wait to write about them. :D
ReplyDeleteLike you said, great minds. ;)
Btw, Cardamom and Khyphi was the first Dawn's scent I tried and I fell instantly in love so now I own a little bottle of it.
Wow, thank you for this review! My boyfriend and I do love cinnamon. I'm sure we would like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have a look at the Dawn website and see if the shippings to Spain aren't too much expensive. Now I want some samples :)
Thanks Isa. :)
ReplyDeleteI should warn you that once you visit Dawn's site, you're hooked for life. ;)
There isn't actually cinnamon in this one but there is a search function at her site where you can search by notes. There are some wonderful scents there containing cinammon. Enjoy!
This seems really interesting Ines. I've had my eye on DSH for some time now, but have been on the fence due to the seemingly high prices, but who knows, perhaps I'll take the plunge and order a few samples.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get on with Arome d'Egypte, and this scent sounds as though it might also be a bit potent for me, but on the cinammon front I quite like Sienna - that would be the closest thing to an "etude" in cinammon that I have come across, just as I have heard her Cimabue described as an "etude in saffron".
ReplyDeleteMichael, sometimes it does seem her prices are a bit high but she uses really quality ingredients (and had to discontinue some scents due to the lack of some of those).
ReplyDeleteThe problem is though how to know what to order? I suggest her sample packs - they seem reasonably priced and are a good way to get to know the line.
FS, I didn't try Arome d'Egypt, I ordered only 3 Egypt series samples after considering the notes.
ReplyDeleteI love Sienna and Cimabue both (I think I reviewed them last year) and the one Egypt cinnamon I'm going to talk about beats Sienna. :)
Sounds interesting. I'm not big on cinnamon but I do love cardamom.
ReplyDeleteLisa, as you can see from the notes, there is no cinnamon listed so it might be just my imagination (it certainly nowhere near the cinnamon fest that is Keni).
ReplyDeleteIf you like cardamom, maybe you should try Cardamom and Khyphi, I really like that one for cardamom.