So, I'll start with Titania by Shelley Waddington of EnVoyage perfumes.
I've had some problems putting my thoughts on Titania in order as each time I smell it, it seems to behave differently. I love that it keeps me interested in smelling it again and again and finding something new each time.
I have to say, it seems a lot of thought went into this perfume. I kept enjoying the opening with its piney, summery, and lighty sharpish feel and wondering how much of that fits into the idea of the play. Here is the referenced part:
"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine."
- Oberon, describing Titania's bower, where she sleeps
I'm glad I decided to read the play otherwise I wouldn't have known it's taking place in and around Athens. And Athens being Mediterranean, pines abound, as well as fragrant shrubs, plants and well, the air around Midsummer's Eve is probably saturated with the fragrances of the plant world.
I think this perfume gets it great.
It's not really a straight feminine perfume but then again, Titania sleeping in such a fragrant corner of the world would be hard to distinguish from the nature. And her corner of the world is dark green, deeply hidden in the forest and mossy as well. There is an underlying warmth and femininity in this but it's just out of your reach, teasing you through the canopy of fragrant air.
I can't really say I smell all the notes, I never can, but pine, lavender and geranium are hard to miss. And the underlying warmth achieved by aromatic woods, nuts, wild rose and honey isn't distinguishable by note but by their warm presence throughout.
Truly a delight to smell as it must have be a delight to see Titania sleeping in her bower.
Top notes: fir needles, spice and citrus
Heart notes: basil, mint, geranium, lavender hidcoat, ylang-ylang, wild rose and heliotrope
Base notes: juniper, Ho wood, aromatic woods and nuts, moss, fern, savory leaves, iris and honey
Pictures and notes were provided by Shelley Waddington except for the first picture by Amanda Feeley.
P.S. I forgot to include a link where you can follow what's happening on other participating blogs.
Nice review. It's interesting that you say it behaved differently each time you wore it. It makes the perfume sound so mysterious. :) You don't know what's around the corner. Great job Shelley!
ReplyDeleteOh my Fairies!!!
ReplyDeleteThat one sounds just perfect for this theme :D An elusive perfume, Titania indeed!
Thank you Ines for your kind participation :)
Lisa, I personally love it when perfumes change (usually only naturals manage that). :)
ReplyDeleteAnd mysterious fits with the Titania idea well.
Amanda, thank you very muuch for having me. I enjoy this combination of creative works a lot, and it's always a great pleasure to learn something new and discover new perfumers before unknown to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to trying more of Shelley's work.
Ines, I thoroughly enjoyed your insights and impressions of Titania. Understanding the nuances of meaning and selection of elements behind an impressionist perfume is important and you took the time to sincerely explore not only the fragrance itself, but also it’s interaction with Shakespeare, the meaning of the play and the subject, and the geography. Many thanks for your lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelley for those kind words.
ReplyDeleteI can't describe what pleasure participation in this blog project is bringing me, smelling perfumes based on a such a lovely play, heaven.
And I am very happy that I got to try such a great perfume as my first of your line. :)