Once upon a time there was a Jil Sander fragrance named Pure. It was created in 1979 (not a great year for perfumery, if you look at this list), and boasted an impressive list of notes:
Top: Aldehyde, Galbanum, Coriander, Bergamot, Leaves
Heart: Rose, Jasmin, Carnation, Ylang-Ylang, Gardenia, Muguet, Tuberose
Base: Oakmoss, Styrax, Leather, Benzoin, Vetiver, Cedar
This was, of course, too good to be true (I'm guessing, since I've never actually sniffed it), and this perfume was discontinued and forgotten, until 2003 when a new fragrance was launched under this very same name.
I found two descriptions of this scent. FragranceNet simply calls it "a crisp, watery scent", while according to Neiman Marcus, it's "A blow of freshness: pure air molecule, cyclamen flower, fresh petal jasmine, lush sap."
I happened upon a bottle of the shower gel and gave it a try. The good news is that it doesn't make me itch like crazy. Seriously, I'm allergic to many a soap, so not wishing for someone to come and flay me is a very good thing. The bad news is that those descriptions of air and water are quite accurate. Pure smells like nothing. It makes me think of those HR memos to employees about not wearing perfume to work so they wouldn't offend their sensitive coworkers. This is the most politically correct fragrance. It makes me want to marinate myself in Miel de Bois.
Top: Aldehyde, Galbanum, Coriander, Bergamot, Leaves
Heart: Rose, Jasmin, Carnation, Ylang-Ylang, Gardenia, Muguet, Tuberose
Base: Oakmoss, Styrax, Leather, Benzoin, Vetiver, Cedar
This was, of course, too good to be true (I'm guessing, since I've never actually sniffed it), and this perfume was discontinued and forgotten, until 2003 when a new fragrance was launched under this very same name.
I found two descriptions of this scent. FragranceNet simply calls it "a crisp, watery scent", while according to Neiman Marcus, it's "A blow of freshness: pure air molecule, cyclamen flower, fresh petal jasmine, lush sap."
I happened upon a bottle of the shower gel and gave it a try. The good news is that it doesn't make me itch like crazy. Seriously, I'm allergic to many a soap, so not wishing for someone to come and flay me is a very good thing. The bad news is that those descriptions of air and water are quite accurate. Pure smells like nothing. It makes me think of those HR memos to employees about not wearing perfume to work so they wouldn't offend their sensitive coworkers. This is the most politically correct fragrance. It makes me want to marinate myself in Miel de Bois.
Marinate in Miel de Bois? Love that- gave me a nice chuckle.
ReplyDeleteOf course I have been known to marinate in it myself...
...and the people around us rejoice.
ReplyDeleteI know it is odd to comment, one, as a man, and two, so late, but, I stumbled across it looking up Pure for men. I have to say, the men's Pure is an excellent scent. I had a female co-worker almost jump over the desk to sniff me when I walked into the office. Most cologne is so over the top for me, I see snail trails on some guys and ladies! It gives me a headache, especially in close quarters! So maybe the dude version is better, no?
ReplyDeleteJohn, it isn't odd at all, at least not in this fragrance loving community...
ReplyDeleteI've never smelled the masculine version of Pure, but since I'm very fond of just about any other Jil Sander creation, I wouldn't be surprised to hear it's good.
I own bottles of No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4, all are gorgeous. And I really need to get my paws on Scent 79, both the masculine and the feminine versions. I hear they're great (very limited distribution, though. Only Neiman and Bergdorf, I think).
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
That's funny - Jil Sander Pure is the fragrance I always wear and I constantly get compliments on it! To each his own, I guess..
ReplyDelete