There are people who start getting twitches in the credit card area as soon as they learn that something is a limited edition, limited quantity, here-today-gone-tomorrow, buy now or forever hold your lemming. Sometimes, I'm one of these people.
I know I'm not the only one who reached for her purse within minutes of receiving the Ava Luxe newsletter about the new creation, Sacred. The email promised high quality rare materials, exclusivity and a cute bottle. I had to have it.
The bottled arrived quickly and it was as cute and as potent as expected. I liked the first whiff of a dense, herbal potion that's almost chewable. While very different, it has a similar feel (not smell) to the opening of Ambre Sultan. It becomes a potent herbal rose. Not a pretty, girly rose, but a dark goth one, which I actually prefer. The problem for me starts as the rose withdraws and the myrrh takes center stage.
Now, I like myrrh. It's the main player in my beloved and discontinued L'Eau Trois, but the Diptyque fragrance is very dry and has a warm, dusty element. Here, there's a musty thing that takes over and makes the scent uncomfortable, especially if you make the mistake of underestimating the potency of this oil and over apply. It can become suffocating in large doses, and at the risk of sounding like Luca Turin, I'll also say that somewhere in the never ending dry-down the whole composition and structure falls apart.
I remember my first tries of Regina Harris' Frankincense Myrrh Rose Maroc. It took my a long time to get it, but eventually I learned to love this very complex bomb. Sacred, despite several common notes/ingredients, doesn't smell anything like FMRM. It's not as complex or exuberant, and it lacks the sex appeal. However, there's no denying that the quality is amazing, and that the myrrh overload might be a trick my skin is playing, as it is known to amplify this note. I'm not giving up on the bottle just yet, but I'm going to be very careful in applying it, since it's not a husband-pleaser and the scent lingers even after a shower.
Ava Luxe fragrances are sold through the artist's Etsy store, which was where I bought my bottle ($75). It seemed that the first batch of Sacred was sold out within two days, but now there are four more bottles available. Look under Limited Edition in the Pure Parfum section.
I know I'm not the only one who reached for her purse within minutes of receiving the Ava Luxe newsletter about the new creation, Sacred. The email promised high quality rare materials, exclusivity and a cute bottle. I had to have it.
The bottled arrived quickly and it was as cute and as potent as expected. I liked the first whiff of a dense, herbal potion that's almost chewable. While very different, it has a similar feel (not smell) to the opening of Ambre Sultan. It becomes a potent herbal rose. Not a pretty, girly rose, but a dark goth one, which I actually prefer. The problem for me starts as the rose withdraws and the myrrh takes center stage.
Now, I like myrrh. It's the main player in my beloved and discontinued L'Eau Trois, but the Diptyque fragrance is very dry and has a warm, dusty element. Here, there's a musty thing that takes over and makes the scent uncomfortable, especially if you make the mistake of underestimating the potency of this oil and over apply. It can become suffocating in large doses, and at the risk of sounding like Luca Turin, I'll also say that somewhere in the never ending dry-down the whole composition and structure falls apart.
I remember my first tries of Regina Harris' Frankincense Myrrh Rose Maroc. It took my a long time to get it, but eventually I learned to love this very complex bomb. Sacred, despite several common notes/ingredients, doesn't smell anything like FMRM. It's not as complex or exuberant, and it lacks the sex appeal. However, there's no denying that the quality is amazing, and that the myrrh overload might be a trick my skin is playing, as it is known to amplify this note. I'm not giving up on the bottle just yet, but I'm going to be very careful in applying it, since it's not a husband-pleaser and the scent lingers even after a shower.
Ava Luxe fragrances are sold through the artist's Etsy store, which was where I bought my bottle ($75). It seemed that the first batch of Sacred was sold out within two days, but now there are four more bottles available. Look under Limited Edition in the Pure Parfum section.
How does it compare to Caron Parfum Sacré, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I last tried Parfum Sacre, but I remember it as sweeter and more complex. I really need to go back to it.
ReplyDeleteLOL - Dain, I was just going to ask almost the same question: Why would I need this when I have my beloved Parfum Sacre' to wear?!
ReplyDeleteI almost can't have too much myrrh anyway!
This sounds divine ... your description gives such a vivid image to the senses ... i think i feel my own credit card twitching! thanks for the scoop! xo
ReplyDeleteThis sounds absolutely delicious - sadly I think she's sold out - I couldn't find it anywhere in her store.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the Film Noir?
Doh! How stupid am I - I just found it. Still would love to hear your opinion on the other fragrance though.
ReplyDeleteFlora- I think I really need to revisit Parfum Sacre, and probably get a bottle. Thanks for putting it on my list.
ReplyDeleteRoxy- Thank you . And apologies to your credit card :)
ReplyDeleteAlways in Style- I have yet to try Film Noir, but from reading about it, I suspect I might like it.
ReplyDeleteMy next AL review would be of Karma.
Thios is completely different from Parfum Sacre- which is sweet myrrh
ReplyDelete[opoponax], another animal altogether. [ I love both]
Sacred is incredibly intense- I find that it layers very well with Venus Sands, Kama, many others.
It is woody in the extreme- which bears careful application [ this stuff LASTS].
Kama, I adore.
It reminds me of what I love about MH L'Air de Rien.
And, as a fellow lover of Lonestar Memories, I think you might like Film Noir...
it's like a greener, less sweet, drier version of LM.
[I was shocked when my DH actually liked it ]
Chaya- Now I'm completely certain I need get some Parfum Sacré. Don't know how it got bumped down my must-have list.
ReplyDeleteYour description of Film Noir sounds like another sure thing for me. I'm going to try it soon.