CB I Hate Perfume- Invisible Monster #106

The monsters of Christopher Brosius' childhood hid along the banks of the Susquehanna River in rural Pennsylvania. Unfathomable things lurked in the underbrush between the sumac trees, and it was up to young Christopher and his cousins to save the day. Invisible Monsters, the new fragrance by Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume, evokes the wild and jungle-like river banks and takes us on a journey back to childhood adventures and long summer days when everything was possible and anything could happen.

You have to like green galbanumy scents if you're to enjoy CB's Invisible Monster. Whatever's hiding behind the hanging vines is sharp and toothy. There's something recognizable in the way Brosius weaves his green scents, so if you're a fan Invisible Monster will hit a similar spot for you. After the first hit of a Brosius-green note you'll notice the various elements that create it: grass blades, tender leaves, a little rot, cool wind in the old wild trees. The perfumer mentions a lemony note, which I read as more lemon leaf than rind or pulp. It is zingy, though, and a bit unruly.

I was afraid of marshy swampy water, but there's absolutely none of that in Invisible Monster. It's just underbrush and a healthy imaginations that can take you where the wild things are. I have to say that Invisible Monster is an odd choice as a fall/winter release. I find that cold temperatures greatly inhibit the perfume's ability to develop and to make any sort of impression. The fragrance requires warmth in the air and of the skin to reach its full potential and become more personal and less of an idea or a place. There's practically no sillage or any projection when going out in the cold wearing Invisible Monster and it inflates and disappears within an hour. Indoors, however,  I can sit happily and let the heating do the work. Monster creates a happy bubble around me that's perfect for reading, dreaming or blogging. It lasts for about four to five hour this way, and lingers on sweaters and shawls.

Notes: To Yo Ran Orchid, Sumac, Galbanum, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Cedarwood.

CB I Hate Perfume Invisible Monster #106 (Secret History Series) is available at the Brooklyn Gallery (93 Wythe Avenue) and online from cbihateperfume.com. A 2ml sample of the perfume absolute ($13) will last forever.

Art: Bill Anderson- The Susquehanna River at Royalton, PA.