Ineke Chemical Bonding (Ineke Rühland) 2006 -Perfume Review + Opposites Attract Draw

Ineke Rühland

In nature and in the laboratory opposites attract: “…chemical bonds result from the electrical attraction between opposite charges-between positively charged nuclei and negatively charged electrons…”  – McMurray, et al. – Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 2010. Award-winning perfumer Ineke Rühland (her Idyllwild was a 3x CaFleureBon Best of 2017 Award Winner) created Chemical Bonding in 2006 and this perfume brings together two very different fragrant forces, resulting in a bracing, masculine scent with a feminine floral heart.

irenetonnessen.net ©

Ineke Chemical Bonding opens as a cocktail of startling, bright citrus oils.  A heavy dose of black tea sharpens the effect of bergamot and lemon, adding a robust tannic edge to the composition.  My first impression of Chemical Bonding is that of a larger than life masculine fragrance, bigger, bolder, simply more of everything than any notion of a conventional Italianate citrus would suggest. After about 30 minutes, nuances of blackberry add shades of dark, tart fruit to the explosion of citrus.

 Photo of a peony by Gail

At the very moment I wrap my nose around the blackberry note, Chemical Bonding flips to the opposite. I am instantly charmed by the feminine floral heart – warm, dewy and almost sultry, a bouquet of flowers, dominated by fresh, wet peonies.  I inhale and feel like I have buried my nose in one of those big double pink blooms that fill my garden in April, May and June. A hint of residual lemon keeps the flowers fresh for two hours before I detect traces of grassy, vegetal vetiver.

irenetonnessen.net ©

At about three hours, a transparent, green/golden amber warms and rounds out the composition, lingering and finally fading into a mist of powdery musk. I enjoy the split personality of Ineke Chemical Bonding for four hours on skin and five on clothing.  With the exception of the initial burst of macho citrus, Chemical Bonding wafts a well-mannered and conservative sillage.

photo: irenetonnessen.net ©

Ineke Chemical Bonding is one of those perfumes that must be worn more than once. It is artfully composed and  complex; to truly comprehend the nuances it takes more than a single exposure. I  am attracted to both polarities of Chemical Bonding, to the initial masculinity of the citrus, as well as to the fluttering femininity of the heart, blooming with tender garden flowers. Chemical Bonding is  the allure of opposites coming together. Notes: Citrus, tea, blackberry, peony, vetiver, amber and musk.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Ineke Rühland for the lovely Deluxe Sample Collection, volume 6. My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Ineke Chemical Bonding

Thanks to the generosity of Ineke Rühland we have one 75 ml bottle of Ineke Chemical Bonding available for one registered reader in the US.  (Be sure to register or your comment will not count.) To be eligible, tell us where you live, what appeals to you about Gail’s review, and if you have a favorite perfume by Ineke. Draw closes 3/8/2108

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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21 comments

  • Alen says:

    I’ve never tried any Ineke perfumes, but i know for sure i do like a lot citrus and tea based fragrances. Love also the name of this perfume. I live in the EU and i would really like to test Chemical Bonding, thanks for the draw.

  • INYA says:

    Oh my! I’ve enjoyed several Ineke fragrances: Scarlet Larkspur, Evening Edged in Gold, Gilded Lily, and my all time favorite Field Notes From Paris. I would love to try Chemical Bonding! Sounds like it changes throughout the day as you enjoy it. I’m in the USA.

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    I personally haven’t tried anything yet from Ineke but I’ve heard a lot of great things. This article being no exception. I love how Gail talks about the fragrances ability to morph from masculine to feminine. I, personally don’t care about how a fragrance is technically marketed and if i think it would shell good on me I’ll wear it, whether the box is blue or pink. That’s what appeals to me about this scent and how Gail described it. Thank you for the opportunity. I live in the USA

  • Emmanuelle Stathopoulos says:

    This citrus, peony, vetivert combination really intreagues me! And no, I have not tried another creation from Ineke therefore would love to be initiated! I live in beautiful Victoria BC in Canada.

  • Malka Gittel bas Reuven says:

    Gail’s description of the progression of the dry down here is lovely. I don’t think of citrus as either masculine or feminine; I merely adore it in almost all of its manifestations. But such a clear, bright description; it makes me want to wallow in the dry down just as she revels in it.

    I don’t have a favorite Ineke; they’re all a delight to engage with.

    I live in Pennsylvania (US), where my mother had a back yard full of peonies.

  • Timea says:

    I have never heard this brand before, but this fragrance sounds really nicely from the review and the notes. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • Amer says:

    I appreciate rigid masculne fragrances but many times when I wear them I wish they had a floral element to compliment the composition via contrast. I haven’t found a composition to suit my taste in that matter so far so I layer. Perhaps this will put an end to my layering experiments? Who knows… Description sounds promissing and peony is one of my favorite perfumery notes.

    EU resident here

  • Steve A. says:

    Since I enjoyed reading about the split personality of this perfume I think I’d probably love it. My favorite Ineke is Derring-Do. USA

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    Chemical Bonding is a fragrance is one of the few that I have not yet tried by this perfumer. I find her creations interesting and innovative, and I am enthralled by her powerful Idyllwild. Chemical Bonding it seems exemplifies the yin and yang–a feminine floral with a dark heart, balanced by a bright masculine, and so it would appear suitable for both sexes. I live in the US and thank you for this chance.

  • Donna S says:

    This sounds right up my alley. I love citrus and also florals and would enjoy experiencing how this develops. I like that Gail recommends wearing more than once to truly experience the perfume. I don’t believe I’ve tried any Ineke fragrances yet, so look forward to this. I’m in US and appreciate the opportunity. Lovely pics too with the review. Peonies are one my favorite flowers and I also like the ballet pose with the ink 🙂

  • Vahagn says:

    Nice review, beatiful description…This perfumes sounds very attractive. I think it will nice peony, with citrus and tea.
    I’m not familiar with Ineke perfumes.
    US

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Completely agree that Chemical Bonding must be worn more than once…it is an underrated gem. My favorite Ineke however is Evening Edged in Gold…my full bottle is almost empty! I reside in the United STates.

  • Dana U says:

    I love and own several of Ineke’s fragrances. Evening Edged in Gold is my favorite, along with Field Notes of Paris and Sweetbriar Rose. I am going to have to revisit my sample of Chemical Bonding and see if I can detect all the nuances that Gail mentions. It is a beautiful fragrance and I would love to add it to my collection. I am in the US.

  • Carol Webb says:

    This sounds amazing, I love citrus, tea, and especially blackberry in a perfume.
    I have purchased several of Ineke’s perfumes – Idyllwild is probably my favorite because I so expected to not like it very much but I absolutely love it. The others that I own – off the top of my head Angels Trumpet, Poets Jasmine, Balmy Days and Sundays… a few more… I love as well. Idyllwild was the unexpected treasure for me.
    I’m in the US, and I would absolutely be honored to have another gorgeous Ineke fragrance.
    Thank you for the very generous draw, I’m in the US.

  • Kate C says:

    This sounds lovely, as so many Ineke fragrances do, with so many wonderful notes, and I love how it can be both masculine and feminine. Idyllwild is my favorite Ineke and I’m just in love with it. US – thanks for the great draw!

  • Diana D says:

    I really enjoy fragrances with peony. It is such a sweet, powdery floral. I have never purchased or tested any Ineke perfumes. I really like the sound of this one and have put it on my wishlist.
    I live in the US.

  • Fusiongel says:

    Chemical Bonding sounds like an interesting fragrances. My favorite Ineke fragrance is a tie between Field Notes from Paris and Idyllwild. One is perfect for this Nor’Easter we’re lucky to have here and the other I’m hoping to make good use of when the weather warms up…which I can’t wait for. Cheers from CT.

  • NiceVULady says:

    This sounds like an interesting fragrance and not too masculine, I think. I love the smell of peonies, so this is definitely one to try. Loved the review. I have no favorites in this house. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • doveskylark says:

    I just love anything that is gender fluid. That citrus burst opening sounds like something that would charge up my day. I have always wanted to try After My Own Heart. I heard it’s a beautiful lilac fragrance. I live in the USA.

  • WaltherP99 says:

    I’ve smelled most of Ineke line and to me there are 2 far better than the others-own and love Evening Edged In Gold , and i also like a lot Field Notes From Paris.
    i’ve never smelled Chemical Bonding,but it should be a good one-citrus+tea+flowers and blackberry bombo sounds delish.Virginia USA like 95% of the time and London UK … from time to time.