New Natural Fragrance Review: Artemisia Natural Perfumes Golden Hour + Maxfield Parrish Perfume Draw

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Lisa Fong

Perfumer Lisa Fong of Artemisia Natural Perfumes has released a new fragrance called Golden Hour that captures that comfortable, just before sunset, feeling in a white floral perfume that actually feels gentle and warm on skin. This company creates truly artisanal perfumes that rise above flat two-dimensional synthetic offerings. These scents, even when they contain “power” notes, waft off the skin subtly and do not overwhelm, creating a unique sensory experience for each individual.

 

girl on a swing by maxfield parrish

Girl on A Swing by Maxfield Parrish

Naturalist and poet Diane Ackerman describes smells as elements that “detonate softly in our memory, like poignant landmines, hidden under a weedy mass of many years and experiences”. Lisa Fong feels the same way and has attempted to create particularly powerful scented memories to share with us. Natural perfumes, more than mixed media or all synthetic scents, are much more sensitive to individual skin chemistry; so, each and every wearing creates something beautiful that speaks to each person in its own special way.

 

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Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish

Golden Hour is, first and foremost, a tuberose perfume and could be called a white floral, yet it is so much more.  What struck me first, upon opening my sample, was that the “juice” itself was not only golden but iridescent. As I spritzed it on my forearm, I expected to see a subtle shimmer or perhaps sparkles. None were there. I was intrigued by the softly murmuring and inviting scent of Night Queen (cereus) ensconced in green resinous galbanum. The strange sharpness of the resin is soothed and quieted by the velvet leafiness of the cereus. This duo makes the perfect segue as it deepens into possibly the most peaceful and well-behaved tuberose I have ever sniffed.

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Morning by Maxfield Parrish

This tuberose is just waking up. As the sun falls further under the horizon, it begins to open and exudes its bewitching aroma. Golden Hour has none of the harsh rubbery notes or thick powdery pollen dripping blossoms many tuberose-centric scents have. Angelica root has been used very proficiently here, to cut the harshest aspects of this often bawdy floral. While maintaining an almost herbal earthiness, sans skank or dirt, the flowers melt into a sensual glaze of vanilla and cognac. Here and there, as it teeter-totters between capricious floral and elegantly boozy/sweet oriental, I catch teasing whiffs of subtle spices.

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Skies by Maxfield Parrish

If the mention of tuberose, cognac, vanilla and galbanum, all crammed in one bottle, already has you with one finger on the mouse…do not fear. True to its name, Golden Hour is as warming and ethereal as the first rays of the morning sun and the last streak of gold in the sky at dusk. It is not a projection monster, but it manages to sit close to the skin and weave its beguiling spell ensnaring those who are lucky enough to get close. Matching its molten golden color perfectly, this radiates and surrounds you in a relaxing “rich” aura of gold worth far more than any money. Sillage: below average. Longevity: very good.

Disclosure: Review based on a sample sprayer sent to me by Artemisia Natural.

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

We chose the illustrations and paintings of Maxfield Parrish for Golden Hour as the romantic style and luminosity of his  art captures  the ethereal and dreamy nature of this perfume

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Thanks to Lisa Fong we have a purse sized travel spray of Golden Hour to give away to one US reader and a 5ml spray for a International reader. To be eligible leave a comment about your personal golden hour and whether you are in the US or International. The draw will end on December 7, 2013.

We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

-John Reasinger, Senior Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, EIC

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47 comments

  • Sandi L says:

    Great review John! I was just rereading Dianes book A Natural History of The Senses. She challenges readers to describe a lover, a child or parent. Made me wonder how many people are aware enough to describe, or even remember themselves.
    My Golden Hour is Early Morning, in the quiet solitude I center and ground for whatever crosses my path for the day.
    Thanks to Lisa for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • AD says:

    The moment just before sunset would be my golden hour. I love white florals, especially tuberose. It’ll be interesting to see how cognac and galbanum mixes in with the tuberose.
    Thanks for the draw. I’m an international reader.

  • leathermountain says:

    I’m in the US. My golden hour only comes in summer time, when the sun sets without any decrease in temperature. Thank you for the draw!

  • Nemo says:

    I am in the US. My golden hours these days are the surprisingly warm and sunny winter days when you feel like you can fling your winter coat far away and walk for miles outside. Luckily, I haven’t been dumb enough to actually do that yet 🙂

  • rainkissed says:

    I love the moments before a sunrise – nothing beats hot tea and the anticipation of the sun’s arrival. I’m also fond of those gray, drizzling days with the occasional burst of sunshine. I live in the US.

  • Lizzy says:

    My husband and I visited with friends on Maui a couple of years ago, during which time we shared an evening meal on the wraparound lanai of their home in Kula–from which you could see both sides of the island. We had a spectacular view of the breathtaking, glorious sunset for which Maui is famous: electric pinks, oranges, reds melting into gold as the sun sank into the Pacific Ocean. Unforgettable.

    I am in the US

  • Judy Woodfill says:

    My Golden Hour is that time of evening when the sky is that heavenly medium-dark blue that virtually glows, especially when the air is still warm (rare in San Francisco). I live in the US.

  • Elia says:

    My golden hour is late late at night when things get quiet enough for you to feel alone. I’m liking tuberose more and more, so this sounds nice.
    I’m an international reader,
    ty

  • Cheryl says:

    My Golden hour is just before sunset no matter where I am. Always the time to wind down. I am in the US

  • gulchatai says:

    US reader.
    My golden hours are before the sunset somewhere in Greece, in the summer.
    I love tuberose, and I love the brand Artemisia. It is very interesting to try his scent, would love to win!

  • Olga N says:

    Very interesing mixture of tuberose, vanilla, galbanum, and cogniac.
    My golden hour is morning, when everything is waking up, it is quiet and pieaceful.
    I’m international reader

  • maysamassimo says:

    Hi! I’m in the US. My golden hour is when I get to bed after a hard day of work. There’s nothing better.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Lorin says:

    Thank for the opportunity for a great draw, and this fragrance sounds fantastic! My golden hour changes depending on time of year – in the winter it is the hour before sundown when I am outside with the dog, and in the summer it is usually in the morning when I am most productive. I am in the US.

  • Ncmyers says:

    My golden hour is in fall, out in the country, taking pictures of the ripe grain or the rolling hills. I am in the US.

  • mim says:

    USA
    My golden hour is the hour (or 2-3 in the summer) leading into sunset. It feels like I’m seeing the world through honey, everything has a subtle shimmer and glow, especially in the autumn when the sun catches all the leaves over the still-green grass and it looks like a river of flames. Favorite time to take pictures!

    Usually am not a morning person but right in the beginning of fall had a while when I was awake for sunrise. I’d watch the sun chase away the scudding clouds and replace gray light with bright gold…that felt like it too.

    loved the art! thanks for the review and draw

  • Ififenia says:

    My golden hour is the sunset hour in my ancestors land (my place of decent) Santorini island and in particular Oia where I have experienced the best sunset in the whole world. I am proud of my place of decent and there I live my own myth my own golden hour!
    Thanks for this draw. I live in Europe, Greece.

  • angiefunk says:

    My golden hour is just when the sky turns into brilliant reds, magentas and oranges. I live in the US.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    My golden hour is the hour before sunset when the world is aglow with warm light in the summer and pink hues in the winter.
    Thank you for the draw! I am in the USA.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    for me golden hour is when sun is slowly emerging and life starts appearing on the street..i always enjoy morning.i am in the US

  • Connie says:

    My golden hour is the hour in the mid-morning during New England’s Spring when the weather is perfect and open, everything is green and the bulbs are open, the air is fresh. I’m in the US.

  • merlina says:

    My golden hour the sunrise, just before the sun appear in horizon, early in the morning. I prefer this moment now, in winter, as it seems the colours are even more red than in the summer. I loove tubereuse and I’m in Spain.

  • SamSillage says:

    My golden hours are those delightful times in Pacific NW evenings where the sun ducks under the cloud cover it’s been hiding behind all day to shine almost horizontally onto the Western mountains, often making a rainbow if there’s rain. It’s a magical light.

  • Marion says:

    The golden hours in Arizona are just at sunrise and just before sunset. The sky holds crimson, orange, deep rose, reflected in the cloud formations among the White Tank mountain range. Stunning and picture perfect every morning and evening. I am intrigued…a quiet tuberose? Tuberose is my fav flower, and usually in my best perfumes. Thanks for the chance, I am in USA.

  • Chris Schaefer says:

    My golden hour is just before the sun goes down when that gorgeous light makes everything shimmer. Time for the day to begin winding down. I am in the US and many thanks for the lovely review and the draw.

  • breathesgelatin says:

    I love tuberose and the idea of a “warm” tuberose is perfect! I’m in the US. My personal golden hour is sipping a cup of coffee with some chocolate cake after dinner, watching a juicy evening soap opera. 🙂

  • Ferris says:

    My golden hour occurs every evening when I watch the sun disappear behind the snow capped Rockies where I am delighted with such brilliant colors of crimson, orange, purple and yellow in the sky. A site to see believe me. I’m in the US and thank you so much for the draw.

  • Brooke says:

    I have a golden 15 minutes (not quite a full hour as I would like). I generally wake up 15 minutes before my alarm clock sounds. Those precious minutes include stretching, cuddling with the dog, and taking a moment to think about something for which I am grateful. I am in the US and I thank you for the draw.

  • Someotherspring says:

    I’m in the US. My Golden Hour is always my meditation time, whatever time of day that is. I’m always able to bring forth the ‘gold’ from within.

  • Suzinn says:

    How exciting, Lisa is such a wonderful perfumer!
    My Golden Hour is usually at dusk sitting in my own garden filled with fragrant plants and the heat of summer brings out the all beautiful aromas. Whether I am alone or surrounded by friends, this time of day is a delight to the senses!

  • Steve T says:

    Although I don’t consider myself a morning person by any means, sunrise would be my golden hour on those occasions I do witness it. The morning dew, the air, the sky, there is something so enthralling about it. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw

  • Dana says:

    There is a special light that comes through our backyard trees right before sunset. We may not have seen sun all day, but when the sun gets almost horizontal and filters through the leaves, it is simply beautiful. Thank you–U.S. resident.

  • Lubka K. says:

    My golden hours are hours where I am not bus, just relaxing, standing at my balcony and watching how sky changes its colors… from blue to blue mixed with golden, yellow, pinky and red when sun s already sets under horizon. I do remember these early evening watched from the top of 2655 m high peak in our national park, where I used to be visiting my friend meteorologist… Thanks! Europe

  • sunnlitt says:

    My Golden Hour is in the summer, when the time before nightfall seems to last and last and the light softens all that it touches.
    I am in the US.
    Thanks for the drawing.

  • Ginny M says:

    When I think of a “Golden Hour,” I imagine mid-July, lying in a hammock in the shade at my late grandmother’s house, its terraced gardens surrounded by the cherry, peach and apricot orchard that was my mother’s family’s livelihood. Insects chirping; cats lazing beneath the honeysuckle to stay cool…all of my grandmother’s children have passed, save one; the house is long gone, bulldozed down in the name of “progress.” But I remember that feeling of having not a care in the world. I live in the U.S.

  • Lean S says:

    My golden hour would be when I manage to wake up at 5:00 am on a day off to take a walk. I love the fresh cool air and the lighting outside that early in the morning, no matter the season. I live in the US.

  • Devon H says:

    My most memorable golden hour was on my honeymoon on Bermuda, watching the sun set with my hubby over turquoise water, toes in a pink sand beach, a Cuban cigar, and the best damn frozen rum punch I’ve ever had. That was a perfect moment I hope to repeat in the future. 🙂
    Thanks for the draw! I live in the US.

  • Holly F. says:

    My golden hour is during my daily run in the morning, when the sky begins to change from dark to light. It’s beautiful in its own way every single time, whether a vivid fiery sunrise, or a foggy horizon that is gently shaded. I am in the U.S.

  • Cynthia says:

    My golden hour are those rare mornings when I’m awake early , can sip my coffee with no distractions or cares. I am in the US

  • Greg Esa says:

    My golden hour would be right before bed. I make myself a nice cup of tea, and relax with newspapers or a book. I’m an international reader. Thanks!

  • Vick G says:

    My golden hour is when I wake up on those bright summer weekends. Looking outside and enjoying the warm weather.

    I’m an international reader.

  • carol duke says:

    Thisb perfume sounds compelling-warm, sensual and subtle. I’d be happy to smell it and will send for a sample on your beautiful website. Thanks, Lisa