New Perfume Review: Shangri La by Hiram Green “Chypre Found” Draw + #ShopSmall Indigo Perfumery 20 % Off Storewide for our Readers

cafleurebon hiram green

Natural Perfumer Hiram Green

Perfumer Hiram Green, the creator of Moon Bloom (which rocked the blogosphere with it's amazing technical and aesthetic beauty) has returned with his second offering, Shangri La, homage to Francois Coty's 1917 masterpiece of the same name.

lost horizon jane wyatt and ronald coleman

Old Hollywood: Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyman in Lost Horizon  1937 film directed by Frank Capra (reimaged)

It is also a tribute to the mythical land of harmony somewhere nestled within the Himalayas. “You, my son, will live through the storm. You will preserve the fragrance of our history and add to it a touch of your own mind." So says the High Lama in James Hilton’s Lost Horizon, to  protaginst Hugh Conway, who is selected to rule Shangri-La after the benevolent leader dies.

The same message has been passed along from Coty to Green; Hiram Green is a chosen one to protect and perfect the cherished fragrance legacy. With many questionable restrictions on a natural perfumery- the very construct of a chypre has been threatened, and might fade into the mists. Thankfully,  talented perfumers like Hiram Green, and other can use new technologies which have exponentially expanded the perfumer‘s palette so that in ten years Chypres will not be the stuff of myth.

Opening with the classic chypre’s signature citrus burst, Hiram Green's Shangri La is at first intense, but just as quickly turns to what I will describe as “baby head” smell. I know parents understand, but for those of you, who do not, it is the beautiful scent of fresh flesh, peachy but not fruity, clean but somehow sweetened. Peach becomes almost aldehydic as it mingles in the heart with iris, and the also  floral heart combination of rose and jasmine. .

lost horizon shangri-la

Shangri-La

Spices come to call as sparkling chimera- sometimes tickling, pointing out you are now somewhere exotic and warm.  Adding to this sensation, a faint milky note bridges into the base, although certainly not suntan oil coconut- it is the akin to the milk of human kindness which nourishes the people of the peaceful valley Finally,  the ingredient that is so integral to chypres comes to light- a pastel oakmoss, lovely and subdued- proving the talented Green can work within the raw material restraints of IFRA. Anchored by a vanilla-infused vetiver, we have reached the pinnacle of this aroma family's beauty. The next morning I awoke with a soft peach pit and violet musk whispering still.

shangri la perfume

As described by Hilton, the residence of Shangri-La are, “…a people who have an unheard of longevity.” Hiram Green's Shangri La is no less so, nor is it shy about making its glory known- sillage radiates as sunshine peaking over the Himalayas at daybreak. It is a superior example showing natural perfumery in the 21st century doesn’t have to be paradise lost but indeed can be paradise found. For those who seek the Lost Horizon, the vintage perfume treasures of a bygone era, Hiram Green’s Shangri La honors and respects  the mastery of Francois Coty so many years ago.

Notes: citrus, peach, jasmine, iris, spices, vetiver and oakmoss

–Einsof, West Coast Contributor

disclosure: Indigo Perfumery provided my sample for review

Note: Americans who sought out Hiram Green's debut perfume, finding Moon Bloom may have had some intitial difficulty- but rest assured, you did not need to scale any mountains.  Ann Onsuko, the owner of Indigo Perfumery has found the lamasery for you:and is the exclusive US stockist

ShangriLa Hiram green

Hiram Green Shangri La Travel Spray and EDP

Thanks to the generosity of Anne we are offering two 5ml travel spray of ShangriLa to two  CON ED US readers. To be eligible please leave a comment about what appeals to you about Shangri La,  if you have tried Moon Bloom and if you have you seen the movie or read the book Lost Horizon. If you would like to have your comment count twice LIKE Indigo Perfumery on FaceBook or Tweet #ShopSmall Hiram Green ShangriLa  #perfume  @indigoperfumery  @fifthsensenyc http://tinyurl.com/lqxrzxa.  Or you can pin it or use instagram @cafleurebon. Draw ends December 1, 2014 BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE… SHOP SMALL AND SAVE

small business saturday 2014

#shopsmall #savebig

Support Small Business Saturday November 29, 2014. #ShopSmall at Indigo Perfumery  who is offering 20 percent off of any brand with any purchase of $100 + free shipping in the USA. The code at check out is CafleurebonSBS through November 30, 2014

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

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20 comments

  • Sun Mi says:

    Wow. You totally and completely sold me with baby head. My baby is almost 7 months and if I could encapsulate baby head and milky baby’s breath in one perfume I’d be in heaven 🙂 I haven’t read Lost Horizon or tried Moon Bloom – but I’ve read so many great reviews about that its on my list! Thanks for the draw, in the US!

  • Tami H. says:

    You had me at Baby Head 🙂 I have tried Moon Bloom and adore it. I live in the U.S. Thank you for this AMAZING draw.

  • Janet in California says:

    Shangri la sounds amazing. I love peach in a fragrance! Moon Bloom is on the top of my buy list. I have seen the movie but need to read the book.

    I live in the USA. Thanks!

  • fazal cheema says:

    I am glad Hiram has paid tribute to Coty. Coincidentally, I was just reading about Coty’s Paris today that has some resemblance to Chanel 5. The article gives hope that chypre genre will live. Being a vintage fragrance collection, I welcome any creation that refreshes memory of past creations. I have not yet tried any from Moon Bloom nor have I read or watched lost horizon. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in the US

  • julesinrose says:

    I haven’t seen the movie, read the book, OR tried Moon Bloom, though I keep hearing about how great it is! I’d like to know what a true chypre smells like, so OF COURSE I want to try Shangi La! Thanks for the draw. In the US. Cheers!

  • Amber says:

    Everything about Shangri La appeals to me. I love that Hiram Green: “honors and respects the mastery of Francois Coty so many years ago.” The description of this fragrance sounds like a dream. Lost Horizon is sitting on one of my bookshelves, yet to be read. I just ordered a sample of Moon Bloom, and was about to order a sample of Shangri La from Indigio (which I will definitely like on Facebook). I’ll hold out for the drawing though. Fingers crossed! 😉

  • Dari says:

    I bought moon bloom and it is the most beautiful tuberose ever
    Please enter me in shangri la
    I read lost horizon in high school
    Beautiful writing Einsof
    Thank you #shopsmall @indigoperfumery
    Page liked

  • Bea says:

    I have never heard of indigo perfumery so thank you what great brands. Now I know where to find Shay and Blue !
    I am interested in seeing how natural perfume can smell like Coty Chypre from 1917. It lists spices curious what they are
    Please enter me in the Hiram Bloom shangri la contest
    Thank you also for the discount

  • taffynteddy says:

    ShangriLa sounds spectacular I love that it recalls and reimagines a chypre for our crazy restrictive IFRA time. Moon Bloom is on my must try list and I read lost horizon as a teenager somehow I think that I’ll get more out of it now that I’ve lived a little. I live in the US. Thanks again for the lovely review.

  • silvrolive says:

    I’m interested in the peach iris combination and the way ShangriLa unfolds. Moon Bloom is just beautiful! I have seen Lost Horizon but not read it.
    In the US. Liking Indigo Perfumery on Facebook. Thanks for the draw!

  • Tiffanie says:

    Rose, jasmine, vanilla-infused vetiver, and oakmoss make Shangri La sound appealing and magical. I haven’t tried Moon Bloom but hope to someday. I love tuberose fragrances.

    I have seen the movie Lost Horizon and enjoyed reading the book as well. I liked Indigo Perfumery on FaceBook. I’m sure I would like it in person, too, but I now live in the southwestern US.

    Thank you to Anne for the draw, to Einsof for the thoughtful review, and to Hiram Green for making such wondrous fragrances.

  • FearsMice says:

    I dimly remember seeing at least part of the movie when I was very young. That memory conjures up a magical, spell-bound place, and wouldn’t it be wonderful if Hiram’s new perfume could transport me there… I’m in the US; thanks for the draw.

  • Claudia says:

    I completely adore his first fragrance Moon Bloom, I am extremely curious about this one also, I am not sure when you mention “baby head” smell, that it is what I want my fragrance to smell like unless its a freshly washed one.. 🙂 I think what I like about Hiram Green is that he does not pump out 10 or more fragrances at 1 time. He seems to put a meticulous effort and love into creating exceptional fragrances and his first creation Moon Bloom shows that as it convinced me that I love tuberose, especially Moon Bloom on my skin. Elegance and beauty in a bottle. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I am in the US.

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    I have to agree with other commenters above: the scent of a baby’s head is completely entrancing, as evidenced by my incessant huffing of my baby girl’s head. And neck. Oh, I pass it off as a game, snuffling and snorting to make her giggle (which I’m also addicted to!), but really, I’m just a junkie after my next fix, hahaha!

    I have been longing to try Moon Bloom as well but haven’t had the chance yet. Sigh. I’m also woefully behind on my bookreading and movie watching (because baby in the house), so no Lost Horizon in any form for me.

    I like Indigo Perfumery on Facebook and am in the US. Thank you for the draw!

  • Susie says:

    I’m a chypre lover…my first was Deci Dela, then Yvresse. One of them is out of production, and the other one has been reformulated, so I’m continually searching for another good chypre. I’m interested to see if the oakmoss shines in Shangri La.

  • Mallory says:

    I would say the peach appeals to me most. I have’t read Lost Horizon or tried Moon Bloom, but I will have to do both in the new year. i live in the US. Thanks!

  • sandi says:

    i’m a fan of any chypre! i’ve read the book…..in high school. 😉 i just “liked” indigo via FB & live in the US. thank you for this draw!

  • Holly F. says:

    Shangri La! The spices mentioned as well as the oak moss appeal to me. I have not tried Moon Bloom or read Lost Horizon, but now I’m very interested in doing so. I will tweet this post now and have liked Indigo. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the U.S.