It’s October in Salem, MA where I live –a town that is notorious for witchcraft, spell casting and seduction of the spirit. Halloween is Queen in Salem, and the whole town celebrates. So it’s no surprise I find myself leaning towards scents that are dark and mysterious. I want a subtle combination of notes that can tempt and entrance me.
Atropa Belladona Perfume Concept Board: Courtesy of Shay and Blue
Launched in 2012, Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna was composed by de facto in house perfumer Julie Massé (the British Perfumery is a relative newcomer to the scent scene but Creative Director and founder Dom De Vetta is no stranger to casting scent spells; he was formerly a top executive with CHANEL and Jo Malone). With essences from Grasse and formulated in London, Altropa Belladona somehow captures the lore of Salem's sorceresses perfectly. In Italian, the word “bella donna” translates as “beautiful lady.” Belladonna also happens to be a hallucinogenic and deathly poisonous plant. There’s a wonderfully delicious contrast happening with this perfume that echoes the excitement Halloween brings but with an unsettling sense of foreboding. Atropa Belladonna is a deceptively soft floral scent, but the lightness is sliced by razor sharp spices. The overall effect signals both pure temptation and the lure of the unknown. Atropa Belladonna is a siren’s song – the scent of a gorgeous woman at a masqued ball whose eyes glow malevolently- La Belle Dame Sans Merci. Long-time readers of ÇaFleureBon will recognize these seeming contradictions as a Shay & Blue signature (The Silver Fox's review of Salt Caramel), and the inherent tension provides a layer of depth that elevates Shay and Blue fragrances beyond the sum of their notes.
Vintage Photo of Elizabeth Taylor at a Halloween Party (hoodothatvoodootumblr.com)
Atropa Belladonna’s seduction begins simply: a crisp, dry hit of black currant, tempered by a lace curtain heart of narcissus and jasmine, and finally a slight hit of acrid patchouli followed by a heavy wave of sweet bourbon vanilla. The composition is arranged masterfully from a small series of alternating sweet vs. sour, floral vs. spice moments, and the effect is devastating and hypnotic. It evolves into a scent for witches and temptresses – a perfume for a woman who knows what she wants how she’s going to get it, and who from. The longevity (like any good enchantment) is powerful – it lasted easily six hours on my skin. The sillage is appropriate for spell casting as well, it stays close to your skin and by the time someone notices what Atropa Belladonna is up to, they’ll do whatever you want. Atropa Belladonna is a mesmerizing, gorgeous and intimate scent for after-hours, and tailor-made for when things go bump in the night. You’ll go quietly.
Notes: Cassis berries, white narcissus, jasmine from Grasse, patchouli, sandalwood and bourbon vanilla.
-Steve Johnson, Contributor
Art Direction, Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Photo: Michelyn Camen
Thanks to Ann Onusko of Indigo Perfumery the exclusive US stockist for Shay and Blue, we have a 30 ml of Atropa Belladonna Natural Spray fragrance for one US reader. To be eligible, please leave a comment with why you would like to win Atropa Belladonna, your favorite Shay and Blue fragrance and your favorite seductress. Draw closes October 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