Perfume Review: Shay and Blue Atropa Belladonna + Halloween in Salem Massachusetts Draw

halloween in salem massachusetts


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 Belladonna Concept

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.

elizabeth taylor halloween  vintage

 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

shay andblue atropabelladonna perfume

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

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20 comments

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Wow, what a write-up! I’d love to try this to smell the spices… not fair that they keep us guessing as to what those are. 🙂 I haven’t tried any Shay and Blue yet unfortunately. I do love Cyd Charisse in Singin’ in the Rain. Thank you for the draw!

  • I was lucky to win something in a past draw, so I’ wasn’t commenting to win, but I wanted to add how much I love Salem and say how lucky you are to live there. I haven’t been there in a few years, so I hope it’s been able to keep it’s quaint and mysterious charms. It’s a great place for a fall road trip.

  • Witchcraft, indeed! Sounds like a fun fragrance to try, one that’s sexy and mischievous and mysterious. As far as seductresses go, I suppose I’d have to say Scheherazade, who used her brains and cleverness to seduce her way to safety.

    US resident — thank you for the draw!

  • Wow. This scent sounds very bewitching. I have Salt Caramel and love it, would love to explore this line further.
    I live in in the U.S., Thanks for the draw.

  • I’m very intrigued by this one! I love spice in perfumes and a spicy floral sounds right up my alley. Anything associated with “witchy” for perfume is usually a no-brainer for me. I haven’t yet tried any Shay & Blue but I have been longing to sample some Salt Caramel! I’m not usually a gourmand lover but everyone has raves about it so I’m hoping it works for me. One of my favorite seductresses would have to be either Kathleen Turner in Body Heat or Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions. 🙂

  • I would love to win this draw because I’d love to experience “a perfume for a woman who knows what she wants how she’s going to get it, and who from. ” Sounds fascinating! Confident! Sexy! More than I could pull off for sure. 🙂 I’ve never tried a Shay and Blue fragrance, but my favorite seductress is the princessed up version of Ursula in the little mermaid.

  • Thank you for this wonderful draw. I’ve been excited about trying Shay and Blue, but have yet to do so. I think my favorite Shay and Blue fragrance would be Oud Alif for its composition of Oud and Saffron. Atropa Belladona sounds beautiful and sensual with bourbon vanilla, patchouli and white narcissus.

    Hmm.. favorite seductress. I will choose a few:
    Old School: Eartha Kitt, Lauren Bacall
    Cartoon: Inque from Batman
    Now: Rihanna

    I am in the US.

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    I would like to win Atropa Belladonna because I’ve not yet tried any Shay and Blue fragrances, and this one sounds wonderful! As I’ve not tried any Shay and Blue yet I don’t have a favorite… My favorite seductress? Hmm, I guess I’d say Cleopatra. I’ve always found the stories surrounding her fascinating. I live in the US, thanks for the draw.

  • My favorite Shay & Blue is the Sicillian Limes. I would like to win this draw because of the berry opening and the bourbon vanilla base combination. 🙂 US

  • I’d love to win this draw for the sheer pleasure of trying a new perfume. My favorite seductress is Emma Peel from the British series, The Avengers. She was smart, sexy and dangerous, always a bad ass combination.

  • I’d like to win this because the description was so alluring, and the notes sound so lovely. I don’t have a favorite Shay & Blue but am intrigued by the Almond Cucumber and hope to try that one soon. My favorite seductress is Rita Heyworth, and I live in the US.

  • I haven’t tried anything from this line, but need to as they always sound so alluring. I like the contrasts described in this perfume: sweet/sour, floral/spicy. I agree with another commenter. Kathleen Turner in Body Heat was mesmerizing. I live in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I am attracted to Atropa Belladona because it has lot of notes I enjoy such as black currant, narcissus, jasmine, and patchouli. In addition, I am also aware of the brand’s reputation for really creating quality fragrances and offering them at affordable prices. My favorite Shay and Blue fragrance is Oud Alif and my favorite seductress is Catherine Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe comes close. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in the US

  • I’m feeling like a “Temptress” I know what I want and from whom, hopefully this fragrance will give me the courage <3 Great post Steve… This one sounds so beautiful. Thanks to Indigo Perfumery for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Even though I’ve got the best man in the world, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be devastating and hypnotic! Sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m not familiar with any of Shay and Blue’s fragrances (but I’m dying to try Salt Caramel). My favorite seductress is the character of Becky Sharp from “Vanity Fair.” (And has been for many years!) I live in the U.S.

  • I haven’t tried any Shay and Blue fragrances yet, but I’ve been reading such positive reviews about them,and I love black currant in perfumes. My favorite seductress is Dita Von Teese.
    Many thanks for the draw.
    US

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I would like to win Atropa Belladonna because it sounds very unique and I love jasmine. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Shay and Blue fragrance. My favorite seductress is Cleopatra.

  • I love the concept board for Belladonna. The spice and patchouli base sound lovely. I haven’t tried Shay and Blue yet but would love to! And my favorite seductress – Drew Barrymore in Poison Ivy. 😉 I’m in the US. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • This sounds very enchanting! I would love to win this because I have yet to try any Shay and blue fragrance and they all sound so appealing, Atropa Belladonna especially. My favorite seductress is Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. I’m in the U.S.