Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life from the brand
As the mother of three young children, “slow” is not a word I typically use to describe life. In this day and age, it is too easy for any of us to get caught up in the rush of our daily lives. Thankfully, Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life is the ideal reminder to at least occasionally, get out of the fast lane, take time to be mindful and just be in the moment.
“A slow-paced world walks towards wisdom” – Voltaire
Christele Jacquemi Slow Life(collage by Rachel)
As an admirer of Christele’s work ever since falling in love with Meandering Soul, I was eager to get my nose on her three latest releases: Enlightenment (reviewed by Ida here), Echoes of Silence and Slow Life. In my haste, I tried all three scents at once and was immediately captivated with Enlightenment and Echoes of Silence; finding Slow Life a little quirky and somewhat curious.
It was only after exploring the back story of Slow Life that it dawned on me this fragrance deserved another, more focused wearing. Slow Life is inspired by photographs taken in Okubo, Japan, an isolated hamlet in the Japanese Alps where Christèle spent a month at an artists’ residence, and where she found herself, “…catapulted into a slowness that made me lose the ground under my feet.”
In my eagerness to try Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life, I was doing just the opposite of what Ms. Jacquemin intended for this work, jostling to take in everything at once, rushing to judgement. The beauty of Slow Life would have passed me by had I not taken time to sit back quietly and absorb the nuances of this gorgeous creation.
Forest Bathing by Michelyn
In subsequent wearing, Slow Life transformed itself from peculiar to meditative. The notes of sesame and jasmine sambac create a scent profile completely unfamiliar to my nose – not gourmand and not indolic but, somewhere in between. The addition of guava leaves, and Himalayan spikenard creates a sense of being surrounded by dense forest greenery where the sun’s rays manage to filter through the treetop canopy providing a crisp vegetal dewiness and at the same time, a sense of warmth. There is a pleasing muskiness to Slow Life that evokes damp soil or unwashed yet not unpleasant smelling skin. While the soft white sandalwood binds everything together, adding a veil of coziness and contentment.
Honestly, I cannot recall another scent of which Slow Life reminds me however, it effortlessly blends with Christèle’s natural aesthetic and conveys her inspiration flawlessly. The more I wear Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life the clearer the picture becomes of what Christèle’s time in Okubo must have been. The Japanese have perfected the practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku; the act of simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Slow Life is the embodiment of forest bathing as it reminds us to appreciate all life has to offer, to get away from haste and to tune into our surroundings.
As Christele’s continues to amaze with scents of the highest quality and exceptionality, I am reminded of another Voltaire quote: “Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.”
Perfection may be a lofty goal to attain in the art of perfumery yet, I am convinced Christele will continuously move towards it…. at her own pace.
Notes: Jasmine Sambac Absolute Seasme Seed Absolute, Guava Leaf, Spikenard, White Sandalwood
Rachel Watson, Senior Contributor
Disclaimer: Review is based on a sample generously provided by the brand. My opinions are my own.
Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life (from the brand)
Thanks to the generosity of Christele Jacouemin we have 30 ml bottle of Slow Life for one registered reader in the US or EU. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest about Rachel’s review of Christèle Jacquemin Slow Life and where you live. Draw closes 7/2/2022
Please read Ida’s review of Enlightenment, Nicoleta’s review of Memory Lane and Meandering Soul included in her 10 best perfumes of 2021, Lauryn’s review of Underworld, and Karl’s review of Impermanence.
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