Maxfield Parrish-Spring
For many people, especially those who live in snowy climes, a true harbinger of spring is the first green shoot of hyacinth peeking out of the thawing ground. I usually have to purchase little pots of the plants rather than enjoy their emergence, and the waxy flower clusters, in white, pink, and purple, send forth an aroma that is almost spicy, and one of my favorite floral scents. Perfumer Miriam Vareldzis of 40notes Perfume created her new, limited edition scent Crystalline Hyacinth with a vase of fresh hyacinths on her desk as inspiration during the late winter and spring of this year. She says, “Hyacinth is elusive, at once fleeting and headstrong. To me it is Spring everlasting, which makes it more mysterious than innocent.” I was excited to be able to review this fragrance. I smelled it initially at the Artisan Fragrance Salon in July, and although my nose was in an overusage meltdown by then, I recognized the beauty and wanted to smell it again.
Hyacinth blooms are tight, with thick petals, growing close to the ground so that they have to announce themselves with gusto. When I first apply Crystalline Hyacinth to my skin, I am elated by its trueness. Hyacinth flowers are not bright and fresh; they have a sultry depth to them, from having to birth themselves through frost. The perfume has the same depth, and captures that feeling of a contained white sun, not quite giving out enough heat. It is not a dry, sweet scent born of summer, but an almost animal scent that is hard to define. Miriam added some green lemon and grapefruit notes, and a touch of white lily to her composition. The citrus notes are most noticeable in the very beginning, adding a bit of pop, and simmer down quite quickly. As the fragrance progresses, it remains true to the flower for a long time. As I type, I am sitting in my chilly Northern California coastline apartment, bringing my wrist to my nose repeatedly so I can smell some “Spring everlasting.”
The 40notes line of perfume is one of my favorite new discoveries in general, as the scents are created with a kind of minimalism that I appreciate in perfumery. Each is a distinct soliflore personality, never muddled or hazy. Miriam considers Crystalline Hyacinth as “probably my most artistic creation”. That she has been able to so adeptly translate the rather elusive aroma of this flower, really shows her mastery of this art.
Crystalline Hyacinth will be available as an extremely limited edition of about 4 ounces. Please contact info@40notes.com for purchasing information. My sample was provided my Miriam Vareldzis of 40notes. We have a sample vial available for one lucky winner – please let us know your favorite spring flower. Draw ends on August 25, 2012.
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.
40notes also was a recipient of CaFleureBon's Best of 2011 awards