Abel Odor Pause, Fabriek – Wellington NZ, Frances Shoemack and Danu – Danu Seith-Fyr 2022

‘A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; A wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim’– Maya Angelou

“Mimosa, the hero ingredient, is a comforting, mesmerizing scent which to me really represents strength and beauty.” – Fanny Grau, Perfumer.

No stranger to the work of founder and fellow New Zealander, Frances Shoemack and perfumer Dr. Fanny Grau, it was a pleasure once again to explore their new additions to the Abel Odor Collection. They encompass along with New Zealand perfumer Isaac Sinclair that rare combination of authentic direction, sustainable and ethical practice and amazing perfume creation.  Frances and Fanny have already collaborated on Nurture, a perfume that was created to accompany pregnant and new mothers in a supportive and nurturing way.

Abel Odor Pause is the newest 2022 release in its highly evocative packaging it is designed to be a support for that other great change in a woman’s life, the peri-menopause, a little spoken of time when that wild side that has been so occupied with partnerships, career, the birthing and raising of children gives itself a little (or a lot freer rein).  In our modern culture when so much has been bought into the open forum, still this process that defines the second half of a woman’s life is rarely explored, a certain taboo still exists and it can be a time of great confusion and uncertainty.  Frances and Fanny wished to craft a perfume that would not only highlight but be an aid to well-being at this crucial junction. They throw wide open the windows of a time when women begin to be overlooked and invisible, in Pause giving a tool of confidence and harmony.

For most women there is the feeling of a roller coaster ride as we freewheel through a panoply of emotions, feeling out of control, wilder fires raging within and searching for a new rhythm to step to, welcoming in a new aspect of self. Abel Odor Pause is crafted with an eye and a nose to the beneficial aspects of the emotional wellbeing of a woman in this stage of life. Listed amongst its components are Violet a mood stabilizer, Mimosa for its hormonal balancing aspects, Narcissus a promoter of deep sleep and Hay an inducer of tranquility.

 Abel Odor Pause Photography by the brand, Unsplash and Permaculture Magazine.

Etched deeply within its lines of experience, Abel Odor Pause immediately draws me close, pulling me back inwards from the scattering of pieces that have been flung to the four winds of my life and its demands, bergamot and verbena with great clarity fling open the doors back to myself, a mirror in which to regard the beauty of time passing and to appreciate the wisdom written there.  I find myself viewing a prodigal returning, lost previously to the living of life and care of others, all the pieces seem to gather themselves back to me, to find again the essence of who I am and will be. A glorious mimosa so delicate and solar yet with a capacity to encompass and comfort dedicates itself to an intricacy of gracefulness wrought with age. Entwined with the violet leaf and narcissus, it is a shaft of sunlight sundering a storm laden sky, Pause breaks through the disequilibrium to restore and gift gentle reprieve.

Beauty in Aging – Danu Seith-Fyr 2022

There is the sensation of great stillness written within Abel Odor Pause, a stillness that generates a profound calm, a moment alone on an empty beach with the sound of gentle winds and waves upon the shoreline, a moment deep in an uninhabited forest with just leaf-song for company, a moment of rediscovery of the one who existed before the busyness of living, yet crafted with so much more experience.

The subtle heated solar influence continues with a hay absolute, warming and soporific reminiscent of long days that never end where there is nothing to do except just be, no demands, no time expectations, no others to ask of you, incredibly nurturing.  Its combining with a cedarwood that is present yet not overpowering, a delicacy with strength, gifting it an immovable quality that hints at the possibility that one can always access this calmer state, it is never truly diminished, highlighted by the copaiba balsam and Amyris.

Frances Shoemack by Ruby Holland, Abel Odor Pause-Together magazine, Fabriek-Wellington by Danu Seith-Fyr 2022

Abel Odor Pause is true to its name, it gifts time and calm, surrounds with a mantle of gentle reassurance and shines out with a call, a hope, a wish that this long-maligned period in the life of womankind be valued for all that age brings to us and that it signifies a beginning and not an end.  I wholly congratulate Frances and Fanny for taking this leap of faith and gifting their sisters such beauty and hope.

Mimosa – India, Narcisse – France, Bergamot – Italy, Verbena – Morocco, Carrot seed oil – France; Violet leaf – Egypt, Hay absolute – France, Cedarwood oil – Texas, Copaiba – Brazil, Amyris – Haiti, Grapefruit – Brazil

Danu Seith-Fyr, Guest Contributor

Disclaimer – Bottle of Pause was kindly gifted to me by Frances- Abel Odor, my thanks as ever, sample was bought by me. My writing is always my own opinion.

A Note From the  Brand- All our ingredients are derived from natural sources. We guarantee fair-trade and sustainable farming practices.

courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the generosity of Frances Shoemack Abel Odor, we have a 30ml bottle of Pause for one registered reader in EU, UK, US (contiguous), NZ and Australia (register here if you have not already done so). Please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Abel Odor, Pause based on Danu’s review and where you live. Draw closes 1/14/2023

We welcome back Danu who has been a Contributor since 2017.

Please read Ida Meister’s Review of  Cyan Nori,  Abel Odor is a 100 PERCENT NATURAL house and was a CaFleureBon’s winner for Best Natural Perfume House of 2018. Read Ida’s review of Nurture X Grey label, Robert’s (RIP) reviews of Green Cedar, Cobalt Amber and Red Santal, Danu’s reviews of Grey Labdanum  and White Vetiver. As reported by Ermano Picco in 2017 Isaac Sinclair, who is also a perfumer for Abel Odor was a pupil of Maurice Roucel). Golden Neroli was a Best of Summer 2018 pick by Danu

Available in the USA at Indigo Perfumery

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