When we think of famous lovers, who come to mind? Is it Cleopatra (the VII)? Is it Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt? One almost brought down the Roman Empire and the other’s name has become synonymous with the art of seduction.
Our images of them is most likely the cinematic portrayal of the handsome Heath Ledger and the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, she of the violet eyes. History has turned Cleopatra into a beauty and Casanova into a man whose looks suited his reputation. The truth is that they were not particularly attractive, and in their day both were considered the equivalent of “fugly” So was it their charms, powers, sensual talents that was responsible for their notoriety. At www.cafleurebon.com we believe it was perfume that brought their paramours to their knees.
Scents of seduction are deeply personal. They are enhanced by our chemistry and are powerful methods of communication… and after a time, we become aware that a certain fragrance garners the most compliments, from our significant others and strangers (of both sexes).
Sergey Borisov, Contributor: Seduction Scent? Well, I remember Egoiste de Chanel made me feel handsome in the 90`s ( I`m not sure whether the girls around me thought the same… 🙂 Right now my Holy Graal of Seduction is Eau Noire by Christian Dior. That smooth movement, that Delicate song by Terence Trent d`Arby, that sensual lavender-thyme-cedar-immortelle beast, that furry Black TomCat. I just feel myself oriental, with Eau Noire. And my Dear Wife adores this scent too. Should I say THANKYOU to Francis Kurkdjian right here and right now? THANKISSIMO
Anne Bancroft in the movie The Graduate
Liza Wade, Contributor: If you want to bring sexy back this Valentine’s Day then look no further than Back to Black Aphrodisiac by Kilan. A unisex sweet tobacco scent, the focus is on the sweeter side of the genre rather than the customary leather component. Buyer bewares! Rather than being a traditional aphrodisiac –or scent of seduction— it offers the inverse. You actually smell like you’ve just HAD sex! The honey and saffron mesh with the other earthier notes to smell vaguely reminiscent of, shall we say, the singular smells of the nether regions. ‘Eau de Tryst’,anyone? There is nothing sexier than someone fresh from a romp in the hay. (La nez: Calice Becker)
Ida Meister, Sr. Editor and Natural Fragrance Editor: Mitsouko de Guerlain
Small wonder that Mitsouko is my desert island ‘elisir d’amore’. We go back a loooong way, Mitsouko and I. I broke my piggybank to purchase my first bottle; I couldn’t have been much past my 11th birthday.
All my lovers, my first husband- would enter a library, any room at all –And know, without a doubt that I had recently been there. Nostrils quivered approvingly in my scented wake.
I don’t think it was because of beauty; I think I smelled marvelous.
Period.
DH met me 28 years ago, during a blizzard, in Harvard Square.- at the now-defunct Coffee Connection.I was carrying one helluvalot of groceries, wearing knee-length hair, English riding boots, a very tiny red charmeuse camisole. And LOTS of vintage Mitsouko. I don’t think the Mitsouko hurt any. I wore it [a few short months later!] at our wedding.
Our sons associate me with Mitsouko; when I had to leave them for any length of time, I would tuck a nightgown scented with it in their crib. It seemed to soothe them. And not too long ago, I gave our sons each a small bottle of Mitsouko to have—Just in case times got tough, they’d always have me there.
Such is the power of perfume
Photo Credits: Wedding photo- DH and Ida
Vanessa Musson, Contributor: My other half hates perfume, so in view of this unfortunate olfacto-marital dynamic, I will pick the aptly named Rykiel Woman Not For Men! If I was to deploy it as a pulling scent (hypothetically, obviously), it has every base covered in terms of what men might find alluring: it’s a sweetish, creamy, softly spicy, floral-leather-musky-amber number. With dates, which augurs well! Yes, as seductive scents go, it is the ultimate bet hedger. But this Valentine’s, as ever, it’ll be a case of “sisters spraying it for themselves”.
Emmanuelle Varron, Contributor: CARNAL FLOWER
« My darling, you’re so beautiful when you laugh.
I remember the first time we met, and your smile that trapped me.
I’m dying now to smell your perfume again, that Carnal Flower that cuddles the hollow of your neck.
I’ll put my lips on its sweetest point… burning them.
Je t’aime… »
Photo Credit: Lino Ventura and Françoise Fabian in « La Bonne Année », by Claude Lelouch (1973
Claudia Kroyer, Contributor: “What is that you are wearing?" is a familiar phrase when I leave my home wafting Montale Red Aoud. There is something so compellingly beautiful about this fragrance that I fully understand why people comment on this compelling scent every time I wear it. One man admired Red Aoud so much he stopped me while I was shopping at Barnes & Nobles Bookstore and asked me to write down the name of the fragrance and where to buy it. He wanted his wife to smell just like me! Now that is a wonderful compliment”.
Leonardo di Caprio in Catch Me if You Can
Mark Behnke, Managing Editor: If I ever needed any confirmation about why aquatics are so popular I get it every time I wear Davidoff Cool Water. Of any fragrance I own it is when I wear Pierre Bourdon’s groundbreaking masterpiece that I get the most unsolicited compliments. From College co-eds to fashionistas at the mall every kind of woman have told me “You smell good,” when I’m in Cool Water.
Donna Hathaway, Contributor. What is the point of seduction if it does not involve the mind as well? Caron’s Parfum Sacré has a subliminal effect; the object of one’s attention is not quite sure why he is so irresistibly drawn to you, as it is not an overtly “sexy” perfume, being quite civilized on the surface, but it exerts its subtle power in deep undercurrents as the willing victim is entranced, never fully knowing what happened to him until the spell is cast.
Image credit: Curtained pavilion from textile-blog.com
Michelyn Camen, Editor-In-Chief: Mon Parfum by Martine Micallef is truly ‘mon parfum”. Although it was created by Mme Micallef for herself it was her husband M. Nejman who urged her to share her signature scent with the world. What havoc wafts wherever I go in New York City. From doormen to policemen, women at Bergdorf Goodman's to women on the bus, I hear whispers “who’s that girl.”
That is Seduction- when a perfume reflects who you really are. Mon Parfum expresses much about my personality… very feminine, a bit showy (François Duquesne nicknamed me La Flamboyante after a breakfast at Rue 57 in N.Y.C.), kind, (but told that I am a bit brittle). It is my mirror- evoking both vulnerability and self-confidence. All my favorite notes are in Mon Parfum, which is why it is sings “Born this way” on my skin! I am Ga-Ga over mandarin and orange blossom in the top notes; vetiver, vanilla and passion fruit in the heart notes; patchouli, Musk and caramel in the base notes.
Nude on Leopard Fur, Henri le Basque 1926
– Happy Valentine’s Day from CaFleureBon
Editor’s Note: Our “I will always Love You” draw is named for American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who is being honored at tonight’s Grammys Feb 13, 2011 as a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.(I had the chills when Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban sang Jolene) If you follow me on Facebook, I post plenty of Dolly quotes (this being my favorite).
Please comment on our draw, as follows: what is your scent of seduction or leave a remark about the Grammys, CaFleureBon team’s picks. The draw closes February 16, 2011 at 6 pm.
Our FOURTEEN (No its not a "sweet dream" and yes we are clever) DRAW PRIZES
Michelyn’s Perfume of Seduction: One 1.7 ounces of Mon Parfum by Martine Micallef
Sponsored by “Le couple de parfumeurs” Mme Martine Micallef and M. Geoffrey Nedjman http://mmicallefusa.com
Donna’s Scent of Seduction: One 30ml galoche of Caron’s Parfum Sacre
Sponsored by the House of Caron www.parfumscaron.com
Mark’s Fragrance of Seduction: One 4.2 oz. of Cool Water Cologne by Davidoff
Sponsored by Fragrance X www.fragrancex.com
Liza’s Scent of Seduction: Back to Black Aphrodisiac by Kilian
Four samples to 4 commenters (sponsored by www.MinNewYork.com)
Claudia’s Perfume of Seduction Montale Red Oud:
Four samples to 4 commenters sponsored by www.luckyscent.com
Emmanuelle’s Fragrance of Seduction Carnal Flower:
Three samples to 3 commenters sponsored by www.fredericmalle.com