DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X ÇaFleureBon Review (Dawn Spencer Hurwitz) 2022 + Fierce Floralcy Draw

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH perfumes created Warrior Queen with Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen of CaFleureBon

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH perfumes as a Warrior Queen 

When iconoclastic  award-winning artisanal perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz composed DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X ÇaFleureBon for our 12th anniversary in collaboration with Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen, a unique aromatic jewel came into being. I was eager to experience it – and delighted when I did. To my nose it is beautiful – icily elegant and steadfast, sequestering a frosty tenderness not to be confused with weakness. And sadly, there exist many who equate the two.

  Mia Wasikowska in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (a nod to the first two ÇaFleureBon Queen collaborations with Michelyn- White (2018, perfumer Sarah McCartney and reviewed by Robert Herrmann RIP and  Sarah’s Red Queen)

One must first distinguish between Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen and a Warrior Queen – as they are completely different entities. The Snow Queen’s heart is frozen and stony; there is not a shred of human warmth in her supernatural being. A Warrior Queen, by contrast – possesses power necessitated by her/his surroundings and situation; therein lies no element of cruelty. She/he stands enveloped in her glacially glazed silvery armor, battle-ready and resolute because she must. The world is a chaotic, often toxic environment in which the daemons and dangers she/he faces are very real. True warriors only intervene when it is imperative and there remains no other option. I feel this deeply, as it has been my default modus vivendi when myriad efforts (and often, years of effort) at peaceful and diplomatic negotiation have failed; my final option, not my first. To this end, I always wear a minuscule rose gold diamond-ruby-hilted dagger in my right ear to remind me of it.

 

 DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X CaFleureBon image, with Crown 8: Boudicca Diameter 26cm, Moss. Broom. Willow. Brunis Silver Leavis. Roses. Freesias. Kangaroo Paw. Statice. Astrantia. Cotton thread. Gold powder. Spray paint. Red ink. 12 x bookmaking needles. Florists’ twine. There are 12 silver needles. The gold powder dusted over it is 24 carat –  Alex C. Musgave aka The Silver Fox©

DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X ÇaFleureBon shares the tendrils of wispy incense which runs through other Queen iterations like a leitmotif. Beyond that similarity, we find ourselves in a pre-apocalyptic perfume captured in crystal: cold, clear and fiercely floral. Warrior Queen announces itself by virtue of bristling prismatic aldehydes, the sort you might find in the top notes of Chanel No.22. What we perceive as metallic (as in rose) may be rose oxides, along with the cool wetness of violet leaf and silvery orris. Frozen earth whispers to me of a possible smidgen of geosmin, with ruh khus imparting an earthiness implicit when vetiver is distilled with fine sandalwood. The spiciness and creamy aspect of Casablanca lily blends beautifully with a hawthorn note (anisaldehyde); cassie (a relative of mimosa, but spicier and more leathery) lends its haylike herbal dry woody warmth. Sweet basil shares some of the attributes of the hawthorn accord and cassie: look carefully and you can glimpse how DSH Warrior Queen X CaFleureBon’s components interweave like threads of fragrant tapestry. Plum adds richness, as do ambergris and feathery musk; green oakmoss is grounding – and weightless as signature frankincense. The warrior’s aromatic armor is now complete, an aesthetically rounded perfume created of cool accords, sensual florals and the edgy wed to comfort.

Notes: Aldehydes, Ambergris, Casablanca lily, Cassie Flower, Frankincense, (Olibanum), Frozen Earth (Accord), Frozen Lily (Accord),Green Oakmoss, Hawthorn Blossom, Lemon, Metal Rose (Accord), Musk, Orris, Plum, Ruh Khus, Silver Armor (Accord), Snowflake (Accord),Sweet Basil, Violet Leaf Absolute, and Wintery Air (Accord)

Sample kindly provided by the perfumer – many thanks!  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

 

Thanks to the generosity of perfumer Dawn Spencer-Hurwitz, we are offering a draw for 10 ml EDP/VDP of DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X ÇaFleureBon to one registered reader, (you must register here) anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment explaining appeals to you about Ida’s review and where you live. Draw closes  4/20/22

Editor’s Note: Dawn and I have chosen the name of the new Queen for 2023. If you guess it your comment will count 5x. PS Ida, you nailed EXACTLY what we endeavored to create.

Warrior Queen is available currently on the DSH Perfume website and will be sold in the US at  Indigo Perfumery  and Fragrance Vault in the near future

Direct Link https://www.dshperfumes.com/shop/warrior-queen-dsh-perfumes-x-cafleurebon/

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @dshperfumes @everdandysilverfox @idameister

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27 comments

  • rachelng says:

    Ida!!! ❤️❤️❤️ What a Gorgeous review!!! Wow! This perfume sounds amazing! These are all of my favorite note! I can’t wait to experience Warrior Queen! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for this amazing opportunity! USA

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    This perfume sounds amazing! I am curious to tray it! I am from Bucharest Romania Europe

  • Anca Tse says:

    .. “a pre-apocalyptic perfume captured in crystal: cold, clear and fiercely floral. “

    I live in Portugal

  • k says:

    Cold, clear and floral! Sounds like a great intention-setting fragrance. I’d love to try this as something to wear when diplomatic options have failed. I guess Dancing Queen, for celebrating coming out of lockdowns. Thank you for the review! Writing from the EU.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    The warrior’s aromatic armor is now complete, an aesthetically rounded perfume created of cool accords, sensual florals and the edgy wed to comfort.

    Notes: Aldehydes, Ambergris, Casablanca lily, Cassie Flower, Frankincense, (Olibanum), Frozen Earth (Accord), Frozen Lily (Accord),Green Oakmoss, Hawthorn Blossom, Lemon, Metal Rose (Accord), Musk, Orris, Plum, Ruh Khus, Silver Armor (Accord), Snowflake (Accord),Sweet Basil, Violet Leaf Absolute, and Wintery Air (Accord). I am intrigued by the notes especially ruh khus, frankincense, plum, olibanum and metal rose. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    The spiciness and creamy aspect of Casablanca lily blends beautifully with a hawthorn note (anisaldehyde); cassie (a relative of mimosa, but spicier and more leathery) lends its haylike herbal dry woody warmth. Sweet basil shares some of the attributes of the hawthorn accord and cassie: look carefully and you can glimpse how DSH Warrior Queen X CaFleureBon’s components interweave like threads of fragrant tapestry. Plum adds richness, as do ambergris and feathery musk; green oakmoss is grounding – and weightless as signature frankincense. A beautiful description by Ida really fascinated by the spicy and creamy notes. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Mary Stephens Mitchell says:

    Everything about Ida’s description of this perfume appeals to me – cool, edgy, earthy, aldehydic! Boudicca! The innate royalty of all women as warriors can be perceived. Thank you.

  • punchflower says:

    I like the concept of a warrior without cruelty, who only acts when needed. Also this fragrance sounds amazing – fiercely floral! For 2023, the year of the rabbit, I’ll guess an alice in wonderland reference and go for the queen of hearts. From US.

  • Niinocka says:

    Uau! There are so many highly appealing aspects of Warrior Queen, which were highlighted in Ida’s article. Let’s start with the name, which I not- so – humbly believe would suit me, too . I loved how Ida made a clear distinction between tho completely different queens. The most intriguing aspect of WQ is women’s creative power behind the fragrance. I am so impressed Michelyn Camen was involved in creating the fragrance together with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, about whom I have read many articles and admire her artistry.
    Ida’s description of the fragrance as icily elegant and fiercely floral made me interested in the notes and composition. And uau again, there are so many at the first glance contrasting notes and accords, some of them completely new to me!
    I am guessing that the Queen of 2022 would be the Queen of Hope.
    Thank you Ida for the great article and DSH for the highly appealing draw!
    Greetings from Slovenia (EU)

  • joetelegram says:

    Happy Monday!

    “Warrior Queen X ÇaFleureBon” by DSH Perfumes sounds fantastic. Ida, I really liked the way you made this perfume and this narrative personal. I especially liked your usage of figurative language to paint fragrance with words.

    I’m looking forward to becoming more familiar with alderose, violet leaf, oris, and hawthorn as notes. More generally, I am looking forward to understanding and experiencing florals in a new way. This current offering sounds amazing!

    Thank you to Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, Michelyn Camen, and ÇaFleureBon for this collaboration.

    I am going to guess “Queen of Hearts” in regard to the next title.

    Joseph O’Brien–Roseburg, Oregon (USA)

    Username: joetelegram
    Instagram: @joetelegram

  • akb says:

    Every DSH scent I have smelled has been a dazzling journey, and this one sounds just about perfect — I love the way Ida describes its many layers. I live in New York, USA.

    My guess for the name of the new Queen: Killer Queen

  • drjedi says:

    I am always impressed by the large number of notes in DSH perfumes, balancing which requires a lot of skill and the heart, mind and spirit of a warrior (queen). I liked how Ida contrasted a Snow Queen with a Warrior Queen, and how the latter is more human exemplifying the spirit of a true martial artist, not afraid to fight but not itching to fight. I have always wanted to try a DSH perfume, so thanks for reviewing DSH Perfumes Warrior Queen X and the draw. Hard to guess but how about Queen of Sheba for the 2023 Queen!! From USA.

  • Brian says:

    I can gather from Ida’s review that this is an interesting, and possibly enjoyable, fragrance. I can like floral fragrances and this seems to be very floral. I also want to try the notes which I’ve never tried before, e.g. the frozen earth accord, wintry air accord, and the snowflake accord. I live in the U.S.A.

  • Adri234 says:

    I would love to have a chance to win and smell your fragrance. So many notes in just one bottle.. seems to be such an unique experience. Most intrigued about the frozen lily and frozen earth accord. Thank you for the opportunity!

  • Adri234 says:

    I would love to have a chance to win and smell your fragrance. So many notes in just one bottle.. seems to be such an unique experience. Most intrigued about the frozen lily and frozen earth accord. Thank you for the opportunity! I live in EU.

  • moshe says:

    Very nice article, the notes are very appealing to me.
    I would love to try it and take care of it, just use it as my last resort, like a true warrior.
    Regards from Mexico !

  • GennyLeigh says:

    I would like to think of myself as a Warrior Queen in today’s world. DSH has such an intuitive way with fragrances. Her compositions tell a story. The earthiness and the cool accords bring to mind an attachment to the land and a willingness to defend it. The incense and the unabashedly feminine florals lets you know the queen is a woman. How about the White Queen from Alice on Wonderland. MD, USA.

  • elocin says:

    Warrior Queen sounds like a fragrance perfect for standing in my power and for embodying a brave warrior queen. Based in the UK.

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Lovely review Ida! What appeals to me about Ida’s review is her description of the Warrior Queen as fundamentally different from the ice Queen in that she is neither cruel nor emotionless – but rather her strength is but a means to an end, the sword and armor to better protect the ones and things she loves. The concept of a strong yet compassionate woman warriors evidenced by cold, fierce florals, sharp aldehydes, and an inner softness of creamy lily and woody warmth sounds like the absolutely perfect signature fragrance for me. I need this fragrance in my life ASAP!

    My guess for the name of the new Queen for 2023 is Beauty Queen! I live in the US.

  • Jake Dauod says:

    I loved this review! What appeals to me most is that incense note wisping through the cold feel of the fragrance. It sounds very elegant. I absolutely loved the story telling behind this fragrance, and I would love to try this one. If I had to guess the name for next year, perhaps Light Queen (not too confident but can’t wait to see what the final name is!). Kind regards from IN, USA.

  • mdellaroc says:

    The idea of a warrior is not lost on me. I am a mother of a special needs child and I am fiercely protective of him, but I am also aware it is my job to bring this child up in such a way as to make his self reliant in this world. I may not slay dragons, but I am a warrior of sorts. In maryland.

  • mmerline says:

    Reading this profile of Warrior Queen, I’m intrigued by the idea of a icy, metallic, silver shroud around a fragrance, which sounds both sharply appealing and a little bit bristly. I’m also curious if this shares any DNA with Hurwitz’ Zoologist Snowy Owl, and more importantly, where it diverges. Sounds like a wonderful composition for this 12th celebration. (And I guessed earlier that the 13th Queen will be named Auspicious Queen, shrugging off any fears of bad luck, ill portents, and whatever else 2022 has in store.)

    I’m in the Midwest, USA.

  • Bassey says:

    I have not tried any DSH perfumes just yet. Ida’s review and description of Warrior Queen with its mix of notes – incense, floral, dry woods, ambergris, musk and green oakmoss. I like how Ida summaries this fragrance- rounded perfume created of cool accords, sensual florals and the edge wed to comfort.
    Maryland, US.

  • Claumarchini says:

    I had already read with great interest the previous article announcing the 12th perfume created to celebrate Cafleurebon, and now this great review by Ida! I am absolutely in love with orris, frankincense and aldehydes, and that cold feeling Ida describes as being at the centre of the composition really intrigues me so much…it makes me shiver just thinking about it! I don’t own anything by DSH and would love to start with Warrior Queen (God knows how much we all need to be strong and steady these days). About the next release…difficult question…the number 13 represents rebirth and transformation so the next Queen will represent this? I am already curious!!! Greetings from Italy

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for the wonderful review Ida.

    I alway love reading about this series because it is so wonderful to see the inspiration for this turned into a brief and notes.

    I love how all the queens are bound together by the common thread of incense. The notes in this are wonderful and the Ruf Khus and Silver Armor and Snowflake accords sounds so interesting.

    I think the next iteration will be called Snow Queen.

    Cheers from WI, USA