Heeley Blanc Poudre (James Heeley) Review + The Space Between Draw

“Only parts of us will ever

touch only parts of others —

one’s own truth is just that really — one’s own truth.

We can only share the part that is understood by within another’s knowing acceptable” —Marilyn Monroe

We learn in school that a segment, or a number, or a wholeness of any kind (indeed, even negative) can be split infinitely into smaller and smaller pieces. We learn about concave as a minus of sorts; asymmetry as a lack of, well, symmetry; negative charges; absolute Kelvins; black holes. We learn about relativity (which is rather strict, it seems); and through it all, we learn to report to the void as a lack-of-[something]. Why, then, do we forget that sometimes the energy between the pieces is what creates a result much grander than the sum of its parts? And why do we isolate otherness when, in fact, we’re all others for one another? Gastronomy included (where the lack-of-[anything] became rather functional in a lactose-free, sugar-free, gluten-free kind of way and now adorns some rather artistic plates), all creative human manifestations use the void in order to highlight the principal point. Compared to the main narrative, negative space often seems empty—either of content, shape, or style—but when you zoom in, there is the true beauty, meaning, and a whole new story.

Launched in 2018, Heeley Blanc Poudre was inspired by the translucency of pure, white, delicate porcelain; in practice and on skin, however, it simply changes the narrative of the beautiful, untouchable receptacle into the backstory of details untold. The textures within, the flavored steam above it, the warmth of the hands that hold it are suggested so naturally, the whole experience becomes, to each on their own, a Proustian madeleine. Heeley Blanc Poudre—like many other Heeleys—opens crystalline, with a clear heliotrope that’s slightly lactonic, like a porcelain bowl filled with soaking almonds. It quickly moves into the next phase, developing textures through a very creamy but metallic sage mingled with sweet marjoram and poplar balms. The soft, silky, powdery base is following shortly with an intimate amalgamation of mirroring notes: sweet and creamy lavender, fuzzy ambrettes, barren-skin cotton flowers, creamy sandalwood, a delicate iris … and steaming white rice.

The effortlessness is staggering for such an impactful, deeply personal effect- Blanc Poudre is a representation of one’s body just like the warmth of someone who’s just left the room. 

Heeley Blanc Poudre is not beautiful despite its simplicity, and it is not beautiful because of its simplicity (although, I have to admit, that would have made for some easily symmetrical writing). Blanc Poudre is simply beautiful.

Official notes: cottonwood, rice, flowers, sandalwood, musk, vanilla.

 

Disclaimer: Sample of Heeley Blanc Poudre kindly provided by Twisted Lily. My opinions are my own.

 –dana sandu, Contributor, who also did all the graphics

 

Thanks to the generosity of Twisted Lily, we have a three samples of Heeley Blanc Poudre for one registered reader in USA. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest in Heeley Blanc Poudre based on dana’s review   and if you ever look at the negative spaces.  Draw ends 2/21/2019
Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @a_nose_knows  @ twistedlily360 @heeleyofficial

 

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our  blog feed … or  your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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19 comments

  • Richard Potter says:

    This sounds so tempting. I hope it’s not too much like Teient de Neige, which sounds nice and is beloved by many, but which I could not live with. I assumed it was due to the abundance of Heliotrope. I don’t hate heliotrope, I like L’Heure Bleu. THANKS. USA

  • I look at negative spaces all the time because my work involves using ultrasonic waves to look for flaws in solid materials. Negative spaces reflect the waves differently than the solid material and we can see that. I like how this scent seems so naturally simple yet comforting and I would love to smell it. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • This new fragrance by James Heeley sounds like it could become a signature scent. Heliotrope’s scent in a garden is like a powdery vanilla
    almond. And if Blanc Poudre smells like that, I would love to try it. Thanks for the opportunity! USA

  • Hmm…sounds like a new concept. I love the smell of rice cooking and also almond scents. As far as negative spaces, i can’t say I’ve thought about it much. Another thing to ponder. Count me in. I am curious about this one. Thanks for the review! In the USA

  • Not something I think about much myself, I have to admit- but this juice is one of those rare won’t-know-it’s-there-until-you-stop-and-pay-attention fragrances. Ultimate comfort- at least on my skin.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    Recently I have been exploring the concept of Hygge (simplicity, comfort, peace, happiness) and incorporating it into my lifestyle where I can, and that includes the scents with which I surround myself. This fragrance sounds as if it would complement the Hygge concept and has my attention. As far as negative spaces, I am a scientist by trade and understand that all space serves a purpose, whether obvious or not–if there was no “negative space” even in sand, the grains would not be able to slide past each other or hold water enough to create a sandcastle. I live in the US and thank you for this draw.

  • I don’t think much about negative space but this fragrance sounds gorgeous. thanks for the chance to try it. In the USA

  • What an interesting review! I particularly loved this quote: “the energy between the pieces is what creates a result much grander than the sum of its parts.” I’m an editor, so reading ‘between the lines’ is really a large part of my job. Sometimes what isn’t put on paper is just as important as what is! Blanc Poudre seems to contain a lot of notes I enjoy (almond, rice, ambrette) – I’m in the US and would love to give it a try!

  • I love the way Dana presents “white” as full and nuanced through her writing and the art she uses. I do think a lot about negative space and the way it provides a rest and rhythm to all we take in through our eyes. I’m impressed with all the complexities that seem to have gone into Blanc Poudre so that it is a quiet, simple scent.

    Thank you for the generous offering, I live in the US.

  • What a lovely review. I’m drawn to notes of sandalwood, rice, and iris. The only way I try or attempt to reflect on negative space is while meditating or studying meditation. I’d love to try this one, and thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • I have long loved white porcelain and I am very interested that the inspiration for this fragrance is pure white porcelain. I like the smoothness of surfaces and I think the notes in this perfume reflect that. When I meditate, I often think about nothingness, perhaps a state of negative space.
    I liv ein the USA.

  • Never thought of negative space but I live in an area where there aren’t many tall buildings.
    Would love to try heeley poudre blanc
    Sounds subtle

  • This fragrances is simple and sounds great. I have never tried and Heeley fragrance and would love to. I live in the US. Thank you for the chance. Great article, Dana!

  • “Heeley Blanc Poudre is not beautiful despite its simplicity, and it is not beautiful because of its simplicity (although, I have to admit, that would have made for some easily symmetrical writing). Blanc Poudre is simply beautiful.” How could anyone say this any better. I suspect that my interest is simply peaked. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • What a beautiful fragrance in its simplicity. I think that simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. Beauty is very symmetrical. I would truly love to try fragrance because it sounds heavenly. I live in Folsom, CA USA.

  • Cottonwood, rice, flowers…these all sound tempting. I love rice smells in perfumes. They translate to me as a soft blanket. I enjoyed the author’s discussion about “voids” and the concept of nothing. Very interesting! Thanks for the review and the draw.

  • Sounds interesting. Not that familiar with Heeley Parfums. Sounds like a relaxing scent. Thanks, US

  • My house is all light and shadow — lots of negative space! Ordinarily I’d not be interested in any fragrance with “powder” in the name (except actual powder), but this Heeley sounds really wonderful. Demure, but with a backbone. I live in the US and thanks for the draw.