Providence Perfume Co Magnolia Mist courtesy of the brand
sweet spring is your
time is my time is our
time for springtime is lovetime
and viva sweet love ~ excerpt from sweet spring is your time is my time is our time by e. e. cummings
Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.
Artisan botanical perfumer Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co. was my Rising Star of 2010 and Michelyn’s (and Former Managing Editor Mark Behnke) Best Natural Perfumer of 2012 – and that should come as no surprise to any of you who have experienced her body of work. In August 2011, my assessment was the following: “Charna is simply a fascinating woman, with a large scope and an even larger heart! The perfume I always want to try is Charna’s NEXT ONE.” Twelve years later, my opinion hasn’t altered one whit. Charna has moved from strength to strength, which is no simple task – and the characteristic which distinguishes her amongst the herd is her ability and willingness to take risks and tilt the perfumed prism in order to present new facets while fusing beauty with originality. Every spring/summer season it is her custom to release a new cologne – and 2023’s Providence Perfume Co. Magnolia Mist does not disappoint.
Magnolia buds courtesy of Providence Perfume Co.
Perfumer Charna Ethier describes Magnolia Mist as “springtime in a bottle,” and “a fresh light floral scent reminiscent of magnolia in bloom after a rain shower.” This is an excellent reference point. The complexity of Providence Perfume Co Magnolia Mist complexity has to be experienced in order to fully appreciate its tender aquarelle-like loveliness. It balances limpidity with substance; the wearer finds himself transported to a rarified clime – a welcome attribute of fine olfactory travel. I cannot praise it enough.
In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring. ~ from William Shakespeare, As You Like It
Michelyn’s photo of Pink Magnolias Spring NYC
Magnolia Mist revels in the marriage of two romantic relatives: the magnolia and pink champaca, each of which can be found on India’s native soil (magnolias also flourish in China). While we often think of champaca as the pungent incense nag champa, the bloom itself possesses an intricate scent profile which includes notes of apricot, tea/maté, lemon, a smattering of hay and tobacco which are sequestered within this blossom – along with a deeply seductive, honeyed floralcy. Charna’s Meyer lemon is the perfect adjuvant, while tuberose augments magnolia and champaca’s heady, buttery allure. Sandalwood instinctively flatters all the aforementioned aromatic materials without grandstanding, while ambrette’s watercolor transparency both helps anchor the scent and contributes to a perception of petrichor (earthy, crystalline, metallic). Imagine – all this richness from a cologne – the lightest version of fragrance, in which there are only 3-5% aromatics! Sheer and gauzy as Magnolia Mist may be, it has surprising tenacity and a wispy indolic presence which underscores the entire composition masterfully – through intimation and innuendo.
Providence Perfume Co. Magnolia Mist is dreamily amorous and airy – an extraordinary quality for an eau de cologne. It’s highly unusual to find oneself wooed, refreshed, and elated by something so ephemeral, but Providence Perfume Co.’s latest venture achieves it all with grace and lightness of foot. I staunchly maintain that Charna is a mistress of legerdemain, and her latest oeuvre only illustrates this assertion. Very few perfumers can create such a seductive and lasting web of exquisite delicacy from an all-natural palette. In this wise, I put my money where my mouth is, and summarily purchased a bottle. If nothing else, I would urge you, dear readers – to sample Magnolia Mist for yourselves – especially if you love floral fragrances and/or are a romantic at heart. Sweet spring, indeed. Notes: magnolia blossom, pink champaca, Meyer lemon, tuberose, sandalwood, musk ambrette.
Sample provided by the perfumer – many thanks! It’s delicious. My nose is my own…
~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor
Providence Perfume Co Magnolia Mist collage by Michelyn
Thanks to the generosity of Charna Ethier, we have a travel-size bottle of Providence Perfume Co. Magnolia Mist for one registered reader in the USA. To be eligible please leave a comment about what strikes you about Providence Perfume Co. Magnolia Mist. Giveaway closes 6/16/2023
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