Purple Haze 19-69 Review + Summer of Love Draw

Love by Peter Max, 1969

1969 may have the apogee of counter culture: as Vietnam dragged into yet another year, New York City was rocked by the Stonewall Riots, while upstate, Woodstock was awash in sex, drugs and rock-n roll, while student protests erupted across America and London. The Beatles druggy “Come Together” was number one in the charts, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their famous bed-ins in Amsterdam and Montreal, during which Lennon wrote “Give Peace a Chance.” 19-69, a Swedish based perfume line launched in 2017, takes olfactory snapshots of that crazy year. As founder Johan Bergelin explains, “the year of 1969 represents an era of freedom, tolerance and counterculture. It is also the year I was born and my way of putting my heart on the sleeve.”

John and Yoko bed-in in Montreal, photo by Gary Deiter, 1969©

With its free-spirited top note and de rigeur hippie wafts of patchouli and cannabis, 19-69 Purple Haze distills the hedonistic side of the summer of ’69. A silky balsamic fragrance with licks of violet and labdanum, it’s as chill as listening to some Hendrix from a big pile of throw pillows. 

Jimi Hendrix, photo Gered Mankowitz©

1969 Purple Haze opens on a cloud of green leaf notes: ravensara, a type of laurel, is right there in the top along with a sparky bergamot. It isn’t long before the wood notes come forward, followed by the henna aroma of cannabis a few moments later. Surprisingly perhaps, given the name and inspiration of the perfume, the cannabis doesn’t make a big entrance. It gives a wonk to let you know it’s there but then hangs back, puffing along quietly in the background as other notes turn up to jam.

Vanessa Redgrave, photo by Bert Stern for Vogue, 1967©

Next up are some creamy labdanum and vanilla, which give Purple Haze a relaxed, cozy vibe and set the mood for the big entrance. That’s when the real star – violet – sweeps her purple cape across the other notes. I don’t get that velvety, dark wine note I often find in violet leaf absolute, but rather a brazenly green, flowery note almost like underripe melon. Joined by another floral that is hard to put a finger on – perhaps palmarosa – the effect is a little weird but hypnotic.

Grace Slick and Janis Joplin, photo by Jim Marshall, 1967©

Drying down, those arid green notes return to hang with some dry leaf patchouli as the violet subdues. Labdanum, vanilla and musk stick around to party for a few hours longer. In the end, 19-69 Purple Haze is an easygoing, woody floral warmed up with some cuddly notes that make it perfect for those times when you want a fragrance that won’t harsh your mellow. Get your lava lamp, spin a Jefferson Airplane disc on the turntable, tune in and drop out.

Notes: Cannabis accord, violet leaf, patchouli, bergamot, Corsican cypress, ravensara, gurjum, thyme, palmarosa, cistus, vanilla, black pepper, dry woods, white musk.

Disclaimer: sample of 19-69 Purple Haze kindly provided by Twisted Lily – many thanks. My opinions are my own.

– Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

19-69 Purple Haze

Thanks to the generosity of Twisted Lily, we have samples of 19-69 Purple Haze for three registered readers in the U.S. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about 19-69 Purple Haze based on Lauryn’s review, and what comes to mind when you think of the Summer of Love. Draw closes 8/23/2018

 Editor’s Note:The Woodstock Music Festival was held August 15, 1969 and ended Monday August 18,1969  

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


18 comments

  • INYA says:

    Loved the part “cuddly & mellow”. I was into sports during the Summer of Love, lol. But, I did attend a Jimi Hendrix concert……loved it! Also, a huge fan of Janis Joplin & patchouli. USA

  • Alen says:

    The name is very catchy and the pyramid notes sounds amazing. I would love to try this juice, thanks for the chance.

  • Scented Hound says:

    Today I made note of the date 8/18/18, because we will never see it again, ha!

    In 1969 I had my nose in college books as I studied for the years ahead and chaos was erupting around me. Both Grace Slick and Janis Joplin had lived in my county in those days. Toward year’s end, major change jolted me into a new life and place. Thinking back to those sights and sounds, this fragrance with it’s woody floral and violet notes would take me right back to many memories! Thank you Lauryn for the review and Twisted Lily for capturing the time warp!

  • NiceVULady says:

    So many things were going on at that time. The nation was being treated to a new way of seeing and doing things. The notes of this sound really interesting. I would love to give it a try. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • MarkyMark5d says:

    Those times I’ve always dreamed of being in. Less violence a lot more freedom and a lot less worry. Though I didn’t live those times it’s cool to recreate an environment in which captures the moment. Like this parfum or a jemi hendrix song or any mellow nuances that brings the summer of 69 right back into modern times.
    Thank you cefleurebon for bringing us a chance to try this experience!!

  • cwoody says:

    What I love about the review is the description of the transition of the fragrance! I’d love to experience it – sounds great! When I think of Summer of Love, I too think of festivals and sunshine. Arkansas, USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I was quite young in 1969, still in elementary school so I don’t really have memories of that myself, but I think of music and festivals. I recently tried a fragrance with cannabis and I would not wear it to work. I wonder since the cannabis takes a subtle role if it would be work appropriate. Sounds like a very interesting combination of notes. When I saw Vanessa Redgrave’s photo I immediately thought of the show “Laugh In”. Thanks for the fun review. USA.

  • middleagedandmixed says:

    I’m so curious about this fragrance based on the notes listed in Lauryn’s review. The cannabis note is intriguing. What comes to mind when I think of Summer of Love is music. So many great bands and artists.

  • audesko1 says:

    I love Patchouli and Purple Haze, music and scents. I would love to win a sample of this Summer of Love Scent. I live in the US. and am hoping to win! Thank you for the try.

  • Diana D says:

    This sounds like such an interesting perfume – love the whole concept. I like that it has a cannabis note in it, too. I’d love to try this! I live in the USA.

  • James Weaver says:

    The fragrance notes look quite intriguing Cannabis accord, violet leaf, patchouli, bergamot, Corsican cypress, gurjum vanilla, black pepper, dry woods, white musk among other notes. I love the concept behind the fragrance. USA resident

  • Mim says:

    The music is the first thing I think about when I think about the Summer of Love since that’s what I first encountered as a young teenager… Snagging my parents music and taking my CD player outside to the grass or woods and just experiencing it. May be experiencing the scent would evoke similar feelings and similar sensory experiences.

    I’m curious about the cannabis Accord, love vanilla and violet and most of these notes really.

    Usa

  • Richard Potter says:

    Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the Peter Max, Lauryn! Brings back memories. I cherished my Peter Max Black light posters, and Peter Max textbook covers. Two weeks ago I saw a blissful restoration of the film Srgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I am also a big fan of Twisted Lily. USA

  • jeremyn87 says:

    While this is supposed to evoke the smell of hippies, it sounds really aromatic and classic. Patchouli and cypress aren’t uncommon, but it makes me think of Gentleman and Polo. Pot has a very pleasant smell too, so I’d like to smell how it complements the other green and earthy notes.
    I think of some civil unrest and a younger generation, the most educated group at the time, having a voice in society.
    Im in the US, thanks

  • Lauryn says:

    Richard — I had this very Peter Max poster in my bedroom for years, right under the blacklight. It clutched at my heart to see it again after all this time!

  • doveskylark says:

    I love smoking weed and I also love to wear fragrances that evoke my favorite herb. I definitely want to try this fragrance. I think of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin when I think of 1969.
    I live in the USA.

  • Kirsten says:

    Love this review! This scent sounds so interesting and relaxing! Would love a chance to experience it! I’m in California, USA Thanks!