Violet Empire was released last month by CB I Hate Perfume, and is said to have been inspired in part by Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of the Senses. The fragrance notes include CB Violet Empress (a violet accord), elemi, violet leaf absolute, rosewood, mahogany and Russian leather.
Violet Empire is a must-try for violet lovers, although it is not a soliflore in the manner of say, Borsari's Violetta di Parma. According to Christopher Brosius, the perfumer behind the CB I Hate Perfume line, the violet "perpetually peeps out from behind a shining green veil", and that is accurate for the top notes, which feature violet on a bed of green leaves and minty herbs. As it dries down, the green fades but does not quite disappear as it is joined by deep woods and a mild trail of leather.
In character Violet Empire feels both genderless and grown-up; it has nothing of the girly prettiness of L'Artisan Verte Violette. It is not a heavy scent, but the woods and leather lend enough depth to make it a great choice for the crisp days of fall. At the same time, if leather scares you — and sometimes it scares me — rest assured that it isn't cracking a whip here. Lovely stuff, and highly recommended.
Violet Empire comes in 15 ml perfume oil or 100 ml water perfume, and samples are available. For purchasing information, see the listing for CB I Hate Perfume under Perfume Houses.
It sounds very lovely. I love an idea of a violet with its green facets amplified. Will try it soon.
I really like this–and bought the absolute. Your review captured it perfectly! Thanks. Do you have any info on his other violet scent, Wild Pansy?
V, I think you might like this one.
Wild Pansy I would call more of a summery violet. It is VERY grassy — if you don't like grassy, you aren't likely to like it, and the base is much lighter and simpler. The violet is probably a bit stronger in Wild Pansy, actually, or at least, it has less competition so is more noticeable?
This is one of my current favorites. I love the minty aspect of it. I have the water spray, and it takes a minute or two to dry, but the lasting power is very good. Nice review, R!
I really like the water sprays — you're right that they take a bit to dry, but I am not a fan of oils & would rather use the water spray as a body mist. Better sillage that way too, I think.
Both Violet Empire and Wild Pansy get the official Violet Femme stamp of Big Ol' Approval.
I need both.
I really like both of them too. The Wild Pansy is LE, so if you need it, you might as well get it soon…
I bought this in the water spray (on the same day Karenska did) and I love it. And I still insist that the green notes smell like tarragon even though CB has told me directly that that is not among the notes in this scent.
Interesting, wouldn't have thought of tarragon but now that you bring it up, it is very like. Did he say what herb notes he used?
R, he said that he used elemi, rosewood, and violet leaf absolute, and that the combination was what produced the “crisp, herbaceous” note that my nose equated with tarragon.
Ok then…no secret herbal ingredients, I guess! Thanks N.
This smells exactly like the Matrix Biolage Scalptherapie shampoo/conditioner!
Cool, I’ll have to look for that!