CB I Hate Perfume has launched a new fragrance, Fire From Heaven, and a new holiday version of Gingerbread.
Fire From Heaven is from the CB Archetypes series, and was inspired by the Mary Renault novel of the same name (the first volume of her trilogy about Alexander the Great):
This is the third scent in my series of primal smells.
Smoke represents perhaps the most important aspect of perfume – its beginning. Even its modern name is derived from an antique term that means “to smoke through”.
Fire From Heaven is blended from classic ancient incenses: Frankincense, Myrrh, Opopanax, Cedar, Sandalwood, Styrax & Labdanum. But the perfume’s scent is subtle. Fire From Heaven is the memory of smoke...
CB I Hate Perfume Fire From Heaven is available in 15 ml Perfume Absolute or 100 ml Water Perfume (each $85).
Gingerbread is the new version of the yearly holiday limited edition fragrance, and includes notes of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon on a "subtle warm smoky vanilla-like base (but not too sweet) made with Tahitian Vanilla Absolute". Perfumer Christopher Brosius describes it as "a bit deeper" than last year's fragrance, "more like the slightly burnt edges which is frankly my favorite part".
CB I Hate Perfume Gingerbread is available in 15 ml Perfume Absolute ($75). (via CB I Hate Perfume newsletter and CB Journal)
Yum yum yum. I hope to be trying Fire from Heaven shortly and it sounds like I need the new gingerbread too!
“Fire From Heaven.” Haven't thought about Mary Renault for YEARS. I'll have to give it a whirl.
They both sound very tempting, don't they?
I have never read her!
Synchronicity occurred today as I found and bought a copy of Fire from Heaven at a used book sale. I love that that CB made a perfume named after one of Mary Renault's novels.
I've been a fan of Renault for years, but have no idea what you like to read, so it's hard to say if you'd like her or not. One of my favorites of her body of work is The King Must Die, which is a novelization of the story of Theseus. Be curious to see if you like Renault if you have a chance to read any of her work.
My tastes are pretty wide ranging, but historical fiction isn't usually what I reach for first. But I know her work is much loved so I should try it.
I don't care for historical fiction, and would not characterize Renault as that kind of writer, if that makes any difference to you. But perhaps some other Renault-reader will disagree?
A recommendation is good enough — although my “unread” book pile is nearly as scary as my “untested” fragrance sample pile. There isn't enough time!!!
you know i must say “the king must die” and “the bull from the sea” are my two favorite renault novels. i've always enjoyed “fire from heaven” and “the persian boy” but since i've found the others, i like them best.
it's weird but although the empress josephine was my inspiration for “violet EMPIRE”, there's something about it's scent when i finished it that reminds me very much of “the king must die” – perhaps it's because violet is a very ancient minoan smell…
best wishes,
cb
Thanks, looks like I'll have to do some more reading — if I ever catch up it will be a miracle.