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The complex, expensive scent of a civilized man

Posted by Robin on 2 December 2009 29 Comments

I did a nose-drag. It was emotion-seizing: the complex, expensive scent of a civilized man. A well-shaved European — wet pine, fire, cold Sauternes. I could almost taste the clean leather and tweed. It hit with a resonant pang, right below the belt into unfair, instant, knuckle-biting yearning.

— Columnist Cintra Wilson of the New York Times smells Histoires de Parfums 1828 (Jules Verne) in It Is Divine to Treat Yourself.

Filed Under: perfume in the news
Tagged With: histoires de parfums

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29 Comments

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  1. norjunma1 says:
    2 December 2009 at 9:40 am

    Has anyone here smelled this transcendent juice? If it’s half as good as Ms. Wilson claims I need some for the hubster, STAT.

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    • chasa says:
      2 December 2009 at 9:51 am

      Yeah, I agree, though I lack the husband for application purposes. Heck, if it’s THAT good, I’ll gladly wear it!

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    • norjunma1 says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:23 am

      And how!

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:47 am

      I have…it’s nice but not my favorite from HdP. Worth a shot though — they do a good job.

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  2. CynthiaW says:
    2 December 2009 at 9:56 am

    OMG – I think that one description just ignited a thousand lemmings. It reminds me of meeting one of my ex-boyfriends – one sniff, my knees buckled, and I was a goner. Fortunately, he was a lovely person and provokes only good (slightly wistful) memories.

    I’m sure that this doesn’t smell like him.. .but I may have to get a sample and see who it *does* smell like.

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:48 am

      Might as well!

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  3. alltheprettythings says:
    2 December 2009 at 10:06 am

    Temah sounds amazing – I’m going to have to check out her shop!

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:48 am

      It sounds fun…

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  4. Absolute Scentualist says:
    2 December 2009 at 10:42 am

    I own three of the HdP line and will likely pick up more since they’re quite glorious. I haven’t smelled this cologne yet, but from the sound of it, I desperately need to spray some on a sweater and just breathe the stuff in for long stretches. What an awesome shop. It’s not even a shop, really, based on the author of the article’s description. It’s an experience, which always makes the shopping part way more fun. :)

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:49 am

      I am looking forward to their new tuberose scents…wish they’d launch already.

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  5. Zazie says:
    2 December 2009 at 10:45 am

    frankly, being a fan of Verne, it was one of the first fragrances I tried form HDP… (the other was Colette!)
    I wasn’t swooning over the juice.
    HDP has not convinced me -yet.
    I’m anxiously waiting for their trio of tuberoses…
    Talking of which (Tuberose) I just discovered Jo Malone should discontinue his… If anyone is interested…stock up!
    It is not bad layered with their new anise vanilla…
    But a bit too watery for my tastes…
    well, I’m off-topic now, I suppose…

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 10:49 am

      Oh, thanks for the news!

      I think the Colette was my favorite, but I get the names all mixed up.

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  6. Absolute Scentualist says:
    2 December 2009 at 11:06 am

    Ooh. Tuberose? How did I miss that article? Have you written a post on it, Robin? I’d love to read it.

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 11:24 am

      No, I haven’t yet, but there are 3 of them and you can read about them here:

      http://www.extrait.it/i-nuovi-histoires-de-parfums-profumano-di-fantasie-audaci-e-fiori-narcotici/

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      • Absolute Scentualist says:
        2 December 2009 at 11:32 am

        Thanks, Robin. Fighting off a swoon…

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  7. Andrea D says:
    2 December 2009 at 11:26 am

    I thought I should buy one T-shirt, or perhaps get its sentiment tattooed on my neck: “The wise avoid the wicked.”

    “Right? We should avoid them! But with every phone call you don’t get, you know you’re alive. You can always drink more to dull the pain.”
    ——————————————-
    Truer words were never spoken.

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 8:41 pm

      Lost.

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  8. nwatts88 says:
    2 December 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Haha, that was exactly why I didn’t like it. It evoked a gentlemanly aristocrat, who certainly is suave, and indulges in fine luxuries, but is not someone I’d like to talk to, rather than look at. This was a beautifully blended fragrance, as is pretty much everything from Histoires de Parfums, but not one for me. French Lover is something similar, if more raw and less furnished that I like a bit better. I’m glad the line is getting some press though, I’m about half-way through their sample pack and have been very impressed (especially with 1876).

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 8:41 pm

      I will have to look up 1876…I cannot remember which was which.

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  9. Lizzie Love says:
    2 December 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Gotta say that I love Cintra Wilson’s Critical Shopper pieces in the NYT… she’s sooo much fun to read! That description of 1828 is *dope* and really makes me want to suss it out.

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 8:42 pm

      I don’t think I’ve read them before…

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      • Lizzie Love says:
        2 December 2009 at 9:57 pm

        Oh dear. I just read that she got in big trouble for an August ’09 column on JC Penney — too snarky & mean.

        I’ve enjoyed reading her past columns on NYC boutiques, though. Biting, witty, and often very succulent writing.

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        • Robin says:
          3 December 2009 at 6:38 pm

          Gosh, too snarky & mean for who — JC Penney?

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  10. dissed says:
    2 December 2009 at 7:38 pm

    If it smells that good, I want to drink it and maybe to roll in it.

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 8:42 pm

      Yes!

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  11. justaguy says:
    2 December 2009 at 8:21 pm

    Speaking of Jules Verne and perfume…
    http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=213
    Hopefully this new perfume pleases Poe more :)

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    • Robin says:
      2 December 2009 at 8:42 pm

      Ha!

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  12. Tama says:
    2 December 2009 at 8:45 pm

    I want that weeping pre-Raphaelite candle!
    Sounds like a great shop.
    I want to like HdP more than I actually do. Although 1740 Marquis de Sade kinda rocks my world.

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    • Robin says:
      3 December 2009 at 6:38 pm

      I do too…I mean, I like a few of them but it isn’t a favorite brand, but there’s something I like about them. Wonder why.

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