Dear You,
when I went these days through the KaDeWe (our parallel world to Harrods - and much too near to our flat), I discovered at the beautiful counter of Shiseido an old acquaintance in a new outfit: they put the Shiseido icon "Eudermine" into a 'traditional' dress. "First launched in 1897" - though they changed the formula a bit over the years.
Apart from Eudermine I still long for the then (! around 1980) version of the perfume "Zen", in a milky-black bottle of obscured glass. It disappeared from the European market, and I was deeply disappointed when they throw the new 'Zen' at the market here - not the real thing, a thousand miles away from the original. I love a few of Shiseido's products - but think their massage techniques much more important - I followed them always religiously with good results.
But though I bought their Vintage Limited Edition of Eudermin - for me is the other version of the flacon lovelier: clear, elegant and slim.
A propos perfume: how do you keep it: do you tell others which brand you use? (I had a friend who kept it as an absolute secret). Do you use the same perfume for years, or do you change it?
How do you find the one perfume you are happy with? Do you still remember your first perfume?
I send you some lovely-scented greetings (well - ther WAS a time when I did just that -- a few drops on the stationery - heaven...)
Britta
Hello Britta:
ReplyDeleteHow we love the thought of scented notepaper wafting through the letterbox but, alas, the sterile email on the computer screen is much more likely to wing its way to us these days!
The perfume bottles you show here are beautifully elegant and would grace any dressing table. Chanel no 5 is the order of the day here in Budapest, now so ingrained in every fabric that it would be madness to change it for another.
We shall be away in watery Venice for a little while and so shall be 'off air' for some days. However, on our return we shall catch up with letters sent from Berlin.
Dear Jane and Lance,
ReplyDeleteI always marvel and admire your absolute perfect way to answer letters not only in a breathtaking time, but also so utterly lovely, thank you!
Chanel No 5 is of course an absolute precious and classic choice, I love it. (The red flacons above are not my perfume, they are only a tonic - but you can see some Annick Goutal in the background - though since about a year I am madly in love with ... oh no, the virtu(e)-al world being as it is I should not send this via e-mail--- one never knows :-)
PS: I was so deep in thoughts about dangerous e-mails, that I forgot to wish you a beautiful holiday in Venice. Are you in that beautiful ancient hotel again? Have a wonderful stay!
DeleteOn this occasion we are in fact staying in an apartment rented by an American friend who will then be with us in Budapest for a time before flying back to the United States.
DeleteBritta -- what a lovely topic for a post!
ReplyDeleteI *do* remember my first perfume, with great fondness and, yes, as you say, even longing. I wonder if you have heard of it? Please click here to see!
Dear Suze,
DeleteI clicked - and yes, I know that perfume, and its unforgettable bottle - and I can imagine very well that you wear it! I also remember the advertisements in my English Cosmopolitan. Chic!
Britta, I just peered at a larger image of your new profile pic. My dear friend, you are just breathtaking. True confessions: this past week, I dreamt I was at an opera with friends and you were there, looking elegant and chic in a beautiful gown. What do you say to that!?
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI'm also a Shiseido user and know that the original edition of the Eudermine is back now for their 140th Anniversary for just a limited-time. I like the traditional formula much better too. As for the new Zen, I know many users here are complaining about it though I haven't used it so far. I'm using their "Haku" series as a tonic lotion. I have no idea what the series is called in Europe. I change my scent with the season because it is disgustingly hot and humid in summer here. I love to try a new scent but in most cases, I find myself wearing my familiar ones after using the new one for a short time.
Dear Sapphire,
Deletehad they but filled their old formula of Eudermine into the vintage bottles, that would be a treat. When the old Zen disappeared, I changed to other brands - but as you I change between summer and winter - or when I become 'blind' to my most beloved - but after three month I'm back again - addicted.
It's a funny thing: as I've gotten older, I have trouble with perfume scents. Perhaps a bit of an allergy, don't know. But the bottles, now, they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDear Sue,
DeleteI can understand that: if somebody is wearing a very strong perfume, I sometimes get a headache. Or Patchuli: it really clings to everything.
Hi Britta, I have long since forgone wearing perfume. I do remember my first fragrance worn-- 'Youth Dew' by Estee Lauder. For a long time I used to wear 'Sand & Sable' ..not too sweet. As of late, I have been on a quest to find a perfume (or body lotion) that has the fragrance of Osmanthus fragrans...tea olive. I was at a speaker program last winter and SOMEONE in the audience had that scent on their body ..... heavenly.
ReplyDeleteDear Janet,
DeleteI remember Youth Dew very well - for me it is a special summer in France - can still smell it out of a thousand when a woman in the crowd is wearing it (though they changed the formula a bit). As to Osmanthus: there are quite a few around, I think - Roger Gallet with 'Fleur d'Osmanthus', and Gucci Flora' has it for sure; but there are quite a lot of more alternative labels, also with body oil.
Thanks for the leads for the perfume! I will check it out -- see if it is carried by any stores in my area!
DeleteI find it so hard to choose a new perfume. My son gave me Chanel No 5 a few years ago and I still love it, but should probably look for something a bit different x
ReplyDeleteDear Paisley,
DeleteI always know for sure that it is "it" when I say: "I could swim in it" - it must be a love at first sight. (Better: first sniff).
'O' de Lancome, L'air du Temps, Bigarade - just writing the names brings back memories. These days I see 'Scent Free Zone' signs every where I go. Perhaps the day will come again when I'll enjoy a drop of a favourite scent. My mother still wears Arpege, although I have no idea where she still finds it!
ReplyDeleteDear Pondside,
DeleteI know all the perfumes you mentioned - and interesting: I have a picture of a person/personality who uses this or that perfume. And as you say: it is the beautiful function of perfume: bringing back situations, seasons, remembering persons.
I heard of "Scent free Zones" - think they make reason in a hospital, classroom etc. (and sometimes I wish that someone could change her Patchouli for scent-free, when it gives one a head-ache.) But given that a person still is able to smell her own perfume and uses it in a modest way: I think its lovely.
Oh my, I used to hoard Shiseido! But like Susan, I've become sensitive to many perfume scents. The only one I still use is Fragonard, which I discovered many years ago in Grasse. Lovely, light scent that I hope I can wear for a long time. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Jayne,
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to see this treasure. Some strong perfumes are giving me a headache. But hearing of Grasse: suddenly I see it before me - I was there when I was 17... As I'm curious, I will try to find a sniff of Fragonard here in Berlin.