Amaranthine (2009)
by Penhaligon's

Green/white floral and jungle green. Tropical over-ripeness and sweat. The opening makes my mind shout "Heart of Darkness" while picturing some place hot, green and lush - the Amazon, Thailand, Hawaii. A dark and tangled rainforest with white flowers blooming within. Under and over and through it all is the spicy tang of sweat - like the fetchingly soaked cotton shirt of our heroine as she pushes her way through the forbidding foliage. There is the anticipation of a mysterious encounter. A fine tension, as Off-scenter so aptly noted. This is not something I can personally imagine wearing - but it's a remarkably evocative and well-crafted scent.

3rd November, 2011.

This strikes me as another interpretation of their Zizonia, a scent from the 1930s. Amarinthe is a sensual, warm scent with the intoxicating suggestion of a warm body oils mixed within. The green tea, jasmine, and musk are all evident at first splash - I was reminded of Caswell Massey's Casma - vanilla, rose, sandalwood then mix with these initial notes and bring about that warm accord.

In the drydown I am reminded of the effect of sweetened cedarwood, although that is not listed as an ingredient. A more complex version of Zizonia and a better buy than the older scent, in my opinion

Strictly speaking, this is a fougere - warm, round and comforting.

20th June, 2011. (Last Edited: 5th September, 2011.)

I could absolutely cry. First because I love this fragrance. From the first sniff to it's dry-down. It is luxurious, rich, smolderingly sexy and sumptuous. Definitely worth sticking my nose to my arm repeatedly to catch every nuance. There is not a note that seems off or unpleasant to me. Even the opening which with some I simply wait for them to pass.

The second reason I could cry is that it is gone from my skin in about 30 minutes. Not a trace of a whiff even nose to skin can it be detected.

Such a pity. As this could easily become a favorite for me. It will get a thumbs up because it is soo beautifully balanced even if on me the longevity is lacking. Apparently I have certain scents that I love so much my body just totally absorbs them :)

15th May, 2011.

My sample seems to be a bit different than I recall in the store. When it first went on this time I was reminded of L'Artisan's Mimosa pour Moi and possibly, Malle's En Passant. There is a sweet white flower dominating. I guess it could be Magnolia. Then it settles into a creamy jasmineness with cardamon . This is a kissing cousin to Safran Troublant (one of my favourites) FOR SURE. Now I'm straining for the milk notes, the banana notes, the dirty notes...to add distinction to this fluffed out floral. Hmm. Still waiting. I find the sweet white flower making a come back giving me a slight headache..maybe in colder weather I'll try again.

11th September, 2010.

I just adore this, to me it's hothouse flowers and Chai tea on a steamy afternoon. I can just picture myself there!

27th June, 2010.

I'm a Florida girl, and have great love for jasmine, ylang ylang, and tooth-achingly sweet milk desserts (tres leches, anyone??). And of course, if you live in South Florida, you gotta love the sweat. And amaranthine is full of all these things, so it's just love, pure and simple.

22nd May, 2010.