I just wondered, when you buy an obviously old perfume, sometimes just for the bottle, and there is some perfume left in it. Can you still get a peek at what the original scent was meant to be, when it has very obviously 'gone off'?
I ask, because I bought a pretty crystal bottle of Carven Vert et Blanc and the liquid is dark umber coloured. It smells more than a little catty at first, but after some endurance, it does have a very dry, dark green, broken leaf smell. It is nearly pleasant in a powdery, old, sophisticated lady sort of way, but prevented by a tiny hint of the catty sourness still.
Judging by the name, I would imagine this to have been something along the right lines, but am really curious as to what would have vanished in the notes over the years, and what I have left here that I'm smelling.
I raided this explanation from the perfumed court (hope you don't mind for this sort of reason TPC ladies).
'Carven vert et blanc eau de cologne features notes of gardenia, galbanum, aldehydes, clary sage, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandal, vetiver, styrax, cinnamon, benzoin, labdanum. Created in 1946, this is a classic that is always fresh and green and extremely rare.'
When people buy expensive perfumes like the nombre noir which have never been opened, how can anyone ever know if they are even nice? Or doesn't it matter if it's rare?
Lots of questions and thoughts. I would be interested in your comments, as I haven't been at basenotes long and I see many of you like the vintage fragrances. How do we know when they've gone off or not, if we've never smelt them before?
I ask, because I bought a pretty crystal bottle of Carven Vert et Blanc and the liquid is dark umber coloured. It smells more than a little catty at first, but after some endurance, it does have a very dry, dark green, broken leaf smell. It is nearly pleasant in a powdery, old, sophisticated lady sort of way, but prevented by a tiny hint of the catty sourness still.
Judging by the name, I would imagine this to have been something along the right lines, but am really curious as to what would have vanished in the notes over the years, and what I have left here that I'm smelling.
I raided this explanation from the perfumed court (hope you don't mind for this sort of reason TPC ladies).
'Carven vert et blanc eau de cologne features notes of gardenia, galbanum, aldehydes, clary sage, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandal, vetiver, styrax, cinnamon, benzoin, labdanum. Created in 1946, this is a classic that is always fresh and green and extremely rare.'
When people buy expensive perfumes like the nombre noir which have never been opened, how can anyone ever know if they are even nice? Or doesn't it matter if it's rare?
Lots of questions and thoughts. I would be interested in your comments, as I haven't been at basenotes long and I see many of you like the vintage fragrances. How do we know when they've gone off or not, if we've never smelt them before?
