The Big One - or: How an Impossible Perfume Won Me Over
No. 18 and I were not meant to be. I received a sample from a dear perfume enthusiast and Chanel addict - at the same time as the Eau de Cologne, which I was enamored with, and Le Lion - but this one only made me shake my head.
When I test at home, I don’t mess around in the air or with paper - no risk, no fun, right? So I went straight for my forearm.
My reaction timeline:
Pharmacy?? - - Grappa?? - - who would put themselves through this?!?! My forearm couldn’t be far enough away from my face, but what can you do? It’s attached, and washing it off doesn’t make it any clearer. So I continued to engage with the quirky 18.
My forearm then gradually came closer to my face. - - Hay. - - Playground .... or do you know that smell of wood preservative used on the palisades and climbing parts? And when the sun beats down on it in midsummer, combined with that outdoor and adventure feeling, or something like in Phantasialand, the wooden Wild West section?
After I overcame this olfactory hurdle (about 5-6 minutes), I was rewarded for my bravery: what blogger Super Dacob describes as the "Poetry of Chanel" unfolded. I could only think "BLUUMÄÄÄÄ!!" and couldn’t get enough of my forearm.
Whenever I was bored, I sprayed it on and amused myself. The tester was almost empty, and due to my comment, Parfumo colleague Martin offered me his nearly full 200-ml canister at a ridiculous price. I couldn’t say no, and just two days later, a bulky piece with this outrageous scent arrived at my house, my first full-sized one from Les Exclusifs (until now, I had only dealt with samples, decants, and minis). Now it sits there, the Big One, in my Chanel bag. All family members were forced to try out the magnetic cap. And they had to hold it - look how heavy it is! It was humorously staged and photographed (see my album), commented on, and because of it, I’m getting a syringe for decanting on the go. I always take my daily scent in my handbag, but with the Big One, I’d wear my neck raw (I wear crossbody).
Yesterday, I showcased it to my husband - with the full amusement of the scent progression. By the way, I think this Bluumääää in the drydown is very similar to Beige.
Yes, the Big One and I - we have fun together. Maybe we WERE meant to be after all.....
So good, the review. I had the scent, didn't like it. The only one from Les Exclusifs. I swapped it away. Missed it. Bought it again. Still didn't like it much. Then... on a hot summer day - bam. Fell in love. To this day. Wonderful.
Ah, I'm a huge fan of super Dacob! He has convinced me with many fragrances, and no one describes scents as beautifully as he does. Thanks for your funny story! :)
I can relate to you so well, I've gone through all the phases too: yes-no-yes-no-yes! Thanks for the amusing comment, I really enjoyed reading it, trophy for your accuracy :-)
I don't know "the big guy," but what isn't there yet can still happen... I really like the title of your comment - and the content as well. Amusing and vividly described.
Yesss, that's exactly it! At first, you think, "Is this really a Chanel???" but you quickly realize otherwise. It's an unusual scent, unusually beautiful, in fact. It got to me too.
I had the scent, didn't like it. The only one from Les Exclusifs. I swapped it away. Missed it. Bought it again. Still didn't like it much.
Then... on a hot summer day - bam. Fell in love. To this day. Wonderful.