Yesterday, I was at the perfume shop I trust and was welcomed and served by my preferred salesperson, in this case, the owner. We always have very stimulating conversations during my shopping endeavors. It's very enlightening and sometimes resembles the fireside chats in a club when we drift into world affairs. But that's just a side note.
I arrived with the desire for a summer-appropriate scent. Not too loud, not too citrusy (otherwise, Acqua Di Parma Colonia would have been my choice).
Soon, a lively array of clear, clean, and even exotic summer fragrances stood before me. All very good, which makes the choice difficult. Then he came over with a beautiful bottle, saying, "I almost hesitate to put this one here..." I didn't ask, but had it sprayed on a test strip. A glow appeared on my face. He accompanied it with the words that this scent is very beautiful but also extraordinary.
What did I perceive? First of all, a very subtle, floral freshness. It reminded me of clean laundry. Not that overwhelming "freshly washed" feeling. It was different, like a bedroom furnished with soft, predominantly white linens. Evening light streaming through the window, a blackbird chirping outside in the tree, and I stand there, the gentle, very subtle scent of laundry wafting through my nose. A slight sweetness, ah, the rose, mixes in. The idea of lying down in this bed, wrapped in this wonderful scent, gliding comfortably into a restful night's sleep was almost tangible. Not that it was soporific; it was just the desire to experience this.
Okay, the first impression. I spray the scent on my arm. The salesperson and I chatted a bit more. But time and again, the scent drew my attention. It smiled knowingly. Meanwhile, the woods came through. But also very subtly. It felt like a consistent continuation from the beginning of the scent. No surprises, just unique and unimaginable in any other way. The cozy feeling of security, freshness, and balance of the involved components remained. I couldn't shake it off. And now, a soothing vanilla note. The kind of vanilla that I have always loved. All the other scents lined up and sprayed on the table faded in comparison. And this, even though iris does not come on strong at all, rather softly.
How could HE do this? The guy puts a pure women's fragrance on the table without batting an eye, and he knows that I have only gone as far as unisex until now. Do I need to clarify something with him?
No, I don't need to. The man knows his fragrances in the shop, and he knows the scents I have bought from him so far. He was aware of the presence of iris and what this scent can do on a man's skin.... Oh my God, why this mental block? In times of gender/he/she/it discussions, that shouldn't be a reason at all. I raise my arm again and bring it to my nose. This can't be happening, I think to myself. So good....
Be strong, the guy inside me calls out! Put it away, wash your arm, you wimp....
Too late... I give in, I glide into this scent, I fall into the unmade bed... the blackbird outside the window lets out triumphant notes, the soft pillow caresses me, a figure, I believe she said her name is Iris Houbigant, comes through the door in a fragrant nightgown and lies down close to me so that I can feel her skin through the fabric....
Wimp, the guy inside me whines as he is pushed down into a large washbasin full of fragrant laundry from Iris.
And then: blackout!
Iris is now in my closet. With the beautiful packaging that opens when you lift the lid. It reveals a kind of floral wallpaper inside the box. I believe it was also on the wall in the bedroom where I encountered Iris in her nightgown. Of course, Iris stands between my box of men's watches and my badger hair shaving brush. So there can be no doubt about what kind of person I am! Maybe my wife shouldn't find out what I bought. A women's fragrance. She might take it away from me. But a life without Iris would not be as beautiful. The anticipation after showering and shaving for the moment when I open the closet door, lift the lid of the box, the flap opens, and there she stands: Iris. And then our intimate contact when I let her come close while spraying. This scent....
Oh Iris, how could he do this to me.....
Addendum on November 19, 2019
This morning, Iris passed away... after many intoxicating weeks, she took her last breath and simply exhaled her life.
Although I don't know if my wife, out of jealousy, intentionally sprayed Iris's essence in high doses around the room. Because I have occasionally called out for Iris at night, in my dreams...
Oh Iris, how I miss you.
Updated on 11/19/2019
Top Notes 
Lily of the valley
Bergamot
Pink pepper
Heart Notes 
Orris butter
Jasmine sambac absolute
Orris absolute
Rose absolute
Ylang-ylang
Base Notes 
Musk
Amberwood
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Jazzy76
CarinaNL
Dimitrakoun
Emorandeira
getrobo
Smoetn
Verbena
Clarissa
Hasi
Licorice
