Talc IUNX 2018

I want to preface this by saying: if you haven't done so yet, please make sure to read the previous, very vivid comment by Profumo. There, alongside a wonderfully nuanced description of the fragrance, you will find many interesting pieces of information. Profumo's comment was decisive for my sample order. I almost bought the bottle blindly, as I found the description so seductive, but I wanted to be sensible.

What follows is more a collection of my thoughts on the fragrance. They didn't fit into a statement and yet needed to be expressed, so a comment was the only option ;). Perhaps they will be helpful as a supplement for some of you.

So here we go: I spray, no, rather I envelop myself in the fragrance in the morning. I like it! Later, I read the listed notes and think, yes, that fits! Everything is there, but nothing dominates. It also fits that no pyramid is given, but the notes stand side by side. I can't really detect a progression, rather a minimal fluctuation. Is there perhaps a hint of juniper in there? It’s probably the cedar that triggers this thought in me.

Yes, I think, Talc is a talc fragrance. More so, it is for me a musk fragrance. More accurately, it should be called: an ambrette seed fragrance ;). So, an ambrette seed fragrance with fine rice powder and iris notes, interwoven with a pinch of cedar spice. Please forgive the listing of notes! Through the way and order, I try to convey how I perceive the interplay of the components; I hope I succeed.

When I think of talc fragrances, relatively sweet scents come to mind first, such as Puro Talco Eau de Parfum or Potiche. However, Talc has nothing in common with those for me. While the former can be almost suffocating and very sweet, Talc always remains subtle and fresh. I also don’t find the scent baby-powdery, thankfully. Based on the descriptions and the Colognoisseur reviews, I had expected that, but for my nose, there is nothing that reminds me of babies or childhood. I only perceive a very subtle powderiness, along with an almost metallic freshness.

Moving on to ambrette seed: when I read or hear this word, I always think first of "Les Exceptions - Over the Musk@Mugler / Thierry Mugler". By the way, I really like that one. But I also find little similarity to this one.

But does the scent remind me of something familiar, and what exactly? I just can't put my finger on it. Is it Easy for Ecstasy? I still have a little left and spray it on. Hm, the Philly & Phill is initially powderier and sweeter, so that's a no-go. In the development, okay, there is indeed a very slight similarity, but it’s not what I’m looking for. Could it be Acca Kappa’s "Muschio Bianco / White Moss (Eau de Parfum) | Acca Kappa"? Unfortunately, I have no way to check that, and my scent memory is too long ago. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, so I probably won't find the solution to this riddle anytime soon.

But that’s okay, or even good, because Talc is allowed and should stand on its own. I find it difficult to describe without resorting to comparisons. It probably reminds me of several fragrances I’ve already smelled, but apparently none of them were convincing enough to be in my collection. Talc, on the other hand, would definitely be a candidate. I’ll test it a few more times, and then we’ll see.

And before I forget, perhaps someone is wondering what the title is about? It’s a teaser ;).
There is, of course, a connection, because so far there are only a few descriptions of the fragrance, and they are written by men. These gentlemen obviously like Talc very much. Which doesn’t surprise me, as the scent is not feminine and should suit men very well. Women too! Currently, 20 Parfumos have marked the scent, 19 of whom are women. Don’t be seduced or put off by words like talc, iris, and powderiness; this is not a fairy fragrance. Talc is definitely unisex!

Edit on 8.03., so 4 days after writing the comment: after wearing it several times, my rating remains at 8.5, and (@smellie13) the scent does not make it onto my wish list. I wrote 'definitely unisex', and now 'androgynous' comes to mind as well, in the sense of androgynous aesthetics, slightly cool. That makes the scent interesting, but it won’t be love for me ;)