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Gaukeleya
05/28/2013 - 06:24 AM
28
Top Review
7Scent 2.5Longevity 2.5Sillage 7.5Bottle

Bilitis, censored

For my 13th birthday, I received a set of David Hamilton postcards as a gift. It was early summer, I was entering puberty, and these postcards were the most beautiful gift I received that day. I was immediately captivated by the typical aesthetic of ethereal beings, elegantly prancing with flowing hair over dew-covered meadows or dreamily lying under fruit trees, far away from this loud, dirty world. The massive soft focus made these distant, gentle creatures appear even more fairy-like, and I let my hair grow that summer (a year later, I cut it again).

However, the images on the cards could not be equated with the cinematic David Hamilton counterpart, the well-known "Bilitis," because unlike the film beauties, the fairies on the cards were still somewhat clothed. Although not much, of course; one could sense a hint of a hint, but this was fitting for the status of a shy, just-turned-13-year-old. I treasured the cards like a treasure and dreamed up a virginal romance. I had never heard of "Bilitis," and when I inspected some film clips of this work a few years later, I was quite astonished by the unchastity that was conveyed there (at least, that's how I saw it as a 15-year-old).

What does this have to do with Iperborea? A whole lot. Iperborea is quite possibly the cleanest, most chaste scent that has ever touched my skin. It begins with a citrusy, slightly creamy note that quickly gains a delicate floral quality, and yes: I also smell Nivea. But not the one from the blue tin, rather the facial toner from the early 80s, when there was only ONE facial toner from Nivea. It is very, very clean, almost squeaky clean, without acidity, without zesty freshness, and indeed without any kind of refreshing effect. It is quiet, very, very quiet. Iperborea lies on the skin like a transparent veil - no, more like the sheer voile dresses worn by the ethereal David Hamilton girls on the postcards. In color, a cloud of the softest pastels unfolds before me, and I think of those dew-covered meadows in the early morning, of the first sun rays breaking through dense yet light foliage, of the bright, solitary birdsong on this clear, clean, young day.

Interestingly, Iperborea hardly changes on me. Lily of the valley and magnolia dominate the scent experience as it develops, although the term "dominate" is really hard to come by when I sniff at my iperboreate skin. Here, everything is subtle, airy, quiet; not even powder joins in, it remains an extremely fresh and delicate affair.

Oh, it is all so chaste! And now I draw the connection to Bilitis: Iperborea smells like the age-appropriate set of postcards that I tacked to the wall of my childhood room back then, and certainly not like the not-so-innocent Bilitis film, soft focus or not. And so it is with the longevity of this scent: after 3 hours, it gently dissipates into the winds, it is gone as quickly as the virginity of the erotically awakening Bilitis nymphs.

I take one last hint of jasmine and musk, and then Iperborea bids farewell to the little time travel it has gifted me. But that's okay, I'm not 13 anymore.
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16 Comments
DuftJunkieDuftJunkie 11 years ago
Who was David Hamilton again? :-)
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PreciousPrecious 11 years ago
Very nice to read and so accurately described. Now I can almost imagine the scent. Purity and delicate fresh nuances. Hamilton influenced my appearance back then and the photos my boyfriend took of me. Soft-focus trophy.
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YallaYalla 11 years ago
Sweet tinkling, flowing cream-colored laundry, and casually tied pieces that flash soft flesh... a fitting image that wasn't my thing back then. 馃弳
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AavaAava 12 years ago
So, after reading your comment, I now not only want to buy a bottle of Iperborea right away, but I also want to be an elf :) Ah... Great comment and such a pleasure to read!
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AavaAava 12 years ago
So, after reading your comment, I not only want to buy a bottle of Iperborea right away, but I also want to be an elf :) Ah... Great comment and absolutely lovely to read!
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AortaAorta 12 years ago
I have to admit, after just reading the title, I initially thought of a *cough* contagious disease transmitted through close personal contact. Now I feel a bit embarrassed.
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HasiHasi 12 years ago
Wow, you really know how to write well!!!
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PeanutPeanut 12 years ago
Ahhh, an elf scent!
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PaloneraPalonera 12 years ago
Ah yes, Bilitis... At 12 or 13, I wanted to look like the Hamilton nymphs too, but unfortunately, I just wasn't that type. However, I love all the Villoresis I've had the chance to try so far. This one too...?
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ErgoproxyErgoproxy 12 years ago
*Fettfilmumdielinsepinsel* I just have that cheesy synth tune from the title song stuck in my head. Wasn't the movie about losing innocence? Whatever. Purity trophy.
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YataganYatagan 12 years ago
Strong text! :-)
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ChnokfirChnokfir 12 years ago
What an association! It must have been a few days ago, because David Hamilton's pictures are definitely not politically correct anymore today. Anyway, it's great that you鈥檝e (re)discovered the scent of your youth... :)
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DobbsDobbs 12 years ago
Beautiful and helpful scent description!
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FischlandmenFischlandmen 12 years ago
So this is what pure innocence smells like ???? That would definitely be a scent for my wishlist ;-) Beautiful words for a fragrance that perfectly captures what the images convey.
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MandelmausMandelmaus 12 years ago
Absolutely worth reading, thank you. ;-) Best regards
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LilienfeldLilienfeld 12 years ago
Hi hi, I watched the movie right away at 13 ;D, not shy at all and Iperborea :))))
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