That's what my mom said today when I visited her in the dementia care home. And no, this is not a story for you to giggle about.
My mom (86) has been living in a dementia care home since August 5, 2022. She has a severe dementia combined with Alzheimer’s and is very incontinent. Much of her past has slipped away from her, and her short-term memory is almost nonexistent. But sometimes she surprises me. I gave her a spring flower arrangement in a pot, and she wasn't very enthusiastic, and then came the question.
I immediately knew which scent she meant. For Christmas, I had given her "Marussia" because she used to like it very much, but then came the question: “And my beautiful blue one? Go to Karin and buy it for me again!” My mom was a hairdresser, and I had a love-hate relationship with the salon where she worked. The master would stand just behind the door, sharpening his knife on a leather strap, giving old men a medium-length cut, and if someone wanted a fashionable cut, he was suspected of being a Beatles fan or a fan of Frank Schöbel. The aforementioned Karin was a colleague and friend of my mom, about 10 years younger. She became self-employed with a perfumery shortly after the reunification. Back then, I had discovered Byzance for myself and got my mom hooked on it. So she rushed to Karin and bought Byzance and, as far as I know, continued to buy it several times after that.
It is quite strange that so many things are gone (she asks me every time if her parents are still alive), yet certain memories and specific scents remain.
Yes, let’s get to the scent itself. Over the course of my fragrance life, I have come across many beautiful orientals, but Byzance was one of the most balanced, harmonious, and finest orientals ever. You can look at the pyramid and say, “Holy cannon tube!” Yes and no! Everything is well woven together: aldehydic freshness, citrus, herbs and spices, spices! Nothing stands out; they all contribute to a large, harmonious whole!
The floral abundance adapts, embraces, shows opulence, shows how beautiful you are with this scent, and does not overwhelm you.
A typical oriental ends amber-like, creamy, vanillic, sandalwood-like, musky-powdery. Here again, everything is finely blended.
I can understand well why this longing lasted. Florblanca procured a vintage for my mom many years ago. Thanks again for that.
It is not within my power or budget to procure a vintage, as the moon prices being asked for are unaffordable for both my mom and me. So I ordered Byzance in the new edition. I hope it hasn’t lost too much in comparison. I will share it with my mom and get a nice, small glass bottle.
This is probably one of my most personal reports, and for now, I do not intend to express myself like this again. For all readers: Carpe diem!
Dear Medusa, thank you for this very personal comment. Have you been able to compare the old with the new yet? Or have you already reported on it and I just missed it? :)
But she's still alive? At least! This scent accompanied me in my childhood as well. So I'm using your mantra and leaving a MomForEver trophy here =D=D=D=D
Your reviews touch me deeply! They remind me of my grandma (1907 - 2005), who also suffered from dementia in her later years. It was heartbreaking to see her personality fade away...
Byzance was a great scent. I once had a sample of the body cream and the EdT. The latter didn't last long on me, but the body cream was a revelation!
A truly touching story and a great review. Luckily, both my parents are still very spry, and I can't even imagine how hard it must be with your mom. Wishing you lots of strength, and enjoy the beautiful moments with her.
I really feel for you... it's tough when parents start to slip away.
But it's also amazing how long scent memories can last.
Byzance was a fantastic fragrance; I need to sniff the mini again.
And I'll join my colleague Pollita!
Your words really touched me, and I used to love this scent as well. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to try the new version yet, but I hope your mom will love it and enjoy it. 💗
Very touching to read. Your mother must have seen and experienced many beautiful things while wearing this fragrance. Who knows, maybe it brings back memories for her and allows her to reminisce about the past. I also think it's lovely that you both wear this scent together, and it will always connect you. I wish you a lot of strength. (I know this situation) All the best to you both and many fragrant hours in the Orient. 🍀🫶
My dear,
your reading touches me deeply.
May your mother have beautiful fragrant memories with Byzance and be able to share them with you. Scents can sometimes work magic.
Wishing you both strength and happiness!
Oh, I know exactly how you must feel...
With my mom, it's still Mitsouko. I just don't know where all the bottles go. She doesn't use them; she hides them so they won't get stolen. And then she can't remember where she hid them or that I brought a new bottle.
I've heard the new Bycance is surprisingly good. I'm curious to see what you think of it.
Thanks! Yes, I'll let you know how the new Byzance is and how Mom reacts to it. She tends to hoard and hide a lot, then argues and claims she never owned it or that it was stolen.
Dementia and Alzheimer are cruel diseases. I witnessed this with my mother-in-law, who passed away last October. But we always made sure to have joyful moments together. Scent also played a big role for her.
As Ponticus already said, you can tell that even with this definitely not easy text, you don't lose your sense of humor. You have your heart in the right place, my dear 🤗
Written with sensitivity and emotion. It's lovely that a fragrance (colors, music) can bridge to the old life! This scent must be something truly special.
Super nice review. I still have the old one too. My sister-in-law had it in her bathroom many years ago. A huge bottle, and I always used to sneak some. It can't compare to the knockoff from 2022. What a shame...
It seems like you've posted a series of symbols and characters that resemble a text art or emoji representation rather than a comment in German. If you have a specific German comment you'd like me to translate, please provide that text, and I'll be happy to help!
Have you been able to compare the old with the new yet? Or have you already reported on it and I just missed it? :)
However, I'm afraid the reissue won't smell anywhere near as beautiful as Byzance from 1987.
Byzance was a great scent. I once had a sample of the body cream and the EdT. The latter didn't last long on me, but the body cream was a revelation!
But it's also amazing how long scent memories can last.
Byzance was a fantastic fragrance; I need to sniff the mini again.
And I'll join my colleague Pollita!
I also think it's lovely that you both wear this scent together, and it will always connect you.
I wish you a lot of strength. (I know this situation) All the best to you both and many fragrant hours in the Orient. 🍀🫶
your reading touches me deeply.
May your mother have beautiful fragrant memories with Byzance and be able to share them with you. Scents can sometimes work magic.
Wishing you both strength and happiness!
With my mom, it's still Mitsouko. I just don't know where all the bottles go. She doesn't use them; she hides them so they won't get stolen. And then she can't remember where she hid them or that I brought a new bottle.
I've heard the new Bycance is surprisingly good. I'm curious to see what you think of it.
I don't know the scent, but "holy cannon," the notes sound amazing.