new scent

I smell of woodsmoke, vanilla, and sex.

Well, of the first two, anyway. The last is probably just my brain’s way of translating “deeply carnal yumminess” into one word.

I took a trip to the Diptyque boutique this past weekend and picked up a bottle of Eau Duelle. I am enjoying it tremendously.

I don’t wear scents often, and my usual is Eau d’Orange Verte by Hermès, which is wonderfully exactly what it sounds like: green orange water. It’s clean and bright and cuts through a dull day into a slice of citrus joy. I love it, but I wanted something a little different… thus, Eau Duelle.

I’m finding that’s a remarkable scent, nice for day, and wonderful for night–especially as it changes and grows more complex as it reacts with my body chemistry. The top note is smoky, intensely–but never overly–so. That lasts for about an hour, after which the body of the scent, the vanilla, grows more rotund. On me, it’s never quite feminine, nor evocative of baking cookies (although I confess it makes me wonder if it’ll make others want to eat me up–not a bad thing), residing just on the familiar edge of exotic. Eventually, the end note of the frankincense comes out, a lilting piccolo counterpoint to the vanilla cello that you realize has been there all along, waiting for you to notice.

I keep sniffing myself and smiling. I told a friend yesterday, “I smell pretty!” and she laughed and agreed.

What scents do you like? Do you have a signature perfume?