Other than some continuing laryngitis - may I say that I really love the huskiness of my voice right now as long as I stay in the low registers, don’t try to raise my voice and squeak, which really spoils the sex kitten voice vibe I’d like to have - I’m slowly returning to some semblance of health that includes a hacking cough from time to time and still diminished lung capacity - but improving! Well… that was sure fun.
My nose is working properly again, and it’s time to look at a couple of new things. Indult C16 is a new release, available only at Colette in Paris for about $250 for 50 mls, plus shipping. Created by Francis Kurkdjian, It is meant to evoke the smell of Tonkin musk. I’m assuming this is not the real deal, but a chemical recreation. It strikes me on first sniff as one that you will either hate (my sister’s reaction), love as a close skin scent, but not particularly groundbreaking (my reaction) or possibly love as the best musk ever (I don’t have a third tester here, but can see someone feeling this way). It is musk, and it appears that there may be some anosmic elements at play. On me, I don’t get any bad smell at all, like my sister gets, just this very soft skin-hugging musk that’s my skin but better. I think it’s wonderful, but given the varying reaction so far, I’m afraid I’m not smelling all of it and if I wear it out, I might be shunned – so I need more people to tell me what they smell because it seems to be either a direct hit or a direct miss. YNMV. If you love musk, it’s likely worth a try. It is limited to 213 bottles at Colette, though once you buy a bottle, you can get refills for, I guess, forever.
Comme des Garcons Hinoki has notes of Cypress, turpentine, camphor, cedar, thyme, pine, Georgian wood, frankincense, moss and vetiver. This goes on ultra-woody and with the tang of the turpentine and camphor buzzing through your nose like a mentholated bullet. CdG’s incense series has long been a big favorite of mine, and I admire each of them for how they are different from the other, but hanging together as incense through and through. Hinoki feels like a piece of that set, focusing very much on the woody side of incense, but with a rich loaminess overlaying it, like a moss-covered tree. It never loses that tang throughout the drydown, though it does settle down the longer it is on. Even though it’s not officially part of the incense series, I think it belongs there and is a good addition, not like any of the other five, though touching on several of them.
In celebration of my slow return to health, let’s do a drawing for a sample of each of these. Just drop a comment, and I’ll draw a winner or two next week.
Drawing please!
Is it wrong that the possibility of turpentine and camphor top notes makes me enthusiastic? I’ve been wearing CdG incenses for a good week now as my day fragrances–something about the slow rise of spring in the afternoons but the continued chill at night is demanding all the smoke and woods.
The first scented anything I ever fell for, and hard, was a room fragrance oil (meant to be dabbed on lightbulbs, I think) from a candle store in the mall. Musk Tonquin. I still have two little bottles from the early 90s that I’m now afraid of wearing–they are labeled “not for usage on skin” and I seem to care more about that now that I’m a Responsible Adult–but I sneak a smell every so often and get pulled back to my early 20s, my first girlfriend, the first apartment, my crappy jobs and incongruously decadent night life. I was embarrassed by having it and wearing it (so not cool, OMG) and hid it in my sock drawer.
When I got into perfume a couple of years ago, the first thing I looked for was that musk, and couldn’t find a damn thing. I’m almost scared to try this for fear that it will be different, that my two little bottles are all that’s left of that time for me.
(Or, alternately, that it’s an improvement on mine and I’ll have to pick up a third job to buy some.)
I wish I could tell you! I’m just absolutely sure I’m not smelling all of C16, given my sister’s reaction. I couldn’t figure out what might be so offensive in it… so my nose ain’t getting the full thrill, but I like how it smells on me!
I had laryngitis a couple of Marches ago. I know what you mean about squeaking. Here’s to your recovery speeding the heck up.
The notes of CdG Hinoki get me very excited. It was discouraging to read that it lasts only five minutes on Louise’s skin. I’m still going to try it at the Scent Bar in L. A. this weekend. Everybody knows Andy Tauer will be at the Scent Bar (Luckyscent storefront) at 1 p.m. this Saturday to introduce Incense Rose and discuss many other fascinating perfumery subjects, right? My DH and I are very excited about seeing Andy–and a bit more of L.A.
Awww man…some people have all the luck. I’m
with envy. Have fun!
Ooh-have a blast at the Scent Bar…and I hope Hinoki works better for you…lucky you, seeing brilliant, sweet Andy : )
Oh, no, bad for skin eaters? It lasts on me for hours, but I have pretty good luck that way to begin with.
Waving hand for drawing.
Glad your nose it in shape for Hinoki with that blast of camphor. Now try Heely Spirit of the Tiger and you’ll be better in a flash!
Oh, that Heeley one is like the tiger balm?
Hinoki, like a new member of my beloved incense series?
Am now officially dying of lust.
Please include me in the draw!
Will do! I think it’s a great addition, more green than all the others.
I am so pleased that you are on the road to recovery. Sometimes colds hang around so long.
.
I love all CdG incenses so am pleased to hear of another to crave. Please put my name in the hat.
thank you! I can’t tell you how happy I am to be feeling halfway well again! CdG does the best incense.
Oh, I can’t wear perfume when I’m sick at all! I may do a small test here or there, but anything overpowering is just toooo much.
But the eyelashes continue to produce much frivolity in my pssyche.
Hinoki! Is it smoky? Okey Dokey! This is hokey. Please enter me in the drawing anyway.
I didn’t find it very smokey. The green woody incense overshot any smokiness, but I don’t think there was much smoky.
Dear sweet Patty, glad you’re on the mend and as a boot get to sound like Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. Sexy! You know I love me some musk but soft and subtle ain’t usually how I like it. It needs to be cracking the skank whip. < )
But this Hinoki…must smell. And damn the luck, I just placed on order to LuckyScent yesterday and didn’t even think to ask for a sample of this…I’m not very smart, you might like that in a man. Kathleen, how about including me in the draw?
Dear sweet Patty, glad you’re on the mend and as a bonus get to sound like Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. Sexy! You know I love me some musk but soft and subtle ain’t usually how I like it. It needs to be cracking the skank whip. < )
But this Hinoki…must smell. And damn the luck, I just placed on order to LuckyScent yesterday and didn’t even think to ask for a sample of this…I’m not very smart, you might like that in a man. Kathleen, how about including me in the draw?
I’m really not that smart. Or awake. Or caffeinated. Hence the idiotic, early-morning double post. Does that mean you’ll consider me twice for the draw? Or just that I love you twice as much?
Off to brew some tea…
Hear you on the lack of caffeine. I ran out this morning, am dying!
Please feel better, and get on the good foot….
Can’t wait to see you.
Love to sniff this myself- for science, of course !
Big hugs.
I promise to be all better by next week when I see you guys!!!!
Intriguing…
So glad you’re perkier.
I’m often husky voiced myself. How’d you feel about using this as a new business opp - we could set up some kind of transatlantic chatline between us…
I think you’re on to something. Now, how do I keep this? I have a lower-pitched voice to begin with, but not this throaty. I don’t want to be sick to keep it. Ideas, o husky one?
I am determined to keep retesting Hinoki until I can love it. It’s not happening yet.
I *so* want to adore this! It’s nice on my skin…but not pure magic like the rest of the scents in the Incense series. Maybe my expectations were too high? I normally enjoy masculine scents, but this went super masculine on me. Speaking of masculine - having a very low voice is not always a good thing. Ever since I was a teen I’ve been working hard at getting my voice to be higher to avoid having people think I’m a man on the phone. 
Husky sounds good, but just low and masculine…no. I hope you are back to full health soon!
If the vetiver and menthol wrapped a little differently on me, I’d think it was too masculine, but it trended more loamy green than manly.
I’ve had a low voice for a long time. It was lower back in the day when I smoked like a chimney and drank whiskey, so it’s not as bad now. I think having a low voice is better than a high pitched one. Eeek!!
Am on day 3 of this flu/virus/cold thing… cough that hurts my ribs… fever… good to know it ends. Please enter me in the draw. Tea time…..
Oh, Anne, I’m so sorry!!! My heart goes out to you. It will end, though, and you will eventually start to feel better. Just be patient, make everyone take care of you and rest, rest, rest!
I think maybe the sex kitten voice is nature’s reward to you for making you gross & icky & unsexy for weeks on end? Here’s to more better-ness soon for you!
No need to draw me, I doubt I could wear either of these. The only musky thing I’ve ever found myself able to wear is SL Bois et Musc. Every single other thing I’ve tried with a predominant musk note I either hate (cat pee or powder) or go completely anosmic & can’t smell at all.
As for the CdG … I think vetiver & I are not friends, ditto for things with green or even an edge thereof. That said, this almost spring, still chilly but getting sunnier weather makes me crave drier things than my winter comfort scents. This is when my woods come out, this is when I can entertain iris again. I’m on a Nelly Rodi Bois kick right now, something I only have a brief weather window for. Today it’s layered with Barbara Bui White Oil for a touch of comfort. Tomorrow maybe 28, La Pausa!! Whee, almost spring.
It’s good to get some reward!
I almost wrote an ode to apres L’ondee today, but wasn’t feeling any writing magic. Spring is all about apres for me!
Well, I just want you all better. I’m glad to hear you’re heading in that direction.
I know, I should be all spiffy for Boston next week and Sniffa with you the week after. Squeeee!!!
I am so happy to read your review of the Hinoki scent! Hinoki reminds me so much of my time in Japan. I would love to be entered in your drawing.
Glad to hear you’re feeling a little better!
Hinoke sounds wonderful…
Please enter me in the drawing!
Thank you
Molly
ABsolutely will enter you, Molly!
Oops, I meant “Hinoki”
Hallo, I would like to be entered in the drawings - thank you!
Absolutely, Alica!
I’d like to be entered for your drawing, too. But if I win, someone else can have the musk. It’s a scent-memory thing, I can’t even stand the lightest drugstore musk. I am curious, but still. No musk.
The Hinoki, however…I’ve been so curious about this! You make it sound beautiful.
Glad your sniffer is working!
I think you’d like Hinoki. It’s an interesting angle on incense. I suspect it won’t be as universally loved as Kyoto and Avignon, but well made.
Several people in my department have this–really hard when you have to teach. Terrible in any case–Get well soon!! And I would love to be in the drawing; that Hinoki sounds great.
PS My last comment disappeared again. I took out what I assumed was the offending word, and tried again (almost identical comment). If this doesn’t go through, I will just assume that your blog hates me!
You have been targeted by the spambot police. I never know why, but it seems to catch someone temporarily until we de-spam them, and then it gets righted.
when oh, when will spring really be here?!?!? Usually once the flu starts vamoosing, then it’s right around the corner. I’m so ready for it this y ear.
I think our spambot has you in its “secret pervert” file.
Hope you had a great birthday!
PS the spam filter catches *me* all the time. Actually.
Smoky voice? Smoky woods? Both sound fantabulous to me! I’d love to be entered into the draw for the CdG - that would really be branching out for me (I think)…..aw, heck - enter me in the Hinoki as well, if you please…I need to be more adventurous!
So glad to hear you’re feeling better. El O is fighting what you had - not sure if he’s winning or not
I’m rotting (not rotting - ROOTING
for your complete and total recorvery…..oh, hell - let me get some coffee before I type myself into Spamland…
Get even better soon!
I hope El O wins the battle with the bug. Hinoki isn’t smoky for me - that rhyming thing!
Isn’t hinoki a ind of mushroom? Or am I making that up? Whatever it is, the juice sound yummy — go ahead & enter me in that drawing.
Glad the bronchitis is leaving you — that’s a rough one. ~~~~~Continued speedy recovery vibes~~~~
Not sure there’s a hinoki mushroom?
Thanks for the get well wishes!
Enoki.
I thought it was the karaoke mushroom?
Wiggles around? Tastes drunk and slightly off key?
btw - I have a question (you guys really should put in a section where folks can ask dumb questions: ’stump the experts’ or ‘noobs only’…something like that
okay - anyway, I spritzed on some Muguet des Bois this am (not a great choice for today but there ya have it)….and for not the first time when dealing with LOTV scents…I got a whiff of..wasabi?
Is that in the realm of anybody’s reality other than my own
Glad you’re better, P, it’s amazing how long the vestiges of this crud can stick around. It’ll be full on springtime in the Rockies soon!
Please put me in the draw, my loves of incense & musk continue on.
Unfortunately, sprintime in the rockies is also allergies in the rockies, which I think is compounding my recovery.
Darn…I was hoping for a musk-revalation of sorts. Keeping my fingers crossed that Goutal’s upcoming musk hits it out of the park. Either way, I’m still curious to smell…although not loving an expensive, limited edition isn’t necessariy a bad thing (on the wallet anyway). Feel better soon!
Wish I could be more helpful on the C16, but I’m pretty certain this is going to be a highly individual scent that most people will perceive differently. But that’s true for most musks.
Glad you’re coming out of the woods, you husky temptress. Says I while coughing out the grossest thing ever… (tmi?) and lighting another fag, of course
These two sound wonderful - love Kurkdjian’s work and am big on incense as well as cypress, which begs the question: how pronounced is the cypress (hinoki) since it gives the frag its name?
Fingers crossed I’ll see for myself…
It’s appropriately woody for sure, now how cypressy that is, dunno.
you know, after 8 years of not smoking, I still miss it and have my twice a year cigar, which I soooooooo enjoy!
No kidding, twice a year? That’s great if you can exercise restraint. Me, I’d be all over fags again after only one. Case in point: so far I’ve twice quit smoking, so hope third time *is* the charm, but it’s so darn hard
Musk, je t’ adore!!! I have samples of Indult’s Tiholta and Isvaraya(fabulous layered together) so I have high hopes for Kurkjian’s C16…Annick Goutal also has a new release in April called Musk Nomade.
Keep feeling better and better, and I would be very happy to be included in the draw. Thanks.
I’m totally jacked to try the AG musk. I think it will be a great addition to orientalistes. Guess I better start finding out when it’s actually going to be in the paris store
Send it over, Patty, I’ll be your third tester *wink*
Well, I’ll let whoever wins this by my third and four testers, so maybe it will be y ou!
Hi,
Please include me in the drawing. I am trying all the newperfume I can!
will do, Holly!
I’d love to try these — please enter me in the drawing!
Absolutely will!
I admit I had extremely high hopes for C16. In my mind it was the musk of all musks. I actually dreamed about it:”> I spent hours trying to figure out how I was going to get the € to buy a bottle. Then I read some not-so-positive reviews on MUA and I started to doubt C16s glory. I’d still love to try a sample so please include me in the drawing.
I hope you feel better soon
I don’t think it’s going to be the Holy Grail for ALL Musk lovers, but I do harbor a suspicion that if your nose “gets it,” it should be darn close. If not, it will be an “also ran.”
but most musks fall in that territory, they jsut won’t fit in the same slots for everyone. I think CB’s Musk is genius and not that skanky, and other people think it’s a skankfest.
These sound really interesting — please enter me in the drawing.
will put you in!
I’d love to be entered in the drawing. The other CdG incenses have been hit or miss on me; Avignon being the best of the ones that lasted. Sadly, Jaisalmer couldn’t make it past 2 hours, and I had even less luck with the others. I’m still interested in smelling whether the Hinoki can compare with the Hinoki resin I occasionally burn–it’s like having a fireplace without all of the dirt and fuss. The Indult interests me as well; I have tried some of their others and they do smell nice on me. I ‘d get a bottle or two except for that ridiculously high price point.
Okay, where do you get Hinoki resin? That sounds like something I’d love to burn!
In a little Chinese tea house in Georgetown, DC. They have all sorts of nifty Asian incenses and resins. There are also a number of Japanese Hinoki incenses that are not quite as pungent, but are of very high quality.
So is the Indult worth anything like the price?
for me? No. but, again, I think this is a musk that is going to work for some people spectacularly, but not nearly all. I like it, but don’t love it.
I’d love to be in the draw thanks..
Absolutely, T!
When grizzlesnort gets sick, his voice sounds like a spoon that was left in the garbage disposal. Enter me in your drawing anyway. thanks
Hey! That exactly describes mine! Thsi is the longest I’ve had laryngitis, I can’t seem to shake it at all.
Glad to hear you’re on the mend. I only like laryngitis when it affects the S.O. Then it is my favorite.
Do enter me in the drawing! Speaking of the boyfriend the Comme des Garcons sounds like it would be dreamy on him.
Hahaha! My kids love it when I get struck mute. Then when I try and yell at them, my youngest stopped me and said, “mom, with all the squeaking, I just can’t take you seriously.”
It seems you’re well enough to return to your star role as temptress! Please enter me in the draw, they both sound seductive, thanks.
Well, some people say my star role is something a little less glam.
for myself, im most interested in the indult because i am just discovering that i love musk! but for an adventure for my nose (and because it sounds fascinating) i’d love to smell the CdG too. please enter me!
ps: glad you’re feeling better!
It’s an interesting treatment of musk! And thanks!
Himself loves the CDG’s and I’m always up for a new sniffing experience. Please enter me in the draw. Thanks
Absolutely!
I believe that one should respect (note that I did not claim “admire”) the fragrance offerings of a so-called “designer” house. I’ve always seen CdG as a notch above most of the others in that particular field. We all know how “boring” such entities have been lately, now don’t we? I’d love to be in the drawing as well.
Please enter me in the drawing!
The only CdG that I’ve tried so far is 2 Man and, frankly, I was disappointed. It didn’t really smell like much of anything. I’m saving the rest of my sample for warmer weather, in case that makes a difference.
At any rate, I’ve been meaning to try other CdGs in part to see what all the fuss is about.
(I tried posting this comment earlier, but I seem to be having trouble posting to WordPress blogs from my other computer. Hopefully this will work….)
I have samples of the Incense series as well as 2 Man. They’re worth checking out. I like layering with them, especially Avignon.
Count me in! I’m excited about Hinoki and Indult usually impresses me. I’ll never be able to afford it otherwise! *grin*
Hi Patty,
They sound intriguing! I love sampling new scents. Please continue to recover, and please enter me in the drawing.
I’m into oil painting, and wearing Hinoki is the next best thing to being post-painting, smelling of paint thinner, sporting accidental yellow ochre highlights in my hair, then dashing off for a nice cozy sauna. Really liked it.
Ha! I know that smell (anitaberlanga.com)…and I love it!! Mineral spirits oozing, oily, mineraly goodness…the lingering smell of turps on your fingertips, even after a shower….. Something about a working studio….is that what this perfume smells like? hmmm
Yes, a working studio replete with linseed oil, *real* turpentine, pine wood palettes, etc. And I agree, the turpentinue lingers after a shower, or probably a sauna for that matter. Nice work by the way!
Thank you so much! I linked you to it so you would know I knew what you were experiencing! (A little ‘weirdo’ secret: I fell in love with Archival paints from Australia about 15 yrs ago - very buttery - and occasionally I would decorate my wrists with a henna-like tattoo, made from those paints…just so I could smell the paint fumes when I went out!
Musette — is that your very fine work? I am so impressed with your talent.
Pavlova,
Thank you so much! I am a little nervous about having put it out there on the board - not because of you all but because it’s a perfume board(belonging to someone else)…but the turps/mineral oil reference was just too fabulous to pass up! Working studios always smell so good (at least to me) - the smell makes you want to work…okay, that’s it! Everybody step back!!! I’m tryin’ Hinoki!
Thank you again, Pavlova, for the very kind compliment.
I think that it must be a first for CdG to collaborate with a British magazine in bringing out a fragrance. I wonder if they actually used oil from the Hinoki Cypress or whether it’s the usual CdG chemical concoction?
Wow, Patty! You’ve had a rough time lately — I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend.
The Indult C16 sounds a bit out of my league, but, then again, I’ve never let anything like _that_ stop me!
I’m very interested in the Hinoki, as I’ve like the CDG Incense series a lot. I’ve just recently sampled Tubereuse Criminelle and find that I love the camphorous note; I’m getting hopeful about Hinoki.
Please enter me in the drawing!
Eileen
Each one of the Incense series was inspired by one of the religions of the world. I wonder if Hinoki evokes any religion? Legend? Philosophy? Is it spiritual in any way?
Of course I would love to be in the drawing.
The CdG sounds lovely.
I love the incense series.
How does it compare to other incense perfumes (non CdG)?
oh my god i’ve been out of town but if it’s not too late please enter me! thanks
A sample of Avignon from the Court just arrived at my house during my absense and I can’t wait to get home to it!!!
I love Indult’s products to date, though I know many who find them pretentious and over-priced. I often put on Tihota just to pick up my mood..and my kids LOVE it. I get extra hugs when I wear it. Priceless! I am very excited to try C16. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks.
Most CdC seem worth a sniff. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks.
Hi. Please enter me in the drawing! I got a small sample of Hinoki last week. Wow. Just the sort of thing I’m always looking for and never seem to find. What a treat!
I just adore the Incense line and would love to try Hinoki — please add my name, and ty for offering this drawing!
These sound interesting. Please enter me in the drawing!
Glad you’re feeling better. These sound fab. Please enter me in the drawing. I’m a budding perfume collector.
I loves draws. Hinoki is my favorite new scent. Thanks for the review, I couldn’t agree more.
i know what you feel, i was walking in Madrid, visiting this warm city, from the moment i sprayed
this scent on my skin i have been possessed and walking with someone in my soul, i was waiting for someone to appear in from of me and complete the final note.
i appreciate your comment