Hey Posse! Infini! Getting my bottle of the latest Caron creation Aimez-Moi Comme Je Suis has rekindled my interest in the older fragrances from the brand. I also talked about Bellodgia on Perfume Posse. This is really beautiful perfume perfume, floral extravagance, animal backdraft and mainly about the sensational hearts and bases. With Caron being taken over a couple of years ago and new adventures happening i thought it might be nice to reminisce.
Infini PdT by Caron 1970
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Jasmine, narcissus, lily of the valley, aldehydes
Heart: Rose, tuberose, lilac, iris
Base: Vetiver, musk, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber
Caron Infini is so easy to wear. Though it’s a big, sensational, powerhouse I never feel like I’m skunking a room in it. The PdT has a bit more throw, a lot more sparkle and feels like a light hearted version of the parfum. Less burnished, less intense but with a more gregarious personality. Also, being an older version the notes have skewed slightly, not to the point of real change but as if our fragrance has had a couple of boozy drinks and is slurring slightly.
Lightly feral narcissus lifted by sparkling and fizzy aldehydes, tempered by cool lily of the valley opens. Then Infini becomes a mid 20th century bouquet that is impossible for me to pick out the individual notes. A non-gourmand, sweet, yellow/white floral with oodles of supporting ingredients creating a lavish tapestry.
The heart stays around for ages and its all gorgeous creamy flowers till you realise that underneath the bouquet the amber and sandalwood have been creeping in and unbeknownst to you the are taking over the whole fragrance as we head towards dry down. Much less animal than the parfum, Infini PdT is a friendly and engaging younger sister. I love to wear them together so the deep burnished depths float under the scintillating fun. The aldehydes stick around with their lilting, slightly oily zing right to the dry down.
Though marketed towards women I think you’ll find nowadays vintage Infini leans a little masculine. Not manly but less effusively girly than most of todays offerings.
Surrender To Chance has an excellent selection of vintage Caron but no Infini currently. Yes, I’m totally affiliated, my friends own and run it.
Have you tried Infini?
Portia xx
What is it with Caron and feral narcissus? I haven’t tried this one, but I’m gaga for En Avion, Narcisse Noir, and Tabac Blond.
You had me at “Lightly feral narcissus…” I mean, I prefer “completely feral” most days, but sometimes the flowers need to lead.
HA HA HA HA HA!! Ariel, I chuckled out loud at this.
Yes, I’m happy for a feral narcissus myself. Did you ever try CB I Hate Perfume Narcissus Absolute? F E R A L!
Portia xx
Nope, but adding it to the list now- always love your recs!
Wishing I could do heart emojis right now
Adore vintage Infini and Caron in general, and this reminds me that I need to buy some more . . . . .!
Hey Alison,
Go get it, eh!
Portia xx
I have quite a few Carons thanks to an unbelievable garage sale ? Infini sounds amazing but is one I haven’t tried. I adore Nuit de Noel parfum. It is what my life should smell like! Sadly, I haven’t seen it for sale lately and I am hoping it isn’t discontinued.
Oops, don’t know where that question mark came from!
Hey ElizaC,
WOO HOO! Garage Sale finds are even better. Which ones did you score?
Portia xx
It was pretty cool, got unopened Narcisse Noir, Tabac Blond parfum, En Avian parfum, Nuit de Noel parfum and a few other perfumes such as Habinita. I remember calling my husband and sending him to the ATM for cash while I stood guard over my haul 🙂
O M G! A serious H A U L. Lucky you.
It would be easier to be happy for you if I wasn’t SEETHING with jealousy. XXX
The house of Caron is my jam. [smiles] Years ago, in my smallish town, there was a pharmacist who fell in love with perfumes when he was serving as a soldier stationed in Paris during WWII. His pharmacy was located in a charming Old Building with high ceilings, intricate woodwork and marble floors. He had a section of his store devoted to “high French perfumery” (his description). My parents had prescriptions filled there and frequently I was with them….but I was there for the PERFUME! I fell hard for the gorgeous bottles and the lushly beautiful scents. The perfume section was well-curated and designed with an eye for beauty. I was smitten!
I’m sure there was the entire collection of Carons which were possible for this man to find. I loved all of them.
When I was at university, I visited the shop frequently and Infini was a new release in 1970 — a few years before I attended college. My friend (by then) let me test Infini and I’ve had a bottle continuously ever since. Infini is an aldehydic green floral with a dry heart that lasts forever on my skin.
Holy cats & crackers! My heart LEAPT!!! upon reading this – what a lovely experience to have had!!! xoxoxo
and you’ve piqued my interest with the ‘aldehydic green floral’…..
xoxoxo
YAY Gwenyth,
So excited to see a Caron Infini fan and your back story is magic too. I can imagine how exciting it must have been to find such a treasure trove and mentor. Fabulous.
Portia xx
Thank you for writing out that story- more details, more, please!
Someday I’ll run a beverage and snack place that also sells books and perfumes and soaps. Ah, good dreams.
Other than Bellodgia (and a quick sniff of the lovely NdeNoel) I’ve never really gotten involved with Caron – but you make this sound like SO MUCH FUN!!! I think I may have a sample of vintage around here…must look.
xoxoxo
Musette,
If you love the old aldehydic florals and the chypres (I’m pretty sure you do) then this will be the happiest amalgamation of them for you.
Portia x
Caron is not my house, but I do keep a bottle of Nuit de Noel extrait just for sentimental reasons, to wear once a year.
OMG! So glamorous TaraC,
Do you have the old black bottle with shagreen box?
Portia xx
I haven’t tried Infini, Portia, but it sounds like it would be one that I’d like. Love those floral notes, and I have a great love of vintage scents.
Bet you’d love it DinaC, it rattles around peoples Sale Docs on FB every now and then for reasonable prices. Ebay is starting to get very expensive for the old stuff.
Portia xx
I came to Caron kind of late in my passion for collecting, but was lucky to find a big vintage bottle of Infini pdt. And again, it took me a while to get it, but now I love its big ’70s vibe, and yes it is easy for me to wear. Portia, your description nails it! I had to go back and read your review of Bellodgia, which really spoke to me. Again, your descriptions so illuminate!
Queen-Cupcake! YAY we snap on experiences. With perfume wearing and experience so different for each person it’s really nice to connect.
I bet finding Caron was a bit of a mind blower. So glad you took the time to get to know Infini, well worth the effort I reckon.
Portia xx
Caron just doesn’t love me like I wish it did. They seem/feel/smell so wildly sophisticated and somewhat severe to me, in the best way. But on my actual skin, they all smell faintly of mildew. So unfair.
OH NOOOOOOOOOO! Total bummer March.
Portia xx
Caron is one of my top fave houses. I have and love so many, except for this one and a couple others. On a scale of dislike, okay, like and love, this is okay for me. It reminds me of White Linen, which I loathe, but is nicer. A little bitter, dry, soapy floral.
SO interesting GinaT, I really get that this baby is polarising. It’s like an aldehydic floral chypre, yes I know there’s no such thing. Bummer it doesn’t work for you.
Portia xx
I dunno, Portia… sounds like a perfectly reasonable description to me! xoxoxo
Thanks Musette, we’ll keepit to ourselves though. It might explode Fragranticas heads. SHHHH!
Portia xx
I have generally stopped trying Carons (is that silly?) as the only one that makes my heart whoop is Bellodgia, but that’s from the bottle. No Caron so far (vintage or otherwise) has really worked on me. I particularly wanted Bellodgia to work as it was mentioned in an article years ago about dark lady/woman scents which I found very interesting indeed.
Bellodgia is wonderful Cinnamon. There is a stash of it here too. Caron is one of my favourite houses, I’m glad that it’s being resurrected by the new owners.
Portia xx