Hi there Perfumed Posse Peeps. You might remember not long ago I told you of buying some Maria Candida Gentile testers for a song in a run out sale. They were my January New Idea reward. Cinabre was one of the bottles I bought. I’m not exactly sure why but there is little chatter about the brand in the scentbloggosphere. I’m hoping by shining a light on a few you might find yourself interested enough to go find them too. We sniffed Barry Lyndon last March. I’m thinking you might all like this in the Northern Hemisphere as you enjoy spring.
Cinabre by Maria Candida Gentile
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Ginger, Pepper, Pink Pepper
Heart: Rose, Moroccan Rose, Davana
Base: Opoponax, Benzoin, Vanilla
Zingy opening of pink pepper berries and ginger only lasts a few moments before the roses come flooding in. They are slightly bitter, dark and voluptuous. Very little jam displayed in the early minutes and the fragrance feels cool and peaceful. Here is a most unisex rose.
I have a memory of being in McLeod Gang, India back in 2000. It’s the town that grew around the Dali Lama and his exiled monks in the foothills of the Indian side of the Himalayas. Back then it was a couple of streets and a circle of hotel/hostel lodgings on a closely adjacent hill. Underneath that were some small farms, homes etc and as you walked down the hill to the bus station the roses would be blooming in the cold sunlight. The smell of putting your face into these dinner plate sized roses would be mixing with incense on the air.
The heart of Cinabre takes me back there with such a surprising jolt that it takes my breath away, every time. I was so in love with my last long term partner Varun. Sadly it was not destined to make forever but we had two amazing years together in Sydney and then 8 more transcontinentally. We are still close and speak/text weekly. It’s funny, he turns 50 this year and Jin and I are going to help him celebrate the landmark. I’m thinking to buy him a bottle of Cinabre as part of his gift.
Here is a section of a charcoal one of Croatia/Australia’s famous artists Charles Billich did of Varun. It hangs proudly in our home here.
Anyway, I digress. Cinabre remains rosy throughout but the incense and vanilla play a stronger role as we head towards dry down.
Unisex, longevity is excellent, projection low after the first hour. Low but up close noticeable.
Does Cinabre sound like a perfect spring scent for you?
Portia x
In the drawing, Varun looks like a beautiful young Pharaoh with a wicked sense of humour.
That is a very apt description. He definitely saw himself as a ruler. He was also very amusing in a quiet, understated way MzCrz.
Portia xx
that drawing is gorgeous, as is your continuing love for Varun. I delight in your being able to transition into another type of love – and that Jin is comfortable being part of that. Gives me hope for humanity.
I have tried several MCGs but, sadly, cannot remember any of them – it’s probably my skittery mind, rather than the perfumes themselves, though.
Hey Musette,
There’s only one of my exes that I really prefer not to see but we still communicate very occasionally. Oh, and there’s one that cut me off afterwards. HA! I probably deserved it.
I even had my very first long term partner over for afternoon tea the other day. Catching up with him is always a treat, even though we were truly awful together as partners.
I’m thinking that MCG might be a house that you come to after the thrill of the very novel fades. They are pretty, wearable, interesting but not astoundingly so. Some are a little soapy and with the super levelling up of so much functional fragrance some now smell like expensive shampoos or hotel lobbies.
Portia x
I haven’t tried any of this line, and this sounds really lovely. Also I know I said this last time but I love that retro-esque bottle with that label. It’s such a treat to find / have a fragrance that reminds you of some lovely place-memory. (And what a wonderful drawing!)
Hey March,
How’s your sniffer doing?
Scent memories from far gone times are a definite win from being a perfumista. I’m still surprised when a new fragrance does it, happily.
Portia xx
I love Cinabre! One of my first purchases from MCG. I buy my MCG bottles from Indiescents. The line is so interesting and unique, wish it had better distribution. The bottles are elegant and feel good in the hand, no excessive packaging, just a lovely box.
Hey TaraC,
YES! I love that the packaging is luxurious but not stupidly wasteful.
Portia xx
These sound very interesting. The only place that seems to have a fair number of them is a gallery in London called Dorothy Circus. Which has a concept store. Probably worth a visit on next trip upcountry. As to Cinabre, hmmm. Maybe — but certainly sounds worth a sniff. Love that charcoal drawing.
Heya Cinnamon,
Go have a sniff, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, it’s bloody cool eh? I couldn’t show the whole thing, it’s quite graphic.
Portia x
These look interesting- wish there was a store closer that had them to try.
I thought LuckyScent had them, maybe they don’t anymore though Tom.
Portia x