I Mint It

Posse –

I was going to tell you about that Charming Encounter – but that would involve me spraying Unknown Perfumes (and they’re Lauder so… shrieking is probable) … so that will have to wait – again.

Instead, let’s talk about menthol in perfumery.  This burn of mine is healing nicely(ish) – now it’s just the chest area – but with that comes The Itching.  Ohhh… the itching.  I tried a host of anti-itch sprays and creams to varying success – but they all burn like fire!  Finally, I fell back on my mom’s remedy for itching – that mentholated ointment VVR (I use the generic so…).  It doesn’t sting, it provides a cooling factor plus a very mild counterirritant that reduces the focus on the itching.  When it does itch, I use the heel of my hand or my fingertips (no nails) and just rub more in, assuaging the itch without further damaging the skin.  WIN!!

Except!  It definitely has A Smell.  And I really don’t like the idea of smelling like my grandmother’s Gentleman Friend from back in the day.  So I went into the Messy Armoire, looking for body cremes (no actual perfume spritzing just yet) that would complement the menthol blast. Carnal Flower body creme is the clear winner – but that was an easy E – I found a sample of Uncle Serge’s TC. some of which I poured into a neutral oil – perfection! I think I like these two because, unlike a lot of minty perfumes here the mint provides an elegant underpinning, rather than a blasty top note.

Some top note minty scents I like (sort of) :  Diptyque Eau de Mente’ –  I mixed it with a bit of (gasp!) Amouage Lyric body cream and… you know how much I love that camellia-waxy scent of Lyric?  Well, the addition of mint makes it feel like the most elegant floor wax EVAH!  And that’s not a bad thing.  Weird – but not a bad thing.

Heeley Menthe Fraiche.  I’m not persackly sure why I chose vintage Coty L’Origan to combine with this – but it was…… umm… welp!  It was kinda strange, like being stuck on a cross-country bus with a bickering couple in the seats behind you.  I’d say plane but… nah.  Bus.  Because that’s a lonnng ride you’ve got ahead of you.  Long.  Vintage L’Origan leaves of its own accord.  So they hissed and snapped at each other from Kansas City all the way to Barstow.   Both were very attractive, well-dressed people of means –  not quite sure why they were on a bus… but so. much. hissing.

I’m sticking with CFlower for now, thankyouverymuch.  But I’d love to get some suggestions for the Vapor Rub accompaniment.  It’s almost healed but I foresee a few more weeks of the menthol, Just. In. Case.

Lemme know your thoughts.  I’ll have Monsieur pull a winner!

And no.  No Aqua Velvet.  Though you know I considered it…

photo: Pexels (because I ain’t gettin’ on no bus)