Hiya Posse! One of my great perfume loves that has been in the grab tray for years is Aromatics Elixir by Clinique. It’s a fragrance that instantly whisks me away to far off lands and remembered holiday adventures. Even though it doesn’t smell like anywhere in particular. Pieces of its whole are trademarks of places I’ve been lucky enough to visit. I’m pretty sure Mum never had a bottle but there was at least one Aunt that spritzed with abandon.
Can we talk about how bloody good Aromatics Elixir is please? Sure, it’s not in fashion to smell like this anymore. Honestly though, it’s just so sad that we aren’t smelling people walk by us leaving a sillage that we can swim in. I think we have talked somewhere about my mate Scott daring me to do 35 sprays and going shopping? I did it and though we were both nearly asphyxiated not one person mentioned my aggressive cloud. We laugh about it regularly still. Maybe they were terrified of it and thought it might lash out?!?
Anyway, let’s talk about what a sensible four spritz wear is like. I bought this bottle in the last 5 or 6 years, so pretty modern.
Aromatics Elixir by Clinique 1971
Clinique gives these featured accords:
Patchouli, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Ylang ylang, Rose
Elsewhere we get much fuller lists:
Top: Chamomile Aldehydes Clary Sage Coriander Geranium Lemon Verbena Brazilian Rosewood Bergamot
Heart: Carnation Rose Ylang-Ylang Orris Root Jasmine Tuberose Orange Blossom
Base: Oakmoss Patchouli Incense Vetiver Sandalwood Musk
One chest, one back neck and both my forearms. I’m smiling from ear to ear. Aromatics Elixir never fails to please. Spicy amber floral delight. It has hints of greenery; herbs, leaves, grass, broken twigs and bark. There are floral wafts but none of them stand above the bouquet. Rather, they are an amalgam, a glorious chorus.
As we head through the heart and to the dry down the patchouli becomes noticeable. There’s a Trivia player that has never commented on my fragrance until wearing Aromatics Elixir last week and she asked if my perfume was patchouli heavy. I was utterly gobsmacked. She went on to reminisce about her headshot patchouli oils in the 1970s and how I’d inspired her to go find some again.
Aromatics Elixir is a wonderkind. Totally unisex in 2024, longevity and projection are off the charts for the first hour or so and then it recedes to a dull roar for the rest of the day.
Should you not be near a Clinique counter Surrender To Chance has samples.
Did you ever Aromatics Elixir?
Portia xx
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