Hey there Posse peeps! I bought this decant of Copper from Surrender To Chance ages ago in early 2020 (they don’t have it anymore. SOZ!. My purchase was brought on by Val the Cookie Queen’s SCATHING anti-review over on Australian Perfume Junkies. How can someone, with so little prose and some images destroy a perfume so completely. It’s such a good review that I had to. Fortunately, Val is now writing for BaseNotes! Her current thing is reviewing the way something smells to music. It’s definitely worth a squiz.
When not reviewing perfume Val is also a radio DJ. Fortunately for me it’s all in English and she plays tracks that have meant something in her life or describe bits of it. Baking Bad with the Cookie Queen, do yourself a favor.
Val is one of our besties. We love her so much, you will to.
Her review is also not my experience of Copper.
Before we start talking perfume I would like to say BRAVO to CdG for keeping their prices within reasonable limits. Sure, they’re expensive but not eye wateringly so. Yes, I know they are out of reach for many, and I’m sorry about that but I’m comparing them to most of the designer/niche market. Also, this bottle is stupid. GAH! You need to buy a toast rack to stand them up in.
Copper by Comme des Garcons 2019
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Persian galbanum, Peruvian pink pepper, Ethiopian myrrh, Madagascan ginger, Vanilla, Amber
Ahhhhh the opening waft of Copper is pure galbanum. It’s cool, green like verdigris and welcomes us to something beautiful, slightly weird and very wearable. Galbanum is joined by ginger and pink pepper and there is a metallic (aldehydic?) zing that is both cold and electric. This perfect rendering of the idea of copper in scent really only lasts about 10 minutes before the illusion is shattered. That 10 minutes though. Brilliant.
The heart is a myrrh heavy amber, it smells a little incense-y but not the Catholic, Indian or Korean ones we burn at home. Just incense-y in general. Maybe the opening is still doing some lifting because as yet the amber seems to be without vanilla, actually it’s slightly woodsy. Mossy! That’s what it is. It smells like when you lift up moss from the garden to add it to bonsai. Green, but earthy and fecund.
As we head towards dry down the vanilla finally makes itself properly known. It’s been there all along but backing and bolstering rather than playing lead.It still isn’t overwhelming and takes the fragrance into quite a fleshy direction. Maybe humanity in a temple? From here Copper fades to nothing.
Unisex, projection and longevity moderate. A little avant-garde but not confrontational or super stand out in a crowd different. That vanilla hook in the base keeps everything nice, unless you’re Val of course.
Anne really loved CdG Blue Encens here on Posse.
So, are you with Val or with me on Copper?
Portia xx
I’d probably enjoy sniffing this, even if I didn’t need to do more than that. I think some of those scents have been really fun! Those bottles are often weird, though… I love that you can still buy the Incense series, I’d like to own them all.
The incense series are so good March. I’ve got them all al regularly go sniff the spritzers but rarely do a full out wear.
Portia xx
“Green” scents were my first serious perfume loves, and I’ve been circling back lately. I’ve tried and liked several CdG scents, but haven’t fallen for any. Yet. Never say never!
OOOH! I hope you one day find a bottle of CdG to warm your heart and make you smile MaggieCat. Till then, money saved!
Portia xx
I haven’t tried this one but I’d be that both of your reactions are pretty valid. Commes des Garcons has made a career of making stuff that’s a little.. off. Like their clothing I can appreciate it but I can’t see myself seriously wearing it.
But Kudos for them for keeping prices relatively reasonable. As for the bottles, yeah, they’re stupid. But it’s CdeG and I guess we should be happy they don’t spray from the bottom or need a foot pump to operate.
And this, Tom, is why I love you – even though I, once again, have to clean my freaking monitor!
YAY! for snort laughing coffee Musette.
HA HA HA HA HA! Tom, you are always on point.
Portia xx
I’m with Val on this one, it is not for me. And thank you for the update on where to find her, I have missed her posts since APJ!
Good to know VerbenaLuvvr,
Yeah, it’s nice to have her back in the scentboggosphere.
Portia xx
Portia, Those opening notes of galbanum sound glorious! (You know how much I love that magical green resinous note.) The rest of Copper doesn’t interest me as much, but the bottle looks cool. Thanks for telling us about Val!
DinaC,
It could be a yay for 10 minutes and then a yawn for four hours for you. It might be fun to try though.
Portia xx
I have a lot of time for CdG and Copper has been on my sample wishlist for years. Your review makes it sound like something I need, given my love of galbanum and myrhh.
Rosarita,
I think you are going to squeal with excitement when you get to wear Copper.
What’s your fave CdG?
Portia xx
Quite a few but I always come back to the original. Can’t resist those spices.
CdG aren’t a house I feel an infinity with. Hence I rarely sample. Saying that CdG Man2 has been bought on repeat for DH.
I owned Avignon & sampled the others in the Incense Series. They all gave me a headache. Waved them goodbye.
I wish I had bought Carnation from the Red Series & Daphne.
Copper doesn’t appeal to me so it won’t be on my hit list
Heya Alityke,
WOW! Bummer about the incense series. I’ve collected and love them all. MMMMM
I told you a friend gave me Daphne this year for my birthday! Still can’t believe it.
Portia xx
I’m still envious of that gift. Not the green jealousy but the “lucky you, enjoy!” Kind x
Thanks. I’d be both.
I actually can’t recall the CdGs I’ve tried. I know I’ve sampled some of the incense series. Anyway, ‘weird and wearable’ is a hard path. So, impressed by this idea. As noted frequently, green perfumes aren’t my thing but I’m always interested in trying things that sound this intriguing. We’ll see.
Heya Cinnamon,
I feel like you would screw up your face at the opening 10 minutes and then breathe a huge sigh of relief and love the next four hours,
Portia xx