
The many articles recently published on the phenomenon of prepubescent TikTokkerz begging their parents to buy 200dollar plus niche fragrances has disillusioned me, though it must make the execs at the helm very gleeful ; what a delightful vicious virtuous circle for them … people are buying expensive perfumes BECAUSE they are expensive – so let’s raise the prices even more and it’s a win win situation for everybody !
This, when a recent BBC documentary on the exploitation of workers in the flower fields of Egypt highlighted what a pittance minors involved in child labor practices receive for their efforts to produce the raw materials ( the programme since removed; you can easily imagine at the behest of some billionaire behemoth or other ) has made me feel a bit distanced from all the flash and pizzazz and hyperbole and ugly overblown chemicality of the current industry.
Cynicism aside ( Comete is stratospherically priced of course ), Olivier Polge’s voluptuously romantic Degas ballerina, Comete, still, to my surprise, turned out to be very much worth trying. Plumey, powdery, archly classical with its burst of aldehydes, iris and cherry blossom, (but not dowdy), to me this is reminiscent of Guerlain Insolence – just with far less hair spray, more aplomb. It is rather dazzling, actually, at least on first encounter.
The allure of ‘exclusive’, high end perfume continues unabated.
The Black Narcissus 
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. It’s depressing this constant yearly 20% price increase on perfume bottles that are already ridiculously priced. If you then try to break down the perfumes’ formula, the raw materials used certainly don’t justify this. I decided to give Comète a pass. It’s not bad just not terribly exciting and I think consumers must at some point say no, I won’t buy a 75 ml bottle for 230 eur (I mean, 5 minutes ago it was 180 eur…this is crazy). Not that Chanel is the worst offender.
I hadn’t thought of Insolence as a comparison, certainly more violets than almonds to my nose, but should try Insolence again. I think, to me, it’s more in line with the Celine exclusive perfumes (dans Paris etc.).
You are right.
But for me there was something of Insolence’s delirious carousel in the opening along with some very clear Chanel No 5 ancestry.
Not original, certainly – but how gorgeous to spritz this on before going out !
I did enjoy Comete but not the attitude of the SA at Harvey Nicks in Leeds. Ignoring three women who were ready to spend, spend, spend was NOT in his best interest! If I decide to purchase my future DiL Comete as her wedding fragrance it will not be from HN. Actually I think I’ll be getting her Papillon Hera straight from Liz Moore. A little more expensive than the Chanel but more unique & beautiful
Why on earth would a sales assistant ignore potential customers ? Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman springs to mind. I can’t BEAR haughty department store workers.
Just read about Hera – it sounds very intriguing and something I might like – but a bit risky for a gift
I know but I got her off LVeB but only as far as Pomegrate Noir.
Hera is nothing like the notes make it seem. It’s an extrait yet light as a feather. It shimmers like a butterfly wing & gives the wearer a golden “ready brek” glow. Not typical for Papillon/Liz’s output.
Comete shares the effect but with completely different notes.
I’d rather spend my cash at a small business than at a store & behemoth business who’s SAs think their shit don’t stink.
His mistake was ignoring 3 women, one of whom would spend big on scent (me), another who bought a small holding in York for cash & her daughter. It sent the tone for the HN shop, no one was happy spending money there after his attitude.
What a fool !
I agree. Depressing! I love Chanel and Guerlain. The story of the old houses is more than half of their appeal. But we’re paying for marketing not ingredients and right now the whole thing stinks a bit. (There was a discussion on the Today programme on Radio 4 on the subject). I’m tempted just to look for the cheap stuff from now on.
Me too – and not even that. About to enter penury with impending hospitalization !
Shall wear vot I haff
I can hardly believe you like Comete, dear Neil. I thought you might be underwhelmed. I actually had to have a bottle after Ric said, quote, “It works. *Nicely*.” The highest possible praise from a highly fussy man. I love the big soft pillowy cloud it produces and the extra oomph of heliotrope along with the blossoms, and a good whack of iris and signature aldehydes. It makes me happy! (I also have a newly awakened lust for Jersey. Somehow, now, it feels very right, that lavender vanilla. I’d thought it was dull when it was released, but it’s just quietly glorious.)
Not so much the idea of slave wages and then ridiculous inflated luxury prices for people wanting to buy status. Sigh.
I think I must have missed this news about hospitalization? We’ve been away.
Hospital news in the Krizia and Quartet posts.
Delighted we see to eye with the Comete. Yes /: the heliotropic upward whoosh of ballerinic aldehydes : I was quite sold !
Shall have to smell Jersey again
Just got caught up with your knees. Oh, my word. I ignorantly thought somehow that these surgical fixes lasted for decades. Poor dear; I remember the posts and almost get a bit of PTSD myself feeling once again your prolonged angst, that rollercoaster of trauma.
This time around, one knee at a time, will hopefully more than half all of that nasty experience. My darling Neil. We’ll be with you every inch of the way.