HazelFern Scents (Johna Gibson Bowman) Cosmic Dance, The Earth is my Body and Le Chanson de Maude + Harold and Maude Draw

Stills from Harold and Maude starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort

 “‘What is your name?’

‘Harold, Harold Chasen.’

‘How do you do? I’m Dame Marjorie Chardin, but you may call me Maude.’

‘Nice to meet you.’

‘I think we’re going to be great friends, don’t you?’

Johna Gibson Bowman, natural perfumer for HazelFern Scents

So began the cult classic love affair of Colin Higgins’ 1971 film: Harold & Maude, and fourteen years later, so began my love affair with it. When I came across Johna Gibson Bowman and HazelFern Scents’ triptych of perfume oils themed after the dark comedy, I contacted the Bryan, Tx craftswoman about her connection to the film and its ensuing perfumes. She explained:“Harold and Maude is my favorite movie ever; it might seem really weird to some people who are familiar with it, but I find that story to be so incredibly bright and uplifting.”

I agree with this statement and indeed, ‘Maudism’ is well known as a pop-spiritual path to which I “adhere”; so ‘weird’ may simply be part of the territory. Johna, who also saw the film at an early age elaborates: “I love that scene where Harold tells Maude he’s going to the dentist! I was 14 the first time I saw that movie and remember thinking that it was a great half-lie because he’s really still just going to a doctor that picks at your head!”

Beyond the obvious scene of Maude’s Odoriffics, where Harold inhales a New York subway- a easy favorite for any perfumista, Johna pulls inspiration from the Californian locale and quirky yet universal truths Mr. Higgins is conveying:  “A few years ago while I was watching it I realized that I was always “smelling” things during certain scenes.

That propelled me into trying to create those mental scents myself. I used synthetics first, but eventually reformulated them to be completely natural because I wanted that visceral closeness between the perfumes and my actual impressions. For example, The Cosmic Dance has always had sort dark, deep chocolate and wood quality with bursts of smoldering embers.”

HazelFern Scents Cosmic Dance

“‘Oh, that was fun! Let’s play something together!

‘I don’t play anything.’

‘Nothing? Oh, dear me. Everybody should be able to make some music. That’s the cosmic dance!’”

Perhaps learning the steps to this Cosmic Dance is the real take away from what began as a thesis for film school, an education in connection between life, death and transformation into something else. Palo Santo, the main note in HazelFern Scents Cosmic Dance would suggest the same universality as well as it does warmth and reminiscent of Maude’s fireplace while the two conspire about locker room advice and the benefits of learning the banjo. Amber and cocoa sweeten the deal while lavender wafts unattended like a player piano while Maude dances the jig of life. Notes:  amber, palo santo, cocoa, lavender

HazelFern Scents The Earth Is My Body

“‘The Earth is my body; my head is in the stars… who said that, Harold?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Well, I suppose I did, then.”

Asthmatic trees provide another opportunity for an educational field trip which gives an ecological nod to the idea of everything being connected, how to properly parallel park, as well as where to best find a shovel. Violet leaf and patchouli provide redwood soil to lemongrass and lofty forest heights- provided by properly pine: the hippie version of forest bathing. Oh, and do shut off the car radio; it saves the battery. Notes: violet leaf, old patchouli, Moroccan rose, lavender absolute, black pepper, pine, lemongrass

HazelFern ScentsLe Chanson de Maude

“‘Tell me, do you dance?’

‘Pardon me?’

‘Do you sing and dance?’

‘Uh, no.’

‘Ah, no. I thought not.”

Unforgettably, the soundtrack to Harold & Maude comes primarily from Cat Steven’s ‘Tea for the Tillerman’; record my sister handed down to me (the same sister allowed her tarot card reading friend to introduce me to supposedly verboten film. This foreshadowing of the entire dynamic between our two protagonists is a first question of mine upon meeting someone- yes or no, it’s not the answer i want to hear- it is the way they emote it. i do believe everything i ever needed to know I learned from Dame Marjorie Chardin. Notes: blond tobacco, tolu balsam, nutmeg, jasmine, ylang ylang, Egyptian rose, sweet orange

Disclosure: I received my sample from HazelFern Scents, you make me feel like a schoolboy! My opinions are my own.

Drew Chafee, Natural Perfume Contributor

Art Director-Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief 

Because Johna, HazelFern Scents, and Maude want to give the nose a treat, a sort of olfactory banquet- in her own unique and individual way. We have a very generous draw for your choice of a full sized bottle of your choice (leave in your comment) and 2 samples of your choice for one REGISTERED reader anywhere in the world (register here).

To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Drew’s review of HazelFern Scents Cosmic Dance, Le Chanson de Maude & The Earth Is My Body, where you live and if you have seen Harold & Maude. Draw closes 5/22/2018

Follow HazelFern Scents on, Instagram @hazelfernscents

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We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume. 

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22 comments

  • DespinaVnt says:

    As a film reviewer and passionate cinéphile, perfume-films associations always fascinate me.
    What intriguing scents, and what an original interview!
    “Harold and Maude” is a personal favorite, too.
    That sui generis masterpiece is brilliantly written by Colin Higgins, as mentioned in the article, but allow me to make a mention to its director, too: the great idiosyncratic auteur Hal Ashby.
    I live in EU (France).
    Thank you.

  • Elaine Richard says:

    It’s been a long time since I saw Harold and Maude and it’s fun to remember it. Le Chanson de Maude sounds like the best for me. The Earth Is My Body sounds intriguing also. Thanks for the draw!
    I’m in California, USA.

  • After reading this review, I will have to see Harold & Maude. Johna Gibson Bowman must have been smitten to have created these three scents. They all sound wonderful to me. And, this is quite a generous draw! I live in the US and would love to win a bottle of Le Chanson de Maude and sample bottles of Cosmic Dance and The Earth is My Body.

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    The Earth is my Body. The name alone makes me love it. Don’t even know if I saw the movie, but after this wonderful review, I shall seek it out.
    This page has introduced me to so many perfumers I may not have begun to know otherwise!
    If I win the draw, of course it would be The Earth is my Body.
    If I win the samples I would like the same and Cosmic Dance.
    Thank you.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    I enjoyed this review, is a massive understatement because this film really is uplifting. I’m always trying to stay contemporary or at least usually, until this month the macro-level insanity has finally depressed my spirits enough that I freely permit myself to indulge in any vestige of my youth that creates a more peaceful internal state, so have been reading things not touched in decades, and obviously I needed to be reminded that this film will absolutely be similarly rewarding to revisit. I have my next cozy evening planned, cocoa and all. And these oils sound absolutely beautiful. I’m very much a natural perfume aficionado for both health and aesthetics, so really, there are no levels on which I am not loving and grateful for this beautiful and heartfelt review!
    Cocoa and lavender — sounds so perfect…
    Thank you again!
    I’m in the bay area, CA, US.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    Cosmic Dance sounds really good. If the lavender is pronounced, I wonder if it’s anything like Rochas Man?
    I havent seen the movie.
    I’m in the US

  • Harold and Maude, one of my faves; and Cat Stevens also! The Earth is My Body would be my choice for a full bottle. In the USA. Thanks for the memories.

  • Cosmic dance would be my favourite after the small description. Nice review, thanks for this nice draw, i live in the EU.

  • I have never heard of this film but it sounds fun! I shall look it up. The scents sound really fun and interesting – the most intriguing being Le Chanson de Maude for its tolu balsam and blond tobacco.
    I love all the screenshots of the film!
    I am in Melbourne Australia

  • Polyanthes says:

    Oh yes, I dance alright, every opportunity I get and I’ll try any kind of dancing, but mostly I freestyle and if I want to sing out, I sing out! It raises a few eyebrows you know, especially as I get older, but hey ‘everyone has the right to make an arse of themselves. You can’t let the world judge you too much.’
    Le Chanson de Maude would be my pick, I love a bit of tobacco with my flowers and it would sweetly remind me of her every time I wore it.
    Brilliant article – so delightful – I’ll be smiling and doing a little wiggle all day.

  • I’m not familiar with this movie, but it seems really interesting. These perfumes also sounds wonderfully. I very love the all natural perfumes. I would very like to try these. Le Chanson de Maude sounds the most interesting to me. Thank you very much for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • George Lellis says:

    I have seen HAROLD AND MAUDE, but a long time ago. I would like to see it again. I liked how the review sent me to do further research about some of the notes involved. I live in the US and would like Cosmic Dance if I win.

  • Cosmic Dance sounds really good!!!!
    I think the ingredients have finw quality.
    I have not seen the movie.
    If I win the samples I would like the Le Chanson de Maude and Cosmic Dance.
    Armenia

  • I can’t believe I haven’t even heard of this film before! I’ll watch it as soon as I can, a story – and the perfumes! – as dramatic as this one that somehow manages to convey the bright & uplifting mood is exactly what I need.

    If I win, I’d choose La Chanson de Maude for a FB, and the Cosmic Dance & the Earth is my body as samples.

    Thank you for the draw. I live in Russia

  • Lori Laws says:

    After reading this review, I will definitely have to see this film. I loved the movie tie-ins to the fragrance as well. My choice would be Earth is My Body or Cosmic Dance. Both really spoke to me. Thanks for the draw and I live in the US! 🙂

  • James2473 says:

    Very nice review! What a great movie! I saw it a long time ago, but plan to rewatch it now. Cosmic Dance sounds amazing! I’m located in the United States.

  • Gabriel Garcia says:

    I have to say that I have to revisit the film, and to pair up with the oils sounds like a great idea, I do like to dance, la chanson de maude sounds good,
    USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    Love Harold and Maude. I so enjoyed the written clips from the film. Cosmic Dance sounds wonderful, although Chanson de Maude would be my choice. Thanks for the draw and for a charming review. I’m in the USA

  • Each of these fragrances sound so alluring! I actually don’t recall if I ever saw Harold and Maude. I think I was too young when it came out. If I win, I’d love to get Chanson de Maude.
    I live in the US.

  • So, confession time, since hearing of it as a young teenager I have been fascinated by this movie but also put off…but also it’s been on my to-watch list forever and have not yet seen it!

    Reading about it here made me fascinated all over again.
    I wonder if I am partially a Maude in the making? or at least a Maudist
    That odor thingy seemed awesome

    Each of these scents sounds lovely. Cosmic Dance would my my fb choice if I won. Thank you for the reviews and draw!
    USA

  • doveskylark says:

    I remember watching this movie in the 80s. It was on a cable channel, on a showcase of cult movies. I always loved Ruth Gordon. I loved reading how the movie inspired the perfume and the perfumers. I would choose Cosmic Dance for a full bottle and Chanson de Maude and Earth is my Body as samples. I live in the USA.