New Fragrance Review: Pirouette Perfumes Mantra by Karyn Gold-Reineke + Honoring Lord Shiva Draw

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Karyn Gold-Reineke is a Bellingham, Washington native- perfectly placed between the urban bustle of Seattle and the forested spaciousness of the Pacific Northwest. Her company, Pirouette, reflects both this urban existence and the unspoiled forests which stretch far into Canada. Pirouette Perfume Gold Collection is a luxe line of six compositions “created exclusively from the most precious, rare and sought after botanicals on earth.” They are veritable liquid gold.

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Darjeeling teas

We've reached the nadir of light, (solstice) and it's in these dark and cold moments when I reach for something heavy, something dark yet warming- antidote for the weather. Mantra is exactly this panacea. Darjeeling tea and frankincense open the elixir with golden champa and a special pinewood resinoid (bois de landes) which provides both a dusting of wood and oak notes.

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Pyre the Ganges

Already a deep bow to the Indian subcontinent aesthetic, beneath the heady floral incense lies mitti attar- the baked earth of India distilled in sandalwood. Quite literally, the very ground Brahmin (saints) and Dalit (outcasts) have walked upon, if not infused with the ashes carried long and far by the Ganges. What better remedy for the snow covered world than a heavy dosing of it's sun baked self?

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Untitled 3 Stefano Bonazzi

Mantra has “the ultimate black amber”, an olfactory feat comprised of many types of sandalwood, powdery agarwood, benzoin, and a vintage patchouli which makes up much of the framework for the perfume. The often trigger tripping patchouli here is smooth with age, velvet in it's supporting the earthen attar. While labdanum sweetness keeps rough edges of baked dirt and ash from literally smelling 'dirty', this black amber is an almost 'noir' feeling emanating from nutrient-rich black forest soil.

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Indian Buddha statue

While the perfumed heat rises, and your cold-to-the-bone weariness is bolstered by the borrowed sun, the aroma becomes a olfactive mantra- a device used to connect, to remind oneself of a spiritual concept. Karyn has provided another method of reminding ourselves of the promise of warmth. As with all mantras, repetition is key to it's effectiveness- inhalation as meditative practice works perfectly with the warm projection and excellent longevity.

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Lord Shiva

While a mantra is usually considered personal and private (often given by a Guru to a disciple), there are many common mantras used in the Hindu belief system. There is a very well known mantra honoring Lord Shiva, which begins with an homage to deity as aroma:  om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam… ( roughly: 'Honor to the three-eyed Lord whose presence is like fragrance nurturing and nourishing all…')

Notes: Balsams, frankincense, Darjeeling tea, spices, labdanum, pinewood, golden champa, benzoin, sandalwood, mitti attar, vintage patchouli and (oud) agarwood.

disclosure: my sample was provided by Pirouette for review

Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor and  West Coast Contributor

Author's Note:  Karyn has a generous heart as well as a gift for natural perfume, “I like to think of my company as pro-earth and pro-people. Products are handmade using only earth friendly ingredients and packaging. In the spirit of giving, 10% of profits are donated to charity. And of course, all Pirouette products are cruelty free.”

Thanks to the generosity of Karyn at Pirouette, we have THREE deluxe 2mL samples for US readers only. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Einsof's review and if you have ever tried a mitti attar. Draw closes December 30, 2014

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

 

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22 comments

  • I have never tried a mitti attar. I am most curious about all the Pirouette scents and am heading over to the website right after leaving this comment. I liked this line in the review: “As with all mantras, repetition is key to it’s effectiveness- inhalation as meditative practice works perfectly with the warm projection and excellent longevity.” Incense has always been tied to the practice of meditation and I’d like to think of perfume in the way. Thanks!!

  • This write up made me want to go outside and roll around in the dirt to cleanse myself of all synthetic smells. I love naturals and had not heard of Pirouette. I would love to try the perfumes, especially the black amber. I am heading over to their website to check them out.
    BAB, USA.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    These earthy creations by Karyn remind me of some natural perfumes I tried from a brand in 1990s that doesn’t operate anymore..they released some, inspired by the Hindu concept of Chakra and I feel they also had that mitti attar quality to them. It seems Kary creations may be in the same vein. thanks for the generous gift, Karyn. I am in the US

  • Mantra and that Vintage Patchouli which makes up much of the framework of the scent and I’m a vintage junkie so anything with the word I’m all on it also the powdery agarwood is heaven

  • I am completely smitten and you had me with “vintage patchouli”! I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the line and would much appreciate bring considered! Thank you and Happy New Year! I’m in the US.

  • I have never tried a mitti attar. I would love to know more about the Pirouette line. I’m intrigued by the concept of perfume as an olfactory mantra. Thank you Karyn for this giveaway. I’m in the U.S.

  • Mitti attar has been on my wish list for quite a while but I have yet to try one. I love naturals and hadn’t heard of Pirouette but will check it out ASAP. I’m in the U.S. Thanks for the draw.

  • This is the first time I have heard of mitti attar. Thanks for the learning experience! Pirouette is also new to me, so I appreciate the introduction. I loved the photo of darjeeling tea in the review.

    I am in the US.

  • I’ve never tried a mitti attar but the “ultimate black amber” sounds irresistible. I’m in the US.

  • Einsof’s words are very evocative. I like the bit about using the attar as an “inhalation” during meditation. Meditation is the hardest thing in the world for me! My mind wanders. Beautiful writing. Can you tell us a little about yourself, Einsof, for starters, your unusual name. I have not tried any from this line. I am in the USA

  • Thank you Cynthia!

    You can read a little about me in the About Us tab here- the name “Einsof” is Hebrew for “without end” or “endlessness”. It is an homage to the “einsof ohr” or “endless light” … similar to the alpha/omega concept.

    Minds wander, that is their nature… beyond this, however, is a constant. maybe sitting meditation is not the easiest to access… long distance running or walking is also a meditation. Gentle focus on a candle or even an aroma to the exclusion of other thoughts is also a meditation.

    thank you again everyone for reading! Mantra is a gorgeous reprieve from winter.

    NAMASTE!

  • Wow, there are so many perfumers from Washington! Makes my heart warm (I’d move back if I could) – as does the donation of 10% of proceeds. This sounds really interesting – I’ve never heard of mitti attar – and the tea note is lovely. Thanks for the generous giveaway, I’m in the US!

  • I have a bottle of mitti attar that’s over 10 years old. It took some time to get used to it but I like it all by itself now that it’s aged. I like the idea of a tea note opening. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • Today is the first time I’ve heard of mitti attar. I enjoyed reading about the inspiration for this fragrance. US.

  • Mitti attar is I believe one of the ingredients in the Maj from House of Matriarch (which is awesome!) but I have never tried it by itself. I think it’s the component that feels like rain on warm earth. Quite wonderful for walking outside and taking in nature and sunlight, and for when one needs those things but can’t get them firsthand, rather breathe in and out and somehow obtain the feeling of living earth and light.

    My favorite part of this review was : “and your cold-to-the-bone weariness is bolstered by the borrowed sun, the aroma becomes a olfactive mantra- a device used to connect, to remind oneself of a spiritual concept. ”
    Both because the winter cold prevents me from sitting outside and soaking it in, and because I really need to try meditating again although it’s hard, this part really spoke to me. I’d love to try Mantra!

    USA

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I enjoyed Einsof’s review and his comparison of the fragrance to the Indian subcontinent aesthetic as the perfect antidote for the cold winter. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a mitti attar.

  • Working in retail, after this holiday season I certainly can understand Einsof’s “cold to-the-bones weariness.” Living in the USA I have not smelt Mitti Attarn and I enjoy all-natural perfumes.

  • Thank you Einsof for the thoughtful and beautifully written review, and I loved your comment about the meaning of your name, a perfect fit. Yes indeed for the reader who finds meditation difficult, I have a long term daily practice and often find myself navigating a busy mind. Mantras, as well as sacred incense resins and woods are wonderful tools to refocus the mind and connect to the everpresent inner peace just below the surface. Over time, a greater sense of peace and joy have infused my life, proof of its powerful effects. My guru describes the busy mind like a jar of water with some dirt. Shaken, it becomes murky but after sitting awhile, the debris settles to the bottom leaving only crystal clear water above. Much love and gratitude to everyone 😉

  • I am so looking forward to discoving this. I am weary of perfume smelling like office paper, and long for the return of the rich orientals.

  • I enjoyed Einsof’s review, but have never tried a mitti attar. I liked the connection made between warming oneself physically and with fragrance during these long winter months. Thanks for the review, I’m in the U.S.