Charner Ethier of Providence Perfume Co

Artisan perfumer Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co has released a collection of six cleverly named roller-ball perfume oils, concentrated blends of botanical material in fractionated coconut oil. With this collection, she has provided  the newbie an  introduction to natural perfumery, taking into account the usual preconceptions of what 'natural perfumery' is and maybe more importantly- what it is not. One of the things I discovered is that my style of perfumery is more unique than I realized… that being said, I was determined to create a line of natural perfumes that were beautiful, wearable and accessible”, Charna says. That is an understatement.

Providence Perfume Co Oils

Unlike an alcohol-based perfume, these oils have a tenacious quality and the percentage of aromatic materials is extremely high, so sillage and longevity are above average for a botanical fragrance.  “Using an oil carrier is quite like throwing a blanket over the entire formula.” Charna Ethier states, explaining how one must readdress formulation. “More and more customers were choosing oils for their custom perfume, citing a desire for portability and longevity.”

Providence Perfume Co Boutique 301 Wickenden Street

Charna’s creative process took into account perfume trends, new technology and the feedback she receives from her brick and mortar store clientele who walk in and ask for Chanel No 5 or Dolce Gabbana Light Blue. They represent the general audience who believes that natural perfumery smells like your mother's hippie patchouli oil, or aromatherapy blends. In other words they do not consider naturals “real” perfume.  Charna explained,”One of the hurdles I faced in opening my store and only stocking my botanical fragrances is that there is no real education about how beautiful natural perfumery can be. There is an education gap between natural perfume devotees,  perfumistas who read blogs that treat natural fragrance just like they would any perfume, by the way it smells vs.  my  walk-in clientele. Anyone who owns a Providence Perfume Co fragrance knows better.

Coco Rocha as Poison Ivy Vogue, May 2008 photographed by Craig McDean

My favorite of the six is Ivy Tower  (although Rose 802 and Violet Beauregarde are close runners up).  Ivy Tower is not, as the name implies, a scent for Tennyson's Lady of Shallot awaiting Lancelot  to notice her. This is a perfume for an empowered sensual woman.   Remember the 1982 song  from Hall and Oates, Maneater? “She'll only come out at night … the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart…   The opening of Ivy Tower is the “dew-laden path” suggested in the description, with a rain moistened jonquil and  geranium- leaving you unprepared for the pheromone trap of jasmine sambac, or the hypnosis of narcissus- a spell woven into the heart. The ivy here is climbing down the tower- not the ivy vines  of a prestigious university- it is the dangerous version found in the hands of a temptress with intentions of her own;   a creature of sensual carnage. Blue tansy and sandalwood prevent the scent from developing teeth, but you will be delightfully devoured  until the next morning you are left with a hint of the greenery, and a jasmine breathing encounter with a seductress. watch out boy… she'll chew you up.

Ivy Tower is a full fledged perfume, which for the safety of men and women alike, must be kept in its Ivy Tower- until down the tower it climbs to ensnare the next nose to be beguiled by this botanical “man-eater”.

 –Einsof, West Coast Contributor

disclosure: my sample was provided by Providence Perfume Co for review.

Thanks to Charna Ethier of Providence we have a worldwide draw for a full size   Ivy Tower OR a sample set of all six perfume oils (includes Violet Beauregarde, Rose 802,Sweet Jasmine Brown, Summer Yuzu, Ivy Tower, and Orange Blossom Honey). To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Einsof's review, where you live and your favorite from Providence Perfume Co . Draw ends 11/23/2014

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