Perfume Review: Strange Invisible Perfumes L’Invisible (2005) by Alexandra Balahoutis + Son of Man Draw

Alexendra Balahoutis strange invisible perfumes

Alexandra Balahoutis of Strange Invisible Perfumes

L’Invisible is the state of an object that cannot be seen, and in  describing perfume its most spiritual and intangible essence. Like stepping into a time machine, it allows us to travel to the farthest reaches of the mind and uncover what is hidden. Allegorical, unpredictable and existing on multi planes; that is my immediate reaction to Strange Invisible Perfumes'L’Invisible by Perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis. With the opening of the vial and its application to my wrist, the adventure had begun. It flowed like liquid amber seeking the surface of my skin as if returning to the most familiar place on earth.

Rene-Magritte-The-Son-of-Man

Renee Magritte The Son of Man

Life clinging to life, this fragrance opens with a crescendo of citrus notes evaporating spirits of lemon, bergamot and mandarin accentuated by a sparkling note of rose; I just love smelling roses in their natural state. L’Invisible lives wrist to nose for quite awhile as I explore its make-up and this process repeats itself.  Almost immediately into the experience of this perfume, I began seeing visions of Rene Magritte’s 1964 painting “The Son of Man.” … an image of a gateway into the heavens as interpreted by the artist.

Raphael and Giulio Romano, The Vision of Ezekiel, 1516–1517

Raphael and Giulio Romano, The Vision of Ezekiel, 1516–1517

"The Son of Man" might seem like an unusual metaphor for L’Invisible as it is very unassuming from a surface point of view. However, when I  peered into the implications behind both these works of art  I found a multi-layer story unfolding.  For me, it was both spiritual and of this earth. An immediate image was of Eziekel as he encountered the four gateways into the celestial body, painted by Renaisance masters.

RubensteinBros

Rubenstein Bros

I am not sure what Alexandra Balahoutis’ was attempting to express about her own journey through L’Invisible, but it carried me right through a thread of Aquarian Age imagery to the French Quarter of New Orleans.  From there I traveled  back to my youth in Louisiana and to family excursions visiting New Orleans. A very personal and random connection to this fragrance is of a Kelly Green Izod sweater that I couldn't bare to live without. It was purchased during one of the many trips to the Crescent City. L’Invisible allowed me to  relive  my youthful joy for fashion and for shopping for perfumes. Fragrance is a form of time travel and L'Invisible brought me back to joyous days spent at Rubinstein Bros. engulfed by  the multitude of aromas of grand vintage fragrances that mingled oakmoss, vanilla and roses in the air.

spanish-moss-New-Orleans-Wallpaper

Spanish Moss New Orleans wallpaper

 Ms. Balahoutis has a beautiful fragrance in the Strange Invisible Collection she named,  Magazine Street  which was inspired by New Orleans (Tama reviewed it magically here) . L’Invisible led me to Canal Street. It was a hot and muggy day in 1987 and I am riding the street car home to my aunt’s home in the French Quarter knowing that love, warmth and creole delights are awaiting my arrival.    Inahling L'Invisible, I can still smell the spanish moss hanging from the cypress trees along the trolley line, lending coolness to the air.   I feel a cool breeze of mint carried by billowing clouds of powdery notes and rose petals. I feel the golden amber warmth of the setting sun, and a tiny bit of smokiness at the dry down. From Magritte to Canal Street, this fragrance has become a part of my spirit and my past, clinging to my skin and holding me in the present.

I know this is a shared scent and I would imagine worn mostly by women. For me, L'Invisible takes me deeper inside my own self, both corporeally and spiritually.  L'Invisible is a window into my masculine mystique; it is a scent of power and of sweet humility.

Notes: Hydro distilled natural essences of  Lemon, Bergamot, Mandarin, Vanilla, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Amber, Oak Moss (a modern botanical chypre)

Rodney F Hughes, Natural Perfume Contributor and Natural Perfumer for RH/ Therapeutate Perfumes (You can visit Rodney on FaceBook here)

 Writer’a Note: One of the best articles about the beauty and artistry of Natural Perfumery I have read is “In Defense of Natural Perfumery as Olfactory Art” by Alexander Balahoutis published in.July 2103 by ÇaFleureBon

strange invisible perfume l'invisible eau de parfum

Thanks to the generosity of Strange Invisible Perfumes we have 15 ml  eau de parfum of L'Invisible for one USA reader. To be eligible, let us know what you enjoyed about Rodney's  L'Invisible Journey by September 18, 2014 and if you have a favorite Strange Invisible Perfume.

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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44 comments

  • I’ve never visited New Orleans, although I am from the South. Beautiful review, and I especially love the images of southern plantations and Spanish moss it invokes.

  • Thoroughly enjoyed this review. Thanks Rodney for sharing your personal place and time memories that L’Invisible brought on. I love what you wrote: “Fragrance is a form of time travel. . .” I wonder what someone who has no memories of Spanish Moss would remember?

    I have great respect for Alexandra Balahoutis and think her essay about natural perfumery (linked above) is a must read for every perfumista. I haven’t had the pleasure of trying any of her scents (why not?!) and would be thrilled to win this!

  • The entirety of Rodney’s review took me on such a amazingly magical journey. I’m so taken with the thought of a fragrance that might lead me to such a place: “Allegorical, unpredictable and existing on multi planes…”
    Bergamot, Rose, Oak Moss! I would swoon if ladies still did that.
    I’m in the USA and have never been to New Orleans but have always been charmed by its reputation in the media.

  • The beauty of natural perfumes are that they adapt so well to either male or female. I really felt this fragrance was perfectly suited as a men’s evening scent.

  • Wow, another gorgeous review! I am practically salivating from Rodney’s language as well as the visuals so I would adore to actually smell L’Invisible and see where it takes me.
    I’ve not had the chance to smell any of Ms Balahoutis’ work and would love to win this bottle!
    Thank you
    (US)

  • I am curious about the melding of citrus and amber 🙂 I am also intrigued by the reference to New Orleans. I am in the US, thank you!

  • When i introduce people to this line, and this is often in the framework of showing quality natural perfumes; they inevitably are drawn to L’Invisible- without regard to gender lines.

    while i find the esoteric masculinity of Aquarian Roses mind bending… “…L’Invisible takes me deeper inside my own self, both corporeally and spiritually… a window into my masculine mystique; it is a scent of power and of sweet humility.”

    beautifully put.

    a very well thought out and deeply experienced review of one of my favorite houses.

  • I love how Rodney uses the setting of New Orleans to convey to us how the wearing of L’Invisible made him feel. The French Quarters and the Spanish moss lining the cypress trees along the streets. Such a magical journey. I don’t have a favorite Strange a Invisible perfume but I really enjoy Black Roses and there’s another one that I can’t recall but it smells very creamy with white florals and resins. Thanks for the draw!

  • I totally agree with einsof’s remark of a very well thought out and deeply experienced review. I might add only to that a deeply personal experience. I love reading each reviewer personal experiences. Rodney this one was certainly a very great personal review. I love L’Invisible and I loved reading your experience.

  • Thank you for calling attention to this fragrance and line. I had the opportunity to smell Prima Ballerina several years ago and enjoyed it, and it made me very curious about the rest of the scents.
    My favorite part of this review was the reference to Magritte’s The Son of Man. What an interesting description of your experience. It’s a compelling and striking painting, which says a lot about your thoughts on L’Invisible.
    Thanks very much to SIP for sponsoring this drawing!

  • I enjoyed reading how Magazine Street was evocative of New Orleans. My favorite SIP is Fire and Cream.

  • Since I’ve never been to New Orleans it was enjoyable to imagine.
    I do have a favorite, Black Rosette. 🙂 US

  • I almost cried reading this- New Orleans really is the most magical city (for lack of any better way to put it) that I have sexperienced, and scent is such an important part of the experience- My favorite place for that is near Cafe Du Monde, with coffee, beignets, the river and the farmers’s market all contributing to the mix at once…

  • Rodney brought me back to my trip to New Orleans!
    Magical writing and review. My favorite SIP is Fire and Cream.
    I live in the US. thanks!

  • “Kelly green IZOD sweater” — I know exactly what he means! I have a distinct vision in my head! 🙂 My favorite is probably Magazine Street (followed closely by Black Rosette and Fire and Cream) so L’Invisible sounds wonderful wonderful wonderful! I live in the U.S.

  • welcome Rodney!! this is a beautiful review.. I haven’t tried Strange Invisible fragrances for a while.. but will revisit after your lush and atmospheric review. Your canvas of connections was eclectic and inspiring.. the image of you riding the street car home, amid mint, moss and rose is quite the swooning memory. Just lovely.

  • I am not too familiar with SI, however I love the pure botanical fragrance idea, I love the connection to Magritte!!!

    USA here. 🙂

  • My favorite part of the review is reading the it remind him the riding of the car “home to my aunt’s home in the French Quarter knowing that love, warmth and creole delights are awaiting my arrival. Inahling L’Invisible, I can still smell the spanish moss hanging from the cypress trees along the trolley line, lending coolness to the air. I feel a cool breeze of mint carried by billowing clouds of powdery notes and rose petals. I feel the golden amber warmth of the setting sun” now with that description i would love to try it. My favorite from the line is Black Rosette. I live in the US.
    Thanks!

  • What an evocative review! I too love amber, and the addition of citrus sounds divine. I am in the US. Thanks!

  • The phrase ‘Fragrance is a form of time travel’ really struck me. I noticed another reader mentioned it. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. I feel like I have discovered something new so thank you for this,Almost as if I could enter another realm. I have read about Strange Invisible fragrances before and I would very much like to try these. I am in the US. Thank you for this informative review.

  • The gorgeous nostalgic description of Canal street while inhaling this scent is definitely my favorite part of the interview! I have yet to try a SIP perfume, but would very much like to. The notes in this sound amazing!

    I am in the US.

  • This is such a rich evocative post I truly was caught up in Rodney’s journey especially his memories of shopping in Rubenstein Bros.
    As a young girl I remember loving to look at all the beautiful clothes and smell the perfumes at Marshall Fields. It made me feel so grown up and the bottles !!!
    I know the brand Strange Invisible Perfumes has a very good reputation and I think I would like Fair Verona and LInvisible

  • I would love to visit New Orleans. The food and culture and smells must be simply devine. My favorite from the line is Black Rosette. I live in the US.

  • I miss New Orleans. Growing up there as a little boy was a riot! So much going on. Great review. My favorite SIP is Fire and Cream.
    I live in the US. thanks!

  • I enjoyed wondering what the kelly green Izod shirt connection was all about.
    Sorry I haven’t smelled any from the line to have a favorite. USA

  • I enjoyed Rodney’s referencing Magritte, a favorite artist who surprises with ephemeral, unexpected juxtapositions, and New Orleans, a favorite city of dark sensuality. I do not have a favorite Strange Invisible Perfume as yet, but perhaps L’Invisible might be 🙂 I reside in the US.

  • Great review! Very interesting that Rodney finds “L’Invisible is a window into my masculine mystique.” Makes me think, a scent is as masculine or feminine as it makes its wearer feel. I’m in the U.S.

  • L’Invisible perfume reminds Rodney of New Orleans and French Quarters which implies to me that the perfume has classical elements of french perfumery..indeed the combination of notes such as rose, amber, and vanilla make it seem quite likely. My favorite Strange Invisible Perfumes is Fire and Cream. thanks for the lovely generous draw. I am in the US

  • Strange Invisible Perfumes is such a great name, concept, and line. Thank you for this evocative review! I really liked the description of being outside in New Orleans, and the art connection–compelling, though I’m not sure I fully get it.
    My favorite SIP is Fire and Cream, though I’e only tried two.
    USA

  • Wow, a perfume both “spiritual and of this earth”! I also love the image of Spanish moss lazily hanging from cypress trees. I have not had an opportunity to smell any SIP fragrances yet, but have wanted to since reading Ms. Balahoutis’s “In Defense” essay several years ago. I live in the US.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I enjoyed reading about Rodney’s L’Invisible Journey. I was particularly struck by his observation that perfume is “like stepping into a time machine, it allows us to travel to the farthest reaches of the mind and uncover what is hidden”. I’ve found that to be so true. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Strange Invisible Perfume.

  • Magritte was one of my favorite artists growing up. Love the use of apples, such a ubiquitous object!

    I live in the USA.

  • Merry Prankster says:

    Being a gender non-identifying person, I enjoyed the idea that a fragrance can play to all sides of the die.

    Thanks for the drawing. I live in the US.

  • Strange Invisible is a great house. I love the botanical nature of it all, no pun intended. I’m vegan and NEVER touch man made chemicals, but love fragrance. This could be my new favorite house.

    From the United States.

  • I like hoe he made the connection between Magazine Street & New Orleans. My favorite SI perfume is Black Rosette.

    Live in NY, USA

  • I don’t have much experience with purely natural fragrances and like the idea that it could be suited for both females and males. Gender is a funny thing and perfume acts so differently on everyone’s skin.

    So excited to explore this one. USA here.

  • My name is Myles and I liked how he made the connection to “Son of Man”, a special work in my heart.

    Great review. Thanks for the drawing.

    United States resident.

  • Alex is a great head for a perfume house and I love how she only uses botanicals as sources. All these chemicals mess with my chakra alignment.

    US resident. Thanks for the post.

  • Such a huge fan of Magritte and his work. The connection was both unexpected and appropriate. Awesome review. Really enjoyed it.

    Thanks for the post. From the US.

  • Boulder Buddy says:

    Ah, Louisiana. good old terra-firma. I remember the sweet bog smell similar to amber. This seems like a great choice of an evening scent for men. United States and proud!