Alexandra Balahoutis is a Virgo

 Perfumer and founder of Venice Beach-based botanical fragrance house Strange Invisible Perfumes, Alexandra Balahoutis, started working on fragrances inspired by the zodiac in 2011 when she released astrological scents as limited editions and paired a sun sign with its opposite on the zodiac wheel. She began with Virgo and Pisces, then developed scents for Libra, Aries and Taurus. Leo and Sagittarius followed.  “While formulating Perfumes of the Zodiac, I drew heavily from my own personal impressions of each star sign,” said Alexandra. “I’ve read so much on the subject over the years. I have identified endless nuances, however, simply through observing people while craftily finding out what their signs have been. I certainly wanted to get past the cardboard cutout definitions of each sign. I wanted to identify the essence of each zodiac sign, which expresses itself uniquely in different individuals. I also worked with renowned aromatherapist Mindy Green to better understand which essences supported the energies and traits associated with each constellation.”

Now the zodiac wheel has been finished and there is a scent for each sign; Scorpio, Cancer Aquarius, and Capricorn have been added. Moreover, the fragrances have been repackaged in 15 ml flacons, are $125 each and are part of the permanent collection.

THE COLLECTION

ARIES: The Innovator Element: Fire -The first sign of the zodiac, Aries is able to make incredible things happen quickly. Hydro-distilled essences of cinnamon, rose, and angelica fuel a vibrant imagination. Frankincense, benzoin, lavender, and sandalwood cool fiery impulses, encouraging the composure needed to realize visionary plans.

TAURUS  The Sensual Realist  Element: Earth – Ruled by Venus, Taurus is a compassionate sign resistant to the influence of others. Lush earthy notes of geranium, maté, oakmoss, vetiver, and frankincense encourage flexibility and optimism without compromising shrewdness. Neroli, rose, and grapefruit court the senses and lighten the mood, allowing Taurus to shine even more brightly.

GEMINI The Mastermind Element: Air -Gemini, symbolized by the twins, is an agile thinker with the dazzling ability to see all angles of an issue. This sign is associated with duality, a concept often confused with duplicity—hence the misguided characterization. Charming notes of violet, gardenia, and angelica echo Gemini’s alluring presence and sparkle against a darker backdrop of amber and leather.

CANCER  The Levelheaded Bohemian  Element: Water -Cancer is the only sign of the zodiac ruled by the moon. While being adventurous and free spirited, those born under Cancer are known for their cleverness, generosity, and devotion to family. Mandarin, patchouli, and lily of the valley encourage Cancer’s mischievous sense of humor, while sumptuous notes of Tahitian vanilla, amber, and leather make this sign feel right at home.

LEO The Ringleader  Element: Fire- Leo is the only constellation ruled by the sun. Hydro-distilled essences of neroli, bergamot, lemon, and cardamom reinforce Leo’s charisma and inviting style of leadership while smoothing out domineering tendencies. Ambrette seed and jasmine sambac tame Leo’s fire, making gratification come more easily.

VIRGO The Exacting Romantic Element: Earth- Virgo is the guardian of quality, and this sign’s pursuit of excellence is often mistaken for arbitrary perfectionism. Baked earth and palo santo reflect deep introspection and a dedication to nuance. Sparkling notes of neroli, temple mandarin, and rose speak to Virgo’s need for beauty and precision, sweetly quieting the critic.

LIBRA The Connoisseur  Element: Air- Libra, ruled by Venus, is the most approachable of all air signs, balancing elegance, wit, and mischief with legendary skill. Centering essences of rose, grapefruit, and iris fulfill Libra’s unyielding need for beauty, while golden champa, myrtle, and basil calm Libra’s tendency to worry.

SCORPIO The Enigma Element: Water Scorpio- The dark horse, the infamous rock star of the zodiac, is nothing if not a mystery. Vetiver and palo santo both respect and soften Scorpio’s iron will, while frankincense and cinnamon reflect Scorpio’s deep spiritual wisdom and vast knowledge. Leather and white Cognac encourage Scorpio’s brooding intellect to lighten up and live joyously in the moment.

SAGITTARIUS The Rolling Stone Element: Fire-The iconic nomad sign, Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius lives for adventure and tends to be a social butterfly. Neroli and lime reflect Sagittarius’s innate optimism, mutability, and fiery ambition. Grounding essences of cypress, bay leaf, and honeycomb encourage this nomadic sign to appreciate present surroundings

CAPRICORN The Force to Be Reckoned With Element: Earth Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn is famous for a nearly heroic sense of commitment, patience, and drive. Iris, frankincense, and Tahitian vanilla speak to Capricorn’s earthy, sensual side and strong need for stability. Neroli, jasmine, and white Cognac invite Capricorn to let go of routine and enjoy the rewards of spontaneity.

AQUARIUS The Rebel with a Cause  Element: Air- Aquarius, the third and final air sign, is one of the most charismatic signs of the zodiac. Neroli and rosemary fuel Aquarius’s independence, intellect, and humanitarianism, urging Aquarians to put their global ideals into action. Lavender, white sage, and frankincense soothe anxiety, grounding Aquarius when airy detachment sets in.

 I have had my chart done and discovered although my sun sign might be Sagittarius, my moon and ascending are both in Scorpio, with Venus in Aquarius.  Since Alexandra designed the scents to be layered so now this nomadic, charismatic dark horse can have a scent that is uniquely me.  I need to check my chart for Capricorn. It must be somewhere.

via Strange Invisible Perfumes

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief