Asphalt Rainbow

I bought this at Twisted Lily on a trip to NYC three years ago. I always like to buy a scent that helps remind me of my vacation. (Oscar de la Renta Ruffles will always remind me of Grand Bahama island in the mid-80s.) When I smelled this in-shop, though, I knew it already reminded me of something. I couldn't place it until months later when I found a little vial of Aveda oil perfume that I had from the early '90s. (The things we find when we move.) It was called Equipoise. I had the shower gel, too, and it had that same lusciousness, equal parts sweet rose and tart citrus with and underlying wisp of something herbal that was signature Aveda. However, the Aveda Equipoise that I tagged is a more recent formula and really has no relation to its predecessor nor Asphalt Rainbow.

This scent is very much my jam. I really like stuff that has lends an edge of the industrial to more classic ingredients. Formerly I would have said I wasn't interested in rose as a note, but in this context I find it fits me perfectly (and makes me reconsider it, moving forward). Vibe-wise, this is about as urban as it gets. I use it as an alternative "clean" scent, something approximating "sporty" even. But it isn't really clean at all. It makes me think of the feeling of having been up all night dancing. Whatever you were on is almost worn off, the sun is coming up, and you're walking home in a cacophony of birdsong and fragmented memories. You're about as far from feeling "clean" as possible, but yet in a way you feel scrubbed and reborn to life. Anyway, I like it a lot.

whiffs of floral. asphalt. slight patchouli and saffron. strong rose. a bit woody, very rosy and shiny. the name honestly nails it which is crazy. this is right up my alley. on the skin: clang-y loud metallic rose. metal touching mint and leather. theres a v familiar scent hiding in there - is it baby powder? rosemary? it's something close to home. their website says "spray paint (aerosols)" are the accent fragrance notes. is that what i'm smelling? i'm truly mesmerized by this.

I'm honestly surprised by how wearable this is. I bought a sample out of curiosity since it sounded so unusual - which it was - but it also was very beautiful in a more approachable way to a novice wearer. Goes very distinctly from aerosol paint --> petrichor --> rose --> bar soap on me and definitely evokes the tough chicness of an industrial city. Sort of a cerebral feminine scent.

actually love this i was wanting a fragrance that smells like glue, and this does at least initially, its exactly like huffing rubber cement mmmmmm