Mineral Desert

I absolutely love this spicy, elemental and quite masculine scent. Very high desert to me even though it's missing a smell I always associate with that as a Californian--sage. True that there is nothing floral about it, happily. I have to point out though that the notes list here is incomplete. On the box it lists not only orange leaf, oak moss and musk but also, and importantly, essential oils of patchouli, orange, and petitgrain with its greenish, woody scent. The patchouli is sharp and a bit dusty and dirty, and comes through very strongly and deliciously for me. I also really like that this perfume isn't too heavy on the musk. There is just enough. It makes me think of strong, slightly masculine women of the 30s and 40s, Katherine Hepburn or Amelia Earhart types.

What a beautiful neo-1970s fragrance! Mineral Desert is simple and straightforward: aldehydes, oak moss, and orange. The aldehydes aren't nearly as sharp and soapy as they would have been in the 70s and the oak moss isn't as funky, but it's a definite homage to that era. It's a modern, versatile, unisex scent that wears its DNA on its sleeve. I can imagine Brett Somers wearing this on Match Game, perhaps before going off to a weekend in Palm Springs.

This scent instantly reminded me of 4711, almost exact, its a beautiful scent. Performance is also lacking, but where 4711 leaves after 15 mins, this one still lingers a lil more (about an hour). I got this for 8 bux at Marshall's. Great pick up, refreshing, citrusy, and like I said a little longer lasting than the OG 4711.

I like how the name leads me to sensory imagery of standing in the desert, smelling the air while holding a plant leaf. The first time smelling it in the store and hating it. Second time smelling it with the imagery in mind and actually loving it. the mood and environment does make all the difference.

After sniffing this last week at my local Target I am thinking of returning the O de Lancome I bought just two weeks ago. It's....better....or at least closer to the O I remember and more of the scent I want this spring: intensely green without being sharp, and truly fresh without being floral.