Primitif

Are you in heat? Wear this. No, it won't help. At all. It's the ruthless friend that enables you, which is what you really want, right? You can't expect a pep talk and an honest piece of advice from a girlfriend whose name means "primitive", can you? Max Factor sure got the name right on this one. Yes, Primitif... a delectable savage. She's carnal, but low-key about it; not in a "femme fatale" way, but she reads like a 1960's sleaze novel: "Gale seemed like a steady broad with her modest smile and unsuspecting curls, but she couldn't stop yearning for a love affair with her best friend's husband" kind of thing. Then you're plunged into a sloppy mid-century sexcapade that ends in an emotionally heated triangle (how predictable) - a man defeated by his curious desire, his scorned wife, and that damned instigator, Gale, acting like the victim. Mhmm. Animalic, spicy, musky, and warm. Powdery and peachy. It's almost your standard aldehyde, but there's so much more to it. There's that layer of impulsion (civet, earthy oakmoss and vetiver) and secret desire (boozy peach, powdery orris and sleepy florals) that it imparts on you. It prowls, it meows, it beckons you to kick off your kitten heels and smear your lipstick. If Primitif were a song, it'd be "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield. Note: this comes in a few different bottles. Mine is very different than what is pictured here. It's the "Spray Mist Cologne in Crystalique Decanter" and looks like expensive crystal, clear, with a wide base that tapers into a skinny spout cuffed in gold, topped with a large "crystal" cap (the cap is actually plastic). It's beautiful... and phallic, go figure. Absolutely a successful blind buy for my vintage curiosities.

I'm afraid to affirm how gorgeous and carnal this frag is. I mostly wear it to bed because it's deeply inappropriate in virtually all other contexts. I first acquired a gigantic cologne in the full presentation pictured for a song on one of the sites. The splash application wasn't working for me, so I decanted to a small spray bottle and wow. This time, the orris comes forward, yesterday the jasmine, and the other night, the sandalwood. I decided I had to try the parfum--the one that comes in the small clear cube bottle with the weird cheap looking black high density glitter foam cat with flashing rhinestone eyes presentation. I didn't even want the cat presentation, I just wanted the parfum and this was the cheapest listing. To my surprise, the parfum did not keep as well as the cologne, or perhaps it was the condition history of the one I purchased. There's an off note that never dissipates. But guess what? As soon as I pulled the cat out of the box, I was like, oh, I get it, this is rad and set it in its rightful spot next to the gorgeous cologne presentation. 12/10

I have a bottle from the 60s that was sealed when I purchased it. Opening is explosively aldehydic, wrapped in creamy civet and lily of the valley. The effect is something akin to stepping glamorously from a shower -- soft, just a bit soapy, but not offensively so. On my skin I get a multidimensional peach -- the peach note itself teased at times in a floral direction by the floral heart notes, sometimes a juicy direction by the bergamot and aldehydes. Slowly, a leathery facet emerges supported by the musk and oakmoss, evoking to my mind fuzzy peach skin. Finally, sandalwood and vetiver suggest pit and stem. As the drydown continues, primitif begins to live up to its name, progressing toward animalic base notes that, on my skin, never lean skanky, but lead the floral heart the the perfume into warmer, darker waters. I get just enough of amber and patchouli to keep things warm and alluring.

Absolutely divine. Peachy, lactonic florals snuggled up to furry little forest critters - all bathed in a warm, aldehydic glow. Primitif is one of the very best examples of an American chypre. I get the same, slightly raunchy tiki bar vibe that I get in Aphrodisia, but this one takes the cake in terms of quality materials. This is such a cool souvenir of the past. I feel so lucky to possess a quantity of this glorious perfume. Oh, the packaging is also amazing. It has mid-century modern charm all over. Just delightful.

OMG I just got a 1956 era bottle of Primitif cologne and am blown away by it. It is earthy, delicious, sexy, real womanly, red lipstick kind of gal. I absolutely am amazed by the quality. This is no little girl's stuff. And even though it is cologne, it is as great as my other vintage favorite, Chanel No. 5 Cologne (vintage of course). Musky, sexy, red lipstick. No apologies for being a woman is what comes to mind. This is truly a wonderful find. Honey, put this on and do your thing. I LOVE THIS ! This stuff is GREAT.