Vinaigre de Toilette

Just a little update about this scent. It's not strictly a perfume. Here's what Oriza Legrand writes about this product on their web page: "It was during the 18th century that perfumed vinegars were first used, prepared mainly through the steeping of flowers and aromatic herbs in aged cider. By the 19th century they had become true products of beauty and skin care, renowned for their astringent and softening qualities. In 1852, based on a formula perfected by Fargeon Aîné, Oriza L. Legrand introduced "Oriza Aciduliné" -- a delicately perfumed cosmetic vinegar designed for skin and hair care. To benefit fully from its positive effects, you should add it to the water used for rinsing your hair after washing so as to give it brilliance and sparkle. A few drops in one's bath water will also envelop one with a sensation of well-being and relaxation while also imparting a delicate fragrance to one's skin. For men, used as an after-shave, Oriza Aciduliné will calm razor irritation, while softening and toning the skin. As a vaporizer, released in rooms around the house. it cleans, purifies and perfumes pleasantly." Since this can be used in a whole variety of ways, and since it is a lot cheaper than perfume I actually might end up buying a bottle. :)

This is just an amazingly funny and surprising scent. I tried this on my hand and immediately startet to laugh. I still giggle when I think about this perfume. The creation makes me happy, not because I necessarily love the scent, but because I'm thrilled that someone actually came up with this idea and created this perfume. The name is spot on. This actually smells like a vinaigrette, a salad dressing. In the opening it has this really sharp and almost unpleasant white wine vinegar smell. On paper this vinegar note lingers and lingers, but thankfully, on my skin it evaporates within a couple of minutes. Then the scent goes into a really fresh, green, newly chopped herbs stage that is actually very refreshing and pleasant. The green herbal smell has a minty tinge that I really like. The scent doesn't last that long though. I get maybe 3-4 hours out of this. It starts really strong, but calms down to a very soft medium after a short while. I will never purchase a full bottle of this (mainly because it only comes in 100ml (right now it's not even available from Oriza Legrand) - but I do love my little sample.)

Vinaigre de Toilette, ...so, do I really want to do this? (deep breath) Yes, ...it will be an educational experience, if nothing else. 'Toilette' may mean something different in French, but I can assure you, 'Vinaigre' is the same everywhere. Fragrantica has left the notes unlisted (...how convenient), ...let me help fill in some of the blanks. The opening comes off most like petigrain ...and vinegar The heart is a light rose note, 'pie' spices, maybe some other florals too, ...and vinegar. The base gives a soft, but sharp note of frankincense, and amber? ...and still a remnant trace of vinegar. So what do I think of this vinegar-based cologne, that can trace its origins back to at least 1852? Well, it s an interesting historical curiosity, and certainly not fully horrible, ..but I can't say I truly love the effect either. It seems a scent best-suited for an anachronistic type that seeks something archaically different. ...and of course, that well-worn parfumery euphemism 'polarizing' also seems quite apt. I haven't had a chance to smell Diptyque's version of Vinaigre de Toilette, ...but I have been served a hot cup of switchel (or oxymel), which is a traditional tea-like drink made of honey and vinegar, sometimes with added spices. There is a definite similarity there.

Very good. I use it on my hands for refreshing or on my hair for a shining effect. I also add some drops in a bowl of hot water and put it in the bathroom to purify the air.