Cornubia

My review is for the vintage formulation from the late 80s/early 90s. This formulation has ZERO synthetics. (Tested a small amount and it has a high content of absolutes and resins.) This version just sings you guys! If you're a fan of Caron Nuit de Noel, you will also enjoy this. It has a lot of the same notes, similar structure, but is more linear and less dry. This has quickly become one of my favorite perfumes and it's a shame that it has been discontinued. The comparisons with soap or generic white flowers makes sense, especially for the new formula. However, this is a lot more natural and classical smelling. Not necessarily classy or chic, but gives the impression of someone who is very confident and knows what they like. It has an effervescent quality and I swear there is frangipani absolute in here somewhere. In addition there is a note of sweet vernal grass in the base, but it's a mere whisper compared to the vanilla/musk/blonde woods. The orange blossom is the star here and remains LONG into the dry down. (The neroli keep the honeyed facet from moving into cloying territory). The heart note's longevity has surprised me greatly. I'm at hour 10ish and it is only now starting to fade into the vanilla/amber sweet skin scent. The musk is the generic white musk you used to get at Body Shop in the early 90s. It reminds me a lot of that and a mix of Vanilla Soft Musk by Avon (early 90s version). Except it smells much more high-quality and luxurious. It smells natural in that it has notes that smell true to nature, but you're aware it's perfume - if that makes sense - due to the other notes and structure. It's strong, has potent sillage, and seems to last an eternity so a small bottle would probably last you quite a long time. If you enjoy orange blossom and are looking for something slightly old-fashioned,but not outdated, this is worth trying. Ive now tried the updated version as well and it's extremely similar, but not as rich or long-lasting as the original. It's also slightly less soapy and heavy on the white flowers. The heliotrope is more noticeable and the musk is a little more subdued. But still sweet, still rich.

This fragrance packs alot of punch and I like that. ALOT. With its Initial Power walking in the same territory as other powerful scents like Angel and Black Orchid this scent is intense but also for my nose incredibly sweet at first which is what i need in order to draw in my interest for a fragrance. Like Dawnlady3 i too get a beautiful and very creamy vanilla base and it smells quite intoxicating, almost to the point where i wanted to lick my wrists and have the taste of the scent all over my tongue. It reminds me of growing up in the Country. Where my home was filled with wamrth and love and happiness. Although there is an incredible sexiness and suggestiveness about this fragrance the sentimentallity and the memories of home-cooked dinners and a house full of people and friends who would come and stay for the weekends and enjoy the estate are always fixated into my mind. THe lasting power is phenomenal although i find that when sprayed on fabric, it lasts months and i love the faint smell its left on my pillows. I think this is what love smells like. I cant wait to fall in love.

Cornubia is dry and effervescent like ginger ale, but replaces the ginger with heliotrope. This big, neon heliotrope, an oversized bouquet, flanked with talc-soft orange blossom and jasmine. It's showy, verging on strident, but what keeps it in check is a warm amber and lubricious musk. Somewhere in the heart I get something that reminds me of creamy, peachy plumeria blossoms, and there are definitely phrases in the development that echo L'Heure Bleue and Cacharel LouLou. However, Cornubia is more gregarious than the former and a bit more polished and perhaps more unisex than the latter, but like both, it has a strong personality, and would likely require a strong personality to wear it with panache. This can conjure up all sorts of old world tropes like boudoirs, ornate vanities, viewing the opera through lorgnettes, penny arcades and croquet. It is sepia toned photographs on purple velvet, gothic arches at sunset, and a potent potion of devotion, sitting on a shiny, cold pew and asking for forgiveness the following morning.

Cornubia is a beautiful retro Neroli Heliotrope blend with an alluring helping of skanky Musk. It's like if Espirit d Oscar contained civet instead of ambergris. It's brighter and more opulent than L'heure Bleue, and deeper and more arresting than Espirit d Oscar. I am in love with this and while I think it could stand to be less sweet, the sweet does offset the skank. Were the sweetness absent from the composition, men would probably be staggering after me like zombies. You must love a little raunchy with your retro powder and some floral sweetness to love this. Longevity is 12+ hours. I wish I could trade in my L'heure Bleue and Espirit d Oscar for Cornubia. I'm also really reminded of Habanita edp (the modern version) plus big orange blossom. I could see Ms. Fischer from Ms. Fischer's Murder Mysteries wearing this. Drop dead sexy flapper material. Alternatively, if you’ve ever seen David Lynch’s movie Eraserhead, I think the woman who sings the song “In heaven, everything is fine” would wear Cornubia. Haunted happiness.

I'm testing this from a little spray sample gifted to me from one of you lovely Fragranticans! This is very interesting. It's stunning. Powdery, rich, sweet, sophisticated, mature, but then there's a strange note to me. It might be the white florals messing with me, but I actually get a distinct note of smelly feet for the first several minutes. I've tried it a couple of times and still the same result. But strangely, the note isn't off-putting directly, it's just weird and not attractive either. Fortunately, that note is not present in the silage, just in the close sniff from the point of application. And after a few minutes it goes away, leaving just a lovely cloud. I would say those who say this is similar to Habanita EDP are correct, only I like this one better. BUT, since I have Habanita already and do love that one, I would not add this to my wardrobe because I just don't have that much need for such category of scents. If I was in a cooler climate, I'm fairly certain this would immediately go on my want list!