FRAGRANCE seems like the last thing we should talk about in a pandemic. Who needs fragrance when people are getting sick and dying, and many have lost their jobs and means of livelihood?
But for some people, fragrances bring a sense of comfort and familiarity. I’d like to think of fragrance as an essential part of life. After all, we associate certain fragrances with specific periods in our lives.
I remember my mom wearing Joy by Jean Patou when I was a child. It was the only fragrance she wore. I think this is the reason why I like what people call heavy fragrances with floral, musky and dark tones instead of the fruity florals preferred by most.
I remember how my late best friend Gianna loved Ptisenbon by Tartine et Chocolat so much. The fragrance’s base notes of oakwood and musk are what I associate most with her.
Many of us have high school memories that include the citrusy scents of baby colognes like Nenuco, Denenes and Para Mi Bebe.
Even as a woman with a grown daughter, I still love citrusy scents. For me, Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino is the adult version of Nenuco.
With notes of bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon, lavender, bitter lemon, neroli, myrtle, African orange flower and amber, Neroli Portofino is a citrus aromatic that I love to describe as memorable.
Every Tom Ford fragrance is memorable. I remember my mom telling me when I was growing up that fragrance defines a person, and that’s why she only wore fine fragrances. She still does to this day.
To me, Tom Ford fragrances speak of character.
Tom Ford just debuted his latest Private Blend fragrance, Bitter Peach, which is defined as “a voluptuous lure that captures nectar-filled flesh at its bursting, luscious peak, where sweet turns suggestive and addiction is inescapable.”
The “intoxicating” fruit-floral opens with Pêche de Vigne and Sicilian Blood Orange Oil, releasing the sweetness of Bitter Peach. Spiked with the lavish spiciness of Cardamom Oil, the impression of explicitly ripe and voluptuous flesh comes to life.
A sensual heart reveals itself through the bitterness of Heliotrope fused with Davana Oil—both infused with heady Rum Absolute and Cognac Oil. Jasmin Absolute Sambac delivers an uninhibited exploration of desire.
The final depth ignites as a sumptuous mélange of Sandalwood Absolute, Benzoin Resinoid and Cashmeran erupting into a rich drydown. With a surge of Vanilla, Tonka Bean Absolute and Patchouli Oil Indonesia, the climax prolongs Bitter Peach’s addictive power.
The Tom Ford Bitter Peach bottle has been designed with exquisite detail. The 50 ml flacon is designed with an opaque inner lacquering and a tinted translucent outer layer to provide depth and dimension. The color was inspired by the array of shades at the peach’s luscious center and vintage colored glass. The 250-ml decanter is not a bottle you’d carry in your bag but it would look sublime and elegant on your dresser. The bottle features the same evocative use of peach tones, with a cord tied around the neck of the bottle.
This unisex perfume would make a great holiday gift for anyone who loves and appreciates good fragrances. This will be available soon at Rustans.com or Home Delivery Service from Rustan’s Makati, Adora Greenbelt 5, SM Mall of Asia and SM Makati.