Revlon will launch Love Is On, the brand’s first fragrance release in over almost 10 years. The Love Is On name has been used for Revlon promotional activities since their brand relaunch in 2014, and most recently for their women’s health fundraising platform…
“You really want to look at that?” the clerk at Goodwill asked. She shouted toward the clerk at the cash register. “She wants to look at this old perfume.” She turned to me again. “I don’t know. It looks pretty dark. I bet it’s gone bad.”
True, the bottle wasn’t promising: an 8-ounce faceted glass canister with a cap the color of purple Jordan almonds. I figured it for yet another bottle of Avon Skinny Dip but thought I’d have a look just in case. Besides, I’d already seen an ounce bottle of Estée Lauder Aliage in the case I knew I wanted.
The label on the bottom of the bottle identified it as Intimate Eau de Cologne by Revlon. I’d never heard of it but dabbed some on my arm anyway. One whiff and Goodwill’s fluorescent lights and slight fust fell away, replaced by visions of rustling organza skirts and white gloves. Intimate was unmistakably a classic 1950s floral animalic chypre with a tingly, soapy top. I couldn’t say “I’ll take it” fast enough.
Revlon released Intimate in 1955, during the glory years of the floral, animalic chypre…
To me, perfume has a texture. Some fragrances wear like silk velvet, others like a practical gabardine, and still others — unfortunately — like double knit polyester. In summer, I want to wear perfume that feels like chiffon, linen, the fabric of a well-worn tee shirt, or even nothing at all. Here are the 10 fragrances I’ll be probably be wearing most this summer:
When it’s sizzling out, when lifting the bedroom window feels like opening the door of a convection oven, I want perfume that is crisp, cooling, and effortless. In short, I want perfume that wears like linen.
Christian Dior Eau Fraiche is a perfect linen-like fragrance. I have a bottle more than 40 years old that still sparkles and still has the warm chic of real oakmoss. I can wear it to work, after a bath, or while enjoying a gin and tonic at the neighborhood bar and feel fresh and even elegant, if I have to be.
Annick Goutal Folavril is another good linen substitute…
Warning: poor video quality.
I’ve found the antidote to a hot August night, and it’s Revlon Jean Naté. This is how it works: Go to the drugstore and find the bath supplies. Look on the bottom shelf for the bottles of Jean Naté After Bath Splash, and buy one. It’s the tall plastic bottle with the round, black cap. “Jean Naté” is written up the side in black script. There’s a good chance it will be on sale.
When you get it home, put the bottle of Jean Naté in the door of the refrigerator. That night before bed, when you’re cursing your lack of air conditioning, and the pets are splayed over the floor like an ad for the boneless cat and dog farm, and your honey is staying on the other side of the bed because it’s too darn hot, take a warm bath. It will cool you down right away…