Cuir Amethyste is a high-end concept fragrance in the uber-chic Armani Prive line, with bottles fashioned from carved wood and caps adorned with genuine stones. Perfume consumers wail that the prices for the Prive perfumes are far too high, but the wailing is more a result of being confronted with exceptionally executed fragrances that one simply cannot do without — then realizing that robbing a bank to afford it is not a viable option.
Like my pleasure in the sampling of Bois d’Encens before it (FYI: Bois d’Encens and Cuir Amethyste were created by the same perfumer, Michel Almairac), taking Cuir Amethyste for a test drive is not a bad way to spend the day. While I prefer Bois d’Encens for its dry, austere nature, Cuir Amethyste is stunning in its overindulgence — lush violets, soft suede, smooth vanilla.
The Cuir (leather) aspect is the result of a deft mix of birch tar, patchouli, benzoin (an incense resin), labdanum (an amberish resin) and the aforementioned vanilla, whereas the Amethyste note comes from bergamot fruit, rock rose, violets and spices. Put it all together and the result is a fragrance that’s so elegant you may as well have fermented your tuxedo.
Which doesn’t mean you can’t wear Cuir Amethyste with jeans, t-shirt and flip-flops — far be it from me to naysay the rebel in you — but it might seem a bit incongruous to be sporting such a glamorous ‘tude while loading your grocery cart with frozen pizza pockets.
I’m just sayin’ . . .
