DABBLER CONTEST DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

Remember that scene in Moulin Rouge!when Ewan McGregor’s gang have a little too much fun with a fluorescent substance that makes the “Green Fairy” appear and sends them spiraling down the rabbit hole? That’s absinthe, or rather, what the myth surrounding it has led you to believe. Originally a wildly popular drink in Europe, absinthe was banned in the early 20th Century as a result of claims that it posed serious health hazards. Hallucinations, madness, and even death were linked to the mystical substance. This subject has been plagued with controversy and there are many accounts of why it was or wasn’t poisonous and harmful to those who consumed it. You could spend all day trying to dig into its history, but I wouldn’t suggest it as it is incredibly complicated and can become overly scientific very fast. That is not what this piece is about. If you want to learn more, check out THIS editorial.

The point is that the absinthe made today by Pascal Rolland, who revived it in 1999, goes through a distillation process that makes it perfectly safe for consumption, and in fact has gone on to become internationally prized. It was his daily contact with the powerful aromas of absinthe in his cellars that Monsieur Rolland first entertained the idea of using its scent in a perfume.

Knowing that he would need a specialist for the job, Pascal sought the expertise of a renowned “aromatician” from Grasse (the perfume capitol of France), Marc Villaceque. Famous for his skills as a grand nez (a “great nose”), Monsieur Villaceque was seasoned in the practice of cold extraction, heat concentration, and alembic distillation, and was therefore able to attain a pure essence of the absinthe plant.

Into a concoction it went, along with 50 other essences (including cannabis) that made up Absolument Absinthe. The perfume was originally intended for personal use as Pascal is quite particular about what he likes to wear. It was only after pressing requests from his friends and associates that he finally decided to bring his secret alchemy to the public. Now you can also wear the “forbidden” essence of absinthe in what Pascal calls his “Skin Perfume.”

Skin Perfumes are the latest trend in the world of smells. What it means is that the perfume will adapt itself to the scent of one’s particular skin. I really had doubts about this, but I compared the smell of the perfume on me to that of my hubby and it honestly did give off a different scent! The science behind the making of perfumes is truly fascinating. On a man, Absolument gives off a muskier note while on me, it clearly smelled like something made for a woman. I recommend you give it a try, even if it’s just for fun because you’ll be surprised. Go to the perfume counter at Holt Renfrew and test it out with the ribbon that Pascal uses in the video. Don’t spray it into the air to smell the scent because it will be very different from that which will develop on your own skin.

Pascal recommends you apply fragrances on pulse points: Nape (behind the ears), inner elbows, wrists, and behind the knees. Avoid perfuming the triangle that is formed by the solar plexus (breasts) and the shoulders and never layer two different perfumes or change your fragrance during the day.

I took this opportunity to also ask Pascal what the differences were between all the different types of perfumes and this is what I learned: Perfume Extracts are the ones that are extremely expensive because they contain pure essence. Eau the Parfum is diluted but still very concentrated (Absolument is an example with 20% concentration). After those, we get the lighter products such as Eau the Toilette with a concentration of about 5 to 8% and finally Eau Légère, with only about 2 or 3% concentration.

CONTEST DETAILS:

If you’re not curious about this fragrance, then you’re Absolument crazy! The first thing I wanted to do when I read about this absinthe/cannabis mixture was to give it a whiff, so I knew I definitely had to give you guys the opportunity to do the same, so here’s another contest! If you would like to try out Pascal Rolland’s unique perfume Absolument Absinthe in the nifty refillable pocket spray that he shows in the video, send me an EMAIL with the correct answer to this:

According to Pascal Rolland, what is the latest trend in perfumes? Explain.

This is a good one guys (this stuff ain’t cheap!). You have until Wednesday August 1st to send in your submissions for your chance to win. Don’t forget to send your full contact info!

Regular contest rules apply.