Indie botanical line Roxana Illuminated Perfume has launched Chiaroscuro, a new natural fragrance:
The name of this conceptual natural perfume has its origins in the world of Italian painting, referencing tonal contrasts. The literal translation of the word is light-dark.
The perfume is sweet and dark, naughty and nice. The sweetness of the jasmine is amplified by myrtle and spice that contrasts unexpectedly with patchouli and jatamansi (spikenard). The liquid perfume represents the dark/scuro aspect while the solid is the light/chiaro side.
Chiaroscuro as a liquid perfume begins quite dark and indolic laced with notes of roots and camphor. As you journey through the night in the deep moist woods, a clearing of jasmine is illuminated with the light of myrtle. The robust fragrance features a very unusual scent evolution by moving from dark to light with deep, warm notes that linger like a dreamy lover. In contrast, the solid version of the fragrance is sweeter and more ephemeral, opening with a candied spice that unfolds into the sensuality of jasmine, vanilla and chocolate.
Roxana Illuminated Perfume Chiaroscuro is available in liquid and solid formats, including samples ($8-$205), and can be found now at the brand’s Etsy shop.
(via press release)
5 Comments
Read more about commenting at Now Smell This.
Is “chiaroscuro” the new oud of words? From having n.ever heard of the term before to encountering it 3 times this year!
1. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (one of my favorite authors) – one of the neurotic main characters using. The word to sound like a hi-faluting art critic
2. Morgan Library & Museum – description used to describe some art installation AND I believe the actual word was used in a displayed collage.
3. This.
Ah, I think I used to see it more than I do now…maybe because I used to read more hi-faluting lit?
Chiaroscuro is a common term to describe certain styles of painting. I heard it first in a college art history class many moons ago when I was young and impressionable. I have never considered it in the world of perfume.
Thanks! I think it is one of those words that is never used in everyday conversation, but that you pick up from art or lit or something.
Weird thing though is that I have not changed the types of books I read or the venues I attend! Maybe I changed and have a better appreciation for the arts? In any case, I ordered a sample of this last night!