Review of Pandora and DRAW by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz

11 Sep 2011 24 Comments

by esscentualalchemy in Natural Perfume Tags: botanical perfume, dawn spencer hurwitz, esscentual alchemy, Fragrance, Mixed media, mixed pefumes, Natural Perfume, pandora, Perfume, review

This is a first for me, dear readers.  I was asked by Dawn to participate in reviews of her latest release.

Pandora

In Greek Mythology, Pandora (in Ancient Greek -Πανδώρα, means all giving) was the first woman. Zeus commands Hephaestus to mold from earth the first woman, a “beautiful evil” whose descendants would torment the race of men. After Hephaestus does so, Athena dressed her in a silvery gown, an embroidered veil, garlands and an ornate crown of gold.

According to the myth, Pandora opened a jar releasing all the evils of mankind into the world,

“Only Hope was left within her unbreakable house,
she remained under the lip of the jar, and did not
fly away. Before [she could], Pandora replaced the
lid of the jar. This was the will of aegis-bearing
Zeus the Cloudgatherer.” (Hesiod)

It was only out of curiosity, and not malice, that Pandora opened her jar…and perhaps hope was left in the jar so that humankind was given a gift to withstand all of the ills that can befall them on their journey back to Olympus.

Pandora

Pandora opens on my skin with a puff of tobacco smoke, like the vanishing of a faery. She turns into floral green scents with hints of citrus and something powdery.

Next comes the swirl of leaves around a gust of wind, the last hint of summer…strong florals burst through. Ivy curling up a wall. White and purple flowers turn their faces to the sun.

Like day turns into night, Pandora becomes a perfume that is straight out of the classic Chanel No. 5 era of women’s perfumes. Something your favorite great aunt would have worn to her night at the opera house. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this is L’air Du Temps original. No bastardized version.

The finale comes with a graceful ending of floral woody tones with a hint of musk. A walk along a moonlit path in an English park.

Pandora is both unique and beautiful. The opening puff of smoke, caught me off guard. Though I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, and like Pandora I’m sure she wasn’t expecting what she got either.

Pandora

This is the second Dawn Spencer Hurwitz perfume I have had the pleasure of smelling. The first was her entry for Peace Love and Patchouli. This is quite different. This perfume exudes Elegant WOMAN, Divine Feminine, Yin, Goddess, Anima. This perfume could easily be worn to work during the day, and yet, still be used in the evening out around town, on a date, or wherever your feminine self desires. It’s a strong scent, yet not overpowering. This is a perfume who knows what she’s about, yet doesn’t mind being a temptress…

She is a gift giver of pleasant moments, dreams, wishes…and certainly is an uplifting scent, so Pandora might provide HOPE in low moments of your life. There is only one way to discover that for yourself, and that is to spray and waft her scent towards you.

Pandora

I have thoroughly enjoyed wearing and sniffing this perfume. I’m so tickled that Dawn entrusted her with me, and offered me the opportunity to write about Pandora. I hope that what comes out of the jar, is pleasing to you too!

The notes for DSH Pandora are:

Top: ruby fruits (botanical accord), bergamot, aldehyde, spice notes, ozone, violet leaf absolute, davana, cassis bud, green and pink pepper

Heart: rose de mai absolute, juhi jasmine, linden blossom absolute, yerba maté absolute, cabreuva wood, orris co2, green tea absolute

Base: mousse de saxe accord (botanical) , cyperus, fossilized amber absolute, ambergris tincture, patchouli co2, vetiver co2, muhuhu, australian sandalwood, tonka bean absolute, oakmoss green, vanilla absolute.

Disclosure: DSH kindly provided a sample of Pandora to me for this review. Pandora is a mixed media aka natural/synthetic fragrance.  I have not been compensated in any manner for this review, and my thoughts are my own.

Please find more reviews of Pandora at these blogs:

Scent Hive
Indieperfumes
Eau MG
Eye Liner on a Cat

O True Apothecary

This Blog Really Stinks

DSH Notebook  (Dawn’s Blog)

Perfume Pharmer

Scentual Soundtracks

COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN  3ml of Pandora!  Draw winner will be announced on SEPT 20th

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