When I first sniffed Anya’s MoonDance, warm and evocative – like tuberose absolute, I felt like I was slipping into a satiny dress and the perfect pair of shoes. But this phase was short lived and soon I felt like flinging my perfect (and imaginary) footwear, and running across a wet, muddy garden. I suspect that the earthy herbal notes were responsible for this almost unholy craving. The earthiness to me, was reminiscent of green tea and henna (though from the notes, it seems to come from chamomile and mint). This part of the perfume also reminded me of something I’ve always wanted to do: Throw clay on a potter’s wheel and shape pots.
Slowly, MoonDance quietens down allowing a beautiful, almost spiritual part of the perfume to emerge. Like a forgotten lullaby, which would rather comfort than seduce, the tuberose whispers softly here. Yet, inspite of the calming drydown, there is still something undeniably sexy about it that keeps it interesting. Whether it is the Ambergris, the Opponax or the South African Hyrax that does this, I am in love with the drydown.
Moondance is one of the few tuberose fragrances that I have liked and probably the only one , that has allowed me to enjoy the progression of notes without comparing it to, or craving, the actual flower. The more number of times I ‘test’ this fragrance the less I can break it down into its component parts. It becomes more and more seamless with every sniff, till it transforms from a luminous flower to the memory of a dance.
You can buy this natural perfume in various concentrations at anyasgarden.com. I have reviewed the Eau de Parfum.
From Anya’s website, the list of notes are:
Top notes: American Violet Flower Isolate, Indian Water Mint
Middle notes: French Process Tuberose, Chinese Jasmine Sambac, French Rose de Mai, American Apple-scented Chamomile
Base notes: African Opoponax absolute, Carolina Ambergris, Haitian Sandalwood, Sustainable White Sandalwood, South African Hyrax
“L’etoile”, Painting by Edgar Degas: Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/3210104203/via Creative Commons
Running Feet: Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgw/2450009759/ via Creative Commons
Disclosure: I received a sample of Moondance from Anya, to review. However, I am under no obligation to like this perfume or write a favorable review.
I want to smell this Right Now!
Now, i wonder if i wanted to smell it because of your evocative description, or at my excitement at knowing what your talking about. Probably a bit of both. Being up here and helping with the various herbs and oils that are distilled has piqued my interest, young though i might be to the world of perfumes, i like how the perfume reveals itself.
Nomi- I’d LOVE to hear more about your scent world up in the hills!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I decided to check out yours, and I am floored – I think this is the most beautiful description of perfume I’ve ever read! I look forward to exploring your blog more. Definitely adding it to my blog roll!
Thank You- I am so glad you liked the perfume description! I’ve been enjoying dipping into your blog (just added you to my blogroll..:))
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