Introducing Strange Invisible Perfumes: Musc Botanique
On a warm Southern California afternoon in late June, we had the opportunity to spend some time with the lovely Alexandra Balahoutis, a botanical loyalist and a scent provocateur and creator of the botanical fragrance collection: STRANGE INVISIBLE PERFUMES. We sat with Alexandra at the historic Sunset Tower Hotel, to learn more about her collection and the launch of her newest fragrance, Musc Botanique.
Strange Invisible is a completely botanical fragrance house, located in Venice, CA presenting uncompromising luxury and a stunning collection of botanical perfumes and body care. All of Balahoutis' products are created with three essential components: pure aromatic plants, reverent distillation and evocative design.
Primarily self-taught, Balahoutis is an expert in finding the perfect chemistry between botanical essences and compelling narratives. Her line features 22 pure perfumes, 7 eaux de parfum and a collection of body wash and body lotion available in four flavors (everyone is raving about her body line). One thing we noted, all of Alexandra's Eau de Parfums are very long lasting on the skin in a nice transparent way, which is impressive because it is difficult make tropical fragrances last on the skin.
Naturals are nice because they are not overwhelming and they can be mixed and combined. Each Strange Invisible fragrance corresponds with another. Alexandra explains, "These products are not about perfuming your body. It is more about that gorgeous sensory intake. Its about the experience in the moment." And that's the fun of Strange Invisible and botanical perfumery, its all very harmonious - you can have fun with it. We had our own little botanical experience as we tried each fragrance from the Eau de Parfum collection. Alexandra went on to explain to us, that the existing assortment is "truly a family of fragrances. All of the names and even the color used on the bottles represent the themes, ingredients and stories of each flavor. Each fragrance is very very eclectic made up of these narrative aromatic tapestries." (Read on below for a list detailing each eau de parfum fragrance.)
Recently, Strange Invisible unveiled MUSC BOTANIQUE - the newest of its botanical fragrances. This radiant perfume is lucid, subtly erotic and impossibly crystalline. The inspiration for Musc Botanique was very pure: plants. Under the view that plants are like creatures - these wild creatures that are very mysterious and intricate. Balahoutis' was in awe over the fact that there are actually some plants that emit aromatic molecules, which closely resemble those found in deer musk - called musk keytones. "I think they are fantastic," Balahoutis exclaims. Rich in these gorgeous components, Musc Botanique's sincere aroma evokes a clean, yet carnal impression.
Strange Invisible is a completely botanical fragrance house, located in Venice, CA presenting uncompromising luxury and a stunning collection of botanical perfumes and body care. All of Balahoutis' products are created with three essential components: pure aromatic plants, reverent distillation and evocative design.
Primarily self-taught, Balahoutis is an expert in finding the perfect chemistry between botanical essences and compelling narratives. Her line features 22 pure perfumes, 7 eaux de parfum and a collection of body wash and body lotion available in four flavors (everyone is raving about her body line). One thing we noted, all of Alexandra's Eau de Parfums are very long lasting on the skin in a nice transparent way, which is impressive because it is difficult make tropical fragrances last on the skin.
Naturals are nice because they are not overwhelming and they can be mixed and combined. Each Strange Invisible fragrance corresponds with another. Alexandra explains, "These products are not about perfuming your body. It is more about that gorgeous sensory intake. Its about the experience in the moment." And that's the fun of Strange Invisible and botanical perfumery, its all very harmonious - you can have fun with it. We had our own little botanical experience as we tried each fragrance from the Eau de Parfum collection. Alexandra went on to explain to us, that the existing assortment is "truly a family of fragrances. All of the names and even the color used on the bottles represent the themes, ingredients and stories of each flavor. Each fragrance is very very eclectic made up of these narrative aromatic tapestries." (Read on below for a list detailing each eau de parfum fragrance.)
Recently, Strange Invisible unveiled MUSC BOTANIQUE - the newest of its botanical fragrances. This radiant perfume is lucid, subtly erotic and impossibly crystalline. The inspiration for Musc Botanique was very pure: plants. Under the view that plants are like creatures - these wild creatures that are very mysterious and intricate. Balahoutis' was in awe over the fact that there are actually some plants that emit aromatic molecules, which closely resemble those found in deer musk - called musk keytones. "I think they are fantastic," Balahoutis exclaims. Rich in these gorgeous components, Musc Botanique's sincere aroma evokes a clean, yet carnal impression.
"Musc Botanique is essentially inspired by the demure sexuality of botany," states Balahoutis. "The plant world is an intricate society of wild creatures. Flowers and plants seduce, attract, repel, and evolve. They give us air to breathe and torment us with their exquisite perfume." Having a crisp universal character that develops warmth on the skin, Musc Botanique wears especially well and is ideal for both a man or a woman.
THE COLLECTION - EAU DE PARFUM
L'INVISIBLE
This is Strange Invisible's signature scent. Think: Pre-WWII French perfume - a quiet and polite old-school scent. Transparent. Silken. Melodic.
Amber, moss, ylang ylang, rose & lemon.
Genre: Classic Bouquet
FAIR VERONA
This is one of Strange Invisible's more popular fragrances. The perfume is very jasmine centered, but the use of sandlewood makes it a distinctive fragrance. Think: Italian citrus. Verdant. Sparkling. Worldly.
Jasmine, sandlewood, mimosa & pink grapefruit.
Genre: Floral
MOON GARDEN
Moon Garden was inspired by the Victorian Moon Gardens - gardens made up of night-blooming flowers, where Victorian people went to enjoy nature in the evening without damaging their ivory complexions. Think: Luminous. Enthralling. Nocturnal.
Tuberose, pikake & resins.
Genre: Live Bloom - The tropics
MAGAZINE STREET
This scent was inspired by the city of New Orleans. Perfect for both a man or a woman...very universal. This fragrance is not only a Strange Invisible best-seller, but also Alexandra Balahoutis' personal favorite of the collection. Alexandra LOVES the magnolia and the touch of lavender added for crispness. Think: Brazen. Sumptuous. Romantic.
Magnolia, vanilla, vetiver & botanical musk
Genre: Isle of the Indian Ocean
PRIMA BALLERINA
This fragrance reminds Alexandra of a modern rose garden - and is composed of organic Egyptian Rose. Very crisp. Balahoutis believes, "Men can wear botanical scents. It's perfectly fine for a man to wear a perfume with rose in it." (And Ben adds, he would wear Prima Ballerina in a second.) Think: Dynamic, Resplendent. Exalting.
Rose, sage, lime and Botanical musk.
Genre: Live Bloom, Rose Garden.
TROPICAL VIAL
Tropical Vial was inspired by the tropics - a lush tropical wilderness. Alexandra really loves the eccentric green note that forms when the basil meets the mango. This scent is also very good on men as well as women. Think: Ambrosial. Blissful. Wild.
Mango, jasmine, basil and botanical musk.
Genre: Orchard Melange, A lush tropical Isle.
Strange Invisible is available at Alexandra Balahoutis' Boutique:
1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
800.919.7472
or online at:
www.strangeinvisibleperfumes.com and at Beautyhabit.com. Strange Invisible Perfumes are also sold at Barneys New York.
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