Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sinan by Jean-Marc Sinan (Vintage Perfume)



A few months after I reviewed Lune by Jean-Marc Sinan a cranky reader informed me that I have no idea what I'm talking about, since Lune smells almost identical to the original 1981 Sinan. I probably would have fretted over the comment had I not already found a vintage mini bottle of Sinan de Sinan, complete with the moon stopper and knew that the two are, indeed, quite different.

Both Lune and Sinan are green chypres with floral leanings. Sinan de Dinan opens up with spice and galbanum. The bergamot note in my vintage juice has gone funky and I wouldn't call the aldehydes minty-fresh, either, but the greenery is in good shape and has both softness and crispness that reveal good breeding. I love the spiciness of coriander (and perhaps also nutmeg): there's a certain warmth to the top notes of Sinan, making it plush and exotic.

The heart and base of Sinan are what make this such a lovely and elegant chypre. It reminds of a softer and kinder Eau de Soir. It's a little powdery (more evident on really warm skin) and the combination of iris-rose-carnation-muguet gives that  very French impression, ladylike and perfectly groomed. Don't mistake what I call "ladylike" as too femme for guys. Like many green chypres, men who like Chanel No. 19 are likely to enjoy Sinan very much. The powdery iris and co. make way to a classic oakmoss-vetiver dry-down that lasts nicely. My disgruntled reader might not agree, but I think the old Sinan smells more balanced and expensive than its younger sibling. The latter tries too hard and too loudly to compensate for its cheaper outfit.
Read more about Sinan on Yesterday's Perfume.

Notes: coriander, bergamot, brazilian rosewood, aldehydes, green notes, carnation, iris, jasmine, geranium, ylang-ylang, rose, lily-of-the-valley, vetiver, musk, patchouli, oak moss, amber and incense.

4 comments:

  1. I seem to have missed out on the previous review so I clicked the link to have a look, and I just couldn't resist reading the 'cranky reader' comment! And I just have to say, they really are in over their heads. Love the blog Gaia! I check it multiple times a day and more times than not, there's something new for me to learn. So a huge thanks. Best wishes =)

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  2. Gaia - Your cranky commenter just needs to realize that the nose is about as subjective as anything in nature and what smells like one thing to one person can smell completely different to another!

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  3. I, too, had to go and read the cranky comment. The attitude was totally uncalled for. Notice the person was too chicken to even leave an alias.

    I always enjoy reading your reviews, even when I disagree. Thanks, Gaia!

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  4. Wow ! I just ordered this online for a veritable song and I can't wait to receive it. I hope it's as exciting as all this commentary since I am a chypre lover and open to anything when it comes to fragrance!
    I absolutely love this blog and enjoy every Non Blonde impression since, although I am gray, always took tremendous pride in never kowtowing to the fairer headed divas! YAY for us!!

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