Notes: Rose Absolute, Frankincense, Black Pepper and White Woods, Caraway and Mandarin Petitgrain.
As you may know, a few years ago beauty and perfume blogger Louise Woollam of Get Lippie experienced the nightmarish olfactory dysfunction, parosmia. She lost her sense of smell after a cold but when it came it back, nothing smelled as it should and most things smelt absolutely awful. You can see her talking about this traumatic time in her life tonight in Episode 5 of Incredible Medicine: Dr Weston’s Casebook on BBC Two at 9pm.
The fragrance Paradox was created with perfumer Sarah McCartney in a successful attempt to make a scent Louise could actually enjoy at this very dark time. It was a lovely, chilled, green violet perfume with a touch of lavender and spine of orris.
Now, to celebrate her sense of smell returning to normal, they have reunited to make the spicy oriental Louise has always wanted. The result is Parallel which again is available from 4160 Tuesdays. I love how, like most of the perfumes, you can get it in a 30ml bottle.
The mood boosting, citrus green-ness of mandarin petitgrain characterises the opening of Parallel and it feels like a fitting start to the optimistic story this perfume is telling. Louise must have felt such excitement as well as relief when things started to smell as they should once again.
The core of Parallel is a combination of peppery resin and almost creamy orange. It starts out punchy and invigorating and smooths out to create a constant, orange-tinted resinous buzz. It’s backed up by soft cashmere woods and just a splash of rose. This isn’t an all-natural perfume but there’s something about its simplicity and oil-like quality on the skin that reminds me of one.
Those wary of big orientals need not fear as Parallel stays close to the body. Far from being overwhelming, I find it extremely easy to wear and I’m not drawn to this genre usually.
It’s lovely that Sarah and Louise came together once more under much happier circumstances to create a perfume which completes this scented story. I’m looking forward to seeing the tale being told on tonight’s programme which is all about those with rare conditions. It also features a man whose bones are stronger than granite and a woman with two wombs.
It will serve as an important reminder that even if you can’t triumph over a medical condition you can always find ways around obstacles in order to live a life truly worth living. This is something I try to tell myself every day.
A Bottled Rose 
I remember when Paradox came out, such a terrible story for Louise, and how wonderful that it ended well. I’m still to properly explore 4160 Tuesdays, and I’ll see if there’s anyway I can catch the programme. Which is your favourites from the brand?
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I hope you’re able to find a way to watch the documentary.
My favourite from those I’ve tried so far is Tart’s Knickner Drawer, though I really like the sound of Another Kiss by the Fireside and Paris 1948 because it’s inspired by vintage chypres. Rosa Ribes also seems like my thing with being a blackcurrant rose chypre. I reckon you’d like Tart’s Knicker Drawer and probably Shazam! as it’s an amber oriental.
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It is indeed a heartwarming end to a harrowing few years, and I am also looking forward to the documentary, also the woman with two wombs! Parallel sounds like my kind of thing and you bring it to life very clearly. Amen to the working round a medical condition….Tart’s Knicker Drawer is my favourite too, also Goddess of Love & Perfume, which is like a more unctuous version of Plum. Or in that fruity chypre vein.
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The whole documentary series sounds worth catching up on. I particularly want to watch the episode with the Ice Man as I’ve heard him before and he’s fascinating.
I’m sure you’d like Parallel and thanks for describing of Goddess of Love and Perfume. I tried Sex Goddess briefly at Stylist Live and liked it a lot.
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I was following Louise’s horror story and extremely glad that it resolved.
For anybody who’s interested, I want to mention that both perfumes you’ve mentioned in this post (as well as many others) are also available in 9 ml purse sprays.
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Many thanks for mentioning the purse sprays, Undina.
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I wouldn’t go so far as to say resolved, whilst things are *hugely* better, I’m not cured! But the condition is much more liveable, for sure. Sarah’s fragrances have been a huge help, I’m only miffed the programme didn’t give them their due.
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Hi Louise,
Hopefully it will continue to improve. Thank goodness it’s at least more liveable now.
Fingers crossed you’ll be completely recovered in time.
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