The Candy Perfume Boy August 9, 2012 CB I Hate Perfume

“People Who Smell Like Everyone Else Disgust Me” – Christopher Brosius

Christopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume is certainly a character. His alternative approach to perfume, which includes absolutes of roast dinner and scents based on personal memories, is certainly unique and he most definitely has very distinct views on the subject of fragrance. Like him or not, he’s got something to say!

Today I’m sharing an interesting video profile of Christopher Brosius put together by Monomania. In it he discusses a new composition, why he hates perfume and how scent and survival are inextricably linked. Tell me what you think, and whilst we’re on the subject of CB and his hatred of perfume don’t forget to check out my reviews of 7 Billion Hearts and Where We Are There Is No Here.

Join the Discussion!

What do you think of Christopher Brosius’ approach to perfume?

What are your favourite CB I Hate Perfume fragrances?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments box below!

Disclaimer

Video: I Hate Perfume from Monomania on Vimeo.

43Comments

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1

Zubi d'Nova / Melissa de Blok on August 9, 2012 at 7:10 am
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Brilliant video, I hope you do not mind me reblogging this (I will obviously post credits to you!).

I like his approach. I think he’s right – in a way it is about experience and not aesthetics. Art in general should be valued for this too, but the masses often look ONLY for aesthetics.

I am ashamed. I have never tried a single CB I hate Perfume 😦 I just am on sample overload, and cannot keep ordering! lol – It is getting really expensive.
- 2
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:47 am
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  Reblog away! 😀
  
  He’s a very interesting guy and I think he has some very valid things to say. I find him quite amusing for some reason.
  
  I know what you mean re sample overload, there’s just so much to try isn’t there? It can be a bit of a nightmare! I’ve only tried two CBs so far and I’d really recommend a sample of 7 Billion Hearts, it’s an amazing vanilla.
  - 3
    
    Zubi d'Nova / Melissa de Blok on August 9, 2012 at 4:03 pm
    
    Yes, he is amusing. Something eccentric yet so sincere in his flabbergastedness at people’s sniffing habits made me chuckle too.
    
    (I know, that’s not a word)
    
    7 Billion hearts, huh? Thanks for feeding the gourmand monster in me. Any creme brulee frags you might recommend by the way? INCLUDING burned sugar. 😉
    
    Every time I go to my sample drawer, like a typical ENFP I get flustered over the fact that I cannot choose just ONE from all those boxes and bags! Sometimes I suspect that my brain thinks every day is my last day on earth….
  - 4
    
    The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:49 pm
    
    Hehe, me too, he’s a funny guy (although I really don’t think he intends to be)
    
    Hmmm…. I can’t really think of any creme brûlée scents. Shalimar comes close-ish and there is a creme brûlée facet in the base of Parfum Initial L’Eau. Let me have more of a think and I’ll get back to you!
    
    Sounds like you are swimming in samples!
5

Jules on August 9, 2012 at 8:54 am
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I believe Christopher Brosius one of the most skilled perfumers around. I think his note-perfect reproductions are striking in their amazing accuracy. His scents immediately conjure in your mind exactly what they’re supposed to represent. And I would think that is much more difficult to achieve than just an aesthetically beautiful concoction that doesn’t represent anything in specific (no matter how pretty). … Seeing as I also enjoy “killer-scents” such as Mugler’s babies (which I imagine would be Chris’ ultimate nightmare :D) it’s probably odd that I should agree with him that perfume shouldn’t be “an offensive weapon”, but I do. (Even tho’ paradoxically still enjoying ‘fumes like Kouros.) 🙂 … I do think his vision and style are pretty unique in the world of perfumery. – Plus I’ve always wondered why there are not more water based perfumes around. I’d have thought there’d be many more houses jumping on that by now. I’m convinced they’d be popular (& have even played around with the idea myself.)

My favourite, ahem, “non-perfumes” of his (that I’ve tried so far, which are actually far fewer than I’d like) are probably : ‘In the Library’ & ‘Burning Leaves’ (which is a fab layering ‘fume). His Musk Reinvention is also incredibly interesting and definitely worth a sniff at very least. I’ve liked quite a few others too that just don’t come to mind at the mo’. But bottom line, I do think his scents are indeed elegant, but also different, unique, fun and intellectually stimulating.

I’d luv to visit his studio (I’m sure I’d spend many days, if not even weeks, sniffing away … )
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  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:35 pm
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  He is definitely a very talented guy and I personally find his approach refreshing. It’s good to know that he’s over in NY making these weird, wearable perfumes.
  
  The water perfumes are weird, I must admit. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind them but they kind of sit on the skin in a different way than alcohol based ones.
  
  I really want to try In the Library. Books!! Books smell awesome!!!
  - 7
    
    Jules on August 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm
    
    Yea I agree – I think u will find it interesting. … There’s the scent of aged almost slightly musty paper – which is even somewhat vanillic in character. Plus the cardboard, leather and even glue of the bindings/covers. Plus even the polished wood of the shelves in the base. I think it’s really evocative, and a brill composition.
    But yeah it’s true they definitely sit on the skin, & diffuse (or not !), in a completely different way. They are, … well, … just much less ‘perfumey’ – (Duh !) 🙂
  - 8
    
    The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:28 am
    
    Sounds fab!
    
    Do they have it at Liberty? I know they stock some of his there.
  - 9
    
    Jules on August 11, 2012 at 9:40 am
    
    Oops, sorry, I somehow missed this reply. … I have seen it at Liberty’s once before, but it was a good while ago now. They unfortunately only have a very limited range of his ‘fumes, but I imagine they’ll probably restock it at some time seeing as it’s one of his more popular ones. 🙂
  - 10
    
    The Candy Perfume Boy on August 11, 2012 at 11:02 am
    
    I’ll have to make sure I pay a visit next time.
11

amlux on August 9, 2012 at 11:26 am
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Well, I for one would love to see him explain why his fragrances hold up for such a short period of time, and after that (amazing) initial phase, break down into a soggy mess. Of all the ones I’ve tried, they all behave the same way.
- 12
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:36 pm
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  Perhaps it’s the water base? They do sit differently on the skin.
13

lucasai on August 9, 2012 at 12:24 pm
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Yeah, I also don’t like to smell like everyone else so I try to chose the most unique and lesser known perfume.
- 14
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:36 pm
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  It’s the best way to be!
15

australianperfumejunkies on August 9, 2012 at 1:15 pm
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Hey CPB,
Evie C love CB so I’ve left it pretty much alone. I do have 6 decants sitting in a box somewhere though awaiting perusal. I’ll let you know when I get to them,
Portia xx
- 16
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:36 pm
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  Please do! I’d love to hear what you think.
17

saffyishere (@saffyishere) on August 9, 2012 at 1:17 pm
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What a great viewpoint.If I were to be ‘in his taxi’ he might have got me two blocks and asked to walk the rest of my journey,such that is my lust for the Big Bold 80s types…yes including Kouros.I do also dislike smelling like the girl next to me on the train/bus ect. Sadly I’m new to this brand, but Burning Leaves interests me. Your review of Where we are..ect….. whas inspired me to seek out samples from Chris.
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  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:37 pm
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  You do love your big 80s fumes, that’s for sure!
  
  Do try some of his scents Saffy, I think you’d find them interesting 😀
19

andrea on August 9, 2012 at 1:48 pm
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I pride myself on not smelling like everyone else which is how I fell down this rabbit hole in the first place, I do not however want to smell of roast dinners or even like a library. He states in the video that ‘nice’ is just not enough yet that is exactly what he has created with 7 billion hearts, it’s a nice perfume that does not last long, the price is ‘nice’ though.
I get where he is coming from but I just can’t get on board, not my bag I am afraid.
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  Jules on August 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm
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  Sorry I can’t quite agree that ‘7Billion Hearts’ is merely just another ‘nice’ perfume. To my nose it was probably one of the very best ‘smokey vanillas’ I’ve ever smelled. (And it managed to also be totally grown-up & not at all “girly’ for a vanilla.) ~ The reason it was not as long lived as you’d probably like or are used to is because it was not merely made out of synthetic vanillin, but pure natural Tahitian & Madagascan absolutes. (It’s like the difference between cut-glass & diamonds !) – Tho’ on my skin, I thought it had remarkable longevity for a natural. ~ But I can totally understand why some might not get on with his frags. His perfumes just are very different – especially to someone used to more diffuse alcoholic frags. But part of the reason I like them is because they are so polarising and different.
  – (Altho’ I’ll agree that ‘7BH’ is probably one of his most ‘mainstream’ offerings -Still there is only so much one can do with a “soli-vanilla’. Plus I think his is stellar & utterly delicious for true-vanilla luvrs.)
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  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 9, 2012 at 7:40 pm
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  I think his Roast Dinner absolute was made more a curiosity than anything else, I remember him saying somewhere that he was surprised that anyone wanted to buy it.
  
  CB I Hate Perfume is one of those brands that isn’t for everyone though, so I get why you don’t really like them. Although I disagree on 7 Billion Hearts, it’s awesome 😛
  - 22
    
    Jules on August 9, 2012 at 10:50 pm
    
    Roast dinner is just one amongst literally hundreds – He’s got an entire library of that sort of thing. Scents of things and place. Reproducing anything scented is pretty much fair game for him. ~ (His compositions manage to paint portraits in my head more so than just about any other perfumer.)
    
    And T’ … ‘Awesome’ is the perfect descriptor for 7BH. (Delicious in every way – It even tasted good !) 😉
  - 23
    
    The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:29 am
    
    I’d love to go to his studio and try those billions of scents!
24

smellythoughts on August 9, 2012 at 11:51 pm
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I’m actually a huge fan of CB’s fragrances – they are (generally) extremely well composed and though out, and I click with them emotionally very often. He comes across as a real douchebag – but there we go :’) I hope he actually manages to make his fragrances last soon – if these things could hang around for longer than an hour my wallet would be full on empty!
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  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:29 am
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  Haha, yep everything he does is sprinkled with a good degree of douchebaggery.
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  Jules on August 10, 2012 at 8:50 pm
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  I’ve had no longevity problems with his compositions (or at least so far with the ones I’ve tried). The’ve all lasted well over ±8 hrs , which I think for compositions with a high degree of naturals is not at all bad actually.
  
  Also remember that they have been designed specifically to be much more subtle and non-intusive to usual fragrances. So yeah, by their very nature are going to be weaker/less long-lasting.
  - 27
    
    smellythoughts on August 10, 2012 at 8:59 pm
    
    The thing is – I’m sure he uses a high amount of synthetics also to replicate his aromas – the amount of naturals I’m sure is very minimal, especially considering his relatively low prices. Compare to a full natural perfumer like Aftelier for example, who’s fragrances open with a huge bang and remain beautifully persistant and solid throughout their life – these are feeble and almost transparent in comparison.
    I understand the subtlety, I’m not expecting loud and obnoxious, I’m just expecting to not have to press my nose to my wrist in desperation trying to find it after 20 minutes – which happens.
    Trust me I’m trying not to slate him (although watching this video makes it hard :’)), and I really really love a lot of his work, but yeh – I really believe he needs to work on stability, it’s no secret that this is the case, it’s universally recognized across fragrances boards and blogs. But as I said, if this was corrected, then brill, he has a really really successful line… but he doesn’t quite right now.
  - 28
    
    Jules on August 10, 2012 at 10:19 pm
    
    F’ – have you tried his absolutes ??
29

Natalie on August 10, 2012 at 3:41 am
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He bugs the crap out of me.

I’m sorry, but there you have it. People who think that doing anything that other people do is lame, disgust me. 🙂
- 30
  
  Undina on August 10, 2012 at 8:27 am
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  I’d like just to sign under what Natalie wrote.
  
  Undina.
  - 31
    
    The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:32 am
    
    Hehe, duly noted!
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  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:30 am
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  That is a fair enough opinion, and like Freddie said he is a bit of a douchebag.
- 33
  
  Jules on August 10, 2012 at 8:28 pm
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  Yes but then haven’t you just gone and done the same !? (or at least similar.)
  
  While I certainly believe the word “disgust” is a little heavy/exaggerated & unnecessary (in both cases) – I do appreciate his unusual point of view, straightforwardness and the way he speaks his mind.
  (At least one knows where one stands with him. I doubt he’d ever be the type to speak behind one’s back, for example. He’d just tell u straight to ur face.) 🙂
  
  Bottom line, whilst he’s certainly abrupt I think he’s nevertheless a very skilled perfumer, who not only has a singular point of view, but is entitled to it !
  - 34
    
    Jules on August 10, 2012 at 8:31 pm
    
    P.S. … That was directed at Natalie’s comment – just before there’s confusion. 🙂
  - 35
    
    Natalie on August 11, 2012 at 5:07 am
    
    Re: “Yes but then haven’t you just gone and done the same”
    
    Yes, exactly the point. I was being satirical.
36

TaffyJ on August 10, 2012 at 5:36 am
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Well, if he is disgusted by people who smell the same, he should sell only one bottle of each of his non-scents. 🙂
- 37
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 9:30 am
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  Haha, fair point!
38

Jules on August 10, 2012 at 8:36 pm
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It seems his use of the word “disgust” has riled up everybody just as he intended. Hee, hee ! 😉

But come on – why is everyone getting on his back about this. Part reason why we are all ‘fumephiles is because we too want to smell better and different from everyone else. (or at least the ‘mainstream’.) – Most of us have equal distaste of the wishy-washy rubbish most people wear.
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  Jules on August 10, 2012 at 8:55 pm
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  Another small reason why I’m tickled by his frags is because they strangely echo one of my favourite books – Jitterbug Perfume. … By his use of Diisopropyl Adipate for his absolutes, which is an extract made from beetroots. (Anybody who’s read the book will know exactly what I’m talking about.) 😉
- 40
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 10, 2012 at 10:35 pm
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  I think he just comes across as a bit of a knob in the video, he did the same in the Perfume documentary.
  
  Still, he’s an interesting guy.
41

andrea on August 11, 2012 at 9:07 am
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Wow, was there someone from his PR sneaking comments in on this thread??? Thank you candy perfume boy for respecting that I have an opinion even when it differs from yours. Perfumery, like art is always in the eye of the beholder, there is no right or wrong just differing opinions. 🙂
- 42
  
  The Candy Perfume Boy on August 11, 2012 at 11:01 am
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  No problem, and I agree 100% with the fact that there is no right or wrong.
43

A Public Information Film From Penhaligon’s of London: A Lady’s Guide to Wearing Peoneve | The Candy Perfume Boy on August 13, 2012 at 5:08 pm
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[…] know that I have perhaps been a little bit video-happy over the last week, what with videos from CB I Hate Perfume and Thierry Mugler, but I simply couldn’t not share this fabulous and very amusing public […]