The Lost Perfumes of Paris Quotes

“She closed her eyes, too, reveling in the ambrosial softness of the top notes: a medley of Persian apricots, orange blossom, and honey. A mere few seconds, and the top notes faded, giving way to the exotic heart notes of peach and plum blossom, mimosa, and white star jasmine. Finally came the warm and longer-lasting base notes of smoky guaiac wood and sweet vanilla musk.”
― Christine Wells, The Lost Perfumes of Paris

“The cold scent of marble, a faint whiff of sulfur from ancient Paris limestone, beeswax candles burning, worn oak pews. The must of old prayer books bound in butter-soft calfskin, holy incense arcs through the air. A waft of roses and lilies from the flower markets nearby. The secret mistress at the funeral; beneath her black veil, a slash of scarlet lips against white skin.
Top notes: cloves, black pepper, pink pepper, something floral (?), bitter orange. Middle notes: rose, violet, jasmine (to evoke the Madonna lily). Base notes: frankincense, tuberose, vanilla, labdanum, vetiver, cedar, amber.”
― Christine Wells, The Lost Perfumes of Paris