Moon Drops is a half-forgotten, half-hidden classic of modern American perfumery. Released by Revlon in 1970, the same year Prince Matchabelli debuted Cachet and Max Factor released Aquarius. The perfume landscape was changing once more although women who wore perfume still usually wore only one scent, typically something received as a gift rather than purchased. Many women stopped wearing perfume altogether and experimented with the exotic base oils- musk, patchouli, ambergris and civet were all popular.
Moon Drops was released as a drugstore fragrance, below the radar of those who preferred 'finer fragrances'. It may have been a drugstore fragrance but make no mistake- it smells much more expensive than you would expect. The opening is arrayed with seductive (i.e., grown-up, not too sweet) fruity touches of bergamot, raspberry and peach, all set aglow with aldehydes. The floral heart of lily of the valley, rose and jasmine lies couched within the balsamic golden-green depths of cedarwood, amber, styrax and moss. A creamy, spicy carnation, powdery orris and honey trio bind all the other elements together while the rubbery, slightly camphorous tuberose and sultry ylang-ylang give Moon Drops plenty of va va voom- it's sexy, but in a relaxed, earthy sort of way. You could call it a chypre, a green floral, a spicy floral or a floriental- it straddles all of these categories.
Barbara from Yesterday's Perfume gives us the notes list, as follows:
Top notes: Aldehydes, gardenia, peach, raspberry, bergamotMoon Drops was made for the woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it. It's gradual waning from American store shelves left many bereft and searching for a replacement- there are many scents done in a similar style but no really good dupes, I'm afraid. There are rumors Moon Drops is still made and sold in select foreign markets but I can't verify that information. Irma Shorell also has a Long Lost version- Luna Drops (I think?) but it is not thought of as a good representation of the true perfume. If you love rich, intoxicating scents, smoldering scents, spicy mysterious scents, then the vintage version is worth seeking out. If you look around and have a bit of patience you can usually pick up vintage Moon Drops for not too much money (as of today); this wasn't always the case, but the time is ripe for deals in vintage perfumes like never before. I have the parfum spray. If you get this version, try to spray it onto something rather than apply directly to skin. Moon Drops benefits from exposure to air, particularly after unsealing a long kept bottle as well. Spray lightly and wait a few minutes for the chlorofluorocarbons to dissipate before smelling!
Heart notes: Lily of the valley, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, carnation, orris, honey, tuberose
Base notes: Sandalwood, musk, cedarwood, moss, styrax, amber, benzoin
The Vintage Perfume Vault, where the scent of yesterday's vogue lives.
4 comments:
Now, this is a blast from the past. A school teacher of mine used to wear Moondrops. Now you have taken me back to geography in High School.
David Toms: Either the teacher or the scent must have made quite an impression. I wonder which one it really was?
Either way, thanks for commenting!
Moon Drops is certainly not for the faint of heart. My mother wore it many years ago, only problem is that she almost "bathed" in it. It only takes a very small amount.
The Civet perfume you referred to is to die for. I've had several bottles of this fragrance that I've sold and it is the most delightful scent. Very clean and fresh smelling and a very small amount will last you all day.
You are lucky to find the Civet, twice over no less (and hopefully more!:) I'm always looking for that one and the Ambergris oil.
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