During my trip to Barcelona two years ago perfume was constantly on my mind, which wasn’t surprising since I managed to try about 700 perfumes while there.
One evening, while walking aimlessly in the neighborhood where we were staying, I noticed an interestingly looking small shop with some unfamiliar perfume bottles on display. I came in and tried several perfumes that, as I discovered, were all from the Spanish brand Daniel Josier.
We walked in, I sniffed perfumes from the bottles and tried some on paper. I liked several but they were quite expensive, and since none of them immediately spoke to me enough to risk putting them on my skin, I kept sniffing. One bottle that I noticed in a slightly unusual basket arrangement attracted my attention.
I picked it up and started examining… I’m not sure if I would have sprayed it before reading the label but the store owner couldn’t risk it: “Wait! It’s not a perfume!”
I know, I should have bought it as a souvenir from that trip but somehow it didn’t even occur to me then. I took a picture planning to write about it – and then forgot about it since I had enough perfume-related material for several posts. But recently I came across that brand’s condiments on the Neiman Marcus site. I know that readers do not usually click on the links, but I do recommend checking out this one to see how much all Chateau D’Estoublon products’ packaging looks like perfumes.
But if until that trip I haven’t seen that type of chameleon packaging, since then, as it often happens, encounter one more example of that approach. From a friend of mine I got a Christmas present – a 50 ml bottle of Linea Solitario Limited Edition 8 year old Italian Balsamic Vinegar.
This limited edition, unique and intense flavoured balsamic, aged for 8 years in oak barrels. Linea Solitario Ltd Edition 8 year old Italian Balsamic Vinegar comes in a glass bottle, elegantly boxed with a synthetic diamond on the label. […]
For 160 years, tradition and production secrets have been passed down through the family. Today Massimo, who represents the 5th generation of the family, is the current president of Acetaia Malpighi. Acetaia Malpighi is internationally recognised as “Made in Italy” brand taking its products on the main markets all over the world.
As with many of my “special” perfumes, I still wait for the right occasion to try this vinegar. Maybe this upcoming tomato season…
Have you ever encountered anything that looked like perfume while not being perfume (or some body product)?
Images: my own
Undina's Looking Glass 
I can’t think at the moment that I have come across something that is not perfume but which looks like it should be, but your post got me thinking about olive oil, and in particular how we Brits used to think of it as purely a medicine just a few decades ago; it was only available in tiny bottles purchased from a pharmacy! Thank goodness Elizabeth David wrote engaging recipe books and lovely Italians came here, setting up restaurants and food shops, thus introducing us to the delights of eating olive oil rather than dripping it into ears.
My favourite olive oil is perfumed with rose and is made by an Italian princess!
Is that Rusty’s favourite blanket? It looks cosy.
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I didn’t know about that medicinal use of olive oil. It’s fascinating! And I’d love to try olive oil with rose.
On the picture is one of Rusty’s blankets, he got it as a birthday present a couple of years ago.
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Nuxe Body Oil has almost the same bottle as old Annick Goutals that came in rectangular bottles. If it wasn’t for a label it would’ve been difficult to tell them apart.
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With body products it’s slightly less impressive but still.
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Not to the point of genuine confusion, but I have noticed other objects that look like perfume bottles, including olive oil and vinegar. I think I may even have blogged about it, but it was a fair old while ago. Just had a look and it was in a post called ‘Mistaking scents for store cupboard staples.'(!) Technically speaking, it was the other way round, mind. ;)
Gorgeous photo of Rusty…!
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If this one isn’t “related link,” I don’t know what is! (I mean, did you see my invitation to comment? ;)) Now I have to do it for you: http://bonkersaboutperfume.blogspot.com/2014/05/mistaking-scents-for-store-cupboard.html
So, the situation has improved in the last 5 years: now I have my own condiment bottle that looks like perfume.
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Wow, that oil really does look like scent!
The vinegar reminds of of some particularly fancy ink bottles–maybe something like the Herbin Emerald of Chivor. The elegant weighty Pilot Iroshizuku ink bottles could also, at a push, be confused for perfume though would need a taller cap to really convince, and maybe less densely saturated juice.
Please send my admiring scritches to the beautiful Rusty.
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Rusty got a couple of treats, thank you.
I was genuinely confused by that bottle. Now I wonder if the owner of that shop did it on purpose: with all other perfume bottles around and no other “edibles,” could it be that he planned that confusion? Hmm…
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The only one I can think of is Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, which is very perfume-looking to me.
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I see you and Lucas had the same idea :)
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Great stuff, Lucas!
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I can’t say I’ve really noticed. Must keep my eyes open and be more observant.
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Now, when you know what to look for, you’ll start seeing it right and left :)
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I’m still in awe of you trying 700 perfumes in Barcelona. Or anywhere! It makes me wonder if I really am that interested in perfume at all.
That does look like a perfume bottle but then olive oil is great for the skin and smells great so I wouldn’t have minded if I’d sprayed it :)
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I started re-introducing argan oil into my skin care, so I probably could see myself using fine olive oil.
As to the number of perfumes, many of them were pre-sprayed on glass. And I was on a mission to find “Spanish perfume” to take home. And I like sniffing new perfumes :) And… No, that’s it.
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Can’t say that I have! I am also impressed with your sampling 700 perfumes!
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I was determined! :)
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I can’t imagine smelling 700 perfumes. I think my nose would give out after half that. Impressive feat!
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Well, I did it in 3 days. And most of them were pre-sprayed on glass receptacles. But, in general, when it comes to perfumes, I can smell a lot without getting tired.
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The tiny-size bottles of St. Germain elderflower liqueur remind of perfume bottles — like Shalimar, with a different shape!
There’s a crème de violette liqueur that also has a perfume-bottle-like bottle, although it’s much larger…
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I wasn’t familiar with that liqueur but I ran a search and I agree, it does look like a perfume bottle – though the first one that comes to mind is an older Dior’s “amphora” bottles.
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My friend S once gave me the tiny-size bottle “just because it looks like a perfume!” She’s a good friend. :)
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