There is a subset of independent perfumers who work very strongly towards a stated brief. As a rule when these free thinkers of fragrance connect perfume to imagination they become some of my favorite perfumes. One of those independent perfumers who has achieved this repeatedly for me is Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays. I reviewed three of her beach-themed perfumes a little over a year ago. I found her ability to modulate a similar theme to be one of her strongest attributes as an independent perfumer. Recently she has added two new perfumes to her The Sexiest Scent on the Planet (IMHO) to form a relationship trio. If The Sexiest Scent etc. was for the all-important third date. The two latest releases Pillow Talk and Sleep Knot are about the next phases of the relationship.
Sleep Knot is for that part of the relationship when the two of you fall into a tangle of limbs while sleeping deeply. It is a jasmine and ylang-ylang floral heart over a sweet woody base of sandalwood and cedar. It is a nicely done perfume but it felt a little too safe to me. As if the relationship could be very set in its ways. On the other hand Pillow Talk is meant to capture that exciting moment when a couple is in bed facing each other talking about their hopes and dreams. Those conversations are intimate and spoken sotto voce. The perfume Ms. McCartney has designed around that theme whispers of hopes and dreams for a future beyond the pillow.
Sarah McCartney
Pillow Talk has a beautifully presented energy in the top notes as yuzu and bergamot provide that moment as lovers lock eyes with excitement. They can’t wait to share their emotions and it all comes out in a rush. The yuzu has that feeling as the tart citrus energy represents that. The heart is a conversation of florals whispering different visions. The sweet motion of orange blossom. The outsized dreams of ylang-ylang. The carnality of jasmine. Ms. Mc Cartney uses natural sources for all of these florals which adds a lot of nuance. I imagined it as the body language beneath the words. The foundation of this relationship is built on a sturdy sandalwood and cedar with vanilla and black peeper added in. This base is shared across all three of the relationship fragrances. If you’re not fond of sweet synthetic woods this is what persists the longest while wearing any of these.
Pillow Talk has 10-12 hour longevity and moderate sillage.
Ms. Mc Cartney’s perfume names have a natural ability to already steer my mind and emotions towards an expectation before I even get a chance to sniff the fragrance. In the case of Pillow Talk I felt like we had a conversation meant for two even though we are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Pillow Talk is definitely one of my favorites of the entire 4160 Tuesdays line.
Disclosure; this review was based on a sample provided by 4160 Tuesdays.
–Mark Behnke
