"Intimate...the fabulous new American fragrance that even French women are talking about! Initimate never shouts, but oh! how it whispers. Give it for Christmas (see that you get it, too!) $2.00 and $3.59 plus tax."
I'm not sure what would qualify as a perfume that shouts if Intimate is one that whispers. (An entire truckload of Bandit, accidentally turned over, bottles broken, in the middle of Manhattan?)
This doesn't mean Intimate is not gorgeous. This floral/animalic chypre flew out of its 50's-era bottle like I Dream of Jeannie's genie from her pink satin-lined abode, hips swaying rhythmically to a cha-cha beat.
Crystal-clear aldehydes clear the way for sensual gardenia, rose and jasmine, but their impression is made even more overtly sexual by notes that give the perfume immediate libidinal heft — amber, castoreum, civet, and musk. Sandalwood, cedar, patchouli and coriander add a wonderful, intervening spicey/woody counterpoint, and orris transforms all of Intimate's angles into a creamy, powdery softness.
Top notes: Aldehydes, bergamot, rose, gardenia, coriander
Heart notes: Jasmine, orris, patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood
Base notes: Amber, castoreum, civet, oakmoss, musk
Intimate is the perfume that promises sex — and delivers. It is not fooling around. But there's something good-natured and happy about its opening floral sparkle (something very American, rather than French?). It's not mysterious or dark about its sensuality. I keep picturing Rita Hayworth's Gilda, the femme fatale with the gorgeous grin plastered on her face; don't say she didn't warn you!
As for the ads, they're a treat on a whole other level. First off, "Even in the dark he'll know it's you" is one of the funniest lines I've seen in perfume copy. It is inadvertantly funny. (Or was it deliberate?) I mean, who else would he be in the dark with? Is the man of your dreams perfume-coding his paramours?
I also love how the Intimate perfume ads wore their American inferiority complexes on their sleeve. Even FRENCH women are talking about this perfume! (Although I wonder if they were saying, "Quelle vulgarité!")
In another Intimate ad, we're told that Intimate is "cherished by smart women as one of the world's seven great fragrances." (Love the underlining.)
Intimate, I want to say, don't be so insecure about your happy-go-lucky, come-up-and-see-me-sometime disposition. You're one of the beautiful girls who knows you are and we still don't hate you for it. Who could begrudge someone who is having so much fun? Not me.
(ADDENDUM) I would really love to try out this perfume in the real world, and ask for honest impressions. It smells dated, but there are certain fashions that can come back, or can be added to more modern clothes, and still work. (Chypre animalics, although to me they're the sexiest perfumes, get read as "old lady," ironically.) Whether anyone else likes it, I think I'll pull this one out when I need a pick-me-up. It just makes me happy.
Yay! So glad you love it, Cathlyn. It's interesting how perfume is marketed to us with the promise that others will fall in love with us. In reality, it's primarily a love affair between the woman and the perfume, or the way the perfume makes the woman feel about herself, her relationship to her memories, other people in her life...I hope you keep on enjoying it!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | May 03, 2011 at 03:43 PM
I too was acquainted with "Intimate" by Revlon. My Mother started using it in the late 50's and I was either 14 or 15. I was also approached by strangers (men)as a young wife, wanting to know what I was wearing, so they could buy it for their women. I have a "Vintage" bottle that I'm trying to pinpoint it's age. My husband and I helped clear the home of an elderly friend after the death of his wife, and his entering a Senior's Assist Care home. He told us to keep whatever interested us, and the perfume brought back memories. The bottle is "beveled glass" with a black, square plastic lid.
Posted by: Pat Chapman | July 22, 2011 at 04:50 PM
I finally got to try Intimate. There was an empty EDT bottle in an antique store and it had one drop in it. I had to wait about 15 seconds for the last remaining drop to drip onto my arm but I finally got it out. To me the florals smelled smooth, lovely, synthetic, and with a slightly chlorine-like quality in the background. The base accord is hands down the most funky & animalic I've smelled in vintage perfume. The castoreum, civet, and nitromusks were incredibly pungent and dirty. Animalic chypres are not my thing but I definitely found it very fascinating.
Posted by: Robin | October 04, 2011 at 02:26 AM
I wonder if the top notes were off, Robin. Sounds like the chlorine note indicates yes. But yeah, the base notes are amazing. I was so surprised when I first smelled Intimate, and count that sniffing experience as revelatory. How erotic scents were at a time when women were supposed to be buttoned up and prim! Believe it or not, Primitif by Max Factor wins the skankathon against Intimate!
Also, I love the image of a woman waiting for the last drop of perfume to hit her skin. Sexy and funny at the same time! Thanks for stopping by...
Posted by: Perfumaniac | October 04, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I think the top-notes were long gone, but the floral heart is where I smelled a slight chlorine-ish quality. Don't get me wrong, the florals smelled really beautiful and smooth - I don't think there was anything wrong with the notes. I doubt anyone else would notice the chlorine aspect. It's just that I grew up with a jacuzzi so I'm hyper-sensitive to anything that reminds me of that smell.
And that base certainly was animalic. Ooof. For me it's not really erotic, it just makes me think of the smell of meat, like cooking beef. (And I'm a vegetarian so I find it rather offputting). The only fragrance that smells erotic to me is the current formulation of Femme by Rochas. It reminds me of warm skin that's just been laid bare and also the warm breath of someone you're about to kiss. I like it a lot but find it so unabashedly sensual that I don't often wear it out in public..
As for the image of a woman waiting for the last drop of perfume to hit her skin...you're right, it does seem like a very iconographic and elegant type of image. However in all actuality it consisted of a frustrated, mousy-haired woman in an oversized sweatshirt shaking the bottle upside down while whispering under her breath "Get out of there, goddammit! Get out!"
lol! Sorry to burst your bubble but yes, that was me last Sunday at the antique shop with the bottle of Intimate in my hand. :-D
Posted by: Robin | October 05, 2011 at 12:16 AM
Robin - I'm gonna have to try some Intimate again and see if I can detect chlorine...As for the girl in the sweatshirt cursing at a bottle of perfume, that image is even better! Hahaha.
Posted by: Perfumaniac | October 05, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Hello!
Greetings from istanbul,Turkey.I am 60 years old lady and would like
to know,how I can get information about "intimate perfume".
if so is there any way to ask for.
Thank you and with my best regards.....
Sevinc
Posted by: Sevinc Dincer | October 07, 2011 at 06:04 PM
Hi Sevinc,
What information would you like about Intimate? How to buy it? Please let me know more specifically what you would like to know.
Posted by: Perfumaniac | October 07, 2011 at 09:32 PM
I have an Indian perfume oil called "Intimate". It is so sexy! To me, it smells mainly incense and musk. But not a clean musk. Very erotic. Some days I cannot wear it: it is "too much". But sometimes I just need to wear it and it is amazing! I wonder if this oil is supposed to be a dupe of Intimate by Revlon...
Thank you for your amazing blog, it is a pleasure to read you!
Posted by: Valerie | October 30, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Hi Valerie: Your oil could very well be a dupe of Revlon's old Intimate, or it could be that all perfumes called Intimate need to be sexy and musky! Thanks for your comment, and I'm glad you're enjoying the blog!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | October 30, 2011 at 05:56 PM
I love Intimate! it was my mom's scent and when she died I inherited several bottles of it. Several years ago I found some beveled glass spray bottles of it manufactured by Jean Phillipe. I called the Revlon Factory Store here in Phoenix and was told that Philllipe had bought out the Intimate line and was manufacutring it "offshore".
It is sold on line now as well as at places like Big Lots (picked up several bottles there for $4.99). It is the same scent.
Posted by: Laurie Curry | December 16, 2011 at 12:04 AM
My future wife wore Intimate when we were dating in 1968. I was captivated, mesmerized. One night she mentioned she was almost out of perfume, so I decided to buy her a bottle for her birthday. I went to a big department store and looked at the Intimate display. Being a naive 20 year old I chose a large bottle, thinking how much can it be. Well, it just about bankrupted me, but I was to proud to tell the saleslady to downsize. My girl's eyes got big when she saw the bottle--SHE knew what it must have cost. A few months later we married, and we had 42 wonderful years together. She is gone now, but I still have that empty Intimate bottle. And oh, what I would give to go back to 1968...
Posted by: Sterling | February 27, 2012 at 04:41 PM
Sterling,
That is so romantic! Thank you for sharing your story. I wonder if you smelled vintage Intimate right now if memories would come flooding back. (You know it'ss quite readily available.) I'm grateful you told us that story; it just confirms to me that perfume is really significant in peoples lives and memories.
Posted by: Perfumaniac | February 27, 2012 at 04:46 PM
May I add one more story? We had been married for just 2 years when I was called to active duty with the U.S. Army. During basic training my wife wrote almost every day, sometimes twice. She would always add a drop of Intimate to the paper. All the guys knew when I got a letter, and I was the envy of the company!
Posted by: Sterling | March 13, 2012 at 05:39 PM
Sterling, you have such a connection to this perfume. Can I send you a sample vial? I have plenty. Let me know! The idea of you with that empty bottle of Intimate just doesn't sit well with me!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | March 14, 2012 at 01:42 AM
That would be great! It's thoughtful of you to offer. Can I pay for it? How do I get you my information (address)?
Posted by: Sterling | March 14, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Its on me, Sterling. Just email me your address at yesterdaysperfume@gmail.com
Its my pleasure.
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Perfumaniac | March 14, 2012 at 12:05 PM
A good friend shared her vintage Intimate Spray Mist with me, and its saturated richness knocked me for a loop (in a good way, of course!). Today I picked up a vintage mini of Intimate EDT ("A gift from your beautician" reads the pale-pink box). Though maybe a touch more citrusy than the Spray Mist, it was still recognizable as the same animal. I agree with you: this one's a keeper. :)
Posted by: Meg | April 28, 2012 at 09:28 PM
Hi Meg, glad you got some! Vintage Intimate is fairly easy to come by, cheap, and a perfect representation of a fun animalic perfume the likes of which they don't make anymore. You're peering/sniffing into the past with this one. Saturated richness is a great way to put it!
Posted by: Perfumaniac | April 29, 2012 at 07:28 PM