Christopher
Brosius is an odd fellow. We admit it. But he is a talented odd fellow. It
seems Christopher was born with a natural nose--a rare gift that allows the
owner to have a heightened sense of smell that is exactly on target...like a
singer with a perfect pitch. He has elevated perfume to an art form. You might
say that Believe Beauty Lounge is one of his art galleries, where we showcase
his works of art--CB Perfumes.
Christopher
considered becoming a scientist when he was a child. We are glad he didn't
because we would have missed his innovative scents that have won awards, been
featured in museums and are worn by some of the planets most interesting people
(which makes his perfumes perfect for Believe customers.)
A
natural nose comes in handy if one is a gourmand food taster, a world-class
vintner or a legendary perfumer. Christopher Brosius is the latter. His company
is named CB I Hate Perfume.
In
1992, Christopher moved back to his parent’s farm in Pennsylvania and, while
there, read a life-changing book, “ A Natural History Of The Senses.” The
chapter on scent so captivated him; he began making some scents using essential
oils. He soon branched out into trying to replicate scents in nature that inspired
him…like the smell of freshly turned earth in his garden. He made a perfume
that replicated that scent. It was a smash success when it was introduced at a
New York department store.
Soon
he was creating scents from many things in nature and his next choice, Snow,
was also wildly popular.
In 2003, 70 of Christopher’s scents were included in the Cooper Hewitt National Design
Museum’s Triennial exhibition. It was the first time that a major art museum
recognized that scent was designed.
Christopher
relocated his studio to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, opened the CB I Hate Perfume
Gallery, and began trying to capture every possible pleasant scent.
True,
some are scents that have never been seen as perfume scents (like the
award-winning Snow) but each helps the wearer discover their own unique
expression of self.
Asked
to sum up his work in only three words, Christopher said,
"Scent is life.” He continues, “ The sense of smell is our first link to the world around us. It reminds us of what (and who) we love. Smell is perhaps the most complex sense we possess and none of the other senses can touch us so profoundly. Not even music can stir the mind & heart so powerfully.”
"Scent is life.” He continues, “ The sense of smell is our first link to the world around us. It reminds us of what (and who) we love. Smell is perhaps the most complex sense we possess and none of the other senses can touch us so profoundly. Not even music can stir the mind & heart so powerfully.”
With
his perfumes, Christopher hopes to help each of us achieve the essence of our
individuality. “Scent is always individual,” he says. “Your sense of smell is
one of the most unique things about you – more individual than your
fingerprints, the shape of your ear, the pattern of your retina. Your sense of
smell is one of the most important factors that define you as YOU. The way you
respond to any scent is unlike anyone else’s – no one remembers what you do, no
one feels what you feel. There is a reason you remember certain scents so
fondly. Scent is the record of your own special life – it’s your experience."
No
animal-derived ingredients are used in Christopher’s perfume, nor is alcohol
used, as he believes it evaporates too quickly. Some of Christopher’s perfumes, using lighter ingredients like citrus and jasmine, do wear off sooner than ones with
stronger ingredients like sandalwood or leather, but his perfumes are so
concentrated, only a little is needed. (Also because natural ingredients are
used, if properly stores, the perfumes don’t lose or change their smells even
years later.)
CB I
Hate Perfume scents can also be used by either men or women and Christopher
encourages layering of scents to create the perfect scent for you.
Christopher
sums his work as a perfumer up this way:
“Perfume is an art that shows us who we can be if we dare – an invisible portrait of who we are.”
“Perfume is an art that shows us who we can be if we dare – an invisible portrait of who we are.”
We
are proud to support Christopher in his mission to help each of us recognize
how we are totally unique and are delighted to carry CB I Hate Perfume scents
at Believe Beauty Lounge. Come and discover your scent at Believe