The Unforgettable Scoundrel: A Fragrance Memory

Scoundrel by Revlon was an Oriental Floral fragrance for women that was launched in 1980. The fragrance was advertised by actress Joan Collins, also known as Alexis Carrington from the famous TV soap Dynasty. The scent was advertised under the slogan Seize the moment and was designed for women with great personal style. Joan Collins described it as sophisticated, elegant, and a bit sexy. The fragrance was available as a pure perfume and as a cologne spray from 1981. In 1985, Revlon launched Scoundrel Musk, a flanker of the original Scoundrel perfume, which was also advertised by Joan Collins.

Scoundrel by Revlon: a fragrance for women

Scoundrel by Revlon is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women that was launched in 1980. The actress Joan Collins, known for her role as Alexis Carrington in the famous TV soap "Dynasty", was the face of the fragrance. The scent was advertised with the slogan "Seize the moment" and was designed for women with great personal style. Collins described it as sophisticated, elegant, and a bit sexy.

The top notes of Scoundrel include aldehydes, pineapple, bergamot, artemisia, mint, and marigold. The heart notes are jasmine, hyacinth, mimosa, peach, cyclamen, lily of the valley, rose, and tuberose. The base notes are cypress, cedar, oak moss, musk, and raspberry.

The fragrance was available as a pure perfume and as a cologne spray from 1981. While it was well-received by some, others found it too strong and overpowering. It seems that Scoundrel is no longer in production, but it left an impression on those who wore it and continues to be remembered fondly by some.

If you are looking to relive this scent or experience it for the first time, there are companies that specialize in recreating discontinued fragrances, such as Scentmatchers, where you can purchase a version of Scoundrel.

Actress Joan Collins as the face of Scoundrel

Actress Joan Collins, known for her role as Alexis Carrington in the famous TV soap "Dynasty", was the face of Revlon's Scoundrel fragrance. Launched in 1980 as a pure perfume and in 1981 as a cologne spray, Scoundrel was Collins' first celebrity perfume endorsement.

The floral oriental fragrance for women was advertised with the slogan "Seize the moment", targeting witty and successful women with great personal style. Collins herself described the scent as "sophisticated, elegant, and a bit sexy". The top notes of the perfume include aldehydes, pineapple, bergamot, artemisia, mint, and marigold, while the heart notes feature jasmine, hyacinth, mimosa, peach, and tuberose. The base notes are cedar, oak moss, and musk.

Collins' association with Scoundrel is particularly notable as it coincided with her rise to international superstardom through her role in "Dynasty". Her performance as the beautiful and vengeful ex-wife of oil tycoon Blake Carrington, Alexis Colby, is credited as the main factor in the show's rise in popularity. By 1985, "Dynasty" was the number-one show in the United States, surpassing its rival "Dallas". Collins' portrayal of Alexis earned her critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series in 1982 and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1984.

In addition to her acting career, Collins has established herself as a successful author, writing several bestselling novels and lifestyle books. She has also been recognised for her philanthropy, particularly her advocacy for causes related to children, which has earned her numerous honours. In 1997, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to drama and, in 2015, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her charitable services.

The scent's breakdown and notes

Scoundrel by Revlon is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women. The top notes are aldehydes, pineapple, bergamot, artemisia, mint and marigold. The middle notes, or heart, are jasmine, hyacinth, mimosa, peach, cyclamen, lily of the valley, rose and tuberose. The base notes are cypress, cedar, oak moss, musk and raspberry.

The fragrance is described as a "huge scent with all kinds of stuff tossed in the mix". It is a "visit to the '80s", with "big shoulder pads, big hair, [and] big perfumes". It is a lady-like fruity floral chypre with a sweetness.

The scent is complex, with a fruity flavour like a fuzzy peach or citrusy alcoholic beverage. The floral notes are also prominent, with the jasmine, tuberose and lily of the valley standing out. The dry-down is mossy and musky, with a smoky edge.

The fragrance is strong, with a powerful sillage. It is long-lasting, with a huge and...light trigger. It is a powerhouse fragrance, with a sweetness that doesn't seem to match with Alexis' more aggressive nature.

The scent is reminiscent of the "naughtiness" of the 1980s, with a hint of sex that added to the mood of the time.

Scoundrel Musk: a flanker of the original

Scoundrel Musk, a flanker of the original Scoundrel fragrance by Revlon, was launched in 1985. Like the original, it was advertised by actress Joan Collins, who described the scent as "sophisticated, elegant, and a bit sexy". Scoundrel Musk is a floral woody musk fragrance for women, described as provocative and unmistakably feminine.

The original Scoundrel, an oriental floral fragrance, was launched in 1980. Its top notes include aldehydes, marigold, pineapple, artemisia, bergamot, and mint. The middle notes are tuberose, mimosa, hyacinth, jasmine, peach, rose, cyclamen, and lily-of-the-valley. The base notes are oak moss, cypress, Virginia cedar, raspberry, and musk.

Scoundrel Musk, the flanker, seems to have a similar composition, with some additions and alterations. The top notes remain largely the same, with aldehydes, pineapple, bergamot, artemisia, and mint. The middle notes include tuberose, mimosa, hyacinth, jasmine, peach, rose, and lily-of-the-valley, with the addition of apricot or tuberose. The base notes are oakmoss, cypress, and cedar, with the addition of amber and possibly patchouli.

The original Scoundrel fragrance was first advertised by actress Lois Chiles, and later by Joan Collins, who was known for her role as Alexis Carrington in the famous TV soap "Dynasty." The scent was marketed with the slogan "Seize the moment" and was designed for women with great personal style.

While some people loved the scent of Scoundrel Musk, others found it too strong and dated. It is described as a powerhouse fragrance, with a loud and obnoxious first blast that dries down to a pleasant, softly woody scent.

Scoundrel Musk by Revlon brings back memories for those who wore it in their youth, with its strong, confident, and sexy scent.

Recreating discontinued fragrances

Understanding Discontinued Fragrances

Before attempting to recreate a discontinued fragrance, it is important to understand why perfumes get discontinued in the first place. Typically, it is due to declining sales or the unavailability of key ingredients, which makes the manufacturing process difficult to replicate.

Finding a Dedicated Team

Recreating a fragrance requires the expertise of experienced professionals. Look for a team that specializes in fragrance creation and has a good understanding of the industry. They should be able to help you research and identify the notes of the original fragrance to replicate it as closely as possible.

Breaking Down the Fragrance

The key to successful recreation lies in identifying the ingredients of the original scent. This can be challenging, especially if the fragrance has complex olfactory notes or limited-edition ingredients. Fragrance experts will need to analyze the original sample (if available) and break down its components.

Recreating the Proportions

Once the ingredients are identified, the next step is to recreate the proportions of each scented note. This involves blending the original sample with newly-crafted components to achieve a similar, if not identical, fragrance.

Private Labeling

If you're looking to recreate a discontinued fragrance for personal use or as a gift, consider private labeling. Private labeling allows you to create a custom perfume line with a minimum order quantity, making it a perfect option for those who don't need a large number of bottles.

Recreating Old Family Scents

Even without a physical sample, it is possible to recreate old family scents. Fragrance experts can use stories and descriptions from family members to bring these scents back to life. This can be a meaningful way to connect with loved ones and pass down unique family traditions.

Tips for Recreating Fragrances:

• Research and identify the notes of the original fragrance.
• Analyze any available samples to understand their components.
• Recreate the proportions of scented notes for an accurate replication.
• Consider private labeling for custom perfume lines with smaller order quantities.
• Engage with fragrance experts to help recreate old family scents through stories and descriptions.

Frequently asked questions