Cher Uninhibited 1987 review

Cher Uninhibited Image by J

Perfume is more than just a nice smell, it’s time, emotions, places and memories all wrapped up and captured in a composition of molecules that bring back those moments each time we spray them, from the opening to the dry down.

Interior of Fragrance Vault 4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd, #5, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 via Fragrance Vault

Jana Menard’s boutique The Fragrance Vault holds not just contemporary perfumes, future scented memories but also a massive archive of the past. Those magic moments that Kodak can’t capture. I’ve only got to experience The Fragrance Vault through pictures and their online presence, but if I find myself anywhere within 1000 miles of Lake Tahoe, I will be making it my business to go and visit!

Michelyn, kindly sent me a recent article from Allure which delve deeper into how Jana has built this boutique and archival perfume museum. It was in a photo of Jana’s large display table of vintage factice gems such as Guerlain’s Parure, and Cartier’s Must de Parfum and I spotted another rare friend, Cher Uninhibited.

The Fragrance Vault’s Jana Menard holding a factice of Cher Uninhibited via Allure photo by Adrianna Glaviano

Uninhibited has a smoky darkish blue grey glass body looking like shoulders dropping to a cinched in waist, its neck wrapped it a silver rope necklace, dangling with beads between its chest and adored with a bejeweled cap that can only scream Cher in her showgirl era. It’s like an inverted crescent moon holding a sparkling disco silver seashell. Now am I the biggest Cher fan, no, but she has been there as part of the background of my life. She is an Icon who I will always watch interviews of, highly recommend any of the ones with Graham Norton, and I definitely sing along with ‘Turn Back Time’, try to do the autotune warble of ‘Believe’ and the ‘Shoop Shoop Song’ has a special place and that’s all before we get to her films. Uninhabited came out the same year as Moonstruck and if you have not watched it, please do!

Cher in a Poster for Moon Struck IMdB 1987

In a short tv news interview about the launch of her first perfume, Uninhibited, Cher speaks of it as a perfume that lets you feel free to be yourself. Something she tries to do and that she even has her own issues and hang ups to get over. Maybe it was acting with the wild Nicolas Cage that made her see what Uninhibited could be like, but then again, she’s Cher and no one else is Cher and she has always been pushing the boundaries of what could be done, endlessly reinventing herself, while still being true to her of self.

Now to the perfume, I will start with the caveat that comes with vintage and older perfumes, I can only judge and tell of my experience with the bottle I have, yours might be different. Pro tip. When trying to find vintage perfumes minis are great as not much air can get into them, but it’s always a gamble. My mini of Uninhibited came nearly full so hopefully it’s as close to what it was in ‘87 but also remembered the age factor.

Collage of Cher that makes J think of how Cher Uninhibited smells

Uninhibited shimmers with a massive Chanel-like dose of aldehydes and florals but paired with the glow of orange stage lights as citruses flicker in the silvery disco lights. The aldehydes give a classy feel and fit the era of ‘80’s perfume, yet it’s also playful with the orange. There’s a real vertical feel from this opening, matching Cher in her giant showgirl’s sparkling headwear. As the citruses fade the florals bloom in their place, powdery heliotrope adds to the elegance of the aldehydes making them soften and feel cosy, added the warmth of her voice to its power. There’s a touch of roughness too with a subtle tobacco facet, darkening the tone. A bouquet of flowers gives Uninhibited grace and sophisticated, slinky sleek ylang ylang and rose feel silky while jasmine with a touch of spiced geranium adds a purr of wildness and a hint of fruits. It’s a tough powerful elegance that’s slowly being enveloped in a smoky mystery as a creamy woody vanilla thickens the powdery facets turning Uninhibited into a rich velvety fur-like texture that glides over skin. Its well-balanced and doesn’t get sweet leaning into the vanilla’s woody aspects. Think fur coat and not much else under with a large sparkling headpiece. The smokiness of sandalwood and cedar incense glow with a rooty vetiver warmth. Subtle animalic facets lurk in the base, a touch of labdanum may be hinting at an ambery heart hidden in the floral aldehydic haze feeling dry as it gets muskier. You can feel the power of Uninhibited is there ready to be used as its velvety musky tones wash over you and cling to your skin like the lyrics to one of Cher’s classic tracks. Perfumer Francis Bocris has captured something of the magic of Cher, an elegant pop perfume that’s serious yet playful, a scented Bob Mackie dream.

It’s through the care of people like Jana Menard, her boutique and perfume archive The Fragrance Vault that vintage gems like this can still be found and bought. These places are rare and special.

Notes to my nose: Aldehydes, Orange, Bergamot, Rose, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Tobacco, Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver, Amber.

Disclaimer: Cher Uninhibited comes from my own collection and yes I’m on the lookout for a bigger reasonably priced bottle. My thoughts and nose as always, are my own.