Styx by Coty (1911)

Random vintage perfume bidding on eBay has led me to some great finds. A few weeks ago, I bid on two vintage Coty micro-minis: Paris (1921) and Styx (1911). I paid less than five bucks for both of them — and they are pristine!

Of the two, Styx is by far my favorite. I pulled out Emeraude (1927), L'Aimant (1927), and L'Origan (1905) for comparison, since Styx seems to share their genetic code of creaminess, gentle sweetness and the je ne sais quoi golden Coty touch. It's closest to L'Origan, particularly in its striking violet note, but with an added dark side, befitting a perfume that invokes the river snaking between earth and the underworld Hades.

I couldn't find the notes for Styx, or any information at all, really, but I'm going to take a stab at it and say that it might have the following notes: bergamot, ylang-ylang, a violet note (methyl ionone as L'Origan has?), orris, amber, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, musk.

Emeraude was sparkling and surprisingly civety (I hadn't sniffed it in a while). L'Aimant was softly radiant, and L'Origan was rich and powdery sweet. Styx had an incensey, spicy quality woven into its L'Origan likeness of bright bergamot and ylang-ylang followed by by violet, vanilla, creamy orris and musk. (I would be very surprised if it didn't have patchouli.)

Bois de Jasmin has said that the novelty of L'Origan was its combination of essential oils and new synthetics such as nitromusks, coumarin, vanillin, and methyl ionone, which imparts a woody/violet scent. That heady base is definitely recognizable in Styx, with the violet note quite prominent from the beginning.

Is Styx a Floriental? An Oriental? Is there oakmoss here, which is part of the spiciness, darkness and richness I smell, putting it somewhere between an Oriental and a Chypre? It's hard to say, as I am not an expert nose, but I will say that its moody darkness makes it one of my favorite Cotys, and perhaps, next to Chypre de Coty, one of the most modern of his early 20th century perfumes. On a cold, rainy day like I'm experiencing in New Orleans today, Styx is more like heaven than hell.

Comments

[Kristy Victoria]

I tried L'Origan after I read about it here...and now Styx is my latest lemming.

You are very bad for my wallet! ;)

[Kristy Victoria]

P.S. I would love to read more about your impressions on some more of Patou's Ma Collection scents! :)

[Perfumaniac]

Kristy, after Colony, which I loved, I'm curious about the Patou line, as well. So many perfumes, so little time (and money)!

[Octavian]

Did you compare this beautiful perfume with Ambre Antique? They share the rich ambery drydown but Styx has also a spicy dry carnation that I love.

[Perfumaniac]

Carnation! That's the spiciness. Thanks, Octavian. I have Ambre Antique, and I will review it soon. Thanks for the tip. If you have a list of notes to share on Styx, I would be grateful!

[lynne]

how do I order some styx perfume I used to always wear it until it was discontinued

[Perfumaniac]

Hi Lynne, Keep trolling eBay — that's how I got my tiny bottle.

[Tricia robson]

Styx!!!!! I wore this perfume in the 70's and loved it.

[Pamela]

I remember wearing Styx, but it was in a little Black bottle.. Does anyone know where to buy it NOW??

[Perfumaniac]

It's one of the harder-to-get vintages, Pamela. Try eBay. I see it show up there every once in a while. Good luck!

[Francis]

I have a 3 FL. OZ. bottle of STYX eau de Styx. I am wondering if any one knows what it is worth as I plan on listing it. Thanks

[Brad Landry]

I have some the black bottle 70's great scent