Atelier Materi – Extraits – Essentially More Of The Same

Here are my initial impressions of yet another line of extraits—this time from Atelier Materi. The line contains three fragrances, all composed by Céline Perdriel. I tried Ambre Papier last year after receiving a free sample with an order from Indigo Perfumery. So, I thought I'd purchase samples of the other two, Burgundy Oud and … Continue reading Atelier Materi – Extraits – Essentially More Of The Same →

First Impressions – BDK – Impadia -Misguided Rose

I tried another fragrance (in addition to Tom Ford—Bois Pacifique—Sharp, Woody And Hostile) at the store last week: BDK's Impadia. I'd heard good things, but Impadia falls flat in the originality stakes. The Parisian outfit's best work came early in its existence, with its first release in 2016, and over the years, it's produced hits like … Continue reading First Impressions – BDK – Impadia -Misguided Rose →

Tom Ford – Bois Pacifique – Sharp, Woody And Hostile

Tom Ford releases a billion fragrances yearly but rarely offers something new in their more reasonably priced Signature line. Most of the time, the consumer gets a cast-off from their Private collection. Unfortunately, Bois Pacifique fails to excite me and certainly won't become my signature scent any time soon. I think what it's trying to … Continue reading Tom Ford – Bois Pacifique – Sharp, Woody And Hostile →

Parfums Quartana – Forest Of The Golden Dream – Unfamiliar Surrounds

Ierofante, Parfums Quartana's 2022 release may not quite have matched its marketing to the product Parfums Quartana – Ierofante – Burning That Gasoline. But it wasn't a million miles away, and I still thought it worthy of praise. Fast forward a year, and it's safe to say that Joseph Quartana seems to like a challenge. Their … Continue reading Parfums Quartana – Forest Of The Golden Dream – Unfamiliar Surrounds →

Parfums Quartana – Ierofante – Burning That Gasoline

When I first sprayed Joseph Quartana's award-winning Ierofante, I was transported back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. Instantly, the light bulb went off, and I thought of Annick Menardo's Black for Bvlgari. Certainly, Ierofante has all the makings: the same rubbery tyre note, the smooth velvety suede accord, and the warm, cosy, ambery, … Continue reading Parfums Quartana – Ierofante – Burning That Gasoline →

 Astier de Villatte – Ambre Liquide

I'm finicky and fussy with amber fragrances. Sometimes, or indeed most times, I find them too thick and gooey. In addition, I'm up and down with my admiration for Dominique Ropion's scents. He's produced some fragrances I've loved and some I despise. So, with Ambre Liquide, we have some potential double trouble - an amber … Continue reading  Astier de Villatte – Ambre Liquide →

Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia

My forays into Santa Maria Novella's I Giardini Medicei collection have mainly been successful. So far, I've tried and enjoyed four fragrances from the collection. All four fragrances smell cheerful and happy, radiating a pleasant, sunny disposition. Even the iris (L'Iris) defies preconceived notions one might have of an iris fragrance. There's no sense of … Continue reading Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia →

L’Artisan Parfumeur – Il Était Un Bois – Back Into The Woods

L'Artisan Parfumeur has disappeared from Australian shores. I believe their distribution deals fell through a couple of years ago, and now, sadly, they no longer feature on our niche fragrance store shelves. It's a shame because although they've fallen far from their halcyon days, I still rate the brand, and they still produce the occasional … Continue reading L’Artisan Parfumeur – Il Était Un Bois – Back Into The Woods →

Review – Nicolaï – Riviera Verbena – A Trip To The Côte d’Azur

I love the smell of verbena/lemon verbena. I have some growing in the garden, and I love the herbal, lemony, zesty scent created by rubbing the plant between my fingers. There's nothing better at putting a pep in my step on a warm, humid afternoon in the middle of summer than this enlivening aroma.   … Continue reading Review – Nicolaï – Riviera Verbena – A Trip To The Côte d’Azur →