Fragrance has an amazing ability to transport me to a specific location and time in my life. It's almost like I become Marty McFly and head Back to the Future when I smell a specific scent. My memories don't take me back quite as far as 1955 and the fictional Californian town of Hill Valley … Continue reading Olfactive Time Machine
Author: danielwp
Instagram Mini Reviews – Gucci, Hermes, Guerlain.
Gucci - Guilty Absolute - 9/10 - Dry, medicinal leather If Gucci was to release a greatest hits package, Gucci Guilty Absolute would be right up there with the likes of Rush, Pour Homme I and Pour Homme II. It would never have been released as a single though. It would've bombed on the charts. … Continue reading Instagram Mini Reviews – Gucci, Hermes, Guerlain.
Edible Fragrances – Gum
Sometimes, someone will say something that surprises you. Recently, I was asked by someone if I could recommend to them a fragrance that smells like bubble gum or chewing gum. It certainly isn't a fragrance sub category one thinks about that often. Technically, we're in the gourmand category when we're talking gum, but usually most … Continue reading Edible Fragrances – Gum
First Impressions – Hermes Un Jardin Sur La Lagune
Hermes Un Jardin Sur La Lagune Christine Nagel has one of the toughest gigs in the business. Succeeding Jean-Claude Ellena as in-house perfumer at Hermes is akin to taking over lead vocals from Mick Jagger at the Rolling Stones. However, other than Eau de Citron Noir, which followed the blue trend much too closely and … Continue reading First Impressions – Hermes Un Jardin Sur La Lagune
Gender Benders
Throw out the gender stereotypes. Never mind the bottle designs or marketing strategies. Men's fragrances can be worn by women and vice versa. We'd all be missing out on many great fragrances if we didn't think outside the square and try something different. Below, in no particular order are 10 men's fragrance recommendations for women … Continue reading Gender Benders
First Impressions 10/4/19
Penhaligons - The Impudent Cousin Matthew: It seems the Impudent Cousin Matthew may have learned some manners. This fragrance opens bright and fresh with mandarin and petitgrain. There is nothing brazen, cheeky or audacious going on here. The citrus notes stayed throughout and became interwoven with an interesting patchouli dry down. Perhaps, because of the … Continue reading First Impressions 10/4/19
Niche for Beginners – Part 2
The following is a list of 10 houses I would recommend to those wanting to dip their toes into the world of niche perfumery. I've based my selection on affordability, quality and accessibility. I'll include a short description of the house and include a few key fragrances to check out from each. Acqua Di Parma … Continue reading Niche for Beginners – Part 2
Niche For Beginners – Part 1
The Oxford Dictionary defines niche as: "Denoting or relating to products, services, or interests that appeal to a small, specialised section of the population". By that definition alone, one could say that all pursuits related to perfumery are indeed niche. After all, only a small section of the community takes an avid interest in the … Continue reading Niche For Beginners – Part 1
First Impressions 28/03/19
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Intense: Darker, less sweet iteration of Black Opium. The emphasis is on coffee, vanilla and liquorice. Longevity was excellent at well over 10 hours. This should be worn in cold weather as it could get cloying in the heat. It's worth a try for lovers of Black Opium. I still … Continue reading First Impressions 28/03/19
Fragrance Definitions
It's a daunting prospect when you first get into fragrances, as there are a lot of terms and descriptions that you may feel you need a degree in Chemistry to understand. I've put together a list that can help you demystify some of the gibberish. It's by no means a definitive list but it will … Continue reading Fragrance Definitions