Frederic Malle and Le Labo are two of the largest, most well-known niche houses in the game. When they release a new fragrance, I'm always interested in testing them out. Over the last couple of weeks, I sampled their two new releases, Rose and Cuir and Baie 19, and I was underwhelmed by them both. … Continue reading First Impressions – Frederic Malle, Le Labo
First Impressions – Costume National
Italian fashion house Costume National recently released two new fragrances onto the market. The fragrances named, I and J are intended to explore the balance between the fashion cultures of Italy and Japan. I managed to get my hands on a couple of samples. Below are my first impressions. Costume National I - Julien Rasquinet … Continue reading First Impressions – Costume National
Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Atelier Cologne, Frederic Malle, Oscar de la Renta
L'Artisan Parfumeur - Timbuktu - Into the Wild 9/10 A dry, smoky, spicy vetiver that I initially did not like when I first tried it over 10 years ago. The combination of papyrus and vetiver was too dry. I've begun to appreciate it more over the years. The smoky nuances of the incense, the fruity … Continue reading Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Atelier Cologne, Frederic Malle, Oscar de la Renta
Reviews – Histoires de Parfums, Olfactive Studio
Histories de Parfums, 1899 Hemingway - Juniper, Cinnamon 8/10 Juniper and cinnamon are a couple of my favourite notes, and they're featured prominently in 1899 Hemingway. Vanilla also plays a starring role, in a fragrance often compared to Spicebomb. I see the comparisons, but I think this is smoother, and less pepper dominant. Creamy, smooth … Continue reading Reviews – Histoires de Parfums, Olfactive Studio
First Impressions – Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Lubin, BDK Parfums
Dior - Spice Blend* - The latest edition to the Maison Christian Dior Line is Spice Blend. A fragrance designed to evoke / recall the sensation of bay rum lotion. The cinnamon, spicy, rum, bay leaf blend is true to its name and description. It smells great and is more of a return to form … Continue reading First Impressions – Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Lubin, BDK Parfums
First Impressions – Penhaligon’s, Jean Paul Gaultier
Penhaligon's - Heartless Helen* - I honestly feel Penhaligon's are investing much more time and money into the bottles of this "Portraits Collection" than they are the fragrances themselves. There are only three notes listed for Heartless Helen, mandarin in the top, tuberose in the mid and creamy woods in the base. It's a sparse … Continue reading First Impressions – Penhaligon’s, Jean Paul Gaultier
Coffee or Tea
Are you a coffee or tea drinker? I drink both, and I love them in fragrances. In today's blog post I'll take you through a few of my favourite fragrances that feature coffee and tea notes. I've tried to include a mix of designer and niche, so there's something here for everybody. These are in … Continue reading Coffee or Tea
Reviews – Etat Libre d’Orange
The house of Etat Libre d'Orange is without doubt one of my favourite niche houses. Avant-garde and with many quality offerings that push the boundaries. In today's blog post I'll review a couple of their offerings, Remarkable People and Fat Electrician. Etat Libre d'Orange Fat Electrician - Gourmand Vetiver 8/10 A vetiver from Etat Libre d'Orange that … Continue reading Reviews – Etat Libre d’Orange
First Impressions – Hermetica
Hermetica is a new niche house devised by the founders of Memo Paris, John and Clara Molloy. Their fragrances are all green, clean and alcohol free, and apparently provide a moisturising texture on the skin. The scents are a combination of natural and synthetic materials. They're starting in a big way by releasing 12 fragrances … Continue reading First Impressions – Hermetica
Reading Material
Source : Nick Fewings unsplash.com I love perfume, and I also love reading. Reading perfume-related books is one of my favourite ways to while away a few hours on a lazy afternoon. There's not a huge array of books out there dedicated to perfume-related pursuits, but in today's blog post I'll take you through a … Continue reading Reading Material