Summary: In Part 1, Marlen reflects on the process of his first-ever bespoke fragrance, created by Washington perfumer Christi Meshell for the House of Matriarch; in Part 2, Marlen reviews the resulting aroma, a scent inspired by Seville’s Semana Santa. THE PROLOGUE A few times now I’ve tried my hand and nose at making my …
Summary: One of 6 perfumes created by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz in honor of the Denver Art Museum’s Yves Saint Laurent retrospective, Le Smoking is a stunning, unisex chypre built on leather, tobacco/marijuana and Moroccan incense. Leave a comment after the article for your chance to receive samples from the collection. You’ll like this if you …
Summary: Marlen dives into his bottomless bag of samples and explores three samples from Australia’s Fleurage Perfume Atelier – Mabon, Imp and Dandy Boheme. Leave a comment for your chance to receive free fragrance samples. About the Perfumer: I’ve been following the development of perfumer Emma Leah’s work for the past few years now and …
As a blogging participant of Monica Miller’s Primordial Scents 2012 project, I have been asked to review five groupings of elements-inspired fragrances by perfumers from across the globe. Blogger & perfume-enthusiast Jen Meade explains: This year, the most amazing project is pulling together. The building blocks are, in part, those that form the universe. The …
As a blogging participant of Monica Miller’s Primordial Scents 2012 project, I have been asked to review five groupings of elements-inspired fragrances by perfumers from across the globe. Blogger & perfume-enthusiast Jen Meade explains: This year, the most amazing project is pulling together. The building blocks are, in part, those that form the universe. The …
As a blogging participant of Monica Miller’s Primordial Scents 2012 project, I have been asked to review five groupings of elements-inspired fragrances by perfumers from across the globe. Blogger & perfume-enthusiast Jen Meade explains: This year, the most amazing project is pulling together. The building blocks are, in part, those that form the universe. The …
Summary: A complex and completely natural take on amber, Ambre Vie (or Living Amber) is the latest creation from Washington perfumer Christi Meshell. (NEW!) You’ll like this if you like: Vanilla, leather, pepper, tobacco, incense, amber, woods. Pros: Remarkably complex; a refreshingly unique take on the typical amber aroma; doesn’t possess that “natural perfumery” vibe …
Summary: Marlen ponders the lack of gardenia notes in fragrances marketed to men and experiments with both DSH Nouveau Gardenia and Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia. I love jasmine and orange blossom. The two aromas are by far my favorite floral notes and lucky for me, they show up constantly in men’s fragrances these days. The …
Summary: Part of natural perfumer JoAnne Bassett’s “French Collection” of fragrances inspired by famous French women, Camille is a blend of osmanthus (kinmokusei) and iris. Pros: An un-floral floral, Camille immediately surprised me with its straightforward simplicity and beauty. I love the buttery, earthy tones of the iris set against the sweeter osmanthus petals. Cons: …
Summary: Kedra Hart (of Hollywood, California’s Opus Oils) designed this extraordinary blend of “Aged Dark Patchouli, Saffron, Honey, Milk, Peach, Tuberose, Black Currant, Dark Amber, Ambergris, Sandalwood & Vanilla”; went on to be voted the 1st place fragrance in Perfume Pharmer’s Summer of Patchouli Love, 2011. Pros: Available in a variety of products and prices; …