Thursday 31 March 2016

PERA GRANITA - Guerlain's Iced Allegoria

There is only one thing that is certain with Guerlain, Spring is the time when fans get to see the latest addition to Guerlain's Aqua Allegoria range. Started in 1999 with five fragrances including Herba Fresca and Pamplelune, the slogan was “inspired by nature, created by Guerlain”. More recently it became usual for one fragrance to leave each year making way for the new release, and so the collection always numbers five. This years casualty was the short lived Teazurra, a reworking of Tokyo from the Une Ville, Un Parfum range, which unfortunately failed to make its mark. Will this years "Iced Allegoria" fair any better?

Monday 28 March 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - LEIGHTON DENNY


Leighton Denny is far more than just the man behind the worldwide hit that shares his name. Originally a forklift truck driver in Bradford, you read that correctly, he quickly became one of the UK’s leading nail and beauty experts, also releasing a suncare and lip colour range. In 2014 Leighton was awarded the MBE for his achievements within the industry, published his autobiography entitled How I Nailed It, and launched his first fragrance called LIGHT & DARK. A busy man, 2015 saw two more fragrances added to his collection, but he still found time to answer "Stephan's Six".

Thursday 24 March 2016

The Real Difference Between EDP and EDT

The question that I get asked more than any other is, "what is the difference between an Eau de Parfum and an Eau de Toilette?" I wish that I could say there's a simple answer, but unfortunately I can't. This is because there are a few factors which influence the liquid that is in your bottle, and they are all at the discretion of the perfumer and the company which makes your fragrance. It's not rocket science, it's just perfume. So once and for all let me talk you through the different versions of your favourite scent, and I'll show you that the Eau de Toilette is not the poor relation in the family of fragrance.

Monday 21 March 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - KAREN GILBERT


Many people teach perfumery but very few are able claim the industry experience that Karen Gilbert can. She worked as a fragrance evaluator for many years before starting her own teaching and consultancy business, and her courses are always inspirational. A regular at perfumery events, what secrets would she reveal during "Stephan's Six"?

Thursday 17 March 2016

VEGA ... Jacques Guerlain's Star

Different periods in history result in different fascinations, and these make themselves known in various forms. What do I mean by this? Simply that the subject or fashion of the day will find its way into every part of our normal life. Remember Bakelite and Melamine? They were used in every conceivable form, including as perfume bottles. So, in an era that became fascinated by the heavens Jaques Guerlain created Vega, and even placed it on its very own melamine plinth. To celebrate the perfume's ninetieth birthday let's plunge headlong into the stars and rediscover this lost Guerlain classic.

Monday 14 March 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - CHANDLER BURR


Chandler Burr, born in Chicago and raised in Washington, began his journalism career in 1987, but it was his book The Emperor of Scent which brought him to the attention of perfume fans around the world. As a result, from August 2006 until the end of 2010, Chandler was perfume critic for the New York Times before leaving to create the Department of Olfactory Art at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Now, he said that he wanted his answers to "Stephan's Six" to be "super short", and indeed they are. So, hold on tight because they come thick and fast!

Thursday 10 March 2016

Carnal Lust at 4160Tuesdays

When I was invited last July to spend a day with Sarah McCartney of 4160Tuesdays you would have thought that I would jump at the chance. Unfortunately I could never get the dates of her perfume courses to work for me. So imagine my delight when I heard that there was space on one in January, and that I could finally go. Perfume creation is not something that is new to me, but workshops have always been a fairly formal affair with structures and briefs so I was curious what format Sarah's would take. As she is also known for being wonderfully entertaining I knew that anything could happen and probably would.

Monday 7 March 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - JANE DALY


One of the most influential beauty bloggers, Jane Daly started her career in Canadian real estate before switching to perfume and cosmetics. After many years of advising her friends she decided to launch her own beauty website offering fun, facts and fascinating finds. So, I thought it was time to learn a little bit more about Jane Daly for a change, and arranged to ask her "Stephan's Six".

Thursday 3 March 2016

Rosa Pop - Guerlain's NEW Travel Exclusive

Every perfume company has exclusives and limited editions, but these cater for a very specific customer. Some people just buy fragrance because it's fun or, get ready for a bombshell, because they simply enjoy the smell! For this second group the seasonal release can really appeal if it's presented in a premium way. Alongside the regular Aqua Allegoria release, Guerlain have a tradition of issuing “travel exclusive” versions. Rose had always been a staple of the airport edition but this year’s floral is a little different. Let's journey through the past Guerlain Travel Exclusives before we discover what this year has to offer.