Stephan Matthews

Thursday 17 December 2020

My Favourite Five From 2020

The past twelve months have certainly not been what any of us could have expected. January started off with all of the usual excitement but, very quickly, the world changed dramatically. With restrictions, lockdowns, and a mammoth shift in our everyday lives, it would have been easy to just pull the covers over our heads... but we all soldiered on. The situation was certainly not easy for the fragrance industry either, but they still managed to launch some spectacular products. As we approach the end of 2020 I thought it would be a good moment to look back at twelve months of articles, channel my inner Blyton, and pick My Favourite Five.

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Monday 14 December 2020

TIME TO DRAW THE RAFFLE NUMBERS by 4160 Tuesdays

There can’t be many people that haven’t heard of “the seven year itch.” I’m not talking about the 1955 film that starred Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell, but more the feeling of dissatisfaction or familiarity that is said to appear at that point in any relationship. This doesn’t just apply to people; it can be anything that is long term. During lockdown I started to go through some of my older fragrances, rediscovering forgotten favourites, and I stumbled across one that had been pushed to the back. Time To Draw The Raffle Numbers by Sarah McCartney was released in 2013, and it’s high time it was shown some love.

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Thursday 10 December 2020

FAUN by Thomas O'Brien

The inspiration behind a fragrance can often be the anchor that holds a whole project together. If you have a solid foundation then you have room to experiment, but a tenuous grasp on an idea can see you quickly drift off course. I admit that sometimes this can result in unexpected discoveries, but that doesn’t always help the project at hand. However, having a clear vision of how you want your finished fragrance to smell is not always easy. Thankfully, when Thomas O’Brien decided to launch his first commercial perfume it literally was the stuff of legend, but how would he translate the mythical Faun into fragrance?

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Monday 7 December 2020

Fragonard's Christmas Candle Duo

Christmas is the time of year when “familiarity” often overtakes “newness”. For the previous eleven months we are bombarded with release after release which is why, for many, the festive season becomes about falling back on trusted favourites. The feeling of being surrounded by scents and aromas that evoke happy memories is important at any time, but even more so as we prepare to leave 2020 behind us. Many companies still ploughed on with new products, but others have decided to tread more delicately. One example of the latter is Fragonard and their Christmas candle duo of Allumez-Moi and Le Feu Sous la Glace.

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Thursday 3 December 2020

The Perfume Society's INDULGENCE DISCOVERY BOX

When we reach major landmarks in our lives we usually celebrate with a gift, an extravagant holiday, or a party with friends. It’s a way of making memories that can be carried with us, and we revel in every moment. 2020 has been a different experience altogether and many occasions have had to be cancelled or postponed. So it was a wonderful surprise when The Perfume Society announced that they would be releasing a Discovery Box that had some much needed decadence at its core. If you’ve missed an anniversary, or you just want to celebrate reaching December, let me show you the brand new Indulgence Discovery Box.

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Monday 30 November 2020

TRUST ME by 4160 Tuesdays

As we approach Christmas I think that it’s fair to say that we’re all grabbing hold of anything that could offer us the slightest piece of positivity after this rollercoaster of a year. Looking back over the past nine months of broken promises, shattered dreams, and worldwide chaos, wouldn’t it be great to just have somebody say “Trust me” and actually deliver? Well that’s exactly what the perfume industry's very own scented scientist Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays has done. She has skilfully combined both style and substance in a fantastic new diffuser that breaks all of the established rules, and is simply called Trust Me.

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Thursday 26 November 2020

My Top Five Candles For Christmas 2020

If there’s one thing that positively screams Christmas then it must surely be a candle gently flickering in the corner of a room, or alternatively right in the centre of it if you’re anything like me. I know that we use them all year round but the festive season really is the perfect time for a little scented illumination. This year has seen a massive increase in companies both large and small offering candles, and so our choice has never been greater or more confusing. So, if you’re looking to change from your usual favourite, or even searching for that final last minute gift, I'm here to help with my annual Top Five Candles For Christmas.

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Monday 23 November 2020

OLIVER by Strangers Parfumerie

One of the aspects of the perfume industry that I don’t buy into at all is the notion that scents should have a season. Traditionally we're told to reach for citruses in summer, more woody scents in autumn, and those delectably warm resins in the winter. To be honest, I’ve yet to even work out what we’re supposed to wear in the spring. However, I’ve never followed these draconian rules of fragrance, I just wear what I want when I want, which is why I think this Christmas would be the perfect time to bask in some winter sunshine. So, prepare to be seduced by the incredibly handsome Oliver from Strangers Parfumerie.

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Thursday 19 November 2020

CHARADE by Sarah Baker Perfumes

Fragrances launch in such rapid succession that you could easily be forgiven for not entertaining any scent that wasn’t created in the past twelve months. Our minds, and social media feeds, become so saturated with the newest “must have” perfumes that we often overlook everything that has gone before. I’m not talking about fifty years here; I’m thinking more along the lines of twenty four months! If there is one positive thing that lockdown has given us then it’s surely the gift of time - time to research - and that’s exactly how I discovered the deliciously deceitful, and wonderful unisex, Charade from Sarah Baker Perfumes.

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Monday 16 November 2020

PRECIOUS by Jonathan Ward

When we’re still very much in the eye of a pandemic storm, and witnessing the worldwide fallout that is going along with it, the phrase “we’re not in Kansas anymore” takes on a whole new relevance. Many of our ideals and beliefs have shifted over the past eleven months, and that has also extended to the way we shop. Christmas has always been about festive limited editions but, even though we all long for a slice of “old world normality”, achieving a respectful balance this year was always going to be a challenge. However, Jonathan Ward is showing the industry just how it should be done with his perfectly Precious collection.

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Thursday 12 November 2020

RIVAE - The Côte d’Azur Collection

Inspiration comes in many forms and this is definitely true of the fragrance industry. Finding one that resonates with an audience though is a very different matter. For example, there have been many scents that have used cities or places as their theme, but taking an entire coastline is a little more unusual. However, that’s exactly what Julien Foucher decided to do with his new Rivæ collection. With production originally starting in 2019, Julien could never have imagined that Rivæ would be the only way that most people would visit the Côte d’Azur this year. So, from olive groves to a crystal clear sea, it’s time to take a scented journey.

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Monday 9 November 2020

PÉTALES SOUS LE SOLEIL by 1000 Flowers

To say that 2020 has been a difficult year would be an understatement. Along with every other industry, the plans that perfume companies had in place all needed to be adapted or dropped, and a necessity for operating “in the moment” became imperative. One of the areas that was most impacted were the summer-inspired releases that always accompany the warmer months. With shops closed, a lack of testers available to try, and money becoming tight, many didn't seem to arrive. One company that did offer some respite to the dark clouds though was 1000 Flowers, and their Pétales Sous Le Soleil provides some much needed escape.

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Thursday 5 November 2020

SECRET ABSOLU by Fragonard

When we see a new fragrance appear from our favourite company we often forget that there have been months, or even years of preparation to get to this stage. From deciding on the concept to choosing the perfumer, every brand tries their hardest to look into the future and create a new bestseller. Whether you’re large or small the same goal applies. When Fragonard was deciding on the new fragrance to join their masculine collection they decided it was time to push the boundaries of expectation and, with a nod to faraway travel, the timing of Secret Absolu couldn’t have been more perfect.

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Monday 2 November 2020

Askews Shares Some Edwardian Magic

When we think about candles our first instinct is to picture one of the many fragranced options that come in a glass jar. These guaranteed providers of a scented boost are present in almost every home or, if they’re not, the equally impressive diffuser is sure to be close at hand. We surround ourselves with so many scents, from washing powder to room sprays, that it can begin to feel a little overpowering. The idea of an unscented candle might seem alien to many but, when they’re as stunning as the ones from Askews, they really can hold their own. So, it’s time to travel back in time and enjoy a little fragrance free magic.

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Thursday 29 October 2020

The Car Freshener Collection from Lynx

When we think about scent the first things that usually come to our mind are perfumes and candles. We’re so used to wearing our favourite fragrance, or filling a room with the aroma of everything from Yankee Candle’s vanilla through to Gwyneth Paltrow’s fabled vagina, that we’ve forgotten a vital space that really benefits from some scent. We generally spend around four years of our lives behind the wheel of a car and so it’s time we started enjoying it. There are many car fresheners on the market, but one of the most novel must surely be the collection from Lynx. So, as we celebrate its first birthday, let’s go for a drive.

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Monday 26 October 2020

ASHTON by Olfactory NYC

One of the current fashions in the world of fragrance is giving the customer the ability to literally customise their perfume. This has an obvious major advantage over creating one from scratch, namely that it is significantly cheaper, but how the process is managed varies dramatically from company to company. It can often feel a little lacklustre, with few options, and so it makes you wonder just how “customisable” it really is. One of the companies to venture into this area is Olfactory NYC, and their method is a discovery experience in itself. So, let’s travel stateside as I introduce you to the sun and surf inspired Ashton.

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Thursday 22 October 2020

LINDERHOF AM MORGEN by Charles Wong

Creating the follow up fragrance to your debut scent is arguably one of the hardest feats that any company will ever have to do. The need to balance your existing customers’ expectations alongside a desire to attract new followers to the brand is often a difficult road to navigate. Veer too far away from the original and you might find yourself having to start again from scratch. The latest person to attempt this is Charles Wong. After successfully launching the elegantly refined Aurora back in 2018, he has taken inspiration from the Swan King himself and journeyed to Bavaria to realise the romantically extravagant Linderhof am Morgen.

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Monday 19 October 2020

Keeping A Light Shining On Broadway

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught us it’s that every ounce of security can be ripped away at a moment’s notice. One of the sectors that has been particularly hit is theatre and, as someone who was an actor for twenty years, it is devastating to see friends and ex-colleagues suddenly left with no means of financial support. However, in an industry where “the show must go on”, a Broadway duo has come up with an inventive way to provide income for themselves and also other abandoned creatives. We Light literally is a "light in the darkness” and their Cast Party Candle is helping to keep the Broadway spirit alive.

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Thursday 15 October 2020

GRAVITAS by Naughton and Wilson

Can you imagine releasing your own fragrance into an already oversaturated market? Will anybody buy it? Will the reviewers like it? These are important concerns for the large corporations that launch thousands of perfumes every year, but it’s even more nerve wracking when you’re an independent company. Someone who knows all too well about the sleepless nights is Dan Naughton, one half of Naughton and Wilson. Known to the world as YouTube’s MrSmelly1977, he launched the classically-inspired Gravitas in January 2020 and, in a world that is definitely out of sync, it provides a well needed dose of yesteryear refinement.

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Monday 12 October 2020

Credit Where Credit Is Due

The feeling of pride that we all experience when we do, or create, something special is instilled in us from childhood. However, we’re also taught the flip side of this, and that is that taking the credit for someone else’s work is wrong. The perfume industry’s history is littered with misappropriations, and we’ll never know the perfumers who created some of the world’s most famous fragrances, but it surely can’t still be happening? The short answer is yes, it does, and that was unfortunately highlighted in Too Good To Go’s latest campaign. So, let’s take a look at why the old-fashioned “credit where credit is due” is being ignored.

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Thursday 8 October 2020

AURELIA by Filigree & Shadow

We’re all guilty of judging a book by its cover, a restaurant by its reviews, or even a fragrance by its name. We form preconceived ideas based on the information that we’re given and, more often than not, find ourselves disagreeing with our first impression. This becomes doubly hard when you’re trying to pick a fragrance from a choice of thirty-three, but that’s exactly what I had to do with Seattle based perfume house Filigree & Shadow. Unknown to me the founder also included a Lucky Strike extra with my final choice and, powerless to resist, I’ve actually fallen under the spell of the musically inspired Aurelia.

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Monday 5 October 2020

An Autumnal Soap Duo from Te Cosmetics

If there’s one thing that has truly changed in 2020 then it’s surely that the world has rediscovered the humble bar of soap. When antibacterial gels and hand washes started to disappear from the shops there was a sudden realisation that these gloriously scented bars still lived on the supermarket shelves, although often relegated to the bottom. The resurgence of soap has been picking up speed in recent years but it rapidly accelerated, and many independent companies were also suddenly spotlighted. One such brand was Te Cosmetics, and their range of glacial clay soaps make hand washing an absolute joy.

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Thursday 1 October 2020

SPERANZA by Sarah Ireland

There are certain regions of the world that seem to feature heavily as the inspiration for fragrances, and it’s often a fine line between originality and riding on the coattails of someone else’s success. A perfume with a huge dose of citrus for example can regularly be found sporting a reference to the Amalfi Coast, but these hesperidic uplifts often fail to excite as the scent develops on the skin. However, Sarah Ireland has gone in a wonderfully diverting direction with her interpretation of the region, and Speranza Eau de Cologne succeeds wonderfully in transporting you to the historic hillsides around the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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Monday 28 September 2020

SPITE by Chronotope

Launching a perfume brand is a delicate balance of luck and judgement. You’re at the mercy of an audience that is constantly being bombarded by the newest, the biggest, and the brightest fragrance releases. Trying to capture a small part of this market has been attempted many times, and so it was a huge gamble when Carter Weeks Maddox decided to launch his delayed Chronotope brand right in the middle of a global pandemic. He needn’t have worried though because his blend of originality and transparency has taken the niche sector by storm, and Spite will definitely be clawing its way into your collection.

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Thursday 24 September 2020

USE ABUSE by Jusbox Perfumes

The routine of tuning into Radio 1, flicking through the latest issue of Smash Hits, or eagerly awaiting the next episode of Top Of The Pops was the only way that the majority of us found the latest music in the 1980s. We were in the pre-internet age, bedroom walls were covered with posters of your favourite bands, and there were many attempts at a Morten Harket haircut! The explosive colours matched the wonderfully outrageous wardrobes, and this was a real period of “excess all areas.” So, hold onto your hats because it’s time to discover Use Abuse, the eighties-inspired powerhouse fragrance from Jusbox Perfumes.

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Monday 21 September 2020

BÅRE by ånd

An aspect of daily life that recent months has highlighted is one of community. Neighbourly support mechanisms were suddenly brought back into service, and many wondered why we had allowed them to disappear in the first place. When it comes to business, this idea of support is called Corporate Social Responsibility, but often amounts to nothing more than bucket rattling. One company that's shaking up the perfume industry’s perception of “giving back” is ånd. Under the direction of Simon Constantine, it’s time to discover how fragrance can offer independence and also bask in the beauty of Båre.

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Thursday 17 September 2020

BUKHARA by Gallivant

Experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of an unknown country is one of the things that I love so much about travelling. Being in a totally unknown environment, and veering away from the tourist route, always creates incredible memories. With restrictions still in place on which countries we can visit, it’s thanks to ingenious perfumers and visionary creative directors that we can be transported instead through scent. Step forward Nick Steward, who is continuing his anthology of inspirational cities with the release of his latest Gallivant fragrance. So, grab your passport because we’re about to discover the magic of Bukhara.

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Monday 14 September 2020

STEPHAN'S SIX - SIMON CONSTANTINE

Following in the footsteps of a parental duo that redefined scented bath and body products is an enormous challenge, but it’s one that Simon Constantine has fully embraced. LUSH was the family firm and it’s where he created the successful Gorilla Perfumes, but in September he announced that he was leaving to concentrate on his latest project, ånd fragrances. So, with a renewed desire to encourage accountability and sustainability through scent, I thought that it was time to discover his perfumed memories during “Stephan’s Six”.

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Thursday 10 September 2020

ENVIDE by Karen Timson

The release of a second collection of fragrances brings with it double the amount of nerves that are experienced with the first one. Not only are you thinking about the response to the latest release, you’re also banking on it continuing the success of the original ones. As businesses grow so to do the demands for newness and originality, and this is where a solid scented inspiration is paramount. Karen Timson is no stranger to seeking out the unusual and, with her latest duo of Grecian inspired perfumes, once again weaves storytelling into scent. It’s time for you to discover the violet-imbued Envide.

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Monday 7 September 2020

STEPHAN'S SIX - MATT MELEG

The world of perfumery is no longer the sole domain of those lucky enough to train at one of the prestigious French schools. Self-taught perfumers are becoming more common and have actually helped to push the boundaries of trend and fashion within fragrance, often actually leading the way for the more commercial houses. One of the latest to enter the industry is Vancouver based Matt Meleg, and I wanted to find out some of his scented secrets during "Stephan's Six".

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Thursday 3 September 2020

OXFORD by Ruth Mastenbroek

The past few months have been challenging, liberating, and deeply emotional in equal measure. Having to reach inside ourselves to find the strength to carry on, when we’re so often used to relying on the support of others, has been a new experience for many of us. This feeling of being without the usual scaffolding that we surround ourselves with has meant that we’ve had to draw on our own hidden reserves, and it has become a time of great personal change. It’s this idea of independence and self-discovery that is at the very heart of Ruth Mastenbroek's 2015 fragrance Oxford, and there’s never been a better time to discover it.

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Monday 31 August 2020

STEPHAN'S SIX - GAY SOPER

There are few actresses that deserve the title of “The Queen of the West End” more than Gay Soper. With an incredible career that has spanned more than fifty-five years, including a definitive performance as Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, Gay is a welcome fixture of London’s theatre scene. A member of the original London production of Godspell, and the iconic voice of BBC Television’s The Flumps, I thought it was time to find out her scented secrets during “Stephan's Six.”

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Thursday 27 August 2020

JASPÉ by Teo Cabanel

The thought of owning your own perfume company, or creating your own collection of scents, is something that goes through the mind of every fragrance fan at one time or another. It usually subsides as quickly as it appears, but sometimes forces outside of your own control make the decision for you. Imagine finding out that you are going to be given a perfume company and that its future rests solely on your shoulders. The pressure would be incredible. Well, that’s exactly what happened to Caroline Ilacqua when she inherited Teo Cabanel. With a collection of eleven scents now available, it's time to discover Jaspé.

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Monday 24 August 2020

STEPHAN'S SIX - CARTER WEEKS MADDOX

The perfume industry is usually thought of as a kind of diaphanous world of late lunches and canapés. Well prepare to have that blown out of the water by Carter Weeks Maddox, the founder of the latest niche brand from Florida called Chronotope. This self-taught perfumer is going to take us from Estée Lauder to bathhouse slings, and everything in-between, as we discover more about him during “Stephan’s Six”.

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Thursday 20 August 2020

TOUJOURS ESPOIR and ÉTOILE CÉLESTE by Villa des Parfums

When we think of Grasse the first thoughts that come to our heads are of idyllic flower fields, women collecting blooms in their aprons, and the thrill of working in perfume’s spiritual home. We’ve had this story recounted so many times to us that it’s become the accepted narrative of the town, but it’s literally this “rose tinted glasses” view of the scented destination that often means we miss the challenges that they actually face. This was the reason that Parfums de Vie was founded and why, ten years later, the charity launched their wonderful duo of non-profit fragrances under the name of Villa des Parfums.

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Monday 17 August 2020

VIA VENETO by Strada Parfumerie

How often have you fallen in love with a city and thought, “I wish that I could bottle the way I’m feeling?” Well, this is exactly what perfumers try to do when they use places as the inspiration for fragrances. The success of this style of scent depends upon your having a connection with the city or, if the location is new to you, the perfume simply being fantastic. Many companies have attempted this and unfortunately many of them have been less than successful, but that hasn’t stopped more trying. The latest to pick up their passport is Strada Parfumerie, and it’s time to head to Rome to experience Via Veneto.

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Thursday 13 August 2020

INFINITE by Ilsa Fragrances

In the current climate of transparency within the perfume business it’s becoming more acceptable for the unseen creatives to finally step forward and take a bow. This long overdue change is introducing many more names to the eager fragrance community, and it’s also seen a lot of those creatives branch out and launch their own perfume brands. However, finding the theme to ultimately hang the fragrances on is no easy task. It will be the perfumed persona that customers will latch onto, and it needs to resonate. Ilsa Fragrances has taken female empowerment as its cornerstone and woven it into Infinite No.1 and Infinite No.2.

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Monday 10 August 2020

FOUGÈRE INTENSE by SP Parfums

The niche sector of perfumery still looks like a rapidly growing market, even in the current uncertain climate. New companies continue to appear, also vanishing with a similar speed, all hoping that they will be become the latest “new young thing.” To many it felt like a certainty that there was room for ever increasing brands but, more recently, it definitely seems like only those with dedication, talent, and drive can succeed. One perfect example of this is German born Sven Pritzkoleit. He’s once again taken the traditions of French perfumery and mixed them with some contemporary magic to create the beautiful Fougère Intense.

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Monday 3 August 2020

OPTIMISM DIFFUSER by Eloise Hall

One of the challenges when creating a home fragrance is deciding whether it will be season specific or suitable for all year scenting, and choosing whether that aroma will be uplifting and expansive or comforting and embracing is often one of the most difficult decisions to make. The characteristics of summer citruses and winter warmers means that they often get associated with a particular time of the year, and so creating a scent that can truly transcend the seasons is a difficult task. That's why it was a great treat to discover the perfect ambience all-rounder in Eloise Hall’s wonderful Optimism Diffuser.

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Thursday 30 July 2020

RACINE DE VETIVER by Jessica Buchanan

When we think about the scent of certain ingredients our minds often unconsciously latch onto the smell of a fragrance that shares its name. How many times have you seen companies launch perfumes with gardenia, sandalwood, even oud proudly displayed on the front of the bottle? These are all blends of ingredients that give a scented experience that may, or may not, mirror the smell of the original. One perfumer who has excelled at harnessing, amplifying, and exploding an ingredient is Jessica Buchanan with her latest fragrance called Racine de Vetiver. Forget your preconceptions because you’re in for a real treat.

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Monday 27 July 2020

APSU by Ulrich Lang

If there is one fragrance style that is guaranteed to excite as well as uplift then it has to be one of those gloriously green scents. These perfumes that were once abundant in the electrically charged galbanum have, in more recent years, relied on man-made ingredients to conjure up cut grass and green leaves. However, when you skilfully combine the two then you can end up with a scent that transcends summery playfulness, adds in a dash of autumnal vegetation, and hints at tropical humidity. This is exactly what you get with Ulrich Lang’s 2016 fragrance Apsu. It may not be the latest, but it’s definitely one of the brightest.

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Thursday 23 July 2020

CUIR DE RUSSIE by Farina Gegenüber

You’ll often hear it levelled against the big perfume companies, and sometimes even the niche houses, that they’re constantly imitating somebody else’s successful style. Deliberately copying a fragrance is a different matter altogether, but what I’m talking about is taking a popular trend and putting your own spin on it. If you think about the many fern-like perfumes that came after Fougere Royale, or even the amber-heavy orientals that were hot on the heels of Shalimar, you can see how being inspired by the latest hit is nothing new. It was the same story in 1925 when Farina Gegenüber launched their fabulous Cuir de Russie.

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Monday 20 July 2020

COURT BOUQUET by The Crown Perfumery

The history of perfume houses is one of the parts of the fragrance industry that fans love. Finding out about your favourite company, and the struggles they may have overcome, can really help to cement the bond between you and your favourite scent. Unfortunately the news isn't always as positive as we might wish but, if you look hard enough, there's always a reason to celebrate. This is what happened with Barry Gibson and The Crown Perfumery. Whilst the company may no longer be in its original form, you’ll definitely recognise what it has become. Let me introduce you to the time capsule that is Court Bouquet.

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Thursday 16 July 2020

BLACK POWDER by Jusbox Perfumes

Inspiration comes in many forms and that couldn’t be truer of the perfume industry. When you consider the thousands of fragrances released every year it becomes clear just how important it is to choose the correct subject. Many wonderful creations are undiscovered due to badly conceived marketing or a basic disinterest in the concept, but there's a company that has absolutely nailed it in every respect. Combining a love of evocative scents with a rapidly accelerating analogue trend, Jusbox have given us a fragranced vinyl experience that will have you reaching for your turntable. It’s time to discover Black Powder.

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Monday 13 July 2020

JASMIN MAJORELLE by Le Jardin Retrouvé

One of the facts about perfumery is that everybody has very definite opinions on certain ingredients. This can often be because of a questionable fragrance in our youth, that possibly featured a particular flower, or even the memories that it may conjure up. It’s this idea of jumping to conclusions without smelling that can occasionally see us miss out on some wonderful perfumes. One of the most “judged” ingredients has to be jasmine. This potent flower has been used for centuries but not always with a delicate hand. One man that did know how to tame it was Yuri Gutsatz, and Jasmin Majorelle is a testament to his skill.

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Thursday 9 July 2020

FRAGONARD MAGAZINE - Their Gift To You

During the past few months you’ll all have seen the increase in the quantity of online perfume discussions, interviews, and articles. This has all helped us to stay connected to our favourite companies and, whilst the quality may have been variable, at least they’ve tried. This is the first time that many brands have offered this kind of material, but one French company is now in their eighth year of giving customers an incredible magazine for free. Fragonard has seen many changes during its ninety-four years of fragrancing the Côte d’Azur, but none was more welcome than the launch of their very own publication.

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Monday 6 July 2020

OLD SPORT by 4160 Tuesdays

When you buy your latest fragrance from a department store on online, you’re one of the important people that decides if the industry’s idea of what is going to be a “trend” is actually correct. They’ve got it wrong in the past, and it's absolutely guaranteed that they'll get it wrong at some point in the future, but the current explosion of fougère fragrances was definitely correctly foretold. This classic style of scent had been side-lined over the years in favour of the latest and brightest releases but they’ve recently started to fight back. One great fougère that should be in everybody’s collection is Old Sport by Sarah McCartney.

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Thursday 2 July 2020

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Alex Lee

Summer is the time of the year when we all hunt out the latest effervescent spritz to accompany us through another beachside holiday or weekend getaway. This year might see our vacation being considerably closer to home, but that doesn’t have to stop us creating our own little bit of sunshine. The fragrances that come out at this time of the year are all traditionally designed to uplift and energise us, and there is one company that has once again absolutely delivered on this promise. Now in its third year, Mäurer & Wirtz have released their latest 4711 Remix Cologne, and this time it’s a twist on the classic lemon.

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Monday 29 June 2020

LA TERRE by Floratropia

One of the battles that the perfume industry faces is having to balance the desire for sustainability against the demands for appearance. Many customers will say that they want less packaging, because they’d prefer a company to fit in with their own environmental concerns, but when confronted with a basic bottle they often feel that a little of the glamour is missing. It’s this challenge that causes problems for many companies, but is actually one where niche brands are managing to gain ground. One of the latest is Paris based Floratropia, and their debut collection of four fragrances takes sustainability to the next level.

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Thursday 25 June 2020

THE EVERYMAN DISCOVERY BOX from The Perfume Society

Buying a fragrance as a gift can be difficult for anyone, but it becomes even harder if that person happens to be a man. I know that it sounds like I’m making a huge generalisation here, but the majority of men will find one scent and remain loyal to it until you manage to prise it out of their hand. Women are much happier to browse the latest releases, play with the free department store samples, and choose a new perfume for a new season. In an attempt to help take the hassle out of the high street, The Perfume Society has launched the latest in their Discovery Box series and it truly is designed for Everyman.

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After twenty successful years as an actor, I decided the time was right to begin a new career, and that was in the perfume industry. Scent had always been a passion of mine, and working alongside a new group of creative minds ended up being the perfect fit.

As a Brand Consultant, Evaluator, Copywriter and New Business Advisor, the variety of work is exciting, and definitely draws on my acting background. Every day brings new challenges, experiences and delights to a workplace that is crammed full of new releases, evergreens, and fading classics.

This website brings together my ramblings on all aspects of the perfume industry from bottle design to fragrance, companies to noses, and everything in between.

Opinions are my own and do not in any way represent the views of the companies mentioned. Where products or services have been provided by the companies it is stated at the end of the article.

Companies and readers are welcome to contact me by using the Send Me A Message option below.

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