We’ve arrived at the “four days to go” mark and the grand panic will start to begin for many festive shoppers. Christmas Day comes at the same time every year, but every year people seem to get caught out. Internet shopping is a big mistake this late in the day, whatever the companies may promise, and so it’s time to fall back on the tried and trusted high street department stores. You need to say farewell to any prospect of a niche offering and embrace the best of the mainstream. To help you out I’ve chosen four that are guaranteed to put a smile on any recipient’s face. Let’s go shopping!
Thursday, 21 December 2017
Thursday, 14 December 2017
Can Fragrance Give Back This Christmas?
Christmas is the time for giving and receiving, but how about expanding that to “giving back”? The fragrance industry makes upwards of 20% of their annual income from the festive season, with some hitting 30%, and most Christmas trees this year will have a bottle of the latest Chanel, a Guerlain classic, a Jo Malone original or even something from one of the independent perfumeries nestled underneath it. Imagine the difference that we could make if for every bottle of perfume you purchase you also made a donation of just £1 to Shelter. How can we ensure that our fragranced frivolity truly makes a difference this year?
Monday, 11 December 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - SAMANTHA SCRIVEN
Samantha Scriven started writing about fragrance as a challenge to see if she could review one scent every day for a year, and that was back in 2013. Since then she has continued the blog, gone on to write freelance and was also nominated for a 2017 Fragrance Foundation Jasmine Award. After reviewing thousands of scents, what would Samantha choose for herself during “Stephan’s Six”?
Labels:
Aedes de Venustas,
Andy Tauer,
Avon,
Chanel,
Cristalle,
Foxfire,
Incense Rose,
Maurer & Wirtz,
Pelargonium,
Polos,
Rose Flash,
Samantha Scriven,
Stephan's Six,
Tabac,
Tasha,
Thierry Mugler,
Womanity,
Zoflora
Thursday, 7 December 2017
TREE PRESENCE by 4160 Tuesdays
Some perfume companies continue to surprise and delight us with a seemingly never-ending imaginative output. Not subject to the shackles of the commercial sector, these independent perfumeries are able to experiment and, in the process, create some wonderfully abstract scents that can truly challenge. One of these is 4160 Tuesdays, which was founded by Sarah McCartney, and this Christmas they have released a limited edition room spray called Tree Presence. Festive offerings sometimes end up with a tinge of “pine fresh” lavatory cleaner, but nothing could be further from the truth with this evocative marvel.
Monday, 4 December 2017
Christmas by Marina Barcenilla Parfums
Christmas is the season of the limited release with companies trying to reward and attract in equal measure. The thought of acquiring something special from your favourite brand sends gifting budgets rocketing but also means that expectations are seriously raised. Will they live up to the hype? One section of the market that seems to be more successful is the “independent”, possibly because they create in smaller quantities but also because they can make their Christmas offering truer to their own style. Marina Barcenilla Parfums has released three Christmas products this year and every one of them is a winner.
Thursday, 30 November 2017
My Top Six Candles For Christmas 2017
Christmas and candles seem to go hand in hand which is why many companies release a limited edition during November and December. Not all of these special releases hit the mark though and shoppers often fall back on their tried and trusted favourites. The gentle flicker of a flame accompanied by a delicious aroma is the perfect pairing, but a candle also makes a great gift. To help you navigate the minefield I’ve chosen six candles that have impressed me during 2017 and, hold on to your hats, it includes three Christmas stunners. So, grab the matches and a glass of port as I introduce you to my top six candles for 2017.
Monday, 27 November 2017
Beard Maintenance by Pall Mall Barbers
November 30th marks an important date for many men with the decision having to be made on what to do with that Movember moustache. Does it stay, does it go, or is it time to add on the accompanying beard? A lot of “Natural”, “Imperial” and “Handlebar” moustaches will make a hasty departure on the 1st December but for those wanting to keep them, or increase them, there are a few tricks and tips to help maintain their healthy luster. Erin of Pall Mall Barbers talked me through the required maintenance as we set about taming my own unruly beard, and she also showed me a new way to use scent.
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Perfume's "Them and Us"
When you spray on your favourite fragrance in the morning or even reapply in the evening you are choosing to wear a scent that makes you feel happy, contented, confident, protected, the list is endless. Our perfume choices are very personal and that is exactly why there are so many to choose from. What I find appealing in a scent might fill you with horror, and vice versa, but both of our opinions are just as valid as each other’s. You don’t need to be trained in fragrance to know if you like the smell of something so why are the words “general public” applied to the majority of the world's perfume purchasers?
Monday, 20 November 2017
ORCHARD BLOSSOM by Bronnley
Now that the first frosts have really fallen on the British countryside there are two things that are forefront in everyone's minds. Firstly, the sprouts that you buy will be slightly sweeter in taste (my mother always swore that the frosts did this to these divisive greens) and secondly, people will begin reaching for their “winter” scents in ernest. However, for those ladies that prefer a fresher scent during the colder months, because they long for the warmth that Spring promised, help is at hand in the form of this year's release from Bronnley, in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. Say hello to Orchard Blossom.
Monday, 13 November 2017
MANDARINE BASILIC by Guerlain
He’s arguably Britain’s most famous bear and, even after fifty-nine years, has once again managed to awaken the child in us all. Paddington Bear may not be the first character that you think about pairing with a fragrance but that’s exactly what I did after seeing his latest film, “Paddington 2”. A bear from “darkest Peru” could make you think of deep animalic scents or the feeling of soft fur, but for me it was something a little more playful. Paddington’s most famous attribute, besides his wellington boots and blue jacket, has to be his love of marmalade, and to my mind that instantly conjured up Mandarine Basilic by Guerlain.
Monday, 6 November 2017
THE DARK HEART OF OLD HAVANA by 4160 Tuesdays
I’ve said before that the constant quest for “newness” means that many perfumes are overlooked in favour of the latest, the biggest, the brightest and the loudest new releases. Companies have fragrances that gather loyal followers but sometimes these scents get overlooked in later years. One of these is Dark Heart Of Old Havana by 4160 Tuesdays. Roullier White described the company as putting “the fun and the feeling back into British perfume” and, with a whirlwind of a founder at the helm, this is a perfect description. So, four years after it launched, let’s revisit the dangerously seductive Dark Heart Of Old Havana.
Monday, 30 October 2017
OUD MAGNÉTIQUE by Molinard
The continuing obsession with oud fragrances is something that, until recently, had seemed to have escaped the Grasse perfumers. I'm talking here about Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard. Their usual audience were looking for rich florals, spicy orientals, delicate eau fraiche, definitely not heavy resinous oud offerings. That is until now. With a huge influx of Russian and Middle Eastern tourists the perfumeries had to adapt, and all three now offer an oud-based fragrance. Fragonard and Galimard have made theirs boutique exclusives but Molinard have gone mainstream with their latest release, Oud Magnétique.
Labels:
Éléments Exclusifs,
Éléments Prestige,
Fragonard,
Galimard,
Guerlain,
Habanita,
Habit Rouge,
Jo Malone,
Molinard,
Oud,
Oud & Bergamot,
Oud Magnetique,
Oud Magnétique,
Roja Dove
Thursday, 26 October 2017
FIRE by Tessa Williams
With bonfire night fast approaching and Halloween on the doorstep my thoughts always turn to the gloriously smokey scents of autumn. The crispness in the air and the first frosts on the ground always make me reach for my Penhaligon's matches so that I can set light to the pile of kiln-dried logs that are permanently sitting in the fireplace. The scent of an open fire is one of my favourite smells, which is why I’ve also been known to have one in height of summer, so I was intrigued to find that Tessa Williams had released a home spray simply called Fire. So, would it really smell like my wood-smoke scented sitting room?
Monday, 23 October 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - LEANNE HIRSH
Thursday, 19 October 2017
LIME BASIL & MANDARIN by Jo Malone
Twenty-six years ago a fragrance was launched that would go on to change the way British perfumes were perceived around the world. Conceived by a determined and strong-willed lady from Bexleyheath, the most famous Cologne since Mülhens 4711 was launched in 1991 and took the industry by storm. With its uplifting citrus notes, a "transparent" quality, and the quirky addition of a fresh aromatic, Lime Basil & Mandarin by Jo Malone became the “must have” fragrance. After a quarter of a century I thought it was time to take a look back at the creators and the creation of this now legendary scent.
Thursday, 12 October 2017
GUERLAIN'S RUSSIA
Guerlain has always enjoyed an unparalleled affection amongst perfume fans and part of this is the continuing transparency that they are displaying in their current releases, and also in the rewriting of parts of its history. Over time a "good story" can cover up the true facts and it is refreshing to see these being peeled away piece by piece. As part of this openness, Guerlain allowed Thierry Wasser and Frédéric Sacone’s vintage recreations to be made available to smell at the Champs Elysees boutique and this means that we can travel to Russia, via France, and discover Impérial Russe and Cuir de Russie.
Thursday, 5 October 2017
EVELYN ROSE by Crabtree & Evelyn
The popularity of rose fragrances has never diminished and it doesn’t look as if it will anytime soon. The intoxicating floral that surrounds you when you wear one of the many interpretations has made it a popular choice over the centuries for women of all ages. It seemed to go through a little bit of a crisis a few years ago, there were a lot of rose fragrances to choose from and it got a bit confusing, but the stalwarts held their nerve and came through unscathed. One of these was the ever-popular Evelyn Rose by Crabtree & Evelyn but, after a name change and two reformulations, how does it hold up twenty-four years later?
Thursday, 28 September 2017
Miller Harris Launch TENDER and SCHERZO
Fragrance launches happen nearly every week and each one tries to outdo the other with scale and cost. Miller Harris took a very different approach today when they revealed their two new fragrances, Tender and Scherzo, to an eager group of bloggers and journalists. They presented, in minimalist surroundings, two distinctly different visual interpretations, but the character and soul of the project was perfectly captured. One brief, two perfumers, two fragrances. It’s an interesting experiment and one that has definitely paid off. So, let me walk you through “kaleidoscopic peonies” as we discover “Tender Is The Night”.
Monday, 25 September 2017
CUIR DE RUSSIE by Le Jardin Retrouvé
The "leather revival" in the perfume world shows no signs of slowing, although to some of us it never went away in the first place. Those rich, resinous, woody scents exuded power along with a sensuality that ached for experimentation. Lashings of birch tar, labdanum and castoreum gave these fragrances a sexually charged energy that was impossible to resist. The more recent "trend" for softer suede-style scents diluted this effect and they became more refined and less dangerous. Thankfully with the rerelease of Cuir de Russie by Le Jardin Retrouvé we once again get the chance to perfume provocatively.
Thursday, 21 September 2017
FLORIS UNLOCKS ITS ARCHIVES
You hear many companies talk about their “heritage” but it sometimes seems a little contrived and exaggerated. Add a celebrity here, change a production date there, and it becomes tricky to separate fact from fiction. One company that doesn't have this problem is Floris. Their biggest challenge is actually what to leave out. With a history dating back two hundred and eighty seven years the list of celebrity clients and perfume releases is immense, and it was always a challenge to share this with their customers. So, along with their recent store refit, Floris decided to open up their archives and reveal a few forgotten treasures.
Monday, 18 September 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - MATTHEW AXE
Originally from Suffolk, Matthew Axe studied Graphic Design before going on to work with companies such as Thomas Pink, John Lewis and Gieves & Hawkes. After relocating to New York he was Creative Director on Martha Stewart’s award-wining magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and regularly oversees campaigns in the beauty industry. Recently working on Jo Malone’s Basil & Neroli launch, I wondered what would he reveal about his own perfume favourites during “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Basil & Neroli,
Calvin Klein,
Chanel,
CK One,
Feliz,
Jo Malone,
Kouros,
Lentheric,
Matthew Axe,
No.5,
Oud & Bergamot,
Perfumera Curandera,
Stephan's Six,
Tweed,
YSL,
Yves Saint Laurent
Thursday, 14 September 2017
RUSSIAN LEATHER by Molton Brown
The continuing push at the moment seems to be for companies to release product “collections”. By this I mean the fragrance, the shower gel, the candle, the body lotion etc. in their latest scent. Now this is actually nothing new, Coty were doing it for years, but brands have refocused their approach in an attempt to cement every new launch by offering their customers the fragrance in at least one form that they will like. Some brands miss the mark on translating the scent into the various products, but one company who continues to excel is Molton Brown. Let's take a look at their latest addition, Russian Leather.
Monday, 11 September 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - HANS HENDLEY
With a start in photography and music, Hans Hendley was flexing his creative muscle from an early age. Pretty soon he realised that his philosophies and ideals didn’t really fit the strict commercial path and so he moved to New York to begin working with what he described as “small spirited brands”. Always fascinated by perfume, he launched his own range in October 2014. With the recent release of his ninth fragrance, Mown, I thought that it was time to find out a little more about Hans Hendley as I asked him “Stephan’s Six”.
Thursday, 7 September 2017
"C" by The Perfumer's Story
Creating fragrances for specific people takes away any necessity for a “brief” or a “marketing strategy” because you are translating that person’s wishes or character into a perfume. This means that you can end up with a library of scents that only have one thing in common; they are not designed to be “commercial”. After creating for personalities, friends, organisations and companies, Azzi Glasser had a back catalogue of very individual scents. So, with the muses’ permission, she created The Perfumer’s Story as a way of sharing her fragrances with the public. One of these original scents was simply titled “C”.
Monday, 4 September 2017
FIREDANCE by Ruth Mastenbroek
Autumn feels as though it is well and truly here with the first leaves starting to change colour, the weather getting cooler and the nights beginning to draw in. With wood stocks starting to be replenished ready for open fires and thoughts turning to bonfire night, the timing of the latest perfume release from Ruth Mastenbroek couldn't be more perfect. The combination of leather, rose and oudh is nothing new, but in her talented hands the results are devilishly sensual, delightfully mysterious and truly intoxicating. With the release of Firedance, Ruth Mastenbroek shows once again why she is at the top of her profession.
Monday, 28 August 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - VICTOR WONG
The links between a former video game artist and the world of niche perfumery are not very obvious, but that is exactly what happened with Victor Wong. In 2013 he formed Toronto based Zoologist Perfumes with the notion to capture the “idiosyncrasies of the animal kingdom and transform them into scents.” With nine fragrances now in the range I thought that it was time to find out about his own “idiosyncrasies” as I ask him “Stephan’s Six”.
Thursday, 24 August 2017
"All Natural Perfumes Smell Like Mud"
I don't usually do follow ups to articles that I write because I like them to stand on their own merits, and I've always been pretty good at not flying off the handle and committing an opinion to the internet without fact checking and researching it first. It's for this reason that I was really disappointed with something that I read on Facebook this week. It concerned 100% natural perfumes and the gist of what the person said was that "all natural perfumes smell like mud". There's nothing like a sweeping generalisation to get yourself noticed, maybe that was the person's intention, but let's get a few things clear.
Monday, 21 August 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - AZZI GLASSER
Azzi Glasser was born in North London and is no stranger to the perfume industry. She started her career with CPL Aromas in 1991 and very quickly became a sought after perfume designer. A FiFi Award Winner for her Agent Provocateur fragrance, Azzi went on to found The Perfumer’s Story in 2015 and currently has thirteen fragrances in her collection. With such an enviable career already, it was time to discover her own perfume memories as I asked her “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Agua Brava,
Azzi Glasser,
Brut,
C,
Guerlain,
House Of Worth,
Je Reviens,
Magie Noire,
Musc de Cartier,
Old Spice,
PUIG,
Rain on Earth,
Sequoia Wood,
Stephan's Six,
The Perfumer's Story,
Twisted Iris,
Vetiver
Thursday, 17 August 2017
SANDALWOOD & CLOVE COLOGNE by Pall Mall Barbers
My diary of memorable dates used to be much simpler, everything just revolved around traditional holidays. This has all recently changed with the addition of events such as National Fragrance Day, National Relaxation Day, even National Lipstick Day. One new celebration that I'm very pleased about though is National Men’s Grooming Day. It falls on August 18th and celebrates every form of male grooming, from shaving right through to scent. This year I've chosen Pall Mall Barbers’ Sandalwood & Clove Cologne as an example of grooming at its finest, and it’s time to discover one of London's best-kept secrets.
Thursday, 10 August 2017
MISSONI PARFUM POUR HOMME by Euroitalia
In the wonderful world of fragrance we see companies come and go with regularity. The top-selling brand one year can be almost forgotten a mere twelve months later. It becomes even harder when the “brand” is actually a designer name that has been franchised out to a perfume producer. This was the case with Missoni. A fashion house that was founded in 1953, its fragrance license has passed around a few companies over the years but in 2015 it transferred to Euroitalia. This month sees the release of Missoni Parfum Pour Homme, the first male fragrance for twenty years, but have the years been kind?
Thursday, 3 August 2017
IRIS & WILD CASSIS by Bronnley
A company’s follow up fragrance is always a bit of an unknown quantity in the perfume market. They desperately try to work out what made the first one so popular and how that information can be translated into number two. Bronnley found themselves in just this position after last year’s successful Pink Peony & Rhubarb and their approach is refreshingly “old fashioned”. Rather than create a variant on the first fragrance they have taken the original idea and applied it to a new combination of ingredients. Keeping the fruity floral pairing, but adding a contemporary twist, it’s time to welcome Iris & Wild Cassis.
Monday, 31 July 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - HELEN CAMPBELL
In 2009 Helen Campbell picked up a paintbrush for the first time and within a year was commissioned to catalogue the orchard fruits that Westons Cider used at their factory in Much Marcle, Herefordshire. These beautiful botanical paintings eventually came to the attention of Bronnley and her image of the peony was used on last year’s Pink Peony & Rhubarb. Now living in Spain, and with her latest collaboration with Bronnley about to launch, I though it was time to find out a little bit more about Helen during “Stephan’s Six”.
Thursday, 27 July 2017
MONOÏ EAU DES VAHINÉS by Yves Rocher
There are times when, because I wear something so often, I assume I must have written about it. That's why it was such a surprise when I realised that Monoï Eau des Vahinés by Yves Rocher was absent from my list of Perfume Reviews. It was one of the first Yves Rocher fragrances that I remember smelling and I was surprised at just how well they had achieved the balance between summer sunshine and exotic sweetness. Yves Rocher are everywhere in France but in the UK they just exist as a mail order company. So, let me introduce you to sandy beaches, delicious florals and a scent that screams summer.
Monday, 24 July 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - ANDY TAUER
Andy Tauer has certainly taken the perfume industry by storm since he launched his first fragrance in 2005. Originally born out of an idea at a dinner party, Andy has gone on to create twenty-eight (at the last count) of the finest scents in the “niche” market, and he’s also a really nice guy. So, I thought it was time to find out a little bit more about the man behind the cobalt blue bottles and ask him “Stephan’s Six”.
Thursday, 20 July 2017
CHAMPS DE PROVENCE by Eight & Bob
An aristocrat, a butler and a US president ... it's not a combination that screams fragrance house to you but that is exactly what this one does. The colourful story of Eight & Bob has provided an enviable history for the company and, whilst it might need to be taken with a large pinch of salt, it definitely entertains its fans. This year sees the release of Champs de Provence, which is the company's sixth fragrance since they "relaunched" in 2012, and it promises to capture the "freshness and beauty" of the Provençal landscape. It's an area that I adore and visit often, so I was intrigued to see whether it really did take me back.
Monday, 17 July 2017
What's New To You?
Every year we see literally thousands of fragrances released both worldwide and also in specific countries. We are already half way through 2017 and if you have managed to smell every one of those launched so far this year then I am very impressed, but also more than a little sceptical. Every time you turn around there seems to be a new advertising campaign, a new “exclusive” ingredient, and a new dreaded flanker. So, you can be forgiven for missing a few of these new releases along the way. This week I was told, “everything is new to someone”, and in the world of perfume releases that couldn't be truer.
Labels:
Basil & Neroli,
Bergamote Calabria,
Eau de Campagne,
Estée Lauder,
Givenchy,
Guerlain,
Jo Malone,
Lancôme,
Les Parfums Worth,
Modern Muse,
O de Lancome,
Pagan,
Pi,
Picot,
Poême,
Sisley
Monday, 10 July 2017
YOU ... The New Fragrance From Lynx
They're at it again and they've called back the big guns for the launch of their latest body fragrance! I'm talking about Lynx, or Axe if you live outside of the United Kingdom. Once treated with derision, or at best referred to as the scent of a teenage boy, they have recently started to command a real share of the perfume industry. With the launch of their Daily Fragrance range last year they managed to reposition themselves in an older market, and finally gain the recognition that they deserve. Forget Apollo, Phoenix and even Africa, 2017 sees the appearance of YOU and you're in for a very pleasant surprise.
Labels:
Africa,
Amber,
Ann Gottlieb,
Apollo,
Axe,
Dark Temptation,
Faberge,
Lynx,
Musk,
Phoenix,
Spice,
You
Monday, 3 July 2017
BERGAMOTE CALABRIA by Guerlain
Summer means one thing in the world of Guerlain, time to refocus on the new Aqua Allegoria fragrance. The idea of sunshine in a bottle is the cornerstone of the company’s seasonal release and this year is no exception. Bergamote Calabria is the creation of Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk, who now co-sign the majority of fragrances that come from this historic house. Bergamote Calabria originally launched back in February but Aqua Allegorias really come into their own as the weather gets warmer, and as we grab something at Duty Free. So, what does this new release have to offer?
Monday, 26 June 2017
THE LOST GIRL by Carol Drinkwater
To say that we live in very uncertain times would be an understatement. Society has constantly gone through struggles and upheavals, but what is now different is that we follow every twist and turn on twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and by SMS. There is no passage of time while we wait for information to come through; it’s now relentlessly instant. For the plot of her latest novel, Carol Drinkwater has collided the 2015 Bataclan attack with the perfume fields of Grasse, and produced a work that uses scented references to lift the very words from the page and resonate with the reader. THE LOST GIRL is an emotional roller-coaster.
Thursday, 22 June 2017
PERFUME at Somerset House
Somerset House in London has to be one of the most beautiful venues for any exhibition, but it's even better on a hot summer evening. This is how it was on Tuesday when I visited the new installation simply entitled PERFUME. With a tag line describing it as “a sensory journey through contemporary scent” I really had no idea what to expect. Except for a few slips from Lizzie Ostrom, aka Odette Toilette, during a day out with baby Ostrom it was a total surprise. So, was my original impression that it covered everything from "semen to cookies" correct? Come with me into a "world of pure imagination".
Monday, 19 June 2017
LEIGHTON DENNY Gets Us Ready For Summer
Marilyn Monroe famously sang, “we’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave”, and those words couldn’t be truer of the last few days in Britain. Spring is finally gone and we are now basking in the glorious summer sunshine. Alongside the heat though is the ever present goal of the perfect tan and unfortunately, if you’re like me, something to soothe a sunburn. The majority of summer products have the usual aroma of tiare flower and ylang-ylang, which make them difficult to use underneath your favourite fragrance, but Leighton Denny has solved this problem with two products from his Sunbelievable range.
Thursday, 15 June 2017
LONDON by Gallivant
Inspiration comes from many sources but our memories can provide some of the most unusual and exciting. There is something about the way our brains store information about a place or a situation that can result in quite an abstract recollection, and it's this that Nick Steward has used to create the debut range from Gallivant, his own perfume company. After a career spent working for some of the industry's top perfume brands, Nick felt that the time was right to branch out on his own. So, let's take a closer look at London, one of his first four fragrances, which is far more than just Earl Grey and sandwiches.
Labels:
4160 Tuesdays,
Brooklyn,
Gallivant,
Giorgia Navarra,
Guerlain,
Istanbul,
Karine Chevallier,
Leather,
London,
Nick Steward,
Nomad,
Rose,
Roullier White,
Sarah McCartney,
Tel Aviv,
Une Ville Un Parfum
Monday, 12 June 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - NICK STEWARD
It takes guts to start a new independent perfume company these days, but that is exactly what Nick Steward has done. After nineteen years working in the fragrance industry he has taken the plunge and launched Gallivant with a beautiful range of scents designed for “the traveller in us all”. So, let’s find out a little bit more about the man behind the passport as he answers “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Bertrand Duchaufour,
Dior,
Dior Higher,
Diorissimo,
Eau Sauvage,
Edmond Roudnitska,
Fleur de Male,
Gallivant,
Jean Paul Gaultier,
Nick Steward,
Stephan's Six,
Tel Aviv,
Timbuktu
Thursday, 8 June 2017
Three Fragrances For Father's Day
It’s almost Father’s Day and if you’ve already made your purchases then I’m very impressed. However, in a similar way to Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and even Christmas Day, there will be a lot of frantic dashes to the high street in an attempt to get that last minute present. You are going to be confronted with walls of fragrances, some of which you will know but many that you won’t, and so I’ve chosen three classics for you which should cover most budgets. In the end it’s the thought that counts, but one of these is certain to impress. So, let's have a look at Dior, Penhaligon's and Crabtree & Evelyn.
Monday, 5 June 2017
DRYAD by Papillon Perfumery
Sexy is different to sensual and sultry is not the same as provocative, but what these words all have in common is that they can be applied to every fragrance from one of Britain's finest independent perfumers. If Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime then Liz Moores is surely the Siren of Scent. She always weaves a sexuality through her fragrances and this continues with her latest addition. An already impressive range of four fragrances is joined this month by a fifth in the form of the eagerly awaited Dryad, and it promises to entice and challenge in exactly the same way that her previous creations have.
Thursday, 1 June 2017
GALLIVANT - Scenting The City
The niche sector of the perfume market is an ever-growing one with new companies seemingly popping up at a rate of knots. Some of them are excellent; some of them miss the mark. Some are created by perfumers; some are envisaged by creative directors. Whichever way they come to market the most important thing is that the product is of an exceptional quality, otherwise they just get lost amongst a sea of Google search results. Enter Nick Steward and his company Gallivant. No stranger to the perfume industry, and with an approachable nature that is refreshing, I met up with him to find out more about Gallivant.
Tuesday, 30 May 2017
STEPHAN'S SIX - LEE KYNASTON (Grooming Guru)
"The Grooming Guru", it's quite a title but one which has definitely been earned by Lee Kynaston. A journalist for over twenty years, and a go-to for your daily insight into the workings of the male mind, Lee has observed, advised and even led the way on everything to do with men. So, after commenting on everyone else I thought it was about time we found out a little bit about the man himself during “Stephan’s Six”.
Thursday, 25 May 2017
LIME & BERGAMOT by Bronnley
"Summer means citrus". There you have it, three words which sum up an entire season in the world of perfume. Okay, I know that I'm generalising slightly, because there are numerous other fragrances released at this time of the year as well, but the sparkling citrus scents always prove eternally popular when the weather gets warmer. Sunshine means drinks by the pool, lemonade on the beach, a Gin and Tonic in a holiday cafe. In a fragrance, however, I wanted a green citrus with a mouthwatering freshness, and that is exactly what I got with Bronnley's Lime & Bergamot. So, grab your flip-flops and discover your new summer spritz.
Monday, 22 May 2017
Crabtree & Evelyn Celebrate The Gardeners Collection
Any company with a range that reaches a twenty-year anniversary is to be congratulated. Two decades is, after all, a long time to retain customer loyalty in today's trend-driven market. With more and more companies offering similar products there has to be something special to keep the original alive, and this certainly applies when it comes to Crabtree & Evelyn. The brand launched in 1972 but one of its most iconic ranges arrived in 1997, the Gardeners Collection. In celebration of its twentieth birthday Crabtree & Evelyn has released a candle in the same scent, but does it really measure up?
Labels:
Candle,
clover,
Crabtree & Evelyn,
Cyrus Harvey,
eucalyptus,
Gardeners Collection,
Gardeners Hand Scrub,
Gardeners Outdoor Candle,
Lavender,
lemongrass,
pine,
rosemary,
sage,
thyme
Thursday, 18 May 2017
IDLE by Romilly Wilde
The success of any company lies in the ability to connect with a variety of customers. New businesses often launch with a single product or a single range and then struggle to move outside of that original market. Romilly Wilde had a clever idea when they appeared in 2016, and it was one that has gained them fans in both the skincare and fragrance market, as well as nominations in the highly coveted 2017 Fragrance Foundation Awards for Best New Fragrance In Limited Distribution and Best New Independent Fragrance. So, let's take a closer look at Romilly Wilde's debut scent, Idle, and the creative duo behind it.
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