Monday 20 December 2021

My Favourite Five From 2021

To say that it’s been a challenging twelve months would definitely be an understatement but, for the second year running, the fragrance industry has refused to give in. Even with partial restrictions and a decidedly uncertain future, companies have continued to do their very best to bring us some much needed scented escape. Some of the fragrances have been new, some have been classics, but all of them have kept us smiling. So, as we approach the end of 2021, I thought it would be a good moment to look back at twelve months of articles, once again channel my inner Blyton, and pick My Favourite Five.

Monday 13 December 2021

HEROIC STORY by Vines House Parfum

As we approach the end of a second year of restrictions and complications, I think it’s time that we all took a moment to reflect on the achievements that each of us have made. You don’t need to have learned a new language or raised money for charity, I’m talking about the fact that people simply found the strength to carry on when every day brought new challenges. No one could have predicted the last two years, and that is why it’s so wonderful to find a fragrance that was started back in 2019, launched in 2020 and which actually resonates so perfectly today. I’m talking about Heroic Story from Vines House Parfum.

Monday 6 December 2021

PÅTCH by ånd fragrance

There are certain ingredients that will forever be associated with a particular decade, and it can be very difficult to shake off those attachments. Just the mention of the name can conjure up forgotten times or misplaced lovers, and it can often be hard to see beyond these memories. However, if we do, there’s a whole new scented world to experience. One such ingredient is patchouli, and it instantly pulls up images of the 1970s. Creating a new interpretation of this iconic aroma has been tried many times, with varying success, but the latest attempt from ånd fragrance is an absolute winner. It’s time to discover Påtch.

Monday 29 November 2021

My Top Five Candles For Christmas 2021

The tree has been brought down from the loft and, if you're anything like me, you're also desperately trying to remember where you put the fairy lights. This can only mean one thing, it’s Christmas! Alongside all of the traditions that go with the festive season, my annual contribution is recommending which flickering piece of scented magic needs to take pride of place in your home this year. We often fall back on the old favourites in December, but I'm going to ask you to try something a little different. This year’s choices have been harder than ever, but the time has finally arrived to reveal my Top Five Candles for Christmas.

Monday 22 November 2021

The Extension of MOLECULE 01

There are many accolades that are thrown around the world of perfumery but, when it comes to choosing the person who has singlehandedly championed the cause of synthetics, there’s only one Geza Schoen. His earth shattering release of Molecule 01 back in 2006 created ripples that are still being felt in both commercial and niche perfumery today. The public became fascinated with the futuristic Iso E Super ingredient and there was a stampede to try the first “scent of yourself” fragrance. More Escentric Molecules perfumes followed but the love of the original never disappeared. So, fifteen years later, Molecule 01 has had an exciting facelift.

Monday 15 November 2021

NAPLES by Gallivant

After the incredible reduction in the number of fragrances that were launched last year, and I’m certainly not saying that it was a bad thing, this year sees some of my favourite perfume companies expanding their catalogues. It feels as though we have definitely been spoiled over the past few months, and I think we all deserved a little scented excitement, but the latest release that should be on everyone’s Christmas list has just arrived. I’m talking about Naples from Gallivant. This is a company that I’ve followed since it first started back in 2017 and, fantastically, they’ve struck gold for the tenth time.

Monday 8 November 2021

RestN by Paul Keating

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
There can’t be anyone that hasn’t heard that expression, and the past year and half has tested it to the extreme. Changes in circumstances have forced companies and individuals to adapt like never before. When the usual way of earning a living suddenly disappeared, it quickly became apparent that there would be little help. The theatre industry was severely hit, with shows cancelled and closed, but one actor had the idea to turn the uncertainty into some much needed relaxation. Paul Keating launched RestN, and he is tipped for some seriously scented success.

Monday 1 November 2021

No.1 by Jones & Modha

I don’t know whether you would call it a trend anymore, because it feels like it’s now part of our everyday lives, but the drive for natural products shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. With a greater interest in what goes into our fragrances, creams and potions, a whole new group of companies have appeared with the promise that they can offer what customers are demanding. Balancing natural credentials with legal formulation requirements can often be difficult though, but one company that have achieved it with their debut fragrance is Jones & Modha. Let me introduce you to no.1 and their promise of “natural plant alchemy”.

Monday 25 October 2021

NAKED DANCE by Oddity

One of the aspects of perfumery that many people struggle to come to terms with is the worry that their observations of a scent might not match other people’s. The ingredient lists and fragrance stories all try to guide you to a particular scented impression, but it doesn’t mean that you’re actually going to get there. We all interpret scent differently, have different memories, and recognise different ingredients, so it makes sense that we’ll all pick up different aspects. This is the principle behind the newly launched Oddity fragrance brand and, with their full encouragement to trust your own instincts, it's time to discover Naked Dance.

Monday 18 October 2021

LOUDO by Sarah Baker Perfumes

The idea of using childhood as the inspiration for a fragrance is always going to be fraught with dangers, quite simply because everyone’s childhood is different. What resonates with one person may not be familiar to another. Add into the mix a fashionable ingredient and you also have a second level of preconceived ideas that carries the potential to disappoint. So, when Sarah Baker announced that her latest fragrance would combine childhood memories and oud, there was a definite intake of breath. Could the inspiration and the ingredient really be brought seamlessly together and offer something truly original?

Monday 11 October 2021

A CLASSIC CANDLE TRIO by Kilted Quarter

There’s nothing I enjoy more than spending an hour or two wandering around the brocante markets in France, and usually coming away with far too many things to fit in my suitcase! So, with travel still a little limited, it’s wonderful that these types of elevated flea markets seem to have really taken off in the UK as well. It’s the excitement of finding the missing piece of a dinner set, a lost childhood memory, or even something that you wonder how you've ever lived without. Kilted Quarter is one of these new UK companies, but they’ve also launched a range of brocante-inspired candles that are guaranteed to have perfume lovers rushing to order.

Monday 4 October 2021

MYSTERY by Cláudia Camacho

Capturing the essence of a place is one of the hardest inspirations that a perfumer can choose to explore. This is because the scents that surround you in a real-life environment are still subject to personal associations, and so you may not end up capturing a true representation of the location. That’s why we have to trust that the creator has immersed themselves in the flora, fauna, and aromas of their chosen place. This would be a challenge for an experienced perfumer, let alone a newcomer, and so getting the chance to experience the stunning Mystery by Cláudia Camacho is one of the highlights of the year.

Monday 27 September 2021

FLEUR DE LA PASSION by Fragonard

When you hear the words “new release” it’s usually accompanied by a sinking feeling as you realise that there’s a hefty price tag attached to it. The majority of the latest perfume launches start from around £50 if you’re lucky and so, in the current climate of uncertainty, they're out of the reach of many people’s budgets. Happily there is one company that always treats us to an affordable release every year, and that’s Fragonard. Their highly successful Flower of the Year series is now in its second decade, and this year they’ve chosen to spotlight the delicious Fleur de la Passion by series regular Celine Ellena.

Monday 20 September 2021

THE SCENTED STEM DIFFUSER from Le Jardin Retrouvé

One thing that's guaranteed to get people thinking about home scents is surely the changing of the seasons. We naturally mark these moments with different aromas, whether that’s a new perfume or even a shower gel, but the options for scenting our homes are a little more limited. Everyone has their opinion on the effectiveness of either a candle or a room spray, but when Le Jardin Retrouvé announced that they were launching a diffuser it came with an expectation of excellence. The company have a history of successfully challenging the way things are done, and that continues with their new Scented Stem Diffuser.

Monday 13 September 2021

TIMELESS by Avon

There are many fragrances that have stood the test of time and, against all the odds, have continued to appeal to both old and new fans. These are often under-appreciated gems because, after being on the market for such a long time, they can easily be seen as old fashioned or out of date. However, all it usually needs is a friendly nudge to bring them back into the spotlight. When Avon launched Timeless back in 1974 they could never have imagined that forty-seven years later it would still be such a firm favourite with their customers, or that it would share its famous birthday with pop supergroup ABBA.

Monday 6 September 2021

THE BEAUTIFUL MIND SERIES by Geza Schoen

Geza Schoen
is best known as the genius behind the 2006 phenomenon that was Molecule 01. To call it a worldwide bestseller would be an understatement, this was a ground-breaking moment in the history of fragrance. Whilst success was a wonderful thing to achieve, it did mean that an inspirational second collection of scents went largely unrecognised. The Beautiful Mind Series was an honest appreciation for, and a celebration of, women. For too long they had been judged solely on appearance, but Geza wanted to do something different. So, leave your stereotypes behind as we rediscover this inspirational pairing.

Monday 30 August 2021

BERGAMOT by Kitty's Herbery

The news that your favourite shop is closing, a personal fragrance is being discontinued, or even just the realisation that change is inevitable is something that we all have to deal with on a pretty regular basis at the moment. We like familiarity, and it throws us off kilter when we don’t have it. So, when I saw that a Cornish staple had closed its doors after nineteen years my heart sank. However, they were quickly lifted when I read that there was a new company in town that was paying homage to the original but had a definite eye on the future. It’s time to discover
Kitty’s Herbery, and their beautiful Bergamot fragrance.

Monday 23 August 2021

INBETWEEN by Choreograph

The idea of being left to our own devices is something that we’ve all had to embrace over the past year, and people have dealt with it in very different ways. There was a lot of time to fill and, while some of us caught up with the mountain of Blu-rays that had magically appeared, many perfumers knuckled down and used the opportunity to concentrate on long anticipated projects. Hitting the pause button changed the schedules and space appeared in the diary. Choreograph is one such example, and Adey Zookrow’s fusion of experimental fragrance with original music has come at just the right moment.

Monday 16 August 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - REBECCA HARRISON


After an impressive career working with some of the world’s finest fragrance and beauty houses, Rebecca Harrison decided that the time was right to launch her own perfume company, Vines House Parfum. Having split her time between Dorset and the southwest of France, the collection drew on the parallels between the wine and fragrance industries, and proved an instant hit with customers that were looking for perfumes with a story. So, as they celebrate their second birthday, I thought it was time to learn a little more about Rebecca during “Stephan’s Six”.

Monday 9 August 2021

GREEN VELVET by Ilya Parfums

The fact that many truly niche perfume companies are actually a one or two-person operation is exactly the reason why they’ve managed to survive the difficulties of recent times. The ability to quickly pivot, and either focus their energies on a temporary line or pause production altogether, has meant that the final easing of restrictions has allowed them to re-emerge and take up where they left off. Ilyas Kakis, the founder of Ilya Parfums, has been refreshingly open about how the past year gave him time to reassess the brand. With the collection now numbering three, it’s time to discover the magic of Green Velvet.

Monday 2 August 2021

CITRUS VERVE by Botani Perfumery

There’s a period in perfumery that is likely to be remembered as the time of missed releases and forgotten fragrances. I’m talking about the very end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 when, unbeknown to us all, we were heading for a worldwide period of lockdowns and disruption. The companies that launched during these months had contracts cancelled, frustrated customers unable to smell the fragrances, and don’t forget the shortage of alcohol. So, for a new company to keep going was a massive achievement. One example of this is Botani Perfumery who, against the odds, released a beautiful quartet of fragrances.

Monday 26 July 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - ILYAS KAKIS


The meticulous way that a fragrance formula is put together means that the links between science and perfumery are clear to see. So, when Ilyas Kakis swapped a career in research for one in perfume it wasn’t too much of a surprise. With a collection of three fragrances now available, I thought it was time to learn a little more about the man behind Ilya Parfums and ask him “Stephan’s Six.”

Monday 19 July 2021

NEANDERTAL LIGHT by Neandertal

The idea of reconnecting with the past is something that has been at the forefront of many people’s minds over the past twelve months. That feeling of travelling back to simpler times, even experiencing the thoughts and feelings of forgotten generations, anything but the uncertainty of modern life. Perfume companies have tried to tap into this concept many times, with everything from the Pharaohs to World Wars, but one of the most ingenious has to be Neandertal. With a nod to the past both visually and sensorially, but celebrating the world around us, the company have created the sensational Neandertal Light.

Monday 12 July 2021

THE SCENT OF RUM by Rosemullion Distillery

The idea that our sense of taste is closely linked to our sense of smell is something that is often talked about these days, but it’s still generally confined to food. However, recent years saw the dramatic boom in the fashion for flavoured gins, and these definitely took the limelight away from other equally exciting spirits. One that has been unfairly ignored often evokes stormy nights and is forever associated with Cornwall. I’m talking about rum. One of the newest producers in the UK at the moment is Rosemullion Distillery and so, as a rum lover, I didn’t need to think twice when I was asked to discover their exceptional trio.

Monday 5 July 2021

4711 by Mäurer & Wirtz

Fragrance fans are constantly searching for the next “big hitter” or “must have” scent and, because of this, often forget to look backwards as well as forwards. There are very few genuinely new trends in perfumery, they’ve all been seen before, it’s just the way that they’re presented that is different. However, we seem to be locked into the eternal quest for “newness” and, because of this, can find ourselves overlooking the faded and forgotten gems from another time. One such treasure must surely be 4711 by Mäurer & Wirtz. Arguably the world’s most famous cologne, it’s time this classic was rediscovered by a new generation.

Monday 28 June 2021

SCENTED SUNCREAM - Perfume, Protect, Support

When we hear the word “fragrance” our thoughts instantly turn to the type that gets spritzed out of our favourite perfume bottle. We often forget about the millions of items that also have a scent within them. From fabric conditioner to dishwasher tablets, or shower gel to shampoo, functional products are often made more attractive because of their fragrance. The same goes for your suncream. Often seen as an annoying interruption to getting that all-over tan, it’s time to discover how this vital piece of sun protection can actually be used as your daily perfume, and also learn about Escentual’s #SunPoverty campaign.

Thursday 24 June 2021

DIVINE L'ÉTERNEL FÉMININ by Richard Ibanez

If there’s one thing that the past twelve months have taught me it’s that I really do need to reach into the back of my cupboards a little more often. We all have a tendency to focus on what’s right in front of our noses, quite literally with perfume, and so often miss the treasures that are hiding in the shadows. New purchases are placed at the front and old favourites get forgotten. This became clear when I was having a rummage recently and came across a 2014 bottle of pure delight. So, after seven years of waiting patiently, it’s time to rediscover the exquisite magic of Divine L’éternel Féminin by Richard Ibanez.

Monday 21 June 2021

CÉCILE by To The Fairest

As much as we try not to be influenced by the box or the bottle that a fragrance comes in, sometimes it’s just impossible not to be swayed by appearance. Obviously the ultimate test is when the perfume is sprayed onto the skin, but any kind of extra persuasion that gets you to spritz a new scent is invaluable for any new company. The colour of a box can often be the first thing that grabs your attention, and that is especially true of Cécile from the British company To The Fairest. Sporting a blue jacket that could have walked off the Farrow & Ball colour chart, I was mesmerised before I had even smelled the scent.

Thursday 17 June 2021

CELIE & COUCH by Jordan Bryan

When a new perfume company launches you always hope to find at least one fragrance amongst their opening collection that you fall in love with. When it’s an independent company the hopes are even higher that there will be something in there that grabs you. So, to find a niche brand that has launched with three fragrances and each of them is an absolute joy to wear is very rare. However, that is exactly the situation with Celie & Couch. Get ready to be entranced as I introduce you to self-taught perfumer Jordan Bryan and his Yorkshire themed Skellered, Scran On Th’ Garth, and Moor An’ Th’ Loike.

Monday 14 June 2021

LX LAB CANDLES by Laurent Guinci

How you describe a fragrance can often be just as important as the actual product itself. Aiming it at your audience with playful mischief, as opposed to gratuitous sexualisation, can form a connection to the customer that draws them in rather than pushes them away. Add in the discussion around what makes a fragrance masculine or feminine and you’ll appreciate that it’s a complicated road to navigate. One company that has achieved it effortlessly is LX Lab Candles. With a new range of scents inspired by liaisons, both adventurous and innocent, your only choice is whether you want to celebrate the chase or the conquest.

Thursday 10 June 2021

INVISIBLE BEN by 4160 Tuesdays

Fashion and trends have a habit of repeating themselves, and this is because new generations often rediscover something and regard it as “retro”. There’s also the realisation from older groups that their haste to embrace “newness” may have been overly zealous. Nothing sums this up better than the continuing resurgence of vinyl records. June 12th is World Record Store Day, so I thought it would be fun to pick my favourite vinyl purchase so far this year and set it to scent. Grab your disco shoes because it’s time to turn up the volume on Jimmy Somerville’s Homage and spritz liberally with Invisible Ben from 4160 Tuesdays.

Monday 7 June 2021

LAZY SAGE by Elementary

We often talk about the companies that had made plans for 2020 and, for obvious reasons, had to shelve or postpone them. What we seem to forget though are those brands that had literally launched at the end of 2019 and so had to navigate a very difficult online retail period. They had to be sensitive and not exploitative, informative as opposed to lecturing, and visible without being overbearing. Many companies fell down on these, even established brands, but there was one that sailed right through. It’s time to reintroduce you to Elementary and, with the sunshine starting to come through, bask in the joy of Lazy Sage.

Thursday 3 June 2021

HOOHAA - The Ultimate Perfume Subscription

The anticipation of a knock at the door heralding the arrival of the post has become a highlight for many over the past year. Being stuck at home meant that everyday activities were seriously affected, and that included shopping for anything that wasn’t a necessity. So it’s hardly surprising that this period saw the launch of many subscription services, and an increase in the availability of discovery boxes, with the perfume industry definitely leading the charge. Obviously the quality of the offerings varied dramatically, but one company that has absolutely nailed it is HooHaa. If you haven’t heard of them then it’s time that you did.

Monday 31 May 2021

SÅND by ånd fragrance

The world of fragrance is really starting to focus on commitments to sustainability, eco consciousness, and plastic reduction. Well, to be honest, the majority of companies are just hopping onto the bandwagon with the minimum input so that they can use the “buzz words” in their marketing. Sustainability does not just mean recycled glass, and eco consciousness goes far beyond merely removing cellophane from your perfume box. However, one company that has absolutely committed to these pledges is ånd fragrance, and their Sånd perfume shows that environmental concerns and incredible fragrances can definitely go hand in hand.

Thursday 27 May 2021

FLEUR DE LAVANDE by 1000 Flowers

As we slowly begin to exit the rules that have governed us for over a year, we do it in the knowledge that there are others who are not so lucky. Their lives are still restricted and many don’t have the freedoms that we now do in Britain. It’s because of this uncertainty, and also because we’ve all been on a long voyage of self-discovery, that many of us are now reaching for “simpler” products. Overly blended fragrances are being glossed over in favour of a purer style, and none embodies this more than
Fleur de Lavande from 1000 Flowers. The archetypal soliflore, it’s time to take a scented journey to the town of Grasse.

Monday 24 May 2021

CEDRUS CEDAR DIFFUSER by Ancienne Ambiance

There are certain questions that can never be categorically answered. Is tea better than coffee? Is the BBC better than ITV? Should shops really be open on a Sunday? However, alongside these is the thorny subject of scenting your home. There are so many ways to add fragrance to your surroundings but it always comes down to a battle between the two undisputed leaders. Are you a diffuser or a candle household? There are pros and cons for both, so making a decision is always hard, but Ancienne Ambiance have risen to the challenge with their newly expanded Cedrus Cedar collection.

Thursday 20 May 2021

RIVIERA DRIVE by Atelier Des Ors

There is nothing I like more than packing a suitcase, picking up the plane tickets, and heading to the airport. The excitement of those new discoveries, the thrill of meeting up with old friends, and the urge to drive coastal roads once more almost carries you into your allocated seat. This year the thought of overseas travel will unfortunately simply remain a dream for many of us, but that doesn’t have to stop you hitching a scented flight to warmer climates. It's time to wind down the window, look out over the beautiful azure sea, and breathe in the aromas of the Côte d’Azur as we discover Riviera Drive from Atelier Des Ors.

Monday 17 May 2021

NIGHTSCAPE by Ulrich Lang

The part of reviewing fragrances that I really enjoy is when you end up with connections that, until you stumble across them, hadn’t been mentioned before. This can be because journalists are nervous about veering too far from the company’s press release, for fear of upsetting the person that’s written it, or they’re financially tied in some way to the promotion of the scent. So, when the worlds of Netflix, perfume, and American fashioned collided spectacularly this week, I finally realised that I was sitting on a modern day classic. It’s time to revisit, or discover for the first time, the Ultrasuede styling of Nightscape by Ulrich Lang.

Thursday 13 May 2021

HALSTON Z-14 by Vincent Marcello and Max Gavarry

If you think about the vast number of fragrances that are launched every year you’ll understand why securing a following is so important. The constant stream of new releases can potentially result in us switching our allegiance to the new kid on the block, and then it’s very hard to tempt us back. It wasn’t always like this. In the past, the launches every year were only in double figures, and that actually may be one of the reasons why some have stood the test of time. One such fragrance is Halston Z-14 and, as it celebrates its forty-fifth birthday, I thought it was time to see whether the years had been kind.

Monday 10 May 2021

VOYAGE STORY by Vines House Parfum

One of the mistakes that we often make when looking at a new fragrance company is that we fall into the trap of exploring the collection, picking our favourite, and almost discounting the others. We unfairly compare them side by side when, in reality, they each have their own part to play in the line-up. It’s very rare for a company to launch with just one perfume and so many wonderful scents get overlooked. With this in mind, I revisited a brand that I featured earlier in the year and picked my new favourite from the range. So, it’s time to rekindle some scented travel courtesy of Voyage Story from Vines House Parfum.

Thursday 6 May 2021

GREEN MARKET by Keap Candles

Over the past twelve months one of the industries that has rocketed is home candles. There has been a never-ending roll call of new companies all promising that theirs was the greenest or the most luxurious, but it often just felt like the latest in a deluge of imitations and opportunism. From a kitchen counter through to industrial units, everyone seemed to be having a go. However, in amongst the “newness” there were also some established gems waiting to be discovered, and one such company is Keap Candles. Based in New York, I can honestly say that I was blown away by both the scents and the story.

Monday 3 May 2021

The SEASONAL SCENTS SUBSCRIPTION BOX from The Perfume Society

The way that fragrances are categorised can often be one of the main factors when it comes to deciding whether to purchase the latest release or not. This is because we all like shortcuts to finding our favourite scent, and we hope that it will save us costly mistakes. However, if you think of male versus female, citrus versus woody, or even niche versus commercial, then you’ll realise just how broad these categorises can be. With retail only just starting to get going again, and many people still reliant on home discovery, this is what makes The Seasonal Scents Subscription Box a welcome addition for fragrance fans.

Thursday 29 April 2021

SPELL 125 by Papillon Perfumery

When we look at the never ending stream of reviews for any new perfume you could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve read it all before. Many of them seem to follow the press release from the company so rigidly that you can almost second guess what is going to be said. The real joy of fragrance is that different people can react in different ways to the same scent, so why not say so? This is what happened when I smelled the latest release from Liz Moores and Papillon Perfumery. Whilst it may have originally been inspired by ancient Egyptian rituals, Spell 125 took me instead to Germany and its annual celebration of Hexennacht.

Monday 26 April 2021

ROSE CHARCOAL by Emmanuelle Moeglin

When a new company truly grabs their customers’ attention then the sky really is the limit. A small and intimate start-up can, over time, take its place as a fully-fledged and successful brand. This is what happened to Emmanuelle Moeglin and her Experimental Perfume Club. Originally launched in 2015, they've just opened their new shop in London’s historic Monmouth Street and it promises to add a new experience to this theatrical thoroughfare. With the paint still fresh on the doors, I took the opportunity to visit and delve into Emmanuelle’s collection, and within seconds I fell for the wide-eyed charms of Rose Charcoal.

Thursday 22 April 2021

I've Gone Nuts Over Ånd Fragrances

Launching an online brand in the middle of a global pandemic is certainly not something for the faint hearted. However, following that up with the opening of a physical shop, as we exit the UK’s latest lockdown, pushes the boundaries for even the most daring of people. That is exactly what Simon Constantine has done with ånd fragrance. He has managed to take Corporate Social Responsibility to a whole new level, invested in the struggling world of high street retail, and launched five fantastic fragrances. I went to Poole to visit the new store and also to discover his latest release, the Tåg Solid Perfume.

Monday 19 April 2021

CIEL D'ETÉ by L.T. Piver

Three years ago, almost to the day, I wrote an article about how the ageing process can alter a perfume’s scent. Over time the volatile citruses can thin out, if not disappear completely, and the resinous vanillas and woods can become decidedly richer than was ever intended. Add into the mix storage conditions and you’ll see why perception can become confused. This is why when I saw the discontinued Ciel d'Eté (Summer Sky) by L.T. Piver simply described as “leathery and woody” something didn’t sound right. So, I pulled my cherished bottle out of storage and, for the first time, opened it to the elements. What I smelled was totally unexpected.

Thursday 15 April 2021

REBEL SOUL by Bel Rebel

Every perfume brand that launches has the initial challenge of deciding exactly what is going to make them different from the thousands that are already in existence. Over the years there have been a myriad of broken promises and bucket loads of marketing, so you can understand that when a new fragrance is sent to me I like to do some digging before I write about it. “Challenging conventions” and offering “unexpected twists” have become commonplace phrases, but they aren’t always delivered. One company that has succeeded however is Bel Rebel, and their Rebel Soul perfume is gloriously exquisite in its simplicity.

Monday 12 April 2021

TASTE & FLAVOUR by Ryan Riley and Kimberley Duke

It's very rare to come across people that you can honestly call 100% selfless, but those are the only words that come to mind when describing the remarkable Ryan Riley and Kimberley Duke. This duo have set themselves the task of reimagining the way we eat, so that those with a compromised sense of taste and smell can once again enjoy the experience of aroma and flavour. From humble beginnings in Sunderland to a sudden worldwide frenzy of interest last week, the pair have just launched a Covid recovery cookbook entitled Taste & Flavour, and the response has been understandably incredible.

Thursday 8 April 2021

UN RENDEZ-VOUS AVEC CÉZANNE by Rose et Marius

One of the greatest joys about perfume is that there is a never-ending stream of new companies and fragrances to discover. However, we often get blinded by the constant adverts for the latest releases from the biggest brands but, sitting quietly on the side lines, there are a multitude just waiting for their chance to shine. If you have the time to do some investigation then you’ll start to uncover some of these hidden treasures, and that’s just what happened when I came across the irresistible
Rose et Marius. Their latest fragrance is called Un rendez-vous avec Cézanne, and it promises “an olfactory journey in Provence.”

Monday 5 April 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - MONICA MANCINI


Described by The New York Times as “the glamorous vocal equivalent to diamonds flashing,” Monica Mancini is a double Grammy Award nominee. Daughter to the legendary film composer Henry Mancini, she has gone on to release five albums that truly are the perfect soundtrack to the imminent lazy summer days. So, put your feet up, grab a glass of wine, and discover Monica’s fragrance memories during “Stephan’s Six”.