Stephan Matthews

Showing posts with label Ancienne Ambiance. Show all posts

Monday, 21 February 2022

BELLA BERGAMOTTA by Ancienne Ambiance

If you’ve had the same weekend that I’ve had then it’s mostly been spent worrying what Storm Eunice was planning to inflict upon us. I got off fairly lightly, four ridge tiles crashed down off the main roof and landed on the kitchen extension, but it did mean that there was a definite need for something that could provide a little additional calm and relaxation. With the insurance claim under way, I turned to the gentle flicker of a candle flame. Luckily for us all, Ancienne Ambiance have the limited edition Bella Bergamotta to soothe away our troubles, but you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on one.

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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.

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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, 16 March 2020

The Comfort of Soaps

We are living through extraordinary times but, never one to miss an opportunity, the beauty industry has been cashing in on the public fear. With a shortage of hand sanitiser, all thoughts turned to the humble bar of soap and the marketing machines have rumbled into action with “anti-bacterial” messages and questionable pricing. Thankfully many companies have not gone down this grubby route and have retained some dignity. So, I’ve raided my bathroom cupboard to bring you some honourable favourites that won’t break the bank. And talking about cost, I also bought all of these scented beauties myself.

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Monday, 16 September 2019

STEPHAN'S SIX - ADRIANA CARLUCCI

Adriana Carlucci is the force behind the wonderful Ancienne Ambiance store in London’s fashionable Chelsea. The boutique came about as an extension of her family’s love of antiquity and quickly developed a very loyal following for its fragrances and home products. To celebrate the company’s fifteenth birthday I thought it was time to discover Adriana’s own scented secrets during “Stephan’s Six”.

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Monday, 5 August 2019

THREE SENSATIONALLY SCENTED SOAKS

We often think that soaking in a bath belongs to the autumn or winter months but what would you say if I told you that summertime bathing is making a real comeback? Those people who don’t have the luxury of a pool in the back garden are turning to the bathtub to provide some much-needed respite from the continuing heat. Now, bubbles just don’t seem to cut it in hot weather but clear, fragranced water is an absolute joy to relax in. So, grab a book and a glass of wine because I’m going to introduce you to three sensationally scented soaks that are perfect for summertime bathing.

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Monday, 24 June 2019

THE SOAP RESURGENCE

It’s always interesting to see something become “fashionable” that was, just a matter of years ago, seen by many as belonging to another generation. “Everything comes back into style” was the mantra of my mother and, as I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that she is absolutely right. One of the recent popularity resurgences in the beauty industry has been the revival of the humble bar of soap, although some companies are anything but humble in the pricing of these scented tablets. So, to help you navigate the suds, I’ve chosen my top five perfumed soaps and none of these fragranced beauties will break the bank.

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Thursday, 28 March 2019

GODDESS BEAUTY OIL by Ancienne Ambiance

When it comes to answering the age-old question of how to make your fragrance last longer, the response is always to make sure that the skin you’re spraying the perfume onto is moisturised. The act of hydrating your skin can dramatically increase the longevity of your scent, but finding one that goes with your particular perfume can be a challenge. A decade ago a product was launched that has become my “go to” recommendation and, on its tenth birthday, it’s time for me to introduce it to you as well. More than just a body moisturiser, say hello to Ancienne Ambiance’s Goddess Argan Beauty Oil.

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Thursday, 29 November 2018

My Top Five Candles For Christmas 2018

The turkey has been ordered, the tree has been brought down from the loft, and that unlabelled box has just provided twenty metres of unexpected tinsel. It can only be Christmas. Along with the seasonal decorations, every home will be lighting this year’s chosen candle to scent the house during the festivities. Whether it’s an old favourite or a new discovery, scented candles are big business and literally come in every shape, size, and smell. With such a daunting selection to have to choose from it’s time for me to give you a little helping hand with my Top Five Candles For Christmas 2018.

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Thursday, 22 November 2018

COLONIA NINE by Ancienne Ambiance

Launching a fragrance range is a minefield in today’s market but life wasn’t any easier back in 2004 either. We were in the middle of the “celebrity culture” and everybody wanted to smell like his or her favourite pop star or film icon. Into the middle of this sequin and Lycra party came a company that was the exact opposite. Using the ancient world as its inspiration, and deliberately trying to offer their customers something that wasn’t on the high street, Ancienne Ambiance was launched. Fourteen years later, and with five beautiful fragrances in the collection, it is as successful as ever but Colonia Nine is particularly special.

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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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Monday, 21 February 2022

Monday, 24 May 2021

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Monday, 16 March 2020

Monday, 16 September 2019

Monday, 5 August 2019

Monday, 24 June 2019

Thursday, 28 March 2019

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Thursday, 22 November 2018