Stephan Matthews

Showing posts with label Lush. Show all posts

Monday, 18 May 2026

FOLK ARCHIVE by Ånd Fragrance

The FOLK ARCHIVE set of fragrances from AND FRAGRANCE

Fragrance is something we usually just think of as a product that is spritzed from a bottle, escapes from a diffuser or candle, or is enjoyed in a moisturiser. All of these are firmly anchored in our desire to either smell good or to scent our surroundings. There is another way to enjoy fragrance though, and that’s though experiential scents. These are designed to conjure locations, emotions, or events, but should be experienced in a space rather than worn. This type of scenting is enjoying a real resurgence at the moment, and Simon Constantine is the latest to absolutely nail it with the Folk Archive from Ånd Fragrance.

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Monday, 10 November 2025

BETEL by Lush

“Everything is new to someone” is a phrase that, while probably applicable to most things, should definitely be the eternal mantra of the perfume industry. With so many fragrance releases each year, and new ones forever being created, it’s impossible to stay on top of them all. The great thing about perfumes though is that they sit there quietly waiting to be discovered, and this can often be quite a while after they originally launch. Finding a fragrance after the initial buzz has died down can actually make it feel a little like a personal discovery, and this is exactly how I felt when I came across Betel from Lush.

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Monday, 27 October 2025

My Favourite Scented Soaps

A group shot showing the five soaps from Milano Cento, LUSH, Bronnley, Trésors Publics and Nesti Dante

There are certain rituals that can provide us with a momentary step away from the daily grind and, in a world where “me time” is becoming more of a rarity, can also help to reset our senses. I’m talking about the humble act of washing our hands. From the days of the famous Coal Tar Soap right through to the more modern perfume-inspired offerings, the release of scent that comes from plunging your hands and the bar into water is the perfect way to achieve fragranced cleanliness. So, in an effort to get you to ditch the hand washes and reconnect with this simple pleasure, it’s time for me to share my favourite five.

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Monday, 4 August 2025

TANK BATTLE by Simon Constantine

When Gorilla Perfumes closed the doors of their Islington store on January 22nd 2017, there was concern that their ground-breaking fragrances would also be locked away. Many perfume companies have disappeared over the years, and it’s not for want of trying, but finding a big enough customer base is the problem for many brands. Thankfully the perfumer behind Gorilla Perfumes was Simon Constantine, son of the founder of LUSH, and so the fragrances found a new home in the LUSH collection. There were many fascinating Gorilla Perfumes releases, but one of the most playful has to be the glorious Tank Battle.

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Monday, 24 June 2024

ÅND X CAREYS SECRET GARDEN by Simon Constantine

a bottle of the perfume that and have created for Careys Secret Garden

One of the interesting aspects of “niche” or “independent” perfumery is its ability to adapt and evolve in directions that are specific to the company. Mainstream brands often feel more pressure to conform to trends and fashions, whereas the smaller companies can take advantage of the situation by pivoting based on their customers’ demands. I’m not talking about the usual “flankers” or “limited editions”, but more the idea of offering variations based on feedback received. One company that has fully embraced this idea is ånd fragrance, with their voyage-of-discovery collaboration with Careys Secret Garden.

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Monday, 6 May 2024

29 HIGH STREET by LUSH

A bottle of the perfume 29 HIGH STREET by PIA LONG for LUSH

When you think about the various possible inspirations for perfume then the list usually includes pretty standard ideas like music, cities, ingredients, memories etc. This is because these are the “inspirations” that are so often trumpeted by the many fragrance companies. Obviously there are others that can be called on to ignite the creativity, but one of the boldest was surely embraced back in 2013. Acclaimed perfumer Pia Long was at that point in her career working for LUSH and, due to an unexpected track change, the now legendary 29 High Street perfume was born. Eleven years later, it’s time to revisit the fragrance's story.

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Monday, 13 February 2023

GINGER by LUSH

A bottle of Ginger perfume from LUSH - originally launched by Cosmetics To Go

I know that many people will swear by the mantra “never look back”, but I’m one of millions that is happily enjoying the continued wave of 1980s nostalgia. This was the decade that saw me enter my teens, clumsily plant my first kiss, and begin to notice that the world was rapidly changing around me. From the strikes to the Big Snow, and of course the exciting arrival of the UK’s fourth television channel, these were ten tumultuous years. So, grab your Sony Walkman, and set the VCR to record Crossroads, because we’re heading back to 1988 to discover Ginger from Cosmetics To Go (aka LUSH).

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Monday, 30 May 2022

CAREYS SECRET GARDEN by ånd fragrance

Carey's Secret Garden fragrance bottle called The Orangery by Simon Constantine

There can’t be many people that haven’t, at some point in their lives, wished that they could momentarily escape from the world by disappearing into their own private space. That wonderful thought of tranquillity and nature rubbing along with each other hand in hand. This idea of an undisturbed place was immortalised in Frances Hodgson Burnett‘s famous 1911 book, the Secret Garden. Now, Simon Constantine’s discovery of his “secret garden” was just as exciting, although a little less manicured, and he’s chosen to immortalise it in a strictly limited edition perfume release. So, are you ready to hunt out the green door in the ivy?

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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.

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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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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, 21 May 2020

SAPPHO and NERO by Lush

It’s not unusual to see numerous fragrance releases from a company in a single year. After all, it’s all about keeping their customers engaged. However, to launch an additional collection of five in one go is a little less usual. It doesn’t happen often because the amount of planning and execution that is required is immense, and it’s also a very risky decision. It takes a brand that isn’t afraid of a little hard work, and that company is LUSH. Their new Florence Collection is a series of five scents that are designed to realign the body's humours. The question is, how would this translate to contemporary fragrance?

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Monday, 4 February 2019

PLATINUM and CERAMICS by Parks London

The fashion for scented candles shows absolutely no signs of slowly down any time soon and it continues to be the preferred choice for fragrancing the majority of households. The variety that is available seems to increase on a daily basis with new waxes, innovative holders, even personalisation options all competing for that important place in your basket. However, there is a company that has recently undergone a complete rebranding of their candle range and the results are spectacular. I’m talking about Parks London and the beautiful scents that have been created by Pia Long. It’s time to be introduced to Ceramics and Platinum.

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Wednesday, 17 June 2015

The Wonderful Witch of Acton

Do you ever hear your parents' words coming out of your own mouth? It always comes as a shock when it happens, and I'm pretty sure that it starts as you approach middle-age! "Mad as a bag of snakes" ... that is how my mother would describe Sarah McCartney, founder of Acton's own 4160 TUESDAYS, and on this occasion I would have to agree. However, I say this with great fondness and admiration because she truly is a glorious one-off.

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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, 31 May 2021

Monday, 14 December 2020

Monday, 14 September 2020

Thursday, 21 May 2020

Monday, 4 February 2019

Wednesday, 17 June 2015