Stephan Matthews

Monday, 18 May 2020

SHOWER PUK by Geoff Thornton

Anybody that has followed me regularly will know that I have a deep love for the humble bar of soap. This started as a child when I would regularly reach for the Imperial Leather at home or, even more exotic to small fingers, the Coal Tar at my grandfather’s house. I’m not saying that I liked the thought of washing as a child, I don't think that any of us did, but I loved the smell that these fragranced bars provided. In recent years and months we’ve seen soap make a resurgence that could never have been planned, and it’s coincided with the launch of the wonderfully scented and beautifully packaged Shower PUK.

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Thursday, 14 May 2020

ELDRITCH MIST by Screaming Mandrake Perfumes

One of the ongoing challenges for the perfume industry is persuading customers to invest their time in a company and their products. There is so much choice, which just keeps getting bigger, and so standing out from the crowd becomes harder. When you also add in the actual price of the fragrances then you begin to understand why customers are reticent to switch allegiances. One niche brand that continues to perform well in these challenging times is the Wicca-inspired Screaming Mandrake Perfumes, and their latest Eldritch Mist fragrance promises to allow the wearer to flee to “the peace and safety of a new dark age.”

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Monday, 11 May 2020

OCEAN COMMOTION by Prosody London

Scent has always been great at conjuring up memories and emotions, and it’s one of the reasons that certain perfumes will resonate so deeply with us as individuals. We all have our own favourite aromas that remind us of special times and, when you find these within a fragrance, it’s often what cements your love affair with that particular perfume. Scents that are evocative of a place are always slightly harder to capture, because it’s so personal, but Keshen Teo has managed it perfectly with the release of his latest fragrance, Ocean Commotion. An early hint of summer fun, it’s time to dive into the water.

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Thursday, 7 May 2020

HOPE and GRATITUDE by Ruth Mastenbroek

It’s very difficult to maintain a feeling of normality during challenging times, and this is especially apparent at the moment. Many of us thrive on our interaction with friends and relatives, but that’s had to be momentarily halted for obvious reasons. This sudden change of lifestyle, and the support that goes with it, can have dramatic effects on people’s mental health, especially when they’re working on the frontline. With an increased demand for their services, charities that offer a helping hand are under enormous strain. This is where Ruth Mastenbroek and her family are helping in the form of their Hope and Gratitude candles.

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Monday, 4 May 2020

MONSIEUR DE PROVENCE by Prestige de Menton

You’ve probably heard the saying “all that glitters is not gold,” and it’s definitely one that can be applied to the fragrance industry. Jewel encrusted bottles that look more like an ornament than a perfume seem to be a must-have fashion accessory, but the contents can often be questionable. Looking at this from the other direction, “don’t judge a book by its cover” should also be applied to the simple way that some companies present their fragrances. One example of this is the enduring Monsieur de Provence by Prestige de Menton. It may be understated to look at but the perfume is a fantastic survivor of a bygone age.

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Thursday, 30 April 2020

DARK QUEEN by Sarah McCartney and ÇaFleureBon

The fashion for bloggers, vloggers, and reviewers to release their own fragrance seems to be at an all-time high at the moment. It’s clear that the majority of these are just a blatant attempt to cash in on their already entrenched audience’s admiration and, as such, the results can often be overly emotive or decidedly underwhelming. That’s why it was with some trepidation that I approached the latest release from ÇaFleureBon. The third in her celebratory series, and once again created by Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays, is Dark Queen a force to be reckoned with or a sibling to be ignored?

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Monday, 27 April 2020

TIARELLA by Fragonard

One of the questions that I get asked most often is “Which perfume do you wish that they would bring back?” Now this usually ends up relating to the particular fragrance house that you’re talking about, and so the answer is a little weighted in their favour. When you’re given free rein to decide then the decision becomes more about whether you go down the “scholarly” route or choose something more personal. So, in the current climate of reduced launches, I asked myself this question and the answer may surprise you. The fragrance that I would like to see come back is Tiarella by Fragonard.

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Thursday, 23 April 2020

SEA SALT TAR and POUDRE DE RIZ by Sven Pritzkoleit

When we are faced with troubles it’s almost second nature to try and remember happier times. This recollection can come in the form of music, a scent, or even the immediacy that you get with food. However it is summoned up, a familiarity that is entwined with positive memories is always the best antidote to the blues. With the current need to limit travel and even see our families, many people’s rituals have been thrown up in the air. However, Sven Pritzkoleit has come to the rescue with his emotionally evocative Sea Salt Tar and Poudre de Riz, which both come laden with smiles and sunshine.

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Monday, 20 April 2020

WHISKEY & VANILLA by Every Nook

The fashion for candles shows no signs of slowing down and, in times of uncertainty and challenge, that gently flickering flame in the corner of the room really can provide a feeling of comfort. There are thousands to choose from and every company has their own unique take on the combination of wax and wick. Also when we add in the cost, you start to wonder what you’re paying for. One company that is steering a steady course through the turbulent waves of the home fragrance market is Every Nook. This independent brand is providing some well needed decadence in the form of their Whiskey & Vanilla candle.

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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, 18 May 2020

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Monday, 27 April 2020

Thursday, 23 April 2020

Monday, 20 April 2020