Month: December 2013

Rose Splendide by Isabelle Doyen + Camille Goutal for Annick Goutal 2010

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Hello Happy Huffers,

Yes, I have spoken about Annick Goutal (1948-99) before. We have done days of the Annick Goutal Bio, Frag#1, Frag#2, Frag #3, Mandragore Pourpe, Songes, Grand Amour and Duel. You can tell how much I love the whole Annick Goutal aesthetic, it has been a constant house that I love. The fragrances are beautiful, smooth and totally wearable and even the slightly quirky or more arty of the line are still easily worn in most situations.

Rose Splendide by Annick Goutal 2010

Rose Splendide Annick Goutal FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Musk, Centifolia rose, magnolia, pear (Basenotes add vanilla)

A fruity rose, sparkling and shimmering, a gorgeously decadent, full blown, home grown with love bloom that takes flight from your skin the instant you first spritz and initially you can smell the cutting of the plant to bring the bloom inside, or maybe it’s the body of the rose bush as you brush it to smell the bloom. There is a fresh, dew-ish, watery hint of a vase awaiting your plunder. The initial fireworks are great fun and never fail to delight me. Once they calm Rose Splendide stays pretty linear throughout its 4-6 hour journey on my skin with the notes taking different centre stage times but really the whole character of this magnificent rose flower stays in the forefront. Warming slightly as it fades to dry down I am ready for a respritz by the 4 hour mark to relive the opening again.

 Rose splendide Annick Goutal T.Kiya FlickrPhoto Stolen T.Kiya Flickr

Rose Splendide and Jo Malone Red Rose are my two photo realistic roses that I go to. Very different in scent they are quite similar in feel and freshness, both feel like early morning all day and both remind me of times in the garden with my Mum when I was a kid and watching the roses grow from sticks to blooms through spring, it was always a magical thing to me.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto Stolen WikiCommons

Further reading: Sniffapalooza Magazine and The Scent Critic
Fragrance Shop has $55/100ml EdT before coupon
Surrender To Chance starts at $4/ml

What is your go-to rose? Is it photo realistic like Rose Splendide or amongst a cornucopia like Mohur by Neela Vermeire or maybe hidden in the depths like Shalimar(another two of my faves)?
Portia xx

DIOR Glamour: a book of photographs by Mark Shaw

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Hey Hey APJ,

Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for someone who has everything? here is a beautiful looking book presented by two of Christian Dior’s most famous models. It looks really swanky and elegant and brings us an as yet untold story of the beginning of the relationship between the photographer and the houses of fashion. WOW!
Portia xx

 

‘Dior Glamour’ by Mark Shaw – Interviews – Victoire & Kouka

Photo Stolen HuntLogoDIORLadyNoir wicked-haloPhoto stolen wicked-halo

Oroville: Shooting Stars Collection by Christian Rostain for Xerjoff 2010

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Hello Tobacco Lovers,

Thanks to Michael for passing me his sample which I decanted into a spray. You know those great photos of women wearing killer dinner suit inspired suits or gowns. They always look so elegant, except poor old Celine Dion who put hers on backwards. Remember the whole YSL Le Smoking? We studied that phase of his design life at fashion school. Remember also Alexander McQueen’s love of tailoring, fit and suits that worked perfectly with women’s bodies, often camouflaged by the OTT overlaying of belts, buckles and other pieces of drama? This is the fragrance I would spray lavishly on a person wearing such costume.

Oroville: Shooting Stars Collection

by Christian Rostain for Xerjoff 2010

Oroville Xerjoff FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Roman chamomile, clary sage, orange
Heart: Leather, orange blossom, Italian neroli, carnation, Cuban tobacco leaves, galbanum
Base: Mysore sandalwood, vanilla, amber, white musks

You’d think by reading the notes that I would be expecting a lush, green, herbal opening but it surprised me. I always expect Xerjoff to be hefty oudh or amber. Not here, this is extremely fresh, like CHANEL 19 but nothing like it, that is just the nearest correlation I can give you. I think it may be the sage and galbanum, but of course I could be dreaming. Reading Ca Fleur Bon, Mark Behnke got indole and when it comes in it is beautiful, before reading his review I had missed it because it doesn’t stay indolic for long and it is only up close that I can smell it so put your Oroville on the back of your hand and then rest your chin in your hand.

Oroville Xerjoff Drum Tobacco WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

When I see tobacco as a main note my mind goes straight to the pipe tobacco of my Grandma’s second husband Jim who put up with her nagging in return for the cleanest house and best cooking I’ve ever tasted. His smell through my earliest memories up until I was about 12 years old was a thick boozy miasma of stale pipe that had sunk into his cardigan and was ultimately “His Smell”. I really loved that smell and him. Sadly when he gave up the pipe all he smelled like was old man and cuddles were a lot less enjoyable. I digress, this is NOT what Oroville’s tobacco gives me, I get fresh plucked tea leaves/tobacco with a mini dose of leather, supple and plush early on which opens up into a very slightly toastiness both unusual and enjoyable, still crisp and snappy due to the flowers and resin. Curiously honeyed and not as green as I was expecting. The heart stays solid for about 3-3.5 hours, I continue to get wafts of the notes listed and the clove-ish carnation especially maintains.

Oroville Xerjoff carnation mrhayata FlickrPhoto Stolen mrhayata  Flickr

Sadly the base has been eaten up by my skin leaving only the merest whiff of what seems like clean laundry musks. I did get three good fragrant hours with a small projection and soft sillage. Worth the $$? You need to try it, my skin is notoriously scent hungry. I’ve given this sample 3 good wearings, 1 x dab and 2 x spritz. The spritz gives me nearly 4 hours of fragrant life, and the scent is excellent till it all sort off collapses at base level. If I had the money to burn I would buy a bottle and reapply every 4 hours because the top and heart are lovely.

Further reading: Ca Fleur Bon and The Scentuary
LuckyScent has $260/50ml
First In Fragrance has €199/50ml
Surrender To Chance starts at $5/.5ml

What did you think? Tried it? Want to?

Till tomorrow, be good to yourself and those i your orbit,
Portia xx

 

ime Natural Perfumes by Tonia Walker 2013

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Hi there APJers,

Recently Catherine de Peloux Menage (from Sydney Perfume Lovers) and I were lucky enough to lunch with a very interesting lady. A natural perfume curator that worked with a fragrance company and perfumer here in Australia. Unusually for a Natural Perfumer she has worked within the NICNAS (National Industrial Chemicals Notification & Assessment Scheme of Australia) and IFRA (International Fragrance Association) guidelines. Her bottles are produced in Italy and the lids in China. The look is very cool, calm and collected and will look beautiful on dressers, vanities and popping out of your purse for a respritz. Who is this lady? Tonia Walker from ime Natural Perfumes.

Normally I wouldn’t steal wholesale from a site but I think Tonia has covered a lot of the stuff that you are interested in knowing and it’s so easily understandable that I need not change it so:

ime: the phonetic Greek word for eimai meaning I AM.

Explore and experience life a little different each day. ime will naturally inspire you to experience the unique individual you desire to be day to day. And who says you can’t be driven, naughty, cool, flirty, expressive, beautiful, intuitive, enlightened and elegant whenever you want to be!

The nine Muses of Greek Mythology have been known throughout time to inspire and guide those who seek their radiance. ime is a series of perfumes where each scent is uniquely blended with 100% botanical ingredients that are designed to encompass the essence of each muse.

orange3 - erato

The Natural Facts

Each Eau de Parfum uses 100% natural ingredients from quality botanical sources. Which means each fragrance is naturally unique. Designed with nature, these perfumes evolve with your skin, changing over time to bring out the subtle qualities of your own personal scent.

Ingredients:
Pure botanical extracts and essential oils sourced from around the world,
Sugar cane ethanol from locally produced Australian sources.
FREE of artificial and animal fragrances, colours, phthalates, parabens or synthetic ingredients.
A whole lot of inspiration!

ime-orange-erato background

Erato [naughty]

Mood Inspired: Naughty, Irresistable
The muse of Love is devlish and sexy. Her romanitc prose will ignite you, inspiring you to love, be adored and find the moves to express the irresistably naughty goddess within.
Scent: Woody, Oriental, Floral
A sophisticated, warm, exotic, and silky scent that will softly intrigue and seduce the romantic side. Devilishly feminine.
Inspired Notes: Mandarin, Cardomom, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Tolu Balsam, Labdanum Balsam, Sandalwood.

There are 9 fragrances in the ime set, inspired by the Muses. Each has a very distinct reference to the muse in question and that muses area of control. Obviously the one that I fell in love with was naughty.

Erato (Naughty) is fun and flirty and has a lovely sensual, woodsy back beat that growls under the fizzy, fun citrus, herbs and flowers. I grabbed a bottle and have been enjoying it a lot. The opening is so dynamic, it pops out at you full of life and fresh vitality. If you have tried naturals before and been scared of their deep, dark and dank stories then the ime experience will disabuse you of that preconception. Erato is filled with light and the goodness of natural essential oils. I smell, and feel, bright and cheerful. It’s had not to smile while wearing this excellent fragrance.

Currently ime Natural Perfumes is only allowed to ship within Australia but they soon hope to resolve this problem.

Ime Collections Pack 04

Here are some Super Great Deals from ime Natural Perfumes

– Free Australian Shipping until Sun 15th De

– a bonus 10% off total order with the checkout code ‘bonus’ 

– a free Gift with Purchase when you buy a Collections Pack

ime Natural Perfumes GIVEAWAY

Ime Collections Pack 01

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week there will be 2 winners who will each receive:

1  ime Collections Pack with 9 x 5ml manufacturers spray samples
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

To be eligible for the draw just mention how you follow APJ and then go to the ime Natural Perfumes<<<JUMP site and tell me the name of a fragrance and an ingredient. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

Extra Chances?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie ime Natural Perfumes GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-2gz #Giveaway #Perfume @imenatperfume

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 8th December 2013 10pm Australian EDST and winners will be announced in a separate post
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Thursday 12th December 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Happy Holidays!

Escada Pour Homme 1993

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Post by Kymme CV
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Escada Pour Homme 1993

A Russian ballerina named Doris introduced me to Escada pour Homme (EPH) in 2005. Doris Vidanya to give her full moniker. I say ballerina, I mean a man painted for days (wearing LOTS of make-up), poured into a bodice/tutu and with a very, very tight black wig styled into a tighter ‘ballet bun’. See picture.

download

Side note: I should point out that I wasn’t soliciting men in tutus in the street! Doris (Grant Thomas) was a dancer with Les Ballets Trockerdero De Monte Carlo (http://www.trockadero.org/) and was in Sydney with the troupe as part of their 2005 Australian tour. I was also painted for days, but not in a tutu.

 Escada pour Homme Escada FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica Gives these featured accords:
Top: Orange, , lavender, cognac, Italian lemon, bergamot
Heart: Nutmeg, caraway, carnation, bay leaf, cinnamon, juniper, geranium, cardamom
Base: Sandalwood, tonka bean, patchouli, musk, vanilla

I liked EPH immediately. Those of you who’ve read my previous posts may remember my preferences when it comes ticking boxes. For those not up to scratch on my likes here is a quick reminder: Jacques Polge, Hermes: Terre D’Hermes + Voyage, Tiffany & Co., Slumberhouse, fresh, natural, patchouli, woody, musk, spice, tobacco, cedarwood, powdery, niche.

The early 1990s saw fresher, sportier fragrances become more popular than the headier orientals and herbals of the previous decade, but a handful of designers were still looking to update and revitalise them. 20 years later and although now discontinued, EPH still holds its own as a modern oriental that perhaps remains one of Escada’s best fragrances for men.

Escada pour Homme Escada Dragon WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

I find EPH to be sophisticated, sexy, masculine, prestigious, alluring and warm. On first smelling this scent one could forgive you for thinking it a fragrance an older gentleman might wear, but a confident demeanour will suit this well. It lasts forever on my skin. This morning’s spritz is still knocking a punch and the cognac, patchouli and musk are still coming through exciting my olfactory cilia…but there is still a refreshing citrus note on top of it all. It brings to mind good quality incense…eastern incense, not the mass produced variety.

Apart from Grant (Doris) and I, I can see Henry Cavill carrying off EPH with ease. It’s a bold, refined aroma that demands a bold, refined and elegant wearer. Those not sure of the statement they wish to make with their fragrance should probably tread carefully with EPH.

Further reading: The Perfume Critic
I can find Escada Pour Homme only at Amazon and Ebay now

Kymme CV x

Hope for Hope Day – One Seed

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Hope for Hope Day

We are thrilled to be able to support Australia Hope International with our annual Hope for Hope Day.

On the first Saturday in December, any purchase you make from our online store will directly help the people of Uganda & Congo. We will be donating 100% of profits from all sales made on Saturday December 6th to this valuable work.

Read more here about Hope for Hope Day.

Learn more here about Australia Hope International.

 

Mark the date in your diary, and thanks so much for loving us, and supporting the things that are close to our heart.

xx

Liz Cook

founder

The Hermit – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

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Post by Suzanne R Banks

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The Hermit – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Hermit n0cturbulous FlickrPhoto Stolen n0cturbulous  Flickr

He’s old, looks like he’s cold, and he’s on top of a mountain with a lantern. Notice how the yellow of the light and his staff jump out in this very grey card. He has taken one step at a time to reach the pinnacle of his wisdom. His lantern has shown the way. His lantern represents the wisdom he has gained through deep contemplation and life experience, and the acknowledgement of his inner light. His staff shows he has trusted his intuition, and knows that he can trust this part of himself.

When this card comes to you in a reading it’s about accessing your inner wisdom to guide you through this challenging time. It could also mean that in this time in your life, perhaps you need to look for a counselor or guide to help you find the right path for yourself.

It could mean this is a time for introspection and even isolation from the world so you can actually find quiet, to allow the divine intelligence of the universe to shine through you. This connection to universal energy may give you the space to find the inner peace you need right now. It is definitely a time to withdraw from the outside so you can turn your awareness inward to access the secrets of the multiverse. This can be a lonely life for the spiritual warrior and often very devoted spiritual people to find solace in being alone. It is in this state of being quiet, that the soul can soar in all directions of the space-time continuum. This is the great philosophical card of the major arcana.

The Hermit Inner peace Timea Varga FlickrPhoto Stolen Timea Varga  Flickr

Could this mean you are the wise person in someone’s life right now? Perhaps you need to become aware that your wisdom can help others and it’s time to share your light with the world. Are you a light worker that has hidden away from the world because you feel you are inadequate? It’s time to claim your place in the evolution of humanity and allow your wisdom to flow!

The Hermit Last_Angel DeviantArtPhoto Stolen DeviantArt

SO what essential oils could we use to access this state of calm, inner peace and spiritual enhancement?

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Black spruce – expansion of higher consciousness (my new fave oil)

Frankincense – deep breathing, meditation

Sandalwood Indian – the classic spiritual oil

Marjoram – relax, be calm

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

2. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

“I Am Willing”

Gain courage to look within –

Black pepper 1 drop

Petitgrain 2 drops

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“Meditate”

Slow down your breath and just be –

Frankincense 2 drops

Peru Balsam 1 drop

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“One Step at a Time”

Start your process of inner evaluation slowly o it doesn’t freak you out –

Vetiver 1 drop

Mandarin 2 drops

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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas.

Suzanne R Banks

Suzanne R Banks Blog
Suzanne R Banks Aromatherapy
Suzanne R Banks FaceBook

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

Bulgari Black by Annick Menardo 1998

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Post by Ainslie Walker

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There’s nothing like the smell of Petrol. Grease. Rubber. Tyres. Oil. Smoke. Welding. They are smells that smell naughty yet nice. Bad, but so very good.

Bulgari Black by Annick Menardo 1998

Black Bvlgari FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Lapsang souchon, bergamot, rose, green tea
Heart: Jasmine, cedar, sandalwood
Base: Leather, musk, vanilla, oakmoss, amber

Bulgari Black is almost all those things. If it had a soundtrack it would be from the movie grease or cry baby . You have all the grease, leather and slick of a hot mechanic working on a vintage car in the 50’s combined with the pretty and innocent puff of floral rose-pink powder coming from a cardigan and pigtail wearing prom queen, perched picnicking on some grassy knoll drinking tea from a thermos. (yes there is a touch of green and also some tea in the midst of this fragrance)

Black Bvlgari Drag_racing WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

This scent is like drag racing on a track of bitumen wearing a leather jacket. We have smoke, leather, burning rubber, black rubber, woods, tyres…a little bit of animal…pheromones?? Bold and verging on overpowering for the first 20 minutes or so when suddenly the sweet vanillas of hers seep through…vanilla-rose riding through with a cloud of smoke following…giving the sweetness a slight candied and almost amber touch. Top notes hint at bergamot, rounded and citrus. It’s a busy highway in a city next to a park.

There is another familiar smell…it’s hard to describe but it reminds me of the smell of inside my pencil case at school…pencils? wood shavings? Perhaps this is the ingredient that makes this scent matte to me…a suede leather, if you will. Even as an adult the interiors of my handbags smell a little of this in time…paper/pencils/pens/leather/fabric/the hint of some old perfume samples. One cannot overlook the packaging of this one either. It is a gorgeous bottle, no lid, encased in black rubber. Sexy.

Black Bvlgari Handbag danielle_blue FlickrPhoto Stolen danielle_blue  Flickr

I like this tough, soft, modern yet retro frag. It’s kind of mainstream with a big beautiful twist…it’s the sort of thing we would of expected from Lady Gaga’s frag/hype/marketing, but didn’t receive. It also comes at a great price.

Further reading: Bois de Jasmin and Muse In Wooden Shoes
FragranceShop has $28/75ml before coupon
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

Put it on your Christmas list, girls and boys as I am positive this can be worn by both men and women!!

I cannot wait to hear how it wears on you!

Perfume and Tea Pairings from Brie

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Post by Brie

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Perfume and Tea Pairings

The world of perfume blogging is relatively new to me. I have only been participating for the past years. Initially I was apprehensive about leave comments or even signing up to follow blogs. However, once I embraced this world of perfume blogging there was no turning back. I have developed many fragrant friendships with both bloggers and commenters. And what never ceases to amaze me is that we “perfumaniacs” are a generous and sharing group of individuals.

So please join me for my tea and perfume pairings with lovely gifts sent to me by two of my favorite fragrant friends.

Perfume_BottlesWikiMediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

UME by L’Oeil du Vert

The beautiful Undina (www.undina.com), knowing of my love for natural perfumes, graciously sent me a large decant of the discontinued UME. Not aware that it was in perfume oil format I initially sprayed lavishly on my wrist and neck. It was an oily herbal mess. Ever curious, I went her blog to research this natural perfume. Understanding its consistency made me unscrew the decant sprayer and apply the oil by fingertip to my wrists. Much better……now THIS is a gorgeous jasmine-green tea fragrance redolent of thyme and herbs. Usually my “perfume adverse” hubby scoffs at the wearing of perfume to bed at night. However, there are only two fragrances that are not “verboten” and UME is one of them. Amazingly Undina knew EXACTLY what I needed for sweet, scented slumber.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

Pleasant Moment Tea by Mikuniya Zengoro

My handsomely perfumed “brother” in Japan (www.theblacknarcissus.com) mailed me an unbelievable package of vintage fragrant goodies. Yet, knowing of my obsession with tea, he also included three Japanese teas as well. I have no idea if this is even the name of the tea but it was the only English writing on the canister so I am calling it as such. Pleasant Moment is unlike any tea I have ever experienced…even wafting it straight out of the canister puts me in a frenzied state with its lush greenery. A green tea nuanced with almond and jasmine notes that pairs exquisitely with the UME.

There are always “scentsational” surprises in store for us, thanks to our generous fragrant friends!

Brie XX

ED: Brie wrote this post ahead of time and will not be responding to comments. Portia will pick up the slack though so please leave a message in the comments if you’d like to continue the conversation. Brie, if you are reading, we miss you and hope you are happy and well. Drop in if you are around, we’d love to chat. XXX