Niche Christmas Gift Ideas from Under $20

November 17, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Post by Ainslie Walker

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas from Under $20

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25

For smoky vanilla lovers: Encens Feve Tonka perfumed soap $16.95

For the woody citrus lovers: Tilleul Cedrat perfumed soap $16.95

For the bearded hipsters and dandy gentlemen in your life, give them an aromatic moustache to sniff at: Penhaligon’s Bayolea Moustache Wax $19

For bathing beauties, both man and woman: Gascoigne & King Luxury Unmilled soaps come in aniseed, myrtle and charcoal (my favorite), tangerine, geranium and lemongrass, patchouli and poppyseed. They are beautifully packaged and handmade in Sydney, making them unique Aussie gifts! $25

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $35

For fragrant bathers of any age, even Grandma: Fragonard Shower Gel’s in Fleur de Vanille, Soleil, Freesia, Rose de Mai $28

For the gourmet foodies you know, make their dinner table decorating dreams complete: Cire Truden Madeleine Tapered candles come in Black, Aqua, Grey, Rose and Stone. Are dripless and smokeless and will be beautiful and classic even adorning your festive table $29

Flower of the moment is Lily of the Valley and Fragonard Muget Soap Gift Box of 4 is super cute. I just love the illustration on the box. Perfect for any age group now that this flower has been revived! $32

For the artists, creatives, art collectors, perfume lovers and just about anyone I can HIGHLY recommend Just Gil’s – Original Perfume Art Starting from $35. Just Gil is a talented, perfume-loving artist based in Sweden and you can follow her on instagram: @Just.Gil to see what she is producing. She also does warm and friendly, easy to watch fragrance reviews on YouTube: Just Gil
Her artworks are original and addictive (I have 2 already!!) and make the perfect original gift for anyone who is sentimental about a fragrance through to all you fragrance obsessives! She will do bespoke commissions of your favorite bottles too! *Postage –is a maximum of $18 for an any amount of pictures to be sent anywhere in the world, so team up with your buddies and order at the same time to share this cost. Be sure to order soon so yours arrive in time for Christmas!!

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $40

For work colleagues/secret Santa’s/neighbors and people you may not know too well, for example, The Fragonard Body Lotion’s are easy to gift in Soleil, Freesia, Rose de Mai, Fleur d’Oranger $34.95

A no sweat stocking filler is Penhaligon’s Deodorant’s in Bayolea (citrus aromatic), Quercus (chypre), Sartorial (fougere) or Blenheim Bouquet (citrus aromatic). $39

Who doesn’t like roses, Italy and a little bit of history?! The beautiful 250ml Santa Maria Novella Rosewater is a real treat with many uses and comes packaged with historic, iconic Santa Maria Novella labeling. $40 from Peony and Franque in Melbourne.

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $50

Creed’s Aventus Soap is a win for the men at only $49. No better choice than a sexy soap for Grandpa!!

Atelier Cologne Layering Duo (Ltd Edition) is handy for a hot Australasian summer, 2 travel sized spray bottles ready for a sophisticated freshen-up-respritz and layering experience. Orange Sanguine is zesty, juicy orange and geranium. Vanille Insensée takes sweet notes of vanilla, jasmine and lime and fuse with oakmoss, woods and coriander spice. Worn together to create a unique fragrance. From teen ages and up. Can be unpackaged into 2 separate stocking filler gifts for siblings. Available in Sephora Stores. $49

Frédéric Malle Editions de Parfums 10mls I had no idea these started so affordably!! A “gateway” sized bite into this drop dead gorgeous collection of quality fragrances by the very best noses in the world. From $50

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $60

A new release to Mecca from Korres is ‘Velvet Orris, Violet, White Pepper EDT’ it packs a punch and is built to last! For lovers of sweet, strong, fruity, powdery florals. (Think Flowerbomb to Coco Mademoiselle wearers) AND IT’S NATURAL!! $56

Award winning niche brand Costume National’s 10ml Rollerballs: So Nude, Homme, Scent Intense, Cyber Garden are $59 each from Libertine and Sephora and are a fantastic introduction to quality niche and make great gifts for teens and upwards! Packaging makes them a great gift for the discerning traveller!

BY ROSIE JANE James Fragrance Oil 5ml roll on is a delightful sweet unisex fig, gardenia and amber rollerball perfume. It’s creamy white floral notes edge on coconut and says summer to me. For all the sexy beach babes you know. Light, earthy and romantic. Perfect size for in the handbag. $60.00

Niche Christmas Gift Ideas Under $80

(Malin + Goetz) votive set of 3 candles – 3 x 67g In dark rum, tobacco and vetiver, the scented trio will make gifts for any sophisticated, house-proud males in your lives. $66

Where are you staying this Christmas? Give your hosts or even newly wedded couples unique ambient home scent as a thank you: L’Artisan’s Amber sachets. GORGEOUS! $79

Alahine by Jean-François Latty for Teo Cabanel 2007

November 16, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Post by Portia

I blame The Muse In Wooden Shoes. I find it hard to believe that I found that post in 2009, maybe I stumbled across it more recently but I fail to see how. Anyway, when I first read this piece about a fragrance conjuring such a fabulous memory I added a place card in my brain with Alahine on it. A rich floral amber? Sign me up. Then I completely forgot about Alahine for years. After getting a sample in a bunch that someone sent me it was back on the radar, I had a couple of decants and then last year I finally bit the bullet and bought 50ml……

Alahine by Teo Cabanel 2007

Alahine by Jean-François Latty

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured acciords:
Top: Bergamot, ylang-ylang
Heart: Jasmine, orange blossom, pepper, Moroccan rose
Base: Iris, cistus, patchouli, benjoin, vanilla, sandalwood, musk

Sweet citrus, languid white flowers giving fruity and green aspects and patchouli, my nose tells me tobacco but it must be the resins and patchouli dancing closely, there are also some chocolate references. Alahine seems to be a white floral for people who love orientals. Dryer and less spicy than the heavy hitting orientals Alahine is warmer and less overbearing than the big white florals. A middle ground.

Photo Stolen WikiMedia

Who wears Alahine? So if you want to smell like the feeling of being cuddled up on the couch, dozing yet aware that everything is OK. Not perfect but calmly, quietly, comfortably OK. Alahine feels like learning that good enough is. The gentle release when you finally understand that perfection is a goal but good enough (not second best, they are vastly different) will be good enough.

The base is beautiful and warm, vanilla/patchouli/resins all combine perfectly with the sandalwood and the lingering lush, near tropical bouquet to be delightfully creamy and lightly caramelled, only the merest dry hint of pepper gives the whole fragrance a lift, keeping it out of gourmand territory. Then it’s float and calmly settle all the way to lightly vanilla and gone.

Photo Stolen Pixabay

Further reading: Australian Perfume Junkies and Olfactoria’s Travels
Teo Cabanel has €65/solid, €115/50ml & €155/100ml
LuckyScent has $130/50ml
Posh Peasant has samples starting at $4/ml

What fragrance took you years to finally pull the trigger on?
Portia xxx

Joy vintage parfum GIVEAWAY WINNER

November 16, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Post by Portia

JOY! So well named. One of my great fragrant loves and surprisingly easy to wear. Can’t wait to see who wins,

Portia xx

Joy vintage parfum GIVEAWAY WINNER

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Tuberose, rose, ylang-ylang, aldehydes, peach, green notes
Heart: Jasmine, iris root, Bulgarian rose, lily of the valley, orchid
Base: Musk, sandalwood, civet

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x Joy vintage parfum sample
a couple of extras
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 15th November 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen amberinblunderland

Francesca Belanger

The winner will have till Thursday 19th November 2015 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.

5 Fragrant Gifts Under $60 2015

November 15, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 20 Comments

Post by Portia

Hi All,

Gifting is expensive! Here are some excellent Under $60 buys that will have them smiling, and feeling fabulous.

5 Fragrant Gifts Under AUD$60 2015

Molton Brown Vintage 2015 with Elderflower Bath & Shower Gel $33

Molton Brown is YUM! I love their packaging, generous sizes and they often smell fabulous too. Vintage 2015 has grapefruit, pettigrain, elderflower extract and vetiver. It goes on beautifully, lathers up a treat, is refreshing & energising and it has little GLITTERS in it that make me feel like a beauty queen. First saw Molton Brown Vintage 2015 with Elderflower with Ainslie Walker and begged to try them. YUMMMMMMMM. I’m about a third through my bottle and will be repurchasing again at full retail when it’s finished. $33 for 300ml and you can get the matching Body Lotion in a beautifully Boxed Set $77 at Molton Brown Au.

ime Natural Perfume Collection Pack $49.95

This set is an excellent gift, 9 x 2ml atomisers in a beautiful presentation pack. All the fragrances are based on one of the muses from mythology, remember Xanadu? While writing this post I’ve been happily marinating in Kleio [elegant] which is sold as a friendly and romantic blend of sweet florals with a touch of gentle spice and warm wood but my body is throwing a fabulous blast of anise over woods and some pretty chilly geraniums and grapefruit. Interesting and robust naturals to enhance your moods. Good longevity for naturals too. Go check the ime Natural Perfume site

Quantum Demonology by Sheila Eggenberger $59

You want to read a book that blows your mind? A book that picks you up and carries you along, shakes you up, makes you think and then spits you out with a whole new perspective on life? Fellow perfumista, blogger and all round stellar human being Sheila Eggenberger has given us such a tome, and littered it with frag references. I loved this book so much I had to buy a new one because I passed mine onto a friend who directs and produces films. Do yourself a favour. Hardback $59 at Book Depository

Choc Banana Tim-Tams 365g. 2 for $5

SERIOUSLY! You buy me 2 packs of these then we’ll be friends, possibly forever. Well, till I die of heart failure. If you love Banana Lollies and Chocolate then these are for you. Un freaking believably yummy. Two of the best flavours in the world brought together with a choc biscuit inside. It doesn’t get any better than this. Available at Coles Online.

Estée Lauder Youth Dew Deodorant $30

STOCKING FILLER! Did you even know this was a thing? It’s TOTALLY a thing. Excellent for under your seriously spicy orientals and also perfect as a fragrance on its own. Youth Dew the EdP can be pretty loud but the deodorant has the same basic model but sotto voice. It’s a roll on, has 75ml and I’m loving mine sick. This is my second one because I’m nearly finished my first and I found it for you at Myer Online

What are your best sensibly priced picks for 2015?
Portia xx

MudAustralia Candles: Re-Priced in time for Christmas 2015!!

November 15, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

Post by Ainslie Walker

As some of you know I’m involved in a scented candle collaboration with Mud Australia, who are an all Australian designer porcelain company based in Sydney. Recent expansions see Mud Australia stand alone stores in New York, London, Melbourne and a new Double Bay location in Sydney opening next week.

MudAustralia Candles

Re-Priced in time for Christmas 2015!!

I am happy to announce today that we have been able to reduce the price of the candles in time for your Christmas shopping

From $100 to $85!! at Ainslie Walker<<JUMP

Here is some further information from Portia’s APJ introduction & APJ Christmas Guide 2014

All their gorgeous porcelain designs (plates, bowls, mugs pendant lights, fruit bowls, vases etc.) are handmade in small batches in their Marrickville workshop, including the vessels for the candles. The hues and textures are gorgeous and the reason why they are in demand worldwide.

The candles burn for more than 80 hours. The vessels are reusable either by refilling with a candle refill (also available $40) or through use as a vase, drinking vessel, toothbrush/pen holder etc.

Mud01 – slate, milk or red

The collaboration Mud01 fragrance explores and draws from the soft hues and smooth textures of mud Australia’s porcelain. Ainslie uses a combination of white florals -tuberose, jasmine and orange blossom to create a smooth, creamy note, tolu Resin to add an earthy element, whilst green ginger and spices are used to add depth and warmth. The fragrance is feminine, yet strong, and reminiscent of Shelley Simpson, Mud Australia’s founder.

Mud02 – plum, dust or bottle

Features a fragrance with cedar, leather, amber and musks forming the base with neroli, orange, fresh cut herbs and sun dried hay floating above. The whole combines to give the effect of warm amber and deep woods throughout your home

Available now from Ainslie Walker<<JUMP and Mud Australia stores and stockists worldwide.

Iris Cendre by Julien Rasquinet for Naomi Goodsir 2015

November 14, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 20 Comments

Post by Portia

Naomi Goodsir is back with a new fragrance, four in the same number of years. I wish more lines would follow her lead and bring out their selections with more space between them. It could make the fragrance world a less dross riddled arena. My mate Jill from Peony Melbourne was recently at Pitti in Florence and she brought me back a sample of this baby which is available from this week on the website. EXCITING NEWS!

Iris Cendre by Naomi Goodsir 2015

Iris Cendre by Julien Rasquinet

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Floral notes, bergamot, tangerine, spices
Heart: Incense, violet, purple iris
Base: Cistus ladanifer (labdanum), tobacco, amber

Iris Cendre opens fully iris on my skin with a lovely bouquet of citrus sparkling in cool winter sunlight. Someone else mentioned aloe and I have to agree, it smells a bit like opening the pot of aloe vera and the cool refreshing and calming feeling of slathering it over a sunburn. All that is background hum though to the iris, orris & violet which are showing their powdery, earthy and leathery aspects. The heart starts out wet and cool but within the hour Iris Cendre has warmed through considerably and the iris becomes intertwined with the warmer and sweeter base notes and dry smoky hints. Once the spectacle of opening and heart die down Iris Cendre leaves a sheer trail of balmy leather and soft, simple, sweet amber that fades and musks down to close.

Photo Stolen Naomi Goodsir

Iris Cendre is freaking beautiful, especially for the first hour or two. I can imagine perfumistas spritzing in the morning and really enjoying getting to work by which time the fireworks are over and everything is lush and sotto enough to be office appropriate. Iris Cendre is also tenacious, I am left with a lovely wash of clean musks and a hint of resinous goodness over my just-woke-up skin scent.

Here’s the thing. I keep saying I have too much perfume and it’s true, you’d be appalled. Iris Cendre has made me reach for my Credit Card to pay full price. That’s got to tell you how good it is….. actually it’s even better than that. Iris Cendre could be the perfect iris.

Photo Stolen Naomi Goodsir

Further reading: Now Smell This and Colognoisseur
Peony Melbourne has $239/50ml
Surrender To Chance has $6/.5ml

Have you tried any of the Naomi Goodsir range? Are you excited about this one?
Now we just have to keep waiting for the next installment Nuit de Bakelite, a creation with Isabelle Doyen of the Annick Goutal range. MMMMM
Portia xx

Joy vintage parfum by Jean Patou 1929

November 13, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 28 Comments

Post by Portia

Recently I found on the eBay a Joy parfum black snuff bottle, still sealed with string and baudruche (animal intestine seal then, onion skin now) intact and was lucky enough that no one else saw it, well there were two other bids and they were small. I got my perfect vintage sealed beauty for about the cost for 2 people to eat a mid sized meal at McDonalds, including shipping. Oh happy day.

Joy vintage parfum by Jean Patou 1929

Joy vintage parfum by Henri Alméras

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Thick, heavy, oily and sparkly fruity floral with a susurrus of freshly cut greenery. A minute in and suddenly there is air, the fragrance breathes and as it does fresh sliced over ripe peach stands above the white flowers before being engulfed by them. The rose is ever present and waltzes through bolstering and linking the fragrance, giving it a richness, working with peach and greenery to create an almost photo realistic rose and then it’s all gone into the heady melange that makes Joy so fabulous, and joyous.

Photo Stolen DeviantArt

Once I’m past this point Joy becomes itself only, parsing it and cutting it into pieces feels like a very undignified way to treat such a fragrance. What I do now and for the rest of the ride is float on it, drift with one of perfumeries most enduring and seamless creations. The heart of Joy is a mesmerising dream of sumptuous rooms, rich parties, long pearl necklaces, hand finished tailored suits, granite entryways and stainless steel. If ever a fragrance felt like something a protagonist in a novel would wear Joy feels like a perfect fit for Ayn Rand’s lead character in Atlas Shrugged, Dagny Taggart.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

Further reading: Now Smell This and Non Blonde
Fragrance Shop has EdT $35/25ml
Surrender To Chance has samples of the parfum starting at $7/.25ml

Want to try it? See below.
Portia xx

Photo Stolen AllSteele

Joy vintage parfum GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x Joy vintage parfum sample
a couple of extras
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged. 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 (portia underscore turbo @ yahoo dot com dot au) so I know.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us your Joy story or why you’d like to try the parfum

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 15th November 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Thursday 19th November 2015 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.

L’Occitane en Provence: Holiday 2015 Film

November 13, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Post by Portia

Hi there Fragrant Fumies,

One of the things I love about the end of year holiday season is the beautiful films many of the multinational beauty companies create and present. This is the first I’ve seen from L’Occitane and I think you will love it.

Portia xx

Photo Stolen YouTube

L’Occitane en Provence: Holiday 2015 Film

A Dazzling Provençal Journey

Need some last minute, well priced Xmas ideas? L’Occitane Au can help. No, I’m not affiliated or paid by the company, LOVE the L’Occitane products though. XX

ARAMIS Calligraphy GIVEAWAY WINNER

November 13, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Post by Portia

Totally exciting giveaway, thanks Azar for being so generous. You are a star.

Portia xxx

ARAMIS Calligraphy GIVEAWAY WINNER

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x 2ml decant of the 3 Aramis Calligraphy Series fragrances
Calligraphy
Calligraphy Rose
Calligraphy Saffron
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 12th November 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen HighestSelf

Jessi

The winner will have till Sunday 15th November 2015 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.

Mr. Whiskers Beard Balms by Laurie Stern for Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery

November 12, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 14 Comments

Post by Poodle

I received a lovely bunch of samples from the Fragments 2015 show. The little burlap bag from Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery was one of my favorite discoveries. Inside were samples of Honey which I reviewed last time and Mr. Whiskers Beard Balm which I had to try just because of the fabulous name. Laurie Stern is the perfumer behind the brand which is named in honor of her two cat’s. She uses natural ingredients and the products are made in small batches. They are also cruelty free. I’ve enjoyed sampling her perfumes so I was hopeful I’d like the beard balms.

Mr. Whiskers Beard Balms by Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery

Mr. Whiskers Beard Balms by Laurie Stern

Juniper & Cypress Forest, Piñon Desert, and Vetiver Breeze

Photo Stolen Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery

Ingredients – organic oils of jojoba, avocado, rose hip seed, organic cocoa butter, beeswax from their own bees, virgin oil de coco creme, essential oils

Let’s clarify one thing. I don’t have a beard so I’m sure you’re wondering what on earth I’d want with a beard balm. Well, I have dry hair and lately I have a head full of frizz. I’ll try just about anything to calm it down. Why not beard balm? Hair is hair.

The first one I tried was Juniper & Cypress Forest Beard Balm with notes of, you guessed it, juniper and cypress. Compared to most of the fruity and flowery hair products out there this is a refreshing change. It smells forest-like and clean. Piney, but not like a Christmas tree. It reminds me of a cabin in the woods.

Vetiver Breeze is great for vetiver lovers. It’s fresh and earthy. I enjoyed catching a faint whiff of this one in my hair.

Next up was Piñon Desert with notes of piñon pine and sandalwood. This was my favorite of the three. It’s woody, but not sharp and synthetic. It hints at being in a lumberyard. There’s a warmth and a softness to it as well.

Photo Stolen Flickr

These scents are not going to overpower. They’re linear and light but it’s beard oil not perfume so that’s fine. I can’t imagine anyone wanting a strong scented product to use around their mouth area anyway. They’re somewhat solid in the container but melt on contact with warm hands. They’re oily but they are not heavy feeling and would probably work well as a body oil in winter. I didn’t use much and they did calm down my frizz and give my hair a decent bit of shine without silicones. For me, Beard Balms seem to soften and smooth my hair and skin pretty well so I imagine they’d work great when used on beards as intended. I’m curious to see what hubby says when he sees beard oil on my Christmas list.

Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery has $22/10ml

Guys, do you use a beard oil? Do any of you use hair oils? What’s your holy grail dry hair remedy?

Poodle xxx