Thanks for getting involved. I can’t wait to read how others like this scent.
Let’s see who won,
Portia xx
A*Men Kryptomint GIVEAWAY WINNERS
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Peppermint, sage
Heart: Egyptian geranium
Base: Patchouli, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, tonka
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
This week there will be 3 winners who will receive: 1 x 5ml A*Men Kryptomint (decant from my bottle)
P&H Anywhere in the world
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Closed Thursday 6th July 2017 10pm Australian EdsT
Winners were chosen by random.org
Chris Hartnett
Lillibet
The winners will have till Wednesday 12th July 2017 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
So let’s start right away by understanding that this is neither made for nor expected to be a big hit with perfumistas. I love the original Modern Muse, it’s got a really lovely thing going on and I have a couple of mates that now name it their warm weather signature scent. Hugging someone in the original Modern Muse is delightful.
Parfumo gives these featured accords: Mandarin, Black cherry, Rosa centifolia, Pink pepper, Carrot seed, Vinyl accord, Jasmine absolute, Styrax, Labdanum, Saffron, Patchouli, Vanilla
Firstly, let’s talk about this red & gold bottle with the plastic bow. It’s fun, I love the colour combo and also love that Estee Lauder took a chance on a shape not svelte, luxe or refined. Here we have a silly bottle. Somehow though it works, an irreverent swipe at all the conformity that the big brands and even they themselves have been doing. Bravo for design frippery.
Hefty sheer and sweet. You know how diet drinks have a weird aftertaste that people become addicted to? Modern Muse Le Rouge Gloss is like a cheap diet cherry cola. The freaky thing is that for all this 100% natural feeling scent, it works. It fizzes and has a sticky, glutinous appeal. The vinyl accord is warm and worn. The base ends up a sweet resinous faux-chouli with the diet cola accord and last for AGES, following me around all day and night. It goes so long that I get a little bored.
What Guerlain does with cherries is sweet but still maintains an air of sophistication, Modern Muse Le Rouge Gloss wears a similar fashion but a year later and from Target. YET, worn with such confidence, youth and joy that you hardly notice how crap it looks till you see comparison photos. I will admit to you right here and now that I am madly in love with this frivolous funster. I bought myself 30ml and one of my dear girlfriends 50ml. She loves it too.
Further reading: Lady Writes
Estes Lauder counters everywhere, chemists and discounters.
Have you tried any of the Modern Muse line?
Portia xx
Hey there dear APJ! How is everyone doing? Hopefully comfortably settling in with summer or winter.
It has been a hectic couple of months here in Rotterdam. What with school keeping us busy, family & friends visiting, it was a blessing to be able to get away for my son’s birthday over a long weekend at the beginning of June. He turned 8 this year and one of his greatest wishes was to see London (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, London Eye, and of course toy stores were all on his wish list). Not only did we manage to see all the sights, but we also had a couple of perfume activities which I would like to share with you today.
London Trip June 2017 Photo Essay
I finally got to meet Neela Vermeire of Neela Vermeire Creations! Wow! What an amazing woman – but I knew that already. It was absolutely fabulous sitting down with her in London and chatting for a while. Thankfully dear son and husband also enjoyed their visit. Thank you Neela!!!
Saturday was reserved for meeting up with Tara from A Bottled Rose. I last saw Tara in Vienna about two years ago and I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with her again. We started out by heading to the Natural History Museum. It was a bribe for my son so that we could go sniffing later! We headed off to Harrods afterwards and had lunch before heading to the toy kingdom which I must admit was exciting for us parents as well. The choice is staggering.
Now it was my turn – yay!! Tara took us upstairs to the beautiful area where many brands have their own small boutiques. I got to sniff perfumes from Xerjoff, Dior, Frederic Malle, Kilian, Ramon Monegal. The new Superstitious by Frederic Malle is gorgeous and powerful. Xerjoff is a brand that I like wearing and I was thrilled to see that the Casamoratti line is now offered in 30 ml bottles. I liked Monegal’s Flamenco quite a bit – the red bottle is eye catching and the perfume was a lot of fun starting off with a blast of raspberry and it stayed a happy joyful perfume.
This summer Dior will be shaking things up a bit. The SA was kind enough and said that I was permitted to write about it. I think that many of us will be super happy with the big news that they will be offering the Privée line in 40 ml bottles in addition to the current bottle line up. Dior will also be launching a new sub line to the Privée consisting of 10 new perfumes which are apparently easier to wear and more appealing to the mass market. I for one cannot wait to see what Dior comes up with and am so excited about the smaller bottles. My husband may have to hold onto my wallet!
When we meandered downstairs to the perfume hall I was taken aback at how bustling it was. One of the first perfumes I spritzed that day was Ormonde Jayne’s Ambre Royal. Truly a beautiful perfume with notes of osmanthus and iris and drying down to a wonderful unsweet amber. What a shame that I did not pick it up.
We then headed towards the Kilian stand where two handsome SAs Niko and Johan greeted us and walked me through the new releases. These two gentlemen were so patient and kind and both had a great sense of humor – here is a picture of us. I just love the box for Black Phantom and decided then and there to buy the perfume. Not necessarily smart to buy a perfume for the packaging – but had to do it this one time. The one perfume that I just adored was Single Malt. I walked around the city with my arm at my nose and had to go back in the evening to buy that one too. Reviews coming up of the two Kilians.
After all of that our noses were exhausted and we decided to head to Big Ben. We took some pictures with Tara and our full on day came to a close. A big shout out to dear Tara for taking time to spend with us. We loved seeing her.
I know that I could have seen and sniffed more, but we jammed as much as possible into the 4 day weekend. It just means that we will have to go back and SOON!
What about ya’ll? Any travels lately? Any fun sniffing lately? I would love to hear about it.
Having recently returned from the UK on some holidays – they have started up this concept of a “beauty box” which is a great way to sample some new products at a really good price. Not all boxes are created equally and it definitely depends what you want to try versus what you’ve used before and importantly, the size of the product you are particularly interested – pay attention to the detail, some of them will show pictures of full size products but send small sizes in the package.
Caveats aside, I bought this Beauty Box which largely I’m happy with and I’m here to talk to you about the Gatineau Peeling Expert. So, cutting to the chase – this product blows my mind! The instructions are brief and they do not give any indication of the extent to which this product is used and it has really made me question whether I am using the rest of my beauty products correctly.
It says, apply a thin layer and massage gently till it breaks down to an oil. Easy you think. Not so – it takes about 30 seconds for it to start to break down into the oil. The break down to an oil is not like my other favoured (and discontinued) product from the Body Shop (I wrote about replacements here) and in fact it feels a lot thicker and difficult to wield.
The next instruction is to, and I quote, “keep massaging until a fine fluff appears.” So, I have to admit, I was a little confused when I first saw this and wondered what would happen. I wondered if it was like a super acid cleanser that would cause my face to bubble? And then I wondered if it would turn into a powder on my skin? But how from an oil? So, the result is neither. It actually goes from the oil to a peculiar peeling, which I’ve only ever seen before from Clarins, their Doux Peeling.
I’ve used the Clarins one previously, but looking back I think the guidance from the SA was perhaps not the best. She had recommended that I use my entire palm to remove the Doux Peeling and I didn’t enjoy it at all. The Gatineau version is actually a lot better and it does form a sort of fluff – mine is most often like a crumble (haha – gross!) than a fluff. The whole process from application to removal takes a few minutes – and the migration through the stages is something quite unique and successful. I actually really like the Gatineau peel, I use it about twice a week and it does leave my skin feeling lovely and soft.
The problem I have now though is wondering whether, in my haste to use my other products, whether I’m actually missing out some amazing feature of another product?
Do you have any products that have these stages? Do you now wonder if you’re missing a trick with your product?!
If you’ve read APJ over time you may remember that I was one of the Squirt Bitches for the launch of the original A*Men at a nightclub. We spritzed so much of it through the night and it stuck in my nose & throat for the next week to the point of nausea. It took many years for me to even be able to be in the same room as it. I would get headaches and feel physical disquiet. For me to finally find an A*Men that i’m comfortable enough with to purchase is a huge breakthrough.
We were in Luxembourg earlier in the year and there was a FABULOUS perfumery across from the central station, nothing posh but extremely well stocked in the designer ranges. They were also having a 20% off sale!
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Peppermint, sage
Heart: Egyptian geranium
Base: Patchouli, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, tonka
There’s no denying that Kryptomint is an A*Men flanker. From the first whiff that famous choc-chouli madness is well apparent. The feature note of peppermint given a lightly green gloss by sage and a crackle of clove-ish geranium gives this flanker and completely different personality. Suddenly what was loud, abrasive and sickening to me becomes fresh and fun. All this zingy peppermint is just silly enough to make A*Men a joy. Even as I write this admittedly crap review I am smiling like a fool.
The peppermint stays all the way through and I feel like I’m wearing Mint Slice perfume. Combining two of my absolute favourite things: chocolate and mint. MMMMMM
Longevity is stellar but projection is only moderate if applied in normal amounts. I admit to wearing it quite heavily when I’m alone, you have no idea how huge it becomes. Basically I’m dry cleaning the apartment with my nuclear sillage.
Want to try it?
See below.
Portia xx
A*Men Kryptomint GIVEAWAY
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
This week there will be 3 winners who will receive: 1 x 5ml A*Men Kryptomint (decant from my bottle)
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.
You must tell me how you follow APJ
and
Please tell us which Mugler scents make you smile or cringe?
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Close Thursday 6th July 2017 10pm Australian EdsT and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Wednesday 12th July 2017 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
Back in 2014 while travelling with my mate Michael we went and met the guys who recreated the Oriza L Legrand fragrance line. The men were really sweet and seemed to be genuinely involved in trying to create an incredible fragrance house. Their shop in Paris is absolutely gorgeous and they took a couple of hours out of their busy schedule to give us a history lesson and to let us smell the collection. It was a lovely afternoon and we had a ball.
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Petitgrain, tangerine, marmalade, rose
Heart: Cognac, amber, tobacco leaf, cacao, almond, oak, patchouli
Base: Benzoin, ambergris, white tobacco, vanilla, honey, leather, peat
OK some clarification, Hugo Lambert is Creative Director at Oriza L Legrand. He oversees the magic. I have erroneously put him down as perfume before. Sorry for the misinformation.
Citrus backed by a boozy amber and honey float straight off my skin. Chocolate and tobacco fold through like marbling on paper. It seems everything, every note, wants me to smell it at once. The opening fireworks are like the overture for a big show, all the major themes are played to give you a taste of what’s to come. Horizon lets all its secrets out in a fabulously symphonic rush and then calms to a sense of fragrance rather than a rush. It’s really fun, like a ride.
PDI
Warmth, dry tobacco and vanilla, dark and dense yet not a huge projection bomb. Horizon is a masculine leaning gourmand that would smell so Katherine Hepburn on a woman. A dark chocolate and patchouli heart with woodsy undertones and boozy tenors. Dry down is a patchouli rich amber with some leathered honey buoying it up. I can imagine wearing it as a go-to scent for someone who wants to smell really good, luxurious and interesting, but who sticks with a couple of scents for ease and through general lack of addiction like us.
Longevity is excellent, Horizon has lasted through a 3 hour vacuuming, floor steaming and bathroom clean.
This week there will be 1 winner who will receive: 1 x 5ml Cuir Caraibes manufacturers sample (minus my testing)
P&H Anywhere in the world
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Closed Wednesday 28th June 2017 10pm Australian EdsT
Winner was chosen by random.org
Morrigan
The winners will have till Wednesday 5th July 2017 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
Hello, scented greetings to you! I hope this little note finds you all well.
Today, I have saturated my wrists with a breathtaking new natural perfume that has completely stolen my heart! It made a crazy day seem much more manageable, a bubble shield of serenity. As a bonus, the magnetic pull of my perfume became evident at the office today. I was alone in a conference room when a friend ran in and sniffed the air, immediately guessing that my fragrance must be the amazing scent that drew him in. Flattered, I shared a link with him – I hope his wife will be getting a phenomenal gift soon:
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Olibanum, pandanus, henna, palo santo, galanga, sandalwood, ash, nard himalayan (jatamansi), butter, copal, agarwood (oud), mitti attar, madam, rose
This pure pleasure of a perfume opens with depth and sincerity. I sense golden resins, buttery soft leather, smoky India ink, and a kiss of the syrupy sweetness of immortelle flower. The heart and soul of the aroma on my skin from start to finish is a luxuriously balanced high end frankincense, woody but not dry. Hours later, the other notes have dissipated, but the resonant olibanum just sings and sings, an absolute joy.
The inspiration for Antimony is the ritual of applying jet black kohl around the eyes, a talisman of protection and glamour. The darkness of the intensity is spot on, but the aroma is not heavy. In fact, it lifts from the skin, buoyant and graceful, infused with the delight of confident victory.
I applied this perfume 12 hours ago and it is STILL wafting healthily from my skin. The vibrant longevity of this 99.99% natural fragrance is just unreal! Antimony is unique enough to get you noticed no matter the occasion, while pleasantly attractive enough to be wearable without challenging your companions.
I love the points system on House of Matriarch’s website. My purchases over the last year have earned me a 50% off coupon code, how rad is that? These perfumes are highly concentrated treasures rich with top-of-the-line absolutes and worth every cent.
Have you sampled House of Matriarch yet? What is your favorite?
Until next time, be well and take time to smell the roses!
My mate Mia imports David Jourquin fragrances to Australia through the Perfume Profilinggroup and she has sent me a 5ml sample to try and give away. Recently Sandra wrote us and introduction to these David Jourquin scents, they all look like they’re going to be really lovely and I adore the bottles. Don’t they look fun with their leather coats?
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, citruses, green mango
Heart: White flowers, Jamaican pepper, ginger
Base: Vvetiver, guaiac wood, patchouli, leather, amber
Cuir Caraibes opens aquatic, spicy, foody, and full of fresh cut fruit. It’s an unexpected delight jolting me from the hum drum into a fresh, juicy daiquiri of a fragrance. The fruit is buoyed by the sizzle of pepper and the zing of ginger. The whole has a lovely soft creaminess keeping it from going supersonic and I think that might be a very clean jasmine mixed with the patchouli.
The heart maintains the crisp fruit from the opening as a whisper as we find a more relaxed, lightly smoky elegance. There’s something very unusual about the way these flavours all blend, piquant.
As we head towards dry down Cuir Caribs becomes very smooth and balmy with only quiet hints of the named ingredients. Very wearable and lasts for ages.
This week there will be 1 winner who will receive: 1 x 5ml Cuir Caraibes manufacturers sample (minus my testing)
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.
You must tell me how you follow APJ
and
Please tell us which leather scents you love?
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Close Wednesday 28th June 2017 10pm Australian EdsT and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Wednesday 5th July 2017 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
This week there will be 1 winner who will receive: 1 x Curious by Aftelier Perfumes sample
P&H Anywhere in the world
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Closed Saturday 24th June 2017 10pm Australian EdsT
Winner was chosen by random.org
Brad Woolslayer
The winners will have till Saturday 1st July 2017 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
PDI
Australian Perfume Junkies 