Roxana Villa @ Beyond Aromatics Conference: Seattle

September 10, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom

Hi all you Independent Fragrance lovers,

I just got news that my buddy, the lovely Roxana Villa from Roxana’s Illuminated Perfumes, will be presenting a talk on Saturday at the Beyond Aromatics Conference: Seattle. I am so jealous of all you PNW Americans, please go along and enjoy hearing one of the world’s most beautiful and successful natural perfumers speak about her way of creation.

Photo Donated Roxana Ville

We have talked about Roxana’s Illuminated Perfumes quite a bit here at APJ because they are freaking sensational. Really beautiful, primal uses of natural ingredients that will whisk you away to the enchanted forests of your dreams. You can jump to the Roxana’s Illuminated Perfumes site for more information on Roxana and her sensational fragrances.

Photos Stolen Roxana’s Illuminated Perfumes

The Tree of Life: A Mystical Approach to Botanical Perfume

Talk by Roxana Villa at Beyond Aromatics Conference: Seattle

Engaging both the rational and the creative mind as a rainbow bridge leading to the formulation of botanical perfumes using a threefold structure.

Learning objectives:
History of Perfume
The parallels of making botanical perfume and the path of the alchemists
Essential oils and the elementals
Inspiring the imagination and intuitive mind

Photo Stolen Photos Stolen Roxana’s Illuminated Perfumes

Spring into MYER, Sydney City – Launch of Gallerie de Parfum

September 10, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 24 Comments

Righto!!

It seems we are loaded with wonderful, fun, exciting and new learning experiences Spring 2014. We have the SOLD OUT 1 Day Masterclass with London’s Karen Gilbert: evaluator from IFF and perfumer for many brands on September 20, Michael Edwards Masterclass last week and Meet-Up and now a new reason to get excited, the launch of a new niche counter in Myer; Gallerie de Parfum.

Spring into MYER, Sydney City – Launch of Gallerie de Parfum

HOSTS: Nick Smart (Agency de Parfum), Portia Turbo (Tranny About Town)

WHERE: Gallerie de Parfum counter. MYER, Sydney city

WHEN: 5.30pm September 24 2014

COST: FREE

How about a sneaky champagne after work? Why not come and play perfume with us?

A mini masterclass from Nick Smart and Portia Turbo on our three favourite scents each in the Gallerie de Parfum. It will be a fun way to get to know some perfumes that you may have missed, meet some other lovers of fine fragrance and most of all it will be an excellent wind down after a stressful day of whatever it is you do. Nick and I will be picking some fragrances that we have in our collections and talking you through them, it’s always nice to share our passion.

We are having 10 people at this event so be very quick.

Sensationally lavish goodie bags valued at over $100 for anyone who buys a 100ml fragrance from the range.

Also, there will be a FULL BOTTLE of L’Artisan Parfumeur: Explosions d’Emotions Range GIVEAWAY for one lucky shopper.

Olympic Orchids by Ellen Covey – Assisting the Sorceress

September 8, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 38 Comments

Post by Azar

Olympic Orchids by Ellen Covey

Labor Day Reflections – Assisting the Sorceress

I have no doubt that Olympic Orchids Perfumes are magical. Ellen Covey’s success as an indie perfumer is grounded in her creative spirit and reinforced by her extensive knowledge of fragrance materials, countless hours at the perfume organ, carefully considered artistic marketing and her commitment to the time consuming and repetitive tasks associated with any successful enterprise. While I have no illusions about my ability to create a fragrance, I do know that I can handle the time consuming and repetitive. In my experience even the most glamorous jobs can dull with repetition. I have also learned that it takes a relatively high level of discipline to successfully perform the same small motor task over and over again without losing focus or precision (both lessons learned from 60 years at the piano). I am certain that my talent for the tedious could be put to good use on a fragrance sample assembly line.

Unfortunately, many of today’s independent perfumers and niche fragrance houses cannot be bothered to offer samples. The labor and expense involved in filling, labeling, packaging and posting the samples is not seen as cost effective. These guys rely on their websites, social media and the blogging community to sell their perfumes. Why go to all the trouble of offering samples when new customers can be so easily manipulated into blind, full bottle buys. I have succumbed to this strategy more often than I care to admit. As a result I have come to appreciate and support the perfumers who offer their customers a sniff.

Photo Donated Ellen Covey

About a month ago I visited my friend Ellen with the express purpose of putting together samples. Before we began she took me on a tour of her bamboo grove, orchard and gardens. She opened and shared some newly arrived absolutes and then we headed upstairs to the atelier where we tested (and Ellen tweeked) several soon to be released fragrances. After all the fun we finally set to work putting together samples of California Chocolate.

I am no stranger to decanting and labeling but have had no previous experience with the solo assembly line. Ellen gave me the simple tasks of labeling tiny plastic bags, labeling and filling vials and packaging the samples in the bags. She monitored my progress and gave me helpful suggestions along the way. A pipette gun with disposable tips and a rack for vials made working the line a lot easier. My first adventure in serious sample production was rather slow and clumsy but I know, that with practice, my speed and precision will improve. As a reward for the work both Brad and I were treated to a fabulous salmon dinner prepared by Ellen and Michael followed by an amazing dessert of ice cream, guava sauce, whipped cream and figs freshly picked from Ellen’s garden. “Nice work if you can get it…Emoji”.

Azar xx

Photo Stolen myprettypaints

Sample Selection GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 Winner who will get:

The draw includes a VM Hedonist sample, an Elektra sample, at least one Amouge carded sample and more good stuff. I’m not trying to unload things I don’t like, not used or rejected samples but new packaged and carded samples and a few fresh decants, I just want to give away duplicates!
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to US RESIDENTS ONLY 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

Reveal, if possible, approximately how many samples you have laying around your house, place of business, in your car, purse wherever. Have you developed a workable plan to store your samples? Let us hear about it!

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie APJ Sample Selection GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-38D #Perfume #Giveaway

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 11th September 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will probably be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Sunday 14th September 2014 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.

Vintage Dioressence by DIOR: GIVEAWAY WINNER

September 8, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Hey Happy Huffers,

Thanks for getting involved with our draw. This was clearly a big winner because we had loads of comments. Though I didn’t respond this week I did read them ALL, and enjoyed your stories and memories immensely. Thanks for sharing, I loved it and I bet a whole bunch of our readership did too.

Portia xx

Vintage Dioressence by DIOR: GIVEAWAY WINNER

Problem using this photo? Tell me I’ll pull it down

Fragrantica give these featured accords:
Top: Aldehydes, orange, fruity notes, patchouli, green notes, bergamot
Heart: Carnation, tuberose, cinnamon, violet, orris root, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose, geranium
Base: Musk, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, oakmoss, vetiver, styrax

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 Winner who receive:

1 x spray decant of my Vintage Dioressence, courtesy Michael Edwards
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID 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

Tell us about a vintage in your closet with a story? Or even a vintage you remember smelling once upon a time.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Vintage Dioressence by DIOR GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-33y @Dior #Perfume #Giveaway

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 7th September 2014 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen HighestSelf

Julie Ohara

The winner will have till Thursday 11th September 2014 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.

La Haie Fleurie du Hameau by L`Artisan Parfumeur 1982

September 7, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 18 Comments

Hey All you Fragrance Lovers,

GOSH! 1982, this frag came out while I was still in school. 1982 was the last year I was in the Top 10 of my year and just before I went seriously “Off The Rails” as they called it back then. I think by then my Mum had bought me an Aramis and a mini of VC&A Pour Homme, maybe by then I had even had Polo. That doesn’t count wearing all my Mum & sister’s fragrances though.

La Haie Fleurie du Hameau by L`Artisan Parfumeur 1982

La Haie Fleurie du Hameau by Jean Claude Ellena

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Jasmine, orange blossom, narcissus, ylang-ylang, honeysuckle, vanilla, oakmoss

It’s been super busy around here lately. The house has a For Sale sign out the front and we have been working like House Elves to have it super schmick for the auction. I feel as though I’ve neglected you all a little this weekend, sorry, my head is full to overflowing with stuff and I can’t find a damn thing in the house because so much is packed away in storage. So while I am wearing as much fragrance as ever I am wearing it to forget thought, as a mini mental holiday rather than to run through notes and journey while wearing it. There has been a LOT of gardening going on and every time I work in the front I am completely engulfed in the glorious scents of Erlicher jonquils and King Alfred daffodils.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia Photo Stolen AusGardener

Here is another of my lucky gifts from Michael Edwards, and when I spritzed it tonight it was exactly that gorgeous heady, narcotic and indolic magic that I smell while working in the garden. Mesmerisingly beautiful, as I was driving to work and the few first minutes before I was swept up in Trivia I was absolutely gobsmacked by how lovely. An older bottle with the round cap I think the flowers are totally gorgeous and opulent.

What an excellent rendition of narcissus, I can easily smell how this young man could have fallen so deeply in love with his own beautiful perfection and wanted to smell only that until he wasted away, engulfed or perhaps became merely a breath of indolic air.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

While it is not terrible long lasting, at about 2 hours fragrant and maybe another 2 of very quiet floral vanilla wisps, I found it a wonderful fragrant ride. Extremely pretty and I felt lovely, sometimes a fragrance can make me think I am quite gorgeous. Transportive. Suddenly I am a girlish waif, happy and carefree on a sunlit hill covered in daffodils. It’s like the scene in Death Becomes Her when Meryl Streep takes the potion, except I spritz it.

Further reading: Perfume Smellin’ Things and Perfume Shrine
Surrender To Chance has samples that start at $4/ml

Did you ever get to smell this lovely white and yellow floral?
Portia xx

Christian Siriano Silhouette Fragrance 2014 Ad Campaign

September 6, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 13 Comments

Hi hi APJers,

Here is a new release that I was unaware of till right now. To be honest I’ve never heard of this young American designer. I love his sense of fun and quirk in the design of the bottle though. It really does feel like a layered and pleated gown, the colours are interesting too. I would not have been surprised if Kenzo had brought out this look.

Silhouette by Christian Siriano 2014

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Grapefruit, black currant, green apple, freesia, purple berries, green notes, woody tones, oak moss

I’ve not smelled the fragrance yet and it looks fairly formulaic designer 21st century froth but who knows, they may surprise us.

Portia xx

Christian Siriano Silhouette ad Fragrantica

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Christian Siriano Silhouette Fragrance 2014 Ad Campaign

As is so often the case art8amby is my source for this fabulous campaign.

Coco Rocha looks divine in the campaign! (source)

Karen Gilbert Masterclass in Sydney! September 20 2014

September 6, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom

Hey There APJ Crew in Sydney,

This is a reminder, we have 3 places left for the course.

Karen Gilbert is coming to Sydney in September, so save the date Saturday September 20. I have cajoled her into hosting her 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class here in Sydney. This is the event that Karen runs worldwide and it will be her first ever training day in Australia. A once off, one time only deal with someone who has worked in the fragrance industry for years as a Perfume Evaluator at IFF, then on to working as a perfumer herself and consulting for some of the world’s best known brands. Now Karen is writing, fragrancing, teaching and traveling the world. We are so lucky that she has agreed to host her 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class here in Sydney.

Just so you all know, I will be receiving no kickback for organising this event and that Karen is doing a very special price because it’s for me. Normally in the UK a day with Karen will cost guests around £200 each (that’s over AUD$350) and having Karen teach a corporate day is priced beyond my wildest dreams. You can book here 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class<<JUMP. There are a very small amount of guest places for this event because Karen wants to make sure everyone gets as much of her attention as possible.

Can’t wait to spend the day with you getting a better understanding of fragrance and how the industry works. We will have a great time together, promise.
Portia xx

BookDepository AUD$19 delivered worlwide

BookDepository AUD$16 delivered worldwide

1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class

I’m so excited to be running this 1 day perfumery class in Sydney Australia!

Do you want to create your own fragrance or just learn more about perfumery?

I have been wanting to run a class for my Aussie readers for ages so when Portia of Australian Perfume Junkies suggested fitting one into my September trip to Sydney I jumped at the chance.

For those of you who have never met me before you can read more about my background HERE

All my classes are very in depth with lots of industry insider tips as well as lots and lots of hands on practical experience. Many students who have done classes with other teachers and are still stuck find that even after the 1 day class it all makes sense and falls into place. I tend to tailor each day to the experience level of the group so each class is a unique experience. This class is suitable for beginners or more advanced students

1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class

This introductory workshop in perfumery will give you the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the history of perfumery and then work with a variety of materials to design your own fragrances. You will have plenty of hands on experience in blending and creating your own accords and finished fragrances. All materials and equipment are provided and no previous experience is necessary. All you need is imagination and a love of perfumery.

Topics Covered In The Class:

The History of Perfumery
The Sense of Smell and What it Means To Us
The Beginners Guide to Training your Nose
Classifying Fragrances
Top, Middle and Base notes and Why They Are Important
Creating Accords
Practical Blending Techniques
Naturals Vs Synthetics

By The End The Class You Will:

Have an understanding of the historical significance of fragrance
Have learned about the different ingredients used in perfumery
Easily be able to classify aromatic ingredients into the different fragrance families
Understand how accords are created
Have practised blending top middle and base notes
Have created your first fragrance

You can book here 1 Day Introduction To Perfumery Class<<JUMP

VIE Vienna by Gérald Ghislain for The Scent of Departure 2011

September 5, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 7 Comments

Hi there Perfume Junkies,

There are a few brands that I have looked at occasionally and wondered if they would suit me, or work for me. My interest is tweaked but still I never quite get around to trying their wares. No reason except I don’t come across them in my life and forget to order them when sample/decant shopping. While we were in Korea recently I stumbled across a store that sold The Scent Of Departure range, I love their idea, the fun packaging, the relation to travel and the price point. At the time I spritzed myself with Bali and enjoyed the 100% artificial feeling ride immensely, it was a fun, plastic version of what I imagine Bali to be and I was sad that I’d not purchased. Now I can’t seem to find it online from anywhere that sends to Australia for less than the asking price. Even IndieScents has none left, though they do have others.

VIE Vienna by Gérald Ghislain for The Scent of Departure 2011

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Mint, cut grass, floral notes, lemon, bergamot
Heart: Lotus, tarragon, anise, cinnamon, rhubarb, clove
Base: Mexican chocolate, vanilla, coffee, licorice, patchouli, woodsy notes, Guaiac wood

Imagine lemon balm dipped in chocolate and with a side of ice cream. That’s how Vienna opens for me. A fizzy, fun, citrus extravaganza that is both cool and warm. The note list seems quite arbitrary and bears only the most nodding acquaintance with what I smell. Mint, kinda, cut grass, ummmm no, anise, yes, something flowery and slightly wet and some spices that are not particularly cinnamon or clove. Patchouli I get once the opening notes blow off and the anise could be construed as licorice. Chocolate is most pronounced at opening but makes interesting re-appearances throughout pairing with this or that note. Tarragon slides in surreptitiously and sweetens the mix with its lovely green warmth. YUMMY! Next day I am still softly but noticeably fragrant, it’s a woody sweet remnant.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

So how does this tie in with Vienna? One of my favourite cities in the world where Empress Sisi once lived, the heart of the Austrian empire. Where in 1994/5 I used to visit my childhood friend David C who was dancing in the Vienna State Opera Ballet. Where I have been visiting Birgit, Dr O & Sandra (and Sean) from Olfactoria’s Travels, staying at the central but fading majesty of the Royal Hotel. It’s reasonable priced, around the corner from St Stephen’s Cathedral and in the heart of the Vienna shopping and historical district.

Photo Stolen Pixabay

What does this fragrance have to do with the Schonnbrunn, Hoffburg, Belvedere or any of the nearby historical monuments? To be honest I think very little. Unless you take the fizzy opening as cold snow covered Vienna, which is my favourite way to view it. Then the spicy, stark heart could be the beauty and interest of the architecture, artists, cathedrals and parklands. If we can stretch the analogy then the slightly freaky gourmand base is the people. Underneath their reserve they are a warm people to strangers, friendly and welcoming and when you hit their funny bone they are quick to laugh and enjoy themselves.

Photo Stolen Flickr

Further reading: EauMG and Ca Fleure Bon
LookFantastic has £27.20/50ml (ONLY UK shoppers though)
IndieScents has some samples

Are these discontinued? Is there a shortage? Have you tried any of them and what did you think?
Portia xx

Vintage Dioressence by Guy Robert for DIOR 1979

September 4, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 35 Comments

How’s it going APJ?

Hopefully all is well in your world. If not, please don’t stress because as the Medieval Sufi poets so accurately wrote, “this too shall pass.” As, perhaps, has today’s fragrance. I can’t find the modern iteration on the DIOR site and only two of the discounters have it. I haven’t checked department stores but ,maybe some of you all have seen it around? My vintage Dioressence was given to me by Michael Edwards, what a gentleman he is.

Vintage Dioressence by Guy Robert for DIOR 1979

Problem using this photo? Tell me I’ll pull it down

So I read what I had written and then when reading for the Further Reading list below I found this from Angela at Now Smell This which made my words look like dreck. This is exactly how I experience Dioressence: …kicked off with an intriguing mix of soap and rot. The rot was not musky like body odor, but decomposed, like the vague dead squirrel smell I catch here and there in Guerlain Jicky and Shalimar. The rot smell faded to the background, and a gorgeous floral bouquet, languorous and spicy, nudged in, supremely blended and supremely French in feel. For all its richness, Dioressence wasn’t heavy, and even though the sample was only of the Eau de Toilette, it lasted for hours….

Further reading: Olfactoria’s Travels and Now Smell This
AllBeauty in the UK has £68/100ml
Beauty Encounter has $25/7.5ml
Surrender To Chance has a range of samples starting at $4/ml

Photo Stolen manoneileen

Vintage Dioressence by DIOR: GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 Winner who receive:

1 x spray decant of my Vintage Dioressence, courtesy Michael Edwards
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Tell us about a vintage in your closet with a story? Or even a vintage you remember smelling once upon a time.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Vintage Dioressence by DIOR GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-33y @Dior #Perfume #Giveaway

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 7th September 2014 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 11th September 2014 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.

Have you seen Dioressence in the stores recently? Smelled it?
Portia xx

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

September 3, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 16 Comments

Post by Suzanne R Banks

Argan oil has become increasingly popular in the west in the past few years. The tree is native to south-western Morocco where it happily exits in drought conditions and is perfect for semi-arid soil. The native tree Argania spinosa also helps prevent soil erosion and even provides the perfect resting spot for goats.

Photo Stolen Semangat

In 2007 UNESCO added this wonderful tree to the endangered species act, but since then Morocco has planted many more argan trees to cope with demand. A body was established in 2002 specifically to regenerate the “Arganerie”, which refers to the native populations of trees in Morocco. At this stage I can’t seem to find if the UNESCO ruling has been altered, but the positive effects of new plantations of argan trees has already been felt, especially in regards to employing women.

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

The oil comes from the kernels in the fruit which are split open by hand, mainly by local women. It is labour intensive which is one of the reasons the oil is more expensive than other oils such as sunflower, grapeseed and almond.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

Sometimes referred to as liquid gold, the oil is high in oleic acid, similar to olive oil. The kernels are roasted if the oil is intended for culinary use (again, in similar ways to oilve oil in the Mediterranean region), but is left natural when the oil is to be sold for cosmetic uses.

Argan oil has really made an impact in hair care, but as with any cold pressed oil, it’s great for skincare too. I recently watched a YouTube instructional video by Aromatherapist Danielle Ryman. She makes her facial serum with almost all argan oil, only a few drops of rosehip oil and of course some essential oils. I also have a locally made face serum that contains, but is not limited to, argan oil. I haven’t used this oil straight on my face like I would with rosehip oil – but now I really want to!

Photo Stolen OneSpotAllergy (Problems with this image use, please contact)

We must ensure that our demand helps build Morocco and not rape it of its natural resources. We are so desperate for new things, driven by our consumer attitudes, that we are always looking for the next best thing. Argan oil seems to fit the bill perfectly and various websites claims many properties. We must not forget that many carrier oils do the same thing, so as long as it’s sustainable, embrace this wonderful oil and try it in your new formulas. You could use this oil for –

* warm oil hair masks

* warm oil facial treatments

* face and body oil blends

* cuticle and nail treatments

and just about anything else you can think of.

Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.

Suzanne R Banks XXX

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